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Jazz for aficionados

Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,319 posts
 
Thanks for another TW Quintet link, Acman. I’m really enjoying Mulgrew Miller’s piano.


Found this standard (trio)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdtb08ihndU
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
In reading these recent posts I could understand why Schubert feels the way he does. Schubert, for quite sometime now, has had a great rapport with the 2 fellows that ushered him off this thread because of their recent posts belittling him.

Schubert if you are still monitoring this thread I think you should not let those two have any influence on you. I thought your posts here over the last year or so were honest and informative and you never belittle any members here.

Keep on participating and just ignore the 2 members who, although they both have posted opinions that discreetly embrace racism and bigotry, are for the most part harmless. Out of thousands of posts by both of them a very small percentage are abrasive and belittling towards other members. 
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Listen:

Freddie Redd Quartet  --  THE MUSIC FROM THE CONNECTION
with Jackie McLean.   Music composed by Freddie Redd.

I don't think I have ever heard this much Jackie McLean.  

This music was written by Redd  for a play by Jack Gelber called "the Connection".   It's about musician drug addicts.   The play takes place in a room where the junkies are waiting for their 'connection', i.e. drug connection, named 'cowboy', to show up with the heroin.  The musicians playing here are actors in the play also.   Along with real actors.

Nothing about this music says 'drug addiction' to me, but I have not seen the play.   If it can be ferreted out, the OP can / will do it.
Good Jazz nevertheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGTJFH1JLXo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A16l7mtkEDs 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_4wMxCKmYY 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvVAppTtEM 

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I had a good friend who was also a professional musician who had that problem; consequently I saw the problem up close and personal, something no one ever wants to see.

There are many misconceptions about drugs and jazz musicians; number one is that they use drugs to play better. That's a flat out lie. While they can't play if they don't get it, they can't play if they get to high; but they are the most incredible musicians I've ever heard when they're just right.

Drugs have zilch to do with the musician; he or she would have become a drug addict whether they became a musician or not. Charley Parker was using before he became a musician. Billie Holiday had experiences that are fundamentally the reason behind so many drug addicts. Physical pain is gone once it's gone, but mental anguish never goes away, it keeps coming back, and "dope" is the only way to temporarily escape it. Of course there are a multitude of other reasons why people use dope, I just gave the reason that almost guarantees a dope addict.

Incredible musicians and "dope" is just a coincidence, or what ever drives them to use dope also drives them to become incredible musicians, but it's for sure "dope" doesn't help them play better.

Since I have that album, I'll get back to you about the music after I've listened to it again.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, that's "real jazz", not imitation jazz. Imitation jazz is when some dude who's been to "julee yard" hears real jazz and says "I can play that". Sure enough, he can play it. and to the uninitiated, it sounds like the real thing. But just like a jeweler can tell the difference between a fake diamond and the real thing, so can a true blue "aficionado" tell the difference between the sound alike and the real deal.

The "real deal" comes from within, not without, and if you ain't got it within, it can not come out; but if you been to "Julee Yard" you can probably play the notes off your instrument, and therefore come up with the best fake jazz anyone has ever heard.

I have two different albums of this music; one that showcases Jackie McLean, and another with different musicians except for Freddie Redd. Both albums have the same cuts, but different musicians.

Right now I'm listening to the one with Jackie Mac. I assume you also want to know how the other album with different musicians sounds. The album with the musicians listed at the bottom is the other album. I'll get back to you tomorrow with a full review.




Freddie Redd - Piano

Howard McGhee - Trumpet

Tina Brooks - Tenor Sax

Milt Hinton - Bass

Osie Johnson - Drums




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