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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
mikeydee's avatar
mikeydee
49 posts
 
I'm currently listening to JuJu Man by Gary Bartz.  I originally found this record in an old record store in New Brunswick, NJ in 1978.  It blew me away and I wore the grooves out.  I think the session was recorded at some out-of-the-way studio in LA in the mid 70s, but the sound isn't the story here, it's about Bartz' blowing his alto and soprano with much emotion. 

It would be many years later when it was re-released as a Japanese import on CD.  Now the streaming services have it.  

This album just swings hard.  It's worth a listen just for Gary's performance.  On "Chelsea Bridge", he starts on clarinet and switches to soprano mid-tune. 

Thank you, Gary Bartz!


rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Listen:

Camille Thurman  --  INSIDE THE MOMENT
Camille Thurman(tenor sax & vocals), Ben Allison(bass), Billy Drummond(drums), Mark Whitfield(guitar)

Chesky Recording using MQA technology.  Recording takes some getting used to.  Her sax sounds very subdued.   Sometimes you think they are playing to the technology.   Very small, but very enthusiastic audience.  Sometimes it seems as if their applause is the focus of the recordings engineers.

She is really a very talented singer, but as leader and Tenor Sax player, she needs to be more out front.  She probably will as her career goes on.

I thought 'Cherokee' was the best tune, also the band's encore number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Uo52AL6DM   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQxYr3hb_MU   

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

Cheers

On headphones you are constantly looking over your shoulder to see where the applause is coming from.   Strange.

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Lino Nicolosi...... Billy Cobham, Stanley Jordan, Eumir Deodato.

Streaming on Qobuz.

Real nice workout!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
And thank you for rolling out the welcome wagon Frogman!
😇😇
frogman
7,561 posts
 
I agree with the sentiment of your review of the Camille Thurman recording, Rok; even if I would describe what I hear differently. I don’t feel there is anything wrong with Thurman’s place in the recording. For me, the reason she doesn’t sound up front is that her playing is not commanding. Very talented, but she sounds like an immature player to me. Uses too many cliches with even a nod to Michael Brecker’s funk sound in one spot 😱. I find her scatsinging to be more compelling than her playing.  She can scat like only a horn player can and actually makes all the harmonic changes of a tune and doesn’t simply “generalize” them like most singers do. Still, she sounds kinda like Ella, just not as good; doesn’t have her own sound yet. There are many young tenor players out there who are far more interesting and compelling. Can they also sing? Nope. There’s the charm.

The amazing power of DNA! and carrying on the musical blood line:

https://youtu.be/-SQNVQHCNcg


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