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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
frogman
7,521 posts
 
Won’t wonders ever cease?!  O-10, I agree with you word for word on Abbey Lincoln.  Except for the studio/live part.  The studio always benefits those with lesser vocal instruments; hence the expression “We can fix it in the mix”.  
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Say guys I heard something that really grabbed me; it was all so "normal" that was why I wondered why it grabbed me. Tell me if this grabs you;


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOtUIMrJUyc&list=RDJ2j3ImSF7m4&index=3
frogman
7,521 posts
 
Pretty good piano player. Needs a better drummer; way too heavy handed and plodding for the way she’s playing the tune. Almost ruins it for her.  The bass player keeps pretty good time, but the soloing is a good example of why some people hate bass solos. She should move to NYC 😊
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Body and Soul:

The Lester Young performance  seemed to be more for dancing.  If fact, you can imagined a dance floor while listening to it.    This is what I call Swing.  The transition from Sax to piano and back again was smooth and the tempo was maintained.  Great playing.  Another hipster from Mississippi.

Bird was faster, and he played the entire tune.  The tempo did changed during the performance.  Not as dance friendly as Prez.   More like, listen to Bird express himself.

My take away.   Bebop is for listening.   Swing is for dancing.

Ad Lib Blues / Cool Blues:

Both great playing.  I have the Prez CD.   Again, the Lester tune is for dancing, the Bird tune for Listening to Bird.
 

I think it was during this period in Jazz, that Pops felt it necessary to declare, "if you can't dance to it, it ain't Jazz"   A not too subtle swipe at Be-Bop.

Cheers


frogman
7,521 posts
 
Actually, he did worse (better?) than that. He referred to bebop as “Chinese music”. Talk about politically incorrect. I know exactly what he meant.

Good catch on the tempo relaxing toward the end. 2:00 AM, last take of the night, rough night the day before, way too much sugar in way too much coffee (or who knows what), Chan was pissed off that day; even those guys got tired sometimes 😊

Actually it was the drummer’s fault.  Again.  It’s always the drummer (not!).  Those damn drummers.

” Two musicians and a drummer walk into a bar......”
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