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

Bill Potts -- THE JAZZ SOUL OF PORGY & BESS
with / Everyone. Most notable, Charlie Shavers, Harry Edison, Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer, Jimmy Cleveland, Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Bill Evans.

Don’t know if they captured the essence of Porgy & Bess, but the playing is exceptional. Excellent booklet that even lists the Soloists that play on each number. Always helpful for us Amateurs.

Amazon says I purchased this in 2017. This is my second time playing it. One of those that you appreciate as time goes on.
Recorded January 13, 14 & 15 in NYC. 1959. Great year for Jazz.

summertime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkQ6zbREf3w

my man’s gone now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QTRZTHZ-3g

I got plenty of nuttin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqooYPiQLI8

it ain’t necessarily so
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FirkLdjGYV0

I loves you, porgy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=412phI_qZAg

Cheers






orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, all the tunes were a good listen, but in regard to comparing anything to "Porgy and Bess"; it's been done too many times; you can't re-invent the wheel.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
The Potts recording was in contrast to the Gil Evans/Miles Davis landmark rendition of Porgy and Bess that commercially overshadowed it. The differences were merely in the arrangers’ taste and personality. The two recordings were equal artistically. --- Jazz Times

OP,

I am not sure what he, Potts, was trying to achieve. I guess I will now have to dig out Miles and compare. I do think that he missed the mark on one of the signature pieces of Porgy, "It ain’t necessarily so". If you don’t get that right, you don’t get P&B right. But, I did love "my man’s gone now".

It seems as if the players, who were all first class, played what was put in front of them, without considering what and who P&G was all about.

Can’t win them all.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I agree 100% with your assessment. Miles did it better.



My favorite version of "It Ain't Necessarily So" is so unique that I don't compare it to anyone else's;



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


                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X5sVnZvaVQ
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXIdd0qbpd4&list=PLs3Viabie8vH7WQvda6L3fslfP-sQmooR
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