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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
7,509 posts
 
pjw, “Sonny Side Up” is one of the ten or so Jazz records I would save if my house were burning down. Love that record; amazing swing feel and really interesting contrast between the two Sonny’s. Stitt, right out of Bird‘s bebop. Rollins, looking ahead. Great stuff. Thanks for that.

That amazing swing feel is in no small part due to Charlie Persip’s drumming. Also known as great big band drummer (not all good drummers are good big band drummers), one of the most important parts of Charlie Persip’s legacy is the big band which he led for many years since the 80’s. He called it “Superband” (later, “Supersound”) and it became a NYC institution. Bands such as Persip’s are a very important and under appreciated part of the Jazz scene in cities like NYC. They offer young or new to the city players a chance to play and be heard by other Jazz players; an opportunity to make their mark.   
A couple more great records with Persip:

https://youtu.be/WiQfOKMBaKU

As sideman:

https://youtu.be/d2yQAfOqTf4

https://youtu.be/u_Glr2mcICE

Another one that I would grab as I’m running out the door 😱:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnKUsyUYbuBvpvdXiWDk9OkloRI6FJKNn





orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Frogman, to my ears Lee Morgan's "Whisper Not" was perfection in jazz; no musician played too many notes, and each musician played his part perfectly; that made the tune a work of art. I'm sure they made Benny Golson proud.

Maybe you could point out what the drummer does when his part is "low key", to help make such a wonderful tune.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I'm moved to feature a few other Benny Golson tunes;

   
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJeothOwCU



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa-xKZqQ42k


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOES7AZ-d60
frogman
7,509 posts
 
O-10, I agree; beautiful balance of all the contributions to the performance. “No musician played too many notes” and no hotdogging. One can clearly hear how Persip is listening intently to what the soloists are saying without overwhelming. Some drummers “demand“ that they be followed. Others like Persip add to and enhance what the soloist is doing. Subtle little accents and snare rolls to frame the soloist’s phrases and to signal the beginning of a chorus or entrance of a new soloist. Very tasteful playing.



acman3
4,304 posts
 
Thanks O10 and Frogman for pointing out Mr. Persip’s contributions. I am going to have to pay more attention to his work.


Led me to this record. Not much on YouTube but great record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkeNRzl6VXA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMy9pDAfi7c


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9zMwTzf_k
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