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

Trentmemphis, my computer play-list runs 24 hours a day everyday. I just add or delete music according to mood. When I get a new record I add it.


Maybe our collections are very large with mostly 'killers', and if we listened to roon, we would miss listening to the killers in our own collection.

Would "roon" have played the albums Alex posted?
Rok, Than what do you think when you listen Acman’s posts? He has the most eclectic taste.

That is what is known as understatement!!! A great thread member.  He never starts 'Ruckuses'.   He turned me on to this, which I purchased:

Lester Bowie’s Brass fantasy -- I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
ECM label

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ney1VWrcyw

The CD is much, much better. Highly Recommended.


Cheers
Maybe our collections are very large with mostly 'killers', and if we listened to roon, we would miss listening to the killers in our own collection.

Well, again, I'm cool with that.  I'm not saying anybody's doing it wrong.  Whatever works for everybody, go with it.

Would "roon" have played the albums Alex posted?

Based on what it has recommended already, I'm virtually certain the answer is yes.

Alex,

**** Does anybody compose ’classical’ music today,for exmp. in 18th centuty idiom?
Or in any other, from the past?
Is there a significant difference in orchestral or small ensemble compositions betwwen music from the past and today?

I am asking, because of discussions that are happening here regarding new and old jazz.
The sam type could be led about any popular music or form from last century.
Why are people so sensitive about jazz? ****

Great comment and great question.

Everything that has been discussed here about Jazz in regard to the PROCESS of “influences and “evolution” of the music and the various defined “periods” or “eras” of the music’s popularity can be said about “Classical” (in the broader sense) music. The parallels are many.

You mention the 18th century. In the 18th century there were two major and overlapping eras represented, the tail end of the Baroque era and the first half of the Classical (the more specific use of the word) era; part of evolution of the genre and same could be said of, say. the ‘30/40’s in Jazz: Swing to Bebop. Throughout the decades and centuries there have been composers who compose in what could be called a “neo-(fill in the blank) style. Sometimes there can be a preponderance of a neo style such as what happened in the time between the two world wars when there was what became known as the Neo-Classical era. This was a move toward the order and melodicism of the Classical era and away from the disorder and atonality of the then current Modernist Era, which itself was a reflection of what was going on in the world in general. A familiar progression; as in Jazz. Keep in mind that, while this is actual analysis and not an opinion, this is all from a musicological standpoint. Listeners’ perceptions, depending on the amount of exposure to any one style and/or personal preferences may not be in sync with this. Example: some might be surprised to learn that, for instance, Igor Stravinsky was a neo- Classical composer.

Yes, today there are composers who compose in the neo-Classical or neo-Baroque (and others) styles. While the music may not sound just like Mozart or Bach it most definitely uses compositional elements used in the music from the Baroque and Classical Eras and follows many of their compositional formulas; similar or even the same compositional “form” and similar use of melody. Many of Hollywood’s music scores are in a neo-Classical style; sometimes along with other more modern elements as well.

You ask if there is a “significant difference” between chamber or orchestral music of the past and today’s. The “eras” represented, including the current, will obviously have significant differences in style which will be expressed compositionally. As the various eras (styles) moved chronologically to the present, broadly speaking there has been a movement toward more atonality and a more “adventurous” (more complex) rhythmic signature; and, in some cases a deliberate attempt to do away with a clearly defined rhythmic signature altogether. Composers always build on what came before and “push the envelope”. Just as in Jazz. As far as instrumentation goes, there will always be certain classic (not Classical) instrumental combinations, like the string quartet, but one of the trends is to explore new and different instrumentations by way of the inclusion of the more “exotic” instruments including the electronic.

Why are people so sensitive about Jazz? I would say that they are no more sensitive than those “Classical” music listeners who think that nothing good was composed since the mid-1800’s or so. Again, a familiar theme.