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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
trentmemphis
282 posts
 
Messiah: I *love* choral music, having sung in one for a while.  I strongly prefer a capella, though, which, in my experience, is strangely hard to find.

Clifford Brown / Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown
frogman
7,562 posts
 
For me, one of THE great solos in all of recorded Jazz.  Putting style differences aside, when he was in his prime Dexter Gordon was as good as anyone has been on the tenor.  I love his attitude on this and the solo is a model of thematic development.  Amazing what a great player can do with one note.  Astounding!  Classic record.

https://youtu.be/TYGKqTib0A8
acman3
4,337 posts
 
Yes, Great solo! This started playing after your video stopped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUOivCL5imA





frogman
7,562 posts
 
Excellent! Thanks.  Great rhythm section.
keegiam
731 posts
 
Thanks for these fantastic Dexter cuts. Their different flavors played back-to-back really show his mastery.

While listening and reading, I became curious (yeah, I know, after all these years). How did it become the convention to list jazz sidemen in this order: Piano, Bass, Drums? Opinions?

Of course that usually changes when the leader is a pianist, bassist or drummer (there I go again). But if I had been a sideman drummer, being listed last might have eventually bugged me. Even the YT credits for Art Blakey’s recordings vary on this. “Moanin’” (the OP’s original choice when launching the thread) has him last, while “A Night in Tunisia” has him first.

Is it because the tendency is for rhythm instruments to be added added last when groups (or compositions) expanded from duets to trios to quartets, etc.?  Does it stem from Western orchestral traditions?  Is it because melody has priority?

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