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
It is past 6 in the morning here. I can't sleep, the dreams will not let me. But I can listen what you have posted, dreams are allowed here.
**** Speaking of Miles’ new group, what is the primary thing a leader looks for in selecting band members? ****

No. 1- “Can I work with this guy?” “Is he an a-hole?” Doesn’t matter how great the player is, if the personality is not a fit then all bets are off.

Musical considerations:

Again, personality; this time, musical personality. The player has to have a similar musical vision as the leader and other band members. Musical style is one aspect of “vision”. A great pre-bebop era player like Prez wouldn’t have known what to do with a harmonically obtuse tune like “Giant Steps”. No way of knowing for sure how his playing MAY have changed over the years given that he died so young, but not even Bird would have been a good fit in a ‘60s era Miles band. IOW, is the player someone who is forward-looking style wise; or, at least, has the skills to adapt to the moment? Some players are musical chameleons; others, even great ones, are very set in a style and have no ability or desire to adapt or evolve stylistically. There’s a reason that Sonny Stitt didn’t last in Miles’s quintet. Fantastic player, but very set in a more traditional bebop mold.

Of course, all this is governed by the leader’s personality and ego. Just how much leeway is he willing to give a player personally and musically? As in any relationship, ego is a big factor; even for someone like Miles, who valued players with very strong and individualistic musical personalities.

From his autobiography. Miles on Joe Zawinal:

”I needed to let Joe go because that dude has more skills and rhythm than any musician I know. I don’t want to play back up for Joe”


Speaking of rhythm, of all the musical skills needed to be considered a good player, that is THE No. 1 consideration. You can have great technique, great intonation, command of harmony and beautiful sound, but if the rhythm is not super solid all those other positives mean little.




Great insight from Frogman as always.  I'll add one non-musical attribute I would want to see: reliability.
Today’s Listen:

Jackie McLean -- HAT TRICK / JACKIE McLEAN MEETS JUNKO ONISHI
with / Junko Onishi(piano), Nat Reeves(bass), Lewis Nash(drums)

Most minimal packaging I’ve seen on a Blue Note CD. It was made for BMG record club, so that might explain it.

No notes at all. Recorded 1996.

little melonae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NNytzRwnCE

jackie’s hat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOrOWQtvrXA

bluesnik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvzWOf0ka8U

left alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgWIL-t5G2Q

I really like Onishi's playing.

Cheers