"Jazz At The Pawnshop" is not in my collection; either I'm not a "Connoisseur of modern jazz", or that album has been given more credit than it deserves.
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.
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.
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**** can somebody tell me what specifically they heard on the "jazz at the pawnshop" CD that made it such a collector’s item? **** Trentmemphis nailed it: **** Fun music performed in a fun atmosphere, and well recorded **** Sonically great. I would expound a bit on Trent’s description by saying that it is unlikely to be considered a collector’s item by lovers of Jazz from the Swing era who are not also audiophiles....if you catch my drift. |
Alex, you identified "Skeeter Best’s" important role on that Ray Charles, Milt Jackson album. I’m trying to find more of his music that rises to that high level, maybe you can help? Skeeter Best, a jazz guitarist who played in Earl Hines’s orchestra and recorded with Ray Charles and Milt Jackson, died Tuesday at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx after a long illness. He was 70 years old and lived in the Bronx. Mr. Best, whose given name was Clifton, was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on Nov. 20, 1914, and played in Philadelphia for five years before joining Mr. Hines in 1940. After World War II he made tours of Japan and Korea with the bassist Oscar Pettiford and later led his own trio, accompanied the singer Nellie Lutcher and freelanced in recording studios. For many years he taught at Manna House on East 106 Street. He is survived by three sons, Clifford J. of Boston and Wheatley Heights, L.I., Gregory of San Francisco and Gerald of Memphis; a sister, Regina Best Lombard of Kansas City, and eight grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 7:30 P.M. at St. Peter’s Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street. The Modern Jazz Sextet Featuring Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, John Lewis (2), Skeeter Best, Percy Heath & Charlie Persip - The Modern Jazz Sextet 14 versions Verve Records 1958 As side man Aretha Franklin, Aretha (Columbia, 1961) Bennie Green & Paul Quinichette, Blow Your Horn (Decca, 1956) Lionel Hampton, Silver Vibes (Columbia, 1960) Erskine Hawkins, 1938/1940 (EPM Musique, 1991) Earl Hines & Marva Josie, Jazz Is His Old Lady... and My Old Man (Catalyst, 1977) Mahalia Jackson, Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns (Columbia, 1991) Milt Jackson, Ballads & Blues (Atlantic, 1956) Milt Jackson & Ray Charles, Soul Brothers (Atlantic, 1958) Etta Jones, The Jones Girl.... Etta... Sings, Sings, Sings (King, 1958) Etta Jones, Don’t Go to Strangers (Prestige, 1960) Frankie Laine & Buck Clayton, Jazz Spectacular (Columbia, 1956) Ellis Larkins, Blue and Sentimental (Decca, 1956) Howard McGhee, Maggie (Savoy, 1977) The Modern Jazz Sextet, The Modern Jazz Sextet (Norgran, 1956) Mel Powell, Out On a Limb (Vanguard, 1955) Ike Quebec, The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions (Mosaic, 1987) Freddie Roach, The Freddie Roach Soul Book (Prestige, 1967) Jimmy Rushing, Rushing Lullabies (Columbia, 1959) Jimmy Rushing, The Jazz Odyssey of James Rushing Esq. (Columbia, 1957) Jimmy Rushing, Mr. Five by Five (Columbia, 1980) Charles Thompson, Sir Charles Thompson Trio (Vanguard, 1958) Charles Thompson, Rockin’ Rhythm (Columbia, 1961) Lucky Thompson, Lucky Thompson Featuring Oscar Pettiford Vol. 1 (ABC-Paramount, 1956) Lucky Thompson, Vol. II (ABC-Paramount, 1957) Cootie Williams, Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi (RCA Victor, 1958) References |
After one becomes a "Connoisseur" the pursuit of music becomes quite serious and methodical; it is no longer casual. To give you an example, it has been determined by consensus that "The Phantom" is one heck of a jam; therefore we dissect it and pursue all of the reasons why this is so. All compositions by Duke Pearson except as indicated "The Phantom" - 10:21 "Blues for Alvina" (Willie Wilson) - 3:09 "Bunda Amerela (Little Yellow Streetcar)" - 5:46 "Los Ojos Alegres (The Happy Eyes)" - 6:17 "Say You're Mine" - 5:40 "The Moana Surf" (Jerry Dodgion) - 7:23 Personnel Duke Pearson - piano Jerry Dodgion - flute, alto flute Bobby Hutcherson - vibes Sam Brown, Al Gafa - guitar Bob Cranshaw - bass Mickey Roker - drums Victor Pantoja - congas Carlos 'Patato' Valdés - conga, güiro The best known sideman by me is "Bobby Hutcherson". While I know nothing of "Jerry Dodgion", he made an outstanding contribution. Our next step in this endeavor is to audition the remaining cuts that we didn't hear the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovxZ9UhdbfM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ0eMapONMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DbBULytpe4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyPUMNV8tMA I would like for those who are following me in this endeavor to give their evaluation of those four cuts before I go to the next step. |
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