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
This is the story about second greatest jazz guitarist of all time.
Everyone who likes good movies should see it.
Perhaps even could help you decide who's the best ?

'Sweet and Lowdown' directed by Woody Allen from 1999.

https://youtu.be/M-kISlD2rdw
'Sweet and Lowdown' directed by Woody Allen from 1999.




Alek that looks like a great flicker show. I will see if I can stream it.
Alex, thanks.  Didn't know about the movie, and Django certainly was a giant.  Love the cigarette in the trailer.  Very accurate!  I gotta see this.
Alek thanks for the introduction to Etta Jones' "Love Shout"

The links you sent would not play for me so I found them and posted them here. This is a terrific album which I will rip to my collection before sending it off.

Etta Jones with a rotating cast of musicians including Kenny Burrell and Bucky Pizzarelli on guitars, Larry Young and Kenny Cox on organ and piano. "LOVE SHOUT"



(9) Love Walked In - YouTube

(9) Like Someone In Love - YouTube

(9) Someday My Prince Will Come - YouTube

(9) Some Enchanted Evening - YouTube

Great movie, Alex and one of the few times I have enjoyed Sean Penn. Thanks for the reminder.

A little history:

”Sweet and Lowdown”, the tune, by the great George Gershwin, one of the most important American composers.

We tend to forget what a huge influence George Gershwin was in the history of Jazz. He composed so many tunes that helped shape the music early in the 20th century; and, so many that became Jazz standards and are still played today. Many of Gershwin’s compositions were written for, or commissioned by Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. May seem hard to believe that this orchestra was a major force in the evolution of Jazz as we know it today, but it was.

(As an aside, I’m always amazed just how real, in their way, these old 78 rpm recordings sound, as opposed to the more “modern”, hyped “audiophile” sound that we have all become accustomed to. We can still hear every instrument and in a very musically natural way; they sound more like an ensemble and less like individual players. Imagine yourself standing near the back of a club or dance hall full of patrons and hearing this) :

https://youtu.be/sGfbWcrHJ3E

Think the historical stuff above seems far fetched? Duke Ellington, the same year, 1925:

https://youtu.be/QguHGe5acQI

https://youtu.be/E5g8IBsx8t4