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
Why not!

One of the greatest Jazz records of all time, IMO; and if I’m not mistaken, the very first record that I mentioned on this thread.

Amazing lineup. What is interesting about the lineup is not only that each of the players was one of very greatest on his instrument (some might argue the greatest), but just how varied their respective styles were. The quiet introspection of BILL Evans to the fiery hard bop of Hubbard to the wild abstractions (😉) of Dolphy. And it works! Add to that the writing of Oliver Nelson, one of the greatest composer/arrangers of the music and you have something really special. Of particular note for me is the reminder of just how good a saxophone player Nelson was. His playing on the record gives a wonderful peek into the mind of a composer. The logic in his solos beautifully reflects how a composer thinks; with solos which are a model of motivic development. Classic compositional and improvisation approach: take a simple musical idea (motif) and build an entire solo using and developing that idea:

https://youtu.be/SlkkQiZ-gV4

Oh, and the record features what I feel is one of the very best solos by my favorite Jazz trumpet player. Perhaps the Nelson influence, but another great example of motivic development:

https://youtu.be/44DfWE0gatQ

Did I say I really like the record? 😊
What can I say. Her reputation extends into the world of Blues.

Mary Jo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W65r805gjCY

Cheers

You always cheer me up. :-* <3 :--)
@mary_jo

Now there's a track that changed my day (actually, my week) big time.  Sweet, swinging blues.


OK, since I nudged everyone, I gotta weigh in.  Would that I had frogman's perspective and experience, but, as Popeye used to say, I yam what I yam.

Things that blow me away:
Stolen Moments - possibly the best jazz recording of all time
Baritone sax - why did they disappear?  too difficult to haul around?  sad...
The tightest arrangements everThe tightest execution of the tightest arrangements ever - phenomenal musicianship
Amazing ppp to fff dynamics (in a heartbeat) by the combo - was that Nelson's leadership?

Things that don't really blow me away:
Freddie Hubbard - I love me a lot of Freddie, but I'd much rather listen to Miles' introspective moodiness than Freddie showing off his amazing talent
Eric Dolphy - amazing soul-to-sound player, but he didn't have to always go screechy on us every time out
Hoe Down - not for me, it just doesn't work for some reason (an advantage of being an amateur - I don't really have to explain)
;)