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
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
Thanks for frogman contribution to the happiness of all here and to me in particular...

His warm recommendation about Oliver Nelson make me very happy indeed.... Not only this cd is one of the greatest jazz recording but all his 6cd big band series is astonishingly good....

My heartful thanks....
@mahgister

Well said re: frogman's heartfelt views on a priceless jazz treasure.

On a few occasions I've enjoyed reversing the order of the 26,000+ posts here on JFA in order to read the oldest contributions (from 2013).  I think you'd enjoy it too.  That's how Nelson's BATAT became a topic again, and it's been rewarding.


Let us know what you find, please!