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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
The Frogman's First Law can not determine the Best, but it will narrow the field.

Here you are, all alleged Aficionados, talking about the best Trumpet player, and NO ONE has even mentioned Armstrong!!!   Sad state of affairs.  Sad.

The unwashed will decide who is best.  They always do.

My vote:   Armstrong or Harry "Sweets" Edison or Roy Eldridge or rok2id(most unappreciated of all time).

Cheers
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,209 posts
 
If there is a greatest i would be in the mood and with reason greatly inclined to vote for Armstrong....

It is the first i has listen to at my teens years, his voice and instrument sunny and luminous craftmanship, and his role and influence in all jazz at the golden era....i think it is a good choice for the best ever....

My law: Even if there is no best in the world there is always one in our heart....
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,209 posts
 
The stars were aligned for me today...

After my 3 hours listening of this 6 cd box...( i am lucky to have almost another 4 hours to go)

Wayne Shorter and Lee Morgan "The complete Vee Jay sessions"

I really think that it is one of the greatest jazz album series of all time...

Shorter is not less than pure genius on the saxophone, and believe me i am particularly "picky"
for ANY sax part.... Lee Morgan is abolutely one of the more gifted trumpeter there ever is...What is miraculous
Is that these 2 plays at the same level AND in absolute symbiosis and complementarity.... Which is not so much common to begin with.... And their lever of playing is indeed of the highest order.... I am breathless...

The other many various musicians are absolutely top one also, at near the level of the two masters....

I cannot wait to explore these 2 genius.....
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,209 posts
 
This compilation through many years, Of Shorter and Morgan together or not is one of my most loved album already...

All the numerous musicians are good but my personal discovery are really Shorter and Morgan...

I am very difficult and picky with sax players.... I love Shorter... Some other sax players like Clifford Jordan also...

And Morgan for me own something very light and heartful from Armstrong and something which is the brain of Miles Davis....

A truly great trumpeter....One of the greatest....

And i love trumpeters like i love pianists....
frogman
7,480 posts
 
Interesting comments, mahgister. I share your feelings about these two masters. Shorter in particular is a favorite. He is also one of the greatest and most interesting Jazz composers. A true genius. One of the most interesting things about Shorter is how much his playing changed over the course of his career. Not necessarily in overall concept, but in how his playing became more and more economical; as if he found ways to say what he had to say with fewer and fewer notes. One of the most expressive of saxophone players, he could express so much emotion with one or two notes. 

https://youtu.be/CYg_3pQN-LU

https://youtu.be/ydsqGRYqW88

I don’t feel there is a “greatest” among the very top trumpet players. Morgan was certainly one of the greatest.

**** And Morgan for me own something very light and heartful from Armstrong and something which is the brain of Miles Davis.... ****

Exactly! Great comment. The “light and heartful” is what I hear as the infectious swagger in his playing.

https://youtu.be/uHd0qP4UKX4

https://youtu.be/eRA8EOR7Nm0
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