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

frog, interesting point about instrumentalists studying or reciting lyrics.  I never gave that much consideration before, but it makes sense.  Simply playing the musical lines of a song can allow improvisation.  But knowing the lyrics should allow more insight into the intent of the composer, and thus suggest more essence in the interpretation.

mahgister, I'd say you are more on a roll than on a rant.  I agree that my most favored musicians are those who can "speak" with their instruments.  Regardless of the type of music -- jazz, blues, classical, world music, etc. -- it is the performer's ability to express their emotion that really speaks to me.

In his “rant”….I mean, “roll” (😊) mahgister reminds of the importance of an instrumentalist’s ability to “speak” instrumentally. When speaking with other musicians about musicians, players often refer to an instrumentalist’s ability (or not) to “tell a story”; either playing the melody of a song simply but with artful phrasing, or when crafting a great improvised solo. When a genius composer chooses players that not only speak the same language of his compositions, but do so with the same (musical) accent the results can be amazing: