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

Sorry @pjw81563 

I was Drain Bamaged when I asked that question.  In fact spent the day yesterday in the hospital trying to figure things out.  I’m back home now, but still having issues.

Growing old ain’t for the weak!

@jafant

David Murray

I have a few D. Murray CDs but most of his stuff is too outside for me. I’m curious -- what are some of your favorite D. Murray recordings? 

@curiousjim

Growing old ain’t for the weak!

No, unfortunately, as many of us are discovering.

Hope the issues get figured out and that treatment is on the mild rather than extreme end of the spectrum.

@pjw81563 

Sonny Rollins

I'm not sure why but I've never found S. Rollins particularly engaging on an emotional level. As a result, I only own 3 or 4 albums and don't often listen to them. Intellectually, I admire his brilliance as an improvisor, but, to utilize an old-fashioned phrase, he doesn't "tug at my heartstrings".

I often wish my personal tastes were more flexible but I've found that going back and re-listening rarely results in changing how an artist or recording impacts me. 

 

@stuartk 

I only own 3 or 4 albums

If 3 of those albums are Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West, and Freedom Suite you have the essentials...

My friend and JFA poster Alextapos is not big on Sonny either (as he posted in a few years back). Not every great artist appeals to everyone. 

But concerning Mr. Rollins I would say the unimpressed fly in the face of public jazz opinions... But jazz has always had critics and when Sonny first started playing they had negative things to say about his improvisations of jazz standards....

The critics also slammed John Coltrane when Giant Steps was released.....

IIRC @alexatpos he does not like the "hard/gruff" tone Sonny employs on a lot of his performances....

Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Gene Ammons and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis had similar tones and according to Hawkins, at least referring to himself, this tone was used on purpose.

Hawkins told Sonny himself that the tenor should have a "large tone" and draw the listener in...

Coltrane played the tenor on A Love Supreme, even though his soprano playing had become very popular by 1960. Coltrane stated that he wanted to use the tenor on the whole session because the tenor's voice has more to say....