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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
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 

@stuartk 

That Blakey outfit with Wayne, Freddie Hubbard (or Lee Morgan on Indestructible) was amazing.

 

I agree and over the last 3 decades I have purchased over 50 Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers CDs. After Miles and then Coltrane, my Blakey library is the 3rd most in terms of CD count.

The OP opened up this thread over 10 years ago with "Moanin" and I think its safe to say that all the JFA community likes Blakey.

His hard driving sound is the "signature" of every Jazz Messenger session, studio or live, no matter the rest of the personnel. Not as technical as a Max Roach but still one of my favorite drummers. Some personal favorites:

Art Blakey & Lee Morgan - 1960 - A Night In Tunisia - 01 A Night In Tunisia - YouTube

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Bu's Delight - YouTube

The Egyptian (Remastered) - YouTube

Free For All (2004 Remaster/Rudy Van Gelder Edition) - YouTube

The Freedom Rider - YouTube

pjw81563
1,829 posts
 

@frogman 

Great post Weather Report Shorter session.

Here are some post 80s Shorter I really like

Wayne Shorter - Children of the Night - YouTube

Sacajawea - YouTube

The 3 live albums, Footprints, Beyond the Sound Barrier and Without a Net are all superlative recordings.

 

pjw81563
1,829 posts
 

Re: "The Van Gelder Sound"

I like it.

All of the record producers and musicians that recorded sessions engineered by Van Gelder liked it. Whether first, at his parents studio and later at the purpose built Englewood Cliffs studio. Of course Van Gelder has many detractors, most notably Charles Mingus.

Van Gelder:

The biggest distorter is the LP itself. I’ve made thousands of LP masters. I used to make 17 a day, with two lathes going simultaneously, and I’m glad to see the LP go. As far as I’m concerned, good riddance. It was a constant battle to try to make that music sound the way it should. It was never any good. And if people don’t like what they hear in digital, they should blame the engineer who did it. Blame the mastering house. Blame the mixing engineer. That’s why some digital recordings sound terrible, and I’m not denying that they do, but don’t blame the medium.

stuartk
3,024 posts
 

@pjw81563 

I take it that you are referring to the original RVG recordings. 

Detractors of the RVG remasters have asserted they are too bright, due to RVG's age at the time and his loss of hearing in the high frequency range. My system is on the warm side of neutral and I don't find them so but those for whom transparency and detail are the highest priorities and have systems that highlight such priorities may well disagree. 

That's quite a Blakey collection you have but then his was quite a dynasty !  

acman3
4,275 posts
 

We know about Land, but Listen to the trumpet player! Dupree Bolton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGTRAHf5wpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lqJo7GGxo

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