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

Clifford Brown and The Max Roach Quintet.

 

@curiousjim A couple pages back I posted that Clifford Brown is my favorite trumpet player, second only to Louis Armstrong.

A great box set to have (I do) is this one from 1989 titled "Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings Of Clifford Brown" The sonics are great (mono) for a remaster over 30 years ago and the music represents some of the greatest jazz played covering 10 CDs, from August of 1954 through Clifford’s untimely death on June 26 1956

It covers 3 recording sessions with 3 of the greatest jazz vocalists of the time, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaugan, and Helen Merrill.

A lot of incendiary live concerts are also represented which are also very good sonically for live recordings from the 50s. A review from Discogs:

The sound quality on this box set is nothing short of terrific. A mono sound that is robust and energetic; you can feel the energy of the sessions pulsating through your room. Being an 80s CD release, I didn’t expect much in terms of sound quality and was just going to use this box set as a way to figure out what albums to get on vinyl. I might still get these records on vinyl but it is not because I’m chasing a better sound. ***As goods as this box set is, it is almost undone by the overwhelming number of alternative takes which are unfortunately sequenced right in the middle of the track list rather than at the end***

I happen to love alternate takes with all jazz music as the improvised solos are never played the same way more then once. Of course all of the superlative Clifford Brown Max Roach Quintet sessions are represented

The box set is a little costly now but I have inserted a Spotify link to the complete set. The sonics on Spotify are very good indicating they used the 1989 remaster and if you like it but want hi res I would think it should be available on Qobuz. Enjoy!!

Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings Of Clifford Brown - Compilation by Clifford Brown | Spotify

@curiousjim

How have I never heard John McLaughlin? I don’t have a single CD or even a tune that he’s played on in my collection.

What a huge rock I’ve been under!

Well, I don’t know ;o)

He’s gone through many varied phases in his career (both acoustic and electric). Everyone here will have their favorites and so, there are many possible entry points. Here are my highlights:

1) Mahavishnu Orchestra: "The Inner Mounting Flame" and "Birds of Fire"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bGlIdUiZww

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mdGCqZTres

2) Acoustic Trio with Al DeMeola and Paco de Lucia: "Friday Night in San Francisco" and "The Guitar Trio"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhK_GFNq0N0&list=OLAK5uy_m3G0kqZEHRlJQRaPDPm24JHgr3sDg9Dmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZUjEM4K-Y8&list=PLnVn29o5Rr-WyFmeqNMRD1JUfGPqbtFO2

2) With Milles -- "in A Silent Way", "Bitches Brew" and "Tribute to Jack Johnson"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHesqaMhh34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up9yWDl0jBc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50fB5L1vmn8

3) "Emergency" with Tony Williams Lifetime".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4z_-2BLpo&list=PLXfrcG1laNyz1nIaTEytw-BtSDCBmgpqX

4) Two of my favorites from early on: "Extrapolation" and "My Goals Beyond".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6LkGwuimsU&list=OLAK5uy_mKm4NpG6DQs2o_fM-VCd5NOsejjFAetrg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd-JqnBWkro&list=OLAK5uy_ml8P0Xkvpu-LEkewJPoG9cdUiqbG3nQ9g

5) "Johnny McLaughlin Electric Guitarist" and "Electric Dreams" from 1979 feature what is probably his most gorgeous electric guitar tone and some of his most melodic playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOHFqkQIgMU&list=OLAK5uy_lkVyvWMUxcnJCYFH5S3Q3hwDgEKx-TxeI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYCLuCgt5JA&list=OLAK5uy_kIO1rFHxsodO1wv85atNVojWcPRNBhVps

7) The group Shakti was an amazing mix of Jazz and classical Indian genres: "Shakti", "A Handful of Beauty" and "Natural Elements".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38RqK5GRhTI&list=OLAK5uy_kI4f7B6ucgN3izogXg0qWbuQFxmozmPOg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ3l_ml07Go&list=OLAK5uy_kmNvcwTDOV6zENZdZeqMTf1pDveEwdEcM

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=shakti+natrual+elemsnts

8) Later acoustic trios: "Live at Royal festival Hall" and "Que Alegria"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuCDnUv3Ifw&list=PL9OZb2I0bFecdKWW6jytb8g_ht_Zqm1ay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHJjiIxLBNk&list=PL9OZb2I0bFeenX949tqsP4nCroUxodaBr

There are many, many other recordings to explore but this is a good cross section. 

Also check out Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine, Al DiMeola, John Abercrombie, Bill Connors, Ralph Towner (among others!) 

Well let’s see.  I have heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I have at least two copies of Bitches Brew.  I have a couple of Al DiMeola albums.

 I’m listening to “ The Essential John McLaughlin” ant it has something from Shakti, Mahavishnu, Pavo de Lucia & Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, The London Symphony Orchestra +.  Wow his styles are all over.From Jeff Beck like to soft jazz.

Did he play on any Santana albums?