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

I haven’t been participating in this thread very long so I don’t know if he’s been mentioned but what about Eric Alexander? He and Harold Mabern had a long partnership.

Here’s a taste:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw7GnNxLIlk

 

And another, less-often-mentioned player -- Bob Berg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HnIr-u_6pk&list=OLAK5uy_m7ZR6v8ALqCj258qpvfgZJ3cdiwJ17OWo&index=2

 

 

@stuartk 

I saw Eric Alexander with Jimmy Cobb at Smoke in NYC I believe it was 10 - 11 years ago. I have a half dozen CDs from Alexander and they are all good. A great tenor.

Bob Berg as well as Eric Alexander have been mentioned many times here in the past just not recently. I like Berg to.

(1) The Eric Alexander Quartet Featuring Harold Mabern, Bob Cranshaw and Jimmy Cobb - "Sugar" - YouTube

I also saw guitarist Mike Stern (a friend of Miles Davis) play at the Blue Note in NYC with Jimmy Cobb in a show called the "Music Of Miles" Here is Stern with Bob Berg

(1) Friday Night At The Cadillac Club - Mike Stern & Bob Berg Band - YouTube

Speaking of great tenors that go under the radar check out Steve Grossman and Dave Liebman. Both are great tenors.

Steve Grossman

(1) Body and Soul - YouTube

Dave Liebman

(1) On Green Dolphin Street - YouTube

Steve and Dave on Elvin Jones landmark 1972 Live at the Lighthouse sessions . I have a 24 bit UHQCD Japanese CD of this show in its entirety and the remastering is stunning. A desert island list recording. A young Liebman and Grossman play great tenor and soprano.

(1) Elvin̲ J̲o̲n̲e̲s̲ – ̲L̲i̲v̲e̲ A̲t̲ T̲h̲e̲ L̲i̲g̲h̲t̲h̲o̲u̲s̲e̲ (̲1̲9̲7̲2̲)̲ - YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

@alexatpos 

Great Ben Webster selections. I have them all on CD Love Ben Webster. You left out The Kid and Brute. Its a must have if your a fan of both Ben Webster and Illinois Jacquet 

(1) September song - the KID and the BRUTE - YouTube

@curiousjim 

You can't go wrong with those Ben Webster suggestions from Alek. Also get your hands on the Kid and Brute.

The Kid Illinois Jacquet playing Flying Home. This recording is known by all jazz aficionados as one of the first and best examples of the Be Bop language put on wax. And seek out more of the "Creole Kid" Jean Baptiste "Illinois Jacquet". You wont be disappointed. 

(1) The Kid And The Brute - YouTube

Also get your hands on the album "The Soul of Ben Webster". This 15 minute blues from that session is one of my favorite jazz songs from any artist ever put on wax.

(1) Charlotte's Piccolo - YouTube

The Kid and Brute (again!!)

(1) The Kid And The Brute - YouTube