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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
O-10:

The singing on the first clip went on too long. I thought once Mary Lou started playing, she should have continued until the end of the tune. They were screeching at the end.

The tune, Dirge Blues, played by Bheki Mseleku, I liked a lot better. I neeed to check out Mseleku's output.

Speaking of Dirge, here is the Master.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzbfWTcoE6c

Cheers
acman3
4,275 posts
 
FYI, always fun!

http://www.dentonjazzfest.com
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I'm a lot more of an "Audiophile" than I would like to admit; once I get into the music, that's all I want to hear, not noise and distortion. It's quite possible that we have gone as far as we can go with this music; nevertheless, we covered a lot of territory, but I think it's time to move on. What are your thoughts?

After we receive the CD's we can compare notes in regard to sonics. Hopefully they'll clean up Mary Lou's music like they did those 50's and 60's CD's. Next time I'll give the sonics more consideration before I get into the music. BTW those CD's you have are better than my original LP's, which has absolutely nothing to do with that CD vs LP fuss, but the fact that the music can be cleaned up before it's released.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Rok, I could do without the singing as well, but that CD also contains "It Tain't Necessarily So", that might be one of the better CD's.

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

I want Mary Lou's music with today's sonics. When Bheki Mseleku play's Mary Lou's music, that's fine, but when he switches back to the South African thing, I could live without it.
I think what we might be looking for, are today's artists who are inspired by Mary Lou's music; that would give us the best of both worlds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbRg8iMemy4

This is one nice cut, a must have.

Enjoy the music.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Dave Douglas - Soul On Soul: A Celebration Of Mary Lou Williams. While only 4 of the 13 tunes are actual MLW written tunes, the rest are dedicated to her. This record was on many 'best of the year' lists in 2000 when it was released. Outstanding record!
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