Art Blakey, king of the drums.

In my opinion, Lee Morgan was the best jazz trumpet ever; and there are many enthusiastic fans who have the same opinion.

Moanin is my favorite Blakey as well. "Along Came Betty" by Benny Golson, on that album is also one of my favorites.

"Volcano Eruptus", is a most appropriate name. I saw him live, and I would like to add "Thunder drums" to the list.

Although Art had many groups of messengers, this group might have been his best. Lee Morgan on trumpet, gets my vote for best jazz trumpet ever. Curtis Fuller went on to form "The Jazztet" with Art Farmer and Benny Golson. When each musician in a group is a star, the music has to be good.

Adam18, while all of Blakey's different groups were consistently good, they were also very different. Which one was the best depends on your mood when you're listening to it. With me, which ever Blakey I'm listening to at the time, was the best.

Cflux, you've compared Lee Morgan to my other favorites; this proves you are a true connoisseur of jazz trumpet.

As great as Miles, Clifford, and Donald Byrd were; Lee Morgan soars like an eagle above them on "Search for the New Land". While his mastery of the trumpet was beyond reach, his musical imagination approaches that of Mingus, on "Search for the New Land". I can visualize a modern dance troupe doing a thing to this music.

I'm sure you have "The Best of Lee Morgan" on Blue Note. I can hear the words on his version of "Since I Fell For You", better than I can on a vocal version.

Enjoy the music.

Charles1dad, I like Miles, I have many of his records and I can empathize with your statement. As a matter of fact I have given your statement so much consideration that this week will be devoted to comparing the two between the time period you stated.

Charles1dad, the time period you stated is my favorite in regard to Miles. He was to the trumpet as Mingus was to the bass. Their musical contributions overshadowed their instrument. While I wouldn't pick Mingus for the all time best bass player, he was a giant in jazz; and so it was with Miles.

I begin my review with the best jazz LP ever, "Somthin Else" headed by Cannonball Adderly. This LP contains the most beautiful Miles ever. Hank Jones on piano; Sam Jones, bass; and Blakey on drums complete this group. These five musicians are like five fingers in a glove, they function as one hand.

First, is "Autumn Leaves". After the intro, we hear that ever so beautiful trumpet of Miles playing the melody. Next we have "Love For Sale". Again, there's that Miles trumpet capturing the essence of this tune better than a vocal version. This is followed by "Somthin Else". On this one we hear the classic "hard bop" Miles, and he soars (but not as high as Lee Morgan). "One For Daddy-O" is Cannonball's time to fly, and he zooms into the stratosphere with Miles on his tail; can't leave that melodic piano of Hank Jones out on this one, Blakey play's a supporting role throughout.

Now we have "Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, A Night In Tunisia"; Lee Morgan, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; and jymie merritt, bass.

On the first cut, "A Night In Tunisia", Thunder Drums comes ripping out striking lightning and raising thunder from his magical drums. He's sounding like three drummers all beating at the same time. Wayne Shorter comes in, followed by Lee Morgan blowing notes faster than a "tommy gun" can spit out bullets, and not one of them slurred or out of place. (eat your heart out Miles). This is the one thing Miles could never do. We are listening to the personification of "Hard bop in the big city", on this jam.

On to Miles home turf, "beauty". "Since I Fell For You" on "The Best of Lee Morgan" is the tune I've chosen to display Lee's talents in that arena. He gets so much into the essence of this tune that his instrumental version conveys more than the vocal. As beautiful as Lee can blow, I concede this to Miles; however, Lee could be titled "Mr. hard bop", and this is where he soars over Miles.

The trumpet to Lee Morgan was as the scalpel is to a skilled surgeon, he could do more with it than anyone else. All of Blakey's "Jazz Messengers" with Lee Morgan can verify this. Miles once stated that he could never blow as fast as "Diz", and Lee can blow even faster than Diz. But what good is speed if you don't have the ideas with the speed; and Lee had the ideas to match.

I am more convinced now than before, that Lee Morgan's virtuosity on trumpet was unmatched by anyone.

Some people say there are two kinds of music, good and bad; I say the two kinds are music you like and music you don't like. Whatever kind you like is the best, and don't let me or anyone else tell you different.

Foster, tell me what you think about these two Blakey's. Maybe you can use them to illustrate the drumming you were talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV0ew5RJodM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoqCGc12Rog&feature=related

Shadorne, can you help me figure out; why do I keep looking for James Brown to come running out on the stage and grab the mike.

Zaikesman, I just checked; I have that. It's Blakey's most memorable in my opinion. That lineup was too incredible for words. Oscar Pettiford is the best bassist ever, or ever will be. (all music is subjective)