Pjw, out of all my musical experiences, the one that sticks with me most, is hearing Grant Green play for Grant Green. That's the only time I ever heard any musician play for himself. His "Feeling The Spirit" album sounds the closest to that experience, but Grant never wanders far from his inner soul.
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.
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.
Showing 50 responses by orpheus10
Pjw, out of all my musical experiences, the one that sticks with me most, is hearing Grant Green play for Grant Green. That's the only time I ever heard any musician play for himself. His "Feeling The Spirit" album sounds the closest to that experience, but Grant never wanders far from his inner soul. |
Pjw, you can hear the quality of the recording on "you tube". Beginning with Alex's posts; I'm commenting primarily on the quality of the recording. Naturally I liked Grants tune best, although Laurie and Choir had better recording quality. As long as it's not "compressed" the music is fine with me, I'm not an audio freak. I'm just pointing out the fact that audio quality can be heard on "you tube" |
When I see a decorated Christmas tree, I know it's Christmas time, and we have one in our living room. Maybe if I gaze at it, I'll get the Christmas Spirit. Charley Brown Christmas is about kids at this time of year, and it reminds me of when my adult son was a little one, plus I like Vince Guaraldi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fh133ZO1AE&list=PLEpZan9S2GOFesp-gJqsdD80a7zoaflHa |
Pjw, I have two out of three of the albums on vinyl by Desmond that you posted; Desmond Blue is my favorite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT5zGYaUN_Q |
Frogman, as you pointed out, I have so much to be thankful for; the fact that I'm alive and survived a time when I was prepared to see the other side would seem to make me ecstatic, but it doesn't. I'm a victim of too much knowledge, but I thank you for your well wishes. That "Monk" you submitted is among the best that I've heard, and I'm listening to it all. I have to be in a "Monk frame of mind" to really hear him, and today is that day; yes this is the best Monk I've heard, it must be a "Monk day". "You are a very musically astute listener, IMO." I consider that quite a compliment coming from a master musician, and I wish you and your family loads of "Holiday Cheer". |
Schubert, "Cherokee" is in the domain of the "heavy hitters" like Bird and Stitt. Many people thought that Stitt tried to copy Bird, but that's not true, they just developed similar styles independently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9b86WWfjw |
Here's a unique version of "The Man I Love"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bSU3cnOqNQ Ahmad Jamal is the artist I don't think gets enough attention. Not even Jesus got the respect he deserved at home where he was born, "Bethlehem"; Ahmad Jamal was taken for granted in his adopted home "Chicago"; maybe that's why his current home is "Marseille France" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmSJYD88wVw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYtjEsl73F0 |
I have a question for astute aficionados; which "Jazz Messengers" group is your favorite? The question is too hard for me, so I hope you don't mind if I don't answer; however, I will give you the answer to another question before I even ask it; I liked Miles best when he had Trane and Bill Evans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrVnm66joQk |
Frogman, you help make my decision for today. I say that because it could change tomorrow, but today I'll go with the lineup that the thread begins with. "Along Came Betty" is very special to me; it seems I met a "Betty" who was both jazzy and gorgeous at the same time, an irresistible combination; plus that tune was on the jukebox where I met her. This was just before I graduated from high school. Benny Golson wrote that tune, consequently, Benny Golson is also special, hence that lineup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTzRHq_cH5E |
I'll take this one over both of those; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqHEWPgBRmE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FNfxW7j0o |
More beautiful music from the same album; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u30UomifaOs&list=OLAK5uy_ki6wUPDaNpp9p7yaz505SkudorI_y6NuY&i... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MwHpOfNvu8&list=OLAK5uy_ki6wUPDaNpp9p7yaz505SkudorI_y6NuY&i... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqwHYgyugC0&list=OLAK5uy_ki6wUPDaNpp9p7yaz505SkudorI_y6NuY&i... |
I hate to be misunderstood. What I said in regard to going to the movies just to hear the soundtrack didn't make much sense; that's why it will require some explaining. In the late 50's, there was still a big demand for movies for drive-ins and movie theaters as well; not first run but cheaply made movies. Investors would hastily put together a movie, say a detective thriller with a lot of action, and then work on the soundtrack; here's where a good deal of time was spent. There were a lot of good musicians on the West Coast, and a good soundtrack could really help a not so good movie. The musicians made the music to fit the action on the screen. Sometime these musicians made soundtracks that were better than the movie. Me and my running buddy were restricted to the base, a big base with several movie theaters. There were a number of other Airmen who were jazz addicts in the same fix. To kill time during long periods of boredom, we would go to the movies without even knowing what was playing. Since they had all those dynamite musicians in LA, the soundtrack would be better than the movie. One jazz fiend would tell another about a boss soundtrack attached to a jive movie, and that's when we would get a good "buzz" on and go see the movie, just to laugh at the jive flick while digging the boss sound track. The very same West Coast musicians that we are reviewing now, were the one's who made those sound tracks. |
Below is the soundtrack to "Bullitt" staring Steve McQueen; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUo9ogmtBoU&list=PLE8CE30B5153C0A8D Calling "West Coast" jazz "Cool Jazz" is inappropriate for me, East Coast is cool at times. Maybe it's because I can readily identify "West Coast" jazz, and "Bullitt" is definitively West Coast jazz at it's best. (it's on order) "The Hustler" about pool sharks "like Minnesota Fats"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxnzYdDR5Ls&list=OLAK5uy_lCAkFoLhRUiMcbcsTF3RktRgIVI_5M4s0 This one is for you Mary-Jo; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA81pRYtEXc |
All excellent soundtracks; I thought that Peter Gunn was outstanding. Here's Shelly Manne and his men; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7s-JZ_BSSM&list=RDl7s-JZ_BSSM&index=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24w1bEOxymk |
I have mentioned more than once that I won’t comment here on topics that are not related to music. I offer these thoughts in the spirit of the Holidays. Perhaps it is simply that I haven’t had my coffee yet. Frogman it's quite evident to me that you should never comment on topics that are not related to music; especially when your point of view is always from that of the well heeled establishment that wants for nothing. How much economic and social progress has Detroit, Gary Indiana, Flint Michigan and a number of other cities made? I doubt very seriously if they are having happy holidays. |
I'm getting these albums from a list, I've never heard them before, that's where you come in with your opinion; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SxQpJkF1pM Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis (2019) Full Album |
The Comet Is Coming - Birth Of Creation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRAEfXxcI7E&list=PLj1alG3tdI3wUs6pgudLG99qr7wi3TrA4&index=2 This is another new album that I've never heard |
Detroit was the most prosperous city for the working class I have ever been to. Everybody it seems had a brand new car. There was a carport behind the house where I was staying with a black and white convertible Chrysler Imperial parked in it. It always seemed to be snowing in Detroit when I was there, and during a "White out" all you could see was the black convertible top of this car; it seemed to be floating in air. (I lusted for that car). I recall having drinks with friendly people in their "Rathskellers"; which they were very proud of. People who worked at those automobile manufacturing plants were living good in Detroit. My lady friend who I was visiting suggested I apply for a job, and come back and join her. I put in an application, and later on received a telegram in St. Louis to come back to Detroit, and help build "Greyhound buses". I bet you didn't know they built Greyhound buses in Detroit once upon a time. That city was too cold and snowy for me. I don't know what happened to Detroit, but I wish it hadn't. |
I need everyone's help here; I'm reviewing the latest albums, and here's what I'm going to do: post an album with the title and I want you to review it. After we have reviewed these albums we'll compare notes. First is "Otis was a Polar Bear" by Allison Miller; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3N6U6albkQ |
Pjw, it seems we have similar aesthetics when it comes to music. I like "Back Track" by Dr. Lonnie Smith; this is very unusual music that combines many different things, two drummers for one. Acman, I'm still listening to "Tic Boom". I think the fact that you have seen and heard some of these artists live gives you a different perspective, and if I had experienced that, we would have the same view. |
Acman, there is a world of difference between a recording and a live performance; you can see and feel where the artist is coming from, that changes your perspective. I don't have that option. One thing I can say about these new artists is that all of their albums seem to have a high recording quality. It will be good not to have that concern anymore. Here is the list I'm looking at right now; https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-12-11/best-jazz-albums-2019 If you see anything, let us know. |
It seems that when you blend the old with the new do you get something that my ears can truly appreciate. I must have this, is it on record? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3qc1DkfFsU |
"Little Niles" is a tune that I first heard in 1957, that's a long time ago. Since then I've heard various versions that I liked. "Little Niles" was just a name that had no meaning until recently https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY8oOeqodSk Lambert and Ross "Little Niles" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZzJUssQxbg According to that "Little Niles" is a little boy. Now we get to the present; little Niles was little in 1957, maybe 6 or 7; so how old is little Niles now? "Little Niles" is Randy Weston's son, Randy Weston was inspired by his childish antics to write the tune. |
Pjw, thank you very much for that information; I don't know why I don't already have that album. The story told is just the tip of the iceberg; Black people who lived in Mississippi and took no part in the civil rights movement caught hell just for being Black while the movement was going on. Which reminds me; "You might as well die for a cause, cause you gonna die anyway". |
Keep it real or leave it alone! Do not make the choice of being born poor and Black in the USA! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGOcRoFHsfg |