The most important choice to make is to choose the right parents.
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
Schubert, Aretha Franklin brings back memories of some of my best times, and I need all of the good memories I can muster. I traveled from St. Louis to Detroit by train, not just any train, but one with a Dining car. Meals on a train with a dining car were as good as any luxury restaurant, they were among the best I ever had, and the way they served them to you, made you feel "ritzy". This was before people traveled looking like "hobo's", and of course I wore a good suit and tie, so I looked the part of a distinguished traveler, that is, if you could call a young man of 23 "distinguished". Meals were presented under a big silver dome, and they tasted as good as they looked. This was the second time I had enjoyed the luxury of train travel. The first time was to San Antonio, that was overnight with a "roomette" convertible sleeper, on a train with a dome car, diner, and a lounge. The only thing that topped that kind of train travel was a cruise ship. When I arrived in Detroit, my hosts took me to the night club where Aretha was appearing. She was a lovely young lady of 22 with a mature "Divas" voice; that was an unforgettable memory that warms my heart when I recall it. I now have many of her albums on new vinyl. |
When I was a kid, at Christmas time, my first stop would be the big display windows downtown where they had toy electric trains running all over the place. I always prayed that Santa would leave me one under the tree, but he never did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O4kcWrScik https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeR0S0jUucU |
Thank you Mary-Jo for your descriptive view of looking out of that huge window watching the world pass by while in your comfortable seat on a train. We are both fortunate to have experienced something grand that most people will never experience, and again, I thank you for sharing your experience with me. Today is Christmas Eve, it's the biggest day of anticipation for the little one's; they're all excited in the belief that Santa will leave their favorite toy under the tree tonight. I hope that Santa will grant all our wishes. Merry Christmas! |
Acman, when I was preschool, my Grandmother lived so close to the railroad tracks, that big steam locomotives pulling a mile of freight cars, shook the house when they passed. I recall playing on the floor with my little toys, when I heard this loud rumbling noise, and the whole house began to shake. That's when my child mind wandered WTF, I thought the world was coming to an end. Sorry that your only experience on a train was bad, but I been there and done that, so I know how bad that experience was. On the way back to St. Louis from San Antonio, although the Air Force gave me enough money to get a "roomette", I decided to ride like you rode, and pocket the difference; that ranks among the worst decisions I've ever made. |
Frogman, I was about to post this before you posted, now I'm going to post it anyway. Pjw, no body is a bigger fan of Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, and Joe Morello than I am, but to compare drummers, you'll have to make some distinctions. We would have to consult Frogman in order to determine how to classify different drummers, but comparing Joe Morello, Max Roach, and Chico Hamilton would seem to me like comparing different horses of different colors; or other quite different animals; I don't know how you do it, maybe Frogman has some ideas. |
Beside trains I like to reminisce about Christmas Trees, all kind with all kind of decorations. What are your favorite? In the early 60's I seemed to be on duty a lot where they had these aluminum trees with the spinning color wheels. There was always Christmas music over the PA, and these trees were everywhere. During quiet times, I liked to stare at one of them changing colors, and let my thoughts take me wherever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ6or_lPxrk All kinds of Christmas decorations for the tree, and everywhere else; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOb4jLxT21c |
Pjw, I know you have this album, it's what I'm listening to at the moment. Peter Gunn was one cool dude; he wore Botany 500 suits, I wore Botany 500 suits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7s-JZ_BSSM From the album "Shelly Manne & His Men - Play Peter Gunn" (1959). Drums - Shelly Manne; Piano - Russ Freeman; Vibraphone, Marimba - Victor Feldman; Saxophone [Alto] - Herb Geller; Trumpet - Conte Candoli; Bass - Monty Budwig. |
Here is something I posted a long time ago. I saw Dave Brubeck not long before he left us. Near the end of his career, I was fortunate enough to see Dave at a free outdoor concert; it was blessed by a most beautiful, golden Fall day at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows outside of Belleville, IL. I recall seeing a limousine driving up the winding road to the amphitheater where Dave would perform. His long hair was completely white, and he looked far too dignified for a jazz musician. I followed his entourage to the top of the hill where there was a lone piano in the center of a stage. Many of my old friends that I hadn't seen for 20 years or longer were in the crowd to welcome Dave on what was to be his last performance. Although we saw and recognized one another, this was Dave's day, not an old friends day, and we wanted to spend it with him, alone in a crowd; we politely failed to acknowledge one another. The awe and admiration this crowd felt for Dave was palpable; we found it was hard to believe we were seeing someone who had long outlived his peers; we were teenagers when we first saw him, and now we had our own teenagers alongside us to witness this event. There was no fanfare; Dave went directly to the piano and began playing music suitable for the modern dancers in gauzy pastel dresses who would perform. Everyone was spellbound from the first notes, it was more about who was playing than it was for the music, which was for the choreography of the dancers. While Dave Brubeck was a giant among giants when compared to his peers, the thing that sat him apart was his long and exemplary life as a person; when comparing great jazz musicians, that's about as rare as "chicken lips". This was my unforgettable day that I spent with Dave Brubeck; now to his music; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncL4sOPgv_o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbdEzRfbeH4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eimKbIdHU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_lOqfke3yc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHdU5sHigYQ |
Bobby Hutcherson takes us on an intriguing night in Barcelona; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8_boHB478I |
On youtube there is a video where Miles Davis is being interviewed by Bryant Gumbel and he talks about how he doesn't like the word jazz for his music and even discusses that he believes there is no more jazz anymore it's just social music at this point. While Dave Brubeck's music was not Blues oriented, everyone called it "Jazz". "A rose by any other name is still a rose". Good music by any other name is still good music. |
My favorite album by Brubeck is "Jazz Impressions of Eurasia". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ieHdRYGCdg&list=PLOwzQWJ2V2l0oebQssik_mQau6jdq94Sp |
The music on this one is nice, but not as nice as the video; it's spectacular, I'll have to watch it again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDQCtUaZJRQ |
We all have different aesthetics when it comes to drumming and drummers; here is my ultimate drummer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2z7R2UI27E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXaIo6IxBWw |
No one has picked Chico Hamilton. I can understand that, he's more of a "musician" than a drummer. He's also "West Coast"; ages ago he seemed a little odd to me as well, but his music was like an alternate universe compared to East Coast. Many of the records I have by Chico can not be found on "you tube"; consequently, I can't share them with you, but I'll pick out what's on "you tube". I'll begin with my favorite "Conquistadores", and work back to the albums I had in the beginning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BJNxVf_iLM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF_Kwdmg1Cg&list=RDSF_Kwdmg1Cg&index=1 This was his sound when I began collecting his records in 59, very "West Coast"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IfB70c-DxQ |
"Third Plane", I haven't given it a good listen, but in general I like it. I noticed it was recorded in 1977, that could explain why I like it in general without giving it a good listen. There seems to be some kind of "cut off" date where in general, I don't like the music; that's something I'm trying to discover for myself. |
Mary-Jo, in the case of that statement: I’m glad that I’m the kind of aficionado that goes where the artist I’m listening to takes me; I never compare. you interpreted as it was intended to be interpreted, and you could not have rephrased it better. In regard to "rose colored glasses" or "rose colored ears"; they are my eyes and ears, whether anyone else thinks they are rose colored is 100% moot; that's the blessing of being an individual. My perception of the world, is uniquely mine, this is a birth given right that I shall retain until my last breath. |
During the time while I visited a place of higher learning, each student was to create what they considered a work of art. Mine was a music and visual display that involved lights that came on depending on the frequency of the music. The only difference between my display and a graphic equalizer is that the lights were in an abstract design. Bear in mind that each individual in this class had created some kind of work of art that we would all judge. After looking at each individuals project, we came to the conclusion that each project had acquired a life of it’s own that was independent of it’s creator. When my project was viewed and judged, it was perceived in ways that I never imagined when I created it. As the discussions went on, no one was more astounded than the creator of each art object how many different ways their object was perceived; it was like each object took on a different life that went beyond the creator, and so it is with "modern jazz". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_YDnuHs8P0 |
Frogman, on Herby Hancock "Head Hunters" ; at the time that came out, I was totally 100% captured by the music, and one of the comments took me back to that time. "It's 1973. I am in Olney, MD. Sitting in the bedroom of my best friend Timmy Moody. He's got a Marantz model 2600 reciever, a pair of Bose 901 speakers, an Empire 498 turntable with a Shure V15 cartridge. He lights up a Thai Stick and drops the Herbie Hancock Head Hunters album on to the Empire and cranks the volume." I'm quite familiar with those components, I had the Shure Cartridge, lusted for the Empire 498 turntable, and Bose 901 speakers; those were good times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZy7v_-ss74 |
Mary-Jo, I've been going back over recent posts, and I can't believe that I preferred Mundell Lowe over Grant Green on that post, but that's the nature of jazz. He really captured a different mood for "Speak Low", that was very romantic; it took me back to a summer afternoon in Forest Park. It's fascinating how the same tune by different artists can take you different places; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKpNXtUFKhQ |
Rok, the title "JuJu" in no way fit the music; "JuJu" is Louisiana "voodoo"; AKA "Gris Gris" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWvdO3l4_P8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85VtQTWA7xs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP4f3nJaAvw |
This Bud's for you Rok, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhB-18iOp4o BTW, I went to Catholic School through the 5th grade, consequently I'm well grounded in the faith. |
"These guys live in the greatest country in the world, courtesy of the Christian God, and all they think of is Africa and voodoo." Rok, when the snow got deep in St. Louis, I spent a lot of time at the library. They had books hundreds of years old, one of them was "Diary of a Slave Trader", that I read. For some reason I can't find that book anymore, it's as if the book never existed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Public_Library https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h67Kwve1YS8 "The Door of No Return" was the one slaves went through when they left "Dahomey", a place so gruesome that no one wants any part of it's history; they have since changed the name to "Benin". Slaves were sold Voodoo amulets before they passed through the door of no return. I have no idea how they paid. Voodoo has no Bible, yet it exists in Cuba, the Southern USA, Haiti, Brazil, and other parts of South America; you tell me why and how it exists. |
I'm about to get religion today; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_euSS86dvE I just can't get enough of this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Edl29urtc0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzq5kX6OT_s There was a paper that came out on Thursday that told about all the entertainment on the weekend in St. Louis, which I eagerly looked forward to; never missed dance or a good play. |
I enjoyed your posts Rok, I even put on the headphones. I always liked this one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_vhBMWWnBE&list=PLeSjQNUK_kinZyzXeZhdzcdeaK4YxYNsX They were a lot younger when I bought their first record, but like good wine, they improved with age; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRpzEnq14Hs&list=PLeSjQNUK_kinZyzXeZhdzcdeaK4YxYNsX&index=21 |
Ella Jenkins was one of the singers, and guess what; she was born in St. Louis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg_8L96E3eU It’s time to get the credit card out, thanks. |
Rok, here's Revelations. I caught them every time they came to town. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrPJ4kt3a64 |
Rok, I think I'll be expanding the "Afro Peruvian" section of my collection; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keboPv6ZAvE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8xuRPIdDjc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX2MX1UDNKU |
This album is different from all the albums I have by Horace Silver. What do you think about it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWTy8kM3Hak |
This is the best group ever on this thread; that's because we are all aficionados of the first order, meaning we like jazz, and we know jazz. Not only that, but we have diverse opinions and can express them. There are many people who watch this thread every day but never post; it's because they don't have the ability to express themselves in the written language. One such individual posted who said he had been watching this thread since the beginning. Naturally, I asked him why hadn't he posted. Although his answer was vague, it was apparent he hadn't written anything in a long time. After I queried him, I knew that he was a "jazz aficionado" whether he could write or not. Rather than reveal the obvious, I continued to ask questions in hopes that he would continue to post, but he stopped. All of us know that it takes some effort to compose your thoughts and put them down in a fashion that others will get your message. Although it's easier for some of us than others, it still requires effort. I believe some people are frightened off because they see how well we communicate and don't think they qualify, or that it takes too much effort; but the amount of hits this thread gets verifies my thesis. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their participation, and my New Years resolution is not to get off track so much. Happy New Year! |
Rok, I don't have to express my musical ideas about that album because Frogman did it for me. For me, that is most certainly one of his best ever. I'm a Horace Silver aficionado as well, and no one knows better than me how radically different that is from anything he has ever done, but that doesn't change my opinion one iota in regard to whether or not that ranks among his best. We have been communicating long enough for me to know your fundamental concept of what is and is not jazz; I call it "the Wynton Marsalis concept". Since this is way outside those boundaries I understand your conclusion. Happy New Year! |
Frogman I might be the OP, but everyone knows you're the "top dog" on this thread. That's because you have the ability to define and communicate what we're thinking. You just did it in you're last post. I knew that I liked that record, but I didn't know all the reasons why, and you followed up and put them down for me. Everyone appreciates all your musical knowledge and writing skills. Happy New Year! |
Rok, since my philosophy is to "accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative", we shall forget about the 27th man and focus on "Cape Verdean Blues" Horace Silver - piano Woody Shaw - trumpet Joe Henderson - tenor sax J.J. Johnson - trombone on tracks 4 - 6 Bob Cranshaw - bass Roger Humphries - drums "The Cape Verdean Blues" - 4:59 "The African Queen" - 9:36 "Pretty Eyes" - 7:30 "Nutville" - 7:15 "Bonita" - 8:37 "Mo' Joe" (Joe Henderson) - 5:46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Z9NxK94H4&list=OLAK5uy_l2uUlNbYyQPGoFklS9889nBQv1_cS2IKQ With Joe Henderson on tenor and J. J. Johnson on trombone, this has to be boss. |
This is my favorite cut on my favorite album. It is also Toots Thielemans favorite album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ESLJebaWyU |