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 pjw81563
frogman I definitely hear the connection between "Foggy Day" and "Milestones" I have the Milestones album and have listened to it hundreds of times but I do not own "A Garland Of Red" so I never could have picked up on that having heard Foggy Day to few times to remember. I do know that the beginning of a song by Horace Silver sounds a lot like the beginning of a Steely Dan song (to me anyway) Silver:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWeXOm49kE0 Steely Dan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfZWp-hGCdA |
mary jo I watched both Tyson/Holyfield fights and in both fights Tyson showed his only vulnerability, and subsequently, the way to beat him. Now don't get it twisted. Tyson was a great fighter. One of the best heavyweights of all time but far from contention in the best ever. Tyson had heavy hands and could knock out any boxer even one who was recognized as having a "great chin." Tyson's power was intimidating. As Tyson himself once said and I quote "Every boxer has a plan [against him] until they get hit. I would even go so far as to say a handful of Tyson's opponents were already beat before they climbed through the ropes. Evander knew his weakness. Stand in there with him through the early rounds and weather the storm. Keep him at bay with jabs and clutch him on the inside. Make the fight go into the later rounds or the "championship rounds" as they are called. If Mike was not having it his way by rounds 5 -8 he was beatable in the championship rounds (9 -12). Now that I taught mary jo a thing or two about boxing its jazz time. |
nsp Archie Moore was the second greatest Light heavyweight of all time. Number one, IMHO goes to Ezzard Charles. The "Cincinnati Cobra" beat the "Mongoose" every time they fought. I know your reading the Stan Getz book now but you may want to put these 3 books on your list of books to read. I read them all and can highly recommend them: https://www.amazon.com/Ageless-Warrior-Boxing-Legend-Archie/dp/1582612552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=archie... https://www.amazon.com/Ezzard-Charles-Boxing-William-Dettloff/dp/0786497432/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21INOE84... https://www.amazon.com/Charley-Burley-Black-Murderers-Row/dp/0954392426/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+black+murderers+row&qid=1564529297&s=books&sr=1-1 I’m sure you have heard of the greatest boxer to never get a title shot Charley Burley and the "Black Murderers Row" If you end up reading the Archie Moore book that was my source for the connection between Archie Moore and Lucky Thompson. Back to jazz - James Carter had many influences but I know 2 of his favorites are Don Byas and Lucky Thompson. |
My first Tom Harrell disc. I bought it when it was released in 2012 and I like it a lot. Still filling out my Harrell collection. Any recommendations? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU71pXt2Nyg |
nsp That's good news about the "Side Steps" price. Yea Trane's personal life was a real mess at the time. But when he quit all the substances he rose like a phoenix. I visit his grave often and also the house in Deer Park located off the north service rd. 495 eastbound. One of my favorite "go to" Trane discs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbSWzaDAf10 |
"Maybe I’m being unfair; but, if you knew nothing about them, which of these two individuals do you think is less likely to want conflict and call lawyers" A picture does not always tell the story...… Miles Davis kicked his heroin habit after 2 years of using(cold turkey no methadone). I believe he kicked it in 1953 or 54. After that he was always on top of his band about using. Philly Joe Jones and John Coltrane received verbal thrashings numerous times from Miles. Miles once told Coltrane when he showed up for a gig that he looked terrible and his suit looked like he slept in it. Bill Evans, oth, used heroin for approximately 25 years (1955 -1980) and I bet he stayed on methadone for the remainder of his life. He was strung out all the time. In the following book, Evans' friend Gene Lees described Evans's struggle with drugs as "the longest suicide in history." read:https://www.amazon.com/Bill-Evans-How-Heart-Sings/dp/0300097271/ref=sr_1_1?crid=223NU8960Z1RK&ke... I am not saying that Miles did not do anything underhanded. Maybe he did, maybe not. I can hear the similarities in the two songs. However I think Bill Evans addictions affected him badly and impaired his judgement in certain areas of his life. (definitely not his brilliant piano playing). |
mary jo thanks for the boxing and jazz quote. They call boxing "The Sweet Science" and you could also say the same for jazz. Anthony Joshua did not take his opponent seriously. Deontay Wilder would beat Joshua all day but since he ducked Wilder and fought and lost to a lesser contender the big money "superfight" everyone wanted (Joshua/Wilder) is done. |
nsp thanks I purchased "Roman Nights" a month or so back when we were discussing Harrell here. A very fine session. I have 16 Phil Woods discs (a couple have Harrell on Trumpet). MY favorite right now has been "Images" with Phil Woods and the Michel Legrand Orchestra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lIAy3WIRuM |
This 2014 session by Childs, a homage to an idol of his, the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, with an all star ensemble of contributors consisting of the who's who in jazz, Wayne Shorter amongst others, is extremely ambitious to put it mildly. Not my cup of tea but is does show just how talented at composing, arranging, and playing piano Billy Childs is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_hvdK6_KlE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIfs8R8FmlQ |
The Timeless All Stars (with Harold Land) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JmPZgil_pQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0j1XaNWmgs |
Big Harold Land fan here. I have all of his sessions as a leader and to many to count of his sessions as a sideman with the likes of Curtis Counce, Carmell Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, Blue Mitchell, and many more including his short stay on the east coast in the mid 50's to play on all the Max Roach / Clifford Brown sessions. IMHO, Land has been under appreciated and deserving of more recognition for the truly remarkable tenor player he was. He makes my list of top 25 all time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J6c0g2CyzM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRVvP1IcbqY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_9MsAUoGfs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_eeqCVvlHA |
Thank you acman3! I have that album and play it often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt_fmhtePoc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIANyO3jdA8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GslhRUBgXNI Harold knew when to blow hard and when to blow soft. His timing in and out of a solo was impeccable. And it is my sincere belief that Clifford and Harold had a "telepathic connection" while playing. |
alex I liked that song "Dulcinea Blue" of Evans’ Quintessence album so much that I listened to a few more songs off it on You Tube then ordered the album. The 3 men playing along with Evans on it, Harold Land, Kenny Burrell, and Ray Brown are giants of jazz. I received the album "Continuo" by Avishai Cohen and gave it a thorough listen. Great album. Still waiting for your review of the Cohen concert. A simple short answer will suffice if you are short on time. "Continuo" full album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=numSROD-gZY&list=PLoxhDWWBCgefXsfrPmbktRpAmreYVgOGy |
frogman thanks for the links to the Hawes album which I have already ordered. BTW La Faro is a superb bass player. Its a shame he was killed like Clifford Brown, both in their primes, in an automobile accident. Speaking of Monk and Evans - "Everybody digs Bill Evans" (I do have that album). I like the unconventional manner in which Monk plays and the beautiful music he creates in this manner. Monk is the only piano player that I regularly listen to his solo sessions. How much more do I like Monk then Evans - about a 1/4 of an inch between the tip of my thumb and index finger. Classic Monk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KshrtLXBdl8 Classic Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDw2ClkdeR4 frogman, what is the best solo session on record by Evans? Your opinions go a long way with me and I do need an Evans solo session in my collection. |
alex thanks for your candid review on the Cohen concert. frogman thanks for the Evans recommendations. I found all those albums on Amazon at reasonable prices. mary jo - alex - frogman I know exactly what you mean by "comfort zone" I too feel the same but like to try new things. More about that later. Welcome back Schubert! |
More live Monk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTijrDIU-m4 I love how Monk leaves his piano and starts dancing (if you could call it that) around in a Fred Sanford like gate And the way he plays the piano - not hunched over in a "trance like" state he bobs and weaves and lifts his hands way up and down sometimes putting one hand on top of the piano while playing with the other. Simply put you could tell he just loves what he is doing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kROre63J0Lw The quality of this video (image and sound) is a bit better then the last 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RINHNEMtm_k |
Hello Orpheus10 Great to see a post from you. Feel free to stop in more often after all you started this thread and I think its safe to say you are missed by all of us here when you don't come around for long periods. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLq3Y6zhyGA |
Orpheus10 Here are some tunes representing some of the best musicians from the "School Of Hard Bop" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkctkkEsyt4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3noQ6dfw3E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBetQg4MkoY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COZsaiKZ5ms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emyuK5Luj6k |
Orpheus10 I enjoyed the John Wright Trio album. I listened to every song. I had never heard of him thanks for that. I am, of course, familiar with Ahmad Jamal and I too have his "At the Pershing / But Not For Me" disc. Mine is one of the latest re-issues on CD and has the 7:38 long version of "Poinciana" released on the Chess label and it is remastered (32 bit). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cytUz9KkK9M |
Orpheus10 thanks for that. I like Miles’ "first electric years" 68 -75. I have all of his output from those years including bootleg stuff. I was fortunate enough to see Wayne Shorter, just once, at Town Hall NYC I believe it was in 2014. It was a Shorter "masterclass" in Avant Guard. I remember now it was the Shorter 80th birthday tour. I never saw Miles live. Very unfortunate. Did you see Art Blakey? |
Orpheus10 thanks again for sharing your memories of the "good ole days" when jazz was still king. I know your having serious health issues but when you feel up to it know that I will be watching for your posts on your favorite jazz music and the musicians that you had the privilege to see live. Lou Donaldson and I had a 20 minute conversation at a joint on 51st and Broadway, NYC, and I will cherish it always. |
Orpheus10 We were just discussing that very album by Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams a few weeks ago. And I agree the music they made on those sessions is beautiful. The lineup on the album is sensational. The only musician that I was unfamiliar with was the bassist Laymon Jackson. Thanks for your Miles Davis reminiscences. |
Orpheus10, I have both of those Donald Byrd albums with Duke Pearson on piano. Like you I also have none of his sessions as a leader and plan on fixing that. Big fan of Jackie Mac here. I have around 15 discs with him as a leader and to many more to count with him as a sideman like on the Mingus song you posted. BTW, J.R. Monterose, the tenor sax on "Pithecanthropus Erectus" is outstanding as well. |
Welcome back alex, 56 here. This Freddie Hubbard album, "Minor Mishap"(released in 1989), featuring Duke Pearson on piano was originally released as a Duke Pearson album titled "Dedication!" released in 1961 on the Prestige label. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHPenlTH7UY |
nsp, Great Jackie Mac selections. Here is a couple from one of my favorite JM sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n2C9ybcjEQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDv7DRfF2bE Keeping with the current topic of playing with "emotion" I think that could be said of the following song off of a terrific album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDiy7o01H2w |
I like Yusef Lateef as well but must admit I only have one of his recordings titled "Eastern Sounds" The "Sister Mami" song, posted by Orpheus10 was very intense. I think that live album will be my next Lateef purchase. A couple off of "Eastern Sounds" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6ozhnxYfKs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGkKc52Cvxo |
John Zorn has written quite a few "mainstream jazz" arrangements played in an "accessible" manner by excellent musicians. The "Book Of Angels V12", links courtesy of acman3, is proof of that. Further proof can be found on BOA V11 featuring Medeski, Martin, and Wood. Not as "easily accessible" as BOAV12, MMW sound more like jazz fusion but still nowhere near some of the "way out there" Zorn compositions/arrangements/music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAbXWby68B0 |
Orpheus10, I posted this on the last page but it was overlooked. I know this is "real jazz", played by excellent musicians, and every one of them puts "emotion/feeling/soul" into their solo's. I have the album and I think its a gem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDiy7o01H2w |
Another example of a current jazz guitarist who is pretty darn good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p2qja49-Oc Fast forward to 6:45 to hear Gilmore's solo. And then there is the great Bobby Broom, whom Sonny Rollins brought on tour with him numerous times in the 90's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrekQ3339BY |
nsp, Thanks once again for introducing me to Grant Stewart. I have been listening to a lot of his music last couple days. Grant is living proof of what you have repeatedly been posting - there is no shortage whatsoever of jazz musicians of today that can and do play old school jazz and play it well. "Real Jazz" as Orpheus10 would say.... Here is Grant playing "old school be bop" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Lght0wPzw Grant playing Tadd Dameron’s "The Scene Is Clean" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRjR5JLMZfM Grant playing Johnny Mercer’s "Somethings Gotta Give" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuUm732W5bQ alex I hope you take note of the above. Not saying you should buy albums from current jazz musicians but there are plenty of them playing "Real Jazz" similar then your extensive collection of jazz LP's from the 50’s and 60’s. And they can play it with "emotion" Whenever any jazz musician stretches the boundaries in search of a new sound, Coltrane’s last 2 years for example, it is not going to have that "Real Jazz" sound rooted in blues. And this was just as true in the 50’s - 60’s, Ornette Coleman as another example, as it is in 2019. |