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 rok2id
Are you saying the OP has gone native on us? Maybe the aborigines invited him to dinner, and he misunderstood. Could he be, as we speak, in a big pot, water up to his chin? But our OP, would at least think of a Jazz tune appropriate for the situation. May I suggest, Lee Morgan's "The cooker". :) O-10, pouting time is over. Get yo self back in here. Cheers |
Ellington / Harrell Ellington has the stature, track record, and reputation to play anything, and it will be taken serious. Examined in detail. Discussed endlessly. Will become part of the Jazz Lexicon. No so for Harrell. Excellent Trumpet player / composer. But, Ellington is in an altogether different category. I have 'Nutcracker' by Ellington, simply because it was by Ellington. Otherwise, Peter Ilyich, will do just fine. Cheers |
*****
Sorta contradicts first comment, no?***** Not at all. The New Orleans thing just gives me hope for the future. Young players coming from New Orleans, are different from the young elsewhere in the Jazz world. Hard to escape the roots down there. The music is everywhere. They will be influenced. It is my thought, not a fact, that you could start out as a Jazz player in the North East, without any influence of, or any thought ever given to New Orleans. I hope I am wrong. Cheers |
Woods, my universe: He just seems to have developed and matured in a parallel / separate Jazz universe from the one in which I lived. This is surely not a criticism. That would be absurd. But, reading the piece, I only recognized one name in his story, Quincy Jones. Jones is the consummate musician. At home in any genre, but he never one of my favorite Jazz players. I think I have one CD by him. Had more LPs, in the 'Killer Joe' vein. He spent some time in Europe and formed a group called "The European Rhythm Machine. The odds of me buying or listening to a CD by a group called European Rhythm Machine, approached zero. This statement sums up why he never got my attention, this is after he went to Europe. "I sounded like I was let out of jail. The Europeans were much more aware of development in music than American musicians at that point.(1969). You were expected to be an artist and to experiment". Now, think of who was alive and playing in 1969. Going to Europe to improve in Jazz, is like a Kid from Brazil or Germany, coming to the U.S. to learn Soccer. My only point is this, he never played with the players I bought and followed. Even when he did, it was as a sideman, and at that stage in my music appreciation, I only paid attention to the leaders. And, that European experimental stuff, well, it is what it is. But, he is one of the few guys that made me look at the notes to see who was playing, as I listened to the CD. He was very, very good. And from all I have read, a very nice human being. Cheers |
Yes, he was very good. I can see / hear why he was held in such high regard within the Professional Jazz community. I suspect he knew his N&Bs like few others. The last two clips were more to my liking. The three albums could represent the worst examples of Jazz LP Cover Art in history. Woods in front of a fireplace with a dog??? Is this one of the most gifted be-boppers ever, or Johnny Mathis? The Garland cover was like, they just used the closest photo at hand. Says nothing about what to expect inside. The cover is the first thing that should grab the buyer. The last clip, woods in a ski sweater. He even sounded more mature. But, this could have been the cover of a Boston Pops / Fielder Christmas LP. The playing on all was great. Esp the last two. But if I was browsing through Waterloo or Tower records, I would not pick up any of them to read the notes, unless I was already familiar with Woods. Another reason I may have missed him earlier in my Jazz journey. Of course this could all just be a reflection, a silly one at that, on my decision making in buying music. LP cover that makes you pick it up: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCRjn79DL74[/url] The arrogance of the man!! Thanks for the clips Cheers |
*****
This is the third time I have posted this and don't know if anyone has watched it.****** Then I have watched it three times. Funny guy. He does give insight into the professional musicians life. Esp when times are tough. "I have his wife, not his damn horn!! Priceless. He should be given the "Courage In Jazz Award" for standing down Mingus. That could have been a serious 'ruckus'.Mingus beat up a few of his band mates and was said to carry a gun. Not a guy to mess with. But I can picture the scene. :) Thanks for the third time. Cheers |
The Samson theme was wonderful. I remember seeing the movie a few centuries ago. I was a little kid punching tickets in the theater. Will never forget him bringing the Temple down! I hear a lot of talk about his Billy Joel solo. I will have to search it out. The Quincy clip seemed sort of bland. Not the playing, but the visual effect / body language. Almost like it was a recital. Is it possible that Jazz is sometimes better just heard and not seen? Thanks for the clips and info. Cheers |
Today's message from Jazz Heaven. Eric Dolphy -- OUTWARD BOUND And to think, at one time I considered this awesome great, a semi-noise maker. Stereo Review disagreed, so I bought him anyway. Another one I grew into. Looking back, I sometimes cringe at myself. I put his LPs right next to Burroughs' book, "Naked Lunch", on a Shelf labeled, 'Try again in a few years'. :) [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y8b1HAYEdU[/url] He died at 36, of a diabetic Coma, in Berlin. Another reason to stay out of Europe. People don't die of diabetes at 36. What could be the possible significance of a title like '245' ? Gotta mention Hubbard. Another great loss. This is as much his album as it is Eric's Cheers |
Boss Indeed!! [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vl4_f8Emtw[/url] If Ammons is great, then Ammons + Stitt must be mo' better Greater. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT9XB9y_RU[/url] Cheers |
More Manna from the Jazz gods. A good one from the most optimistic guy in Jazz. All his tunes could be sub-titled 'don't worry, everything is gonna be alright'. No brooding introspection here. The entire CD is good. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81LPHKdFR1I[/url] I like the way he talks to the audience before a lot of his tunes. Explains them to the audience. The Frogman of Be-Bop?? Loved the 'Bach" quip on 'dis here'. Cheers |
Today's Listen: Mario Bauza and his Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra -- TANGA This is so good it deserves two posts. There is a post of them Live in Japan, they even had the Japanese moving!! No small feat. Irresistible rhythms?? No problem with drums here. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14FL8UwNkg[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJaQ5d9hric[/url] Cheers |
Jimmie Lunceford: Love that Big Band Music. Ellington, Goodman, and Basie are all on my regular rotation. Back then you had to be able to play and also do song and dance routines. When the music changed, all the 'antics' went away with the old stuff. Just can't see Coltrane, Miles, et al participating in the singing and section choreography. But they made great music and put on a great show. Cheers |
James Carter -- JC ON THE SET I only two CDs by Carter. This one and ''The Real Quiet Storm'. This is his debut recording. It does not seem as if he has lived up to the initial hype, but who does. I enjoyed it. Everything seems to sound good to me lately. But, this is a very good performance. The group is comprised of younger / modern players. Carter has been known to leave the reservation and venture off into that Free stuff. The notes list him as playing 'Saxes'. Modern day Roland Kirk? When he hits those very low notes, he reminds me of the sounds put out by the spaceship in 'close encounters of a third kind'. Those aliens could Jam!! [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6m0N9ZHwqU[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8cWbFNHUw[/url] Cheers |
Music can be fun and serious at the same time. What music cannot be, is fun and boring at the same time. According to my Webster, Boring is an antonym of Fun. Modern Jazz is Boring. Why? Many reasons. Some, in no particular order: 1) Musicians think that if they can play an instrument, they can play Jazz. An extension of "Jazz is anything I say it is". 2) The idea that you can learn to play Jazz in Music school. You may improve your skills as a player, may learn theory of improvised playing, but you can't learn the feel for the music. 3) The commonly held belief that art must change with time, and that change is synonymous with better / improvement. 4) The belief that all improvised music is Jazz by definition. All Jazz may be improvised, but all improvised music is not Jazz. 5) The lack of an authority to define what is and what is not Jazz. That would be considered politically incorrect. If it's instrumental, and not R&R, then throw it in the Jazz bin. BTW, I have been pushing this point of view since this thread began. But who listens to me? Good question though. Cheers |
You are confusing recently recorded with Modern. No one is saying every single note, or tune is boring, just the weight of the material. I own two(2) CDs by James Carter. I like the one I posted. I ran into Dolphy very early in my Jazz journey. I have no problem with Zappa or his music. The Arts should be a safe haven for eccentrics, weirdos, and all such marchers to a different tune. I just don't understand why they call it Jazz. My idea of Fun in Jazz: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-ofRT3ni4[/url] The entire album is boss. BTW, how would you classify Mingus' 'hog calling blues'. My all time favorite. Cheers |
*****
Agree with the first commnet. I will tell you that I have heard/read Zappa reffered to as a rock musician far more than as a jazz musician, so who is it that calls it jazz?***** "Zappa is the first, and so far only, artist to be inducted into both the Jazz and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame." -- google Apparently someone calls it Jazz. Esp since he went into the Jazz hall first. Think of the players who are NOT in the Jazz Hall of Fame. But this goes back to what I said, and to which you responded "huh?" They say his music was hard to categorize, so into the Jazz bin it goes. The catch-all dumping bin. My point is, it Just shows a lack of respect for, and understanding of, the music. Cheers |
*****
I think all this goes back to what is really important and what I tried explain in my previous post: it's really knowing how to identify really good music making that matters most. ***** This is not what matters most. Identifying and sharing music that a person likes, or even dislikes, is what matters most. Good vs Bad music: Ravel said "there is no music there' referring to his composition 'Bolero'. I'll admit it did cause riots in Paris. People took their music a little more serious back then. :) Tchaikovsky didn't think much of '1812'. I think he said he was sorry he wrote it. So, sometimes, declaring music bad, for whatever reason, could be just one person's opinion. Even if that person composed it!! The great unwashed may beg to disagree. The Bey Sisters being prime examples, on this thread, of how greatness can be trashed, in the name of technical correctness. :) Cheers |
*****
Time and time again I have seen music posted on this thread that fits into a poster's favorite style and it seems that simply by that virtue alone that posted music gets automatically bumped up to "good" in that poster's mind when it is simply mediocre or worse.**** Some examples would be nice. Cheers |
We are lucky to have The Frogman on this thread. He is a professional Jazz and Classical Player. And I do know that making a living as a Musician is not an easy thing to do. Esp in a place like NYC, where the entire world is trying to make a career in music.. If he was not very, very good, he would not work. No room there for 'pretty good'. Therefore: EVERYTHING The frogman says about music is true. We can place more or less emphasis on things as pertains to our own taste in music, but what he says is Gospel. If he says a group is out of tune, then, they are out of tune. If you like them in spite of that, that's cool. That's your right to like music that appeals to you. We all have that right. We are all entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. That's why I don't think the term 'reality' is appropriate. Reality means 'real', which to me, means FACTUAL. We can't have differences of FACT over who is the best Jazz Trumpet. We can never know the Best. We can just give our opinion. AND, opinions is order to be valid, have to be in the realm of the possible. You say Morgan, he says Hubbard, and I say Armstrong. All are within the realm of the possible. They are all valid opinions. Naming some guy who plays locally in a club, is not a valid opinion. And let's remember this is the season of: Peace on Earth, Good Will towards all Aficionados Cheers |
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfgNR_aiSTg[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk_XApCBcnY[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mP9T8BQ_bQ[/url] Cheers |
*****
rok2id, A lot of the guys I was with in the Ia Drang see it as an Icon not to be used unless you have blood in the game . I don't agree but have seen violence over it .***** It's a Military Unit, not a motorcycle gang. Not one 'owns' these colors. It's fighting history is a lot more than Ia Drang or VietNam. Read the history. And that symbol is on everything you can imagine, in this town, and Ft Hood. From the post water tower to the flag flying from the pole in my front lawn. All with pride. BTW, The unit is now an Armoured Division. You would not recognize it., or the current U.S. Army. They are a lot better and smarter than they were in Nam. Ia Drang is a very distance memory. I think they have pics in the 1st Cavalry museum. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Cheers |
BTW, there are such things as Bad soldiers. The Vietnam era US Army was full of them. And as the war went on, they spread to Germany and Korea as well as bases in the U.S. Even now when you see them on TV, they all go out of their way to look like bums and thugs. Of course, McNamara's 100,000 had a lot to do with this. That was when they allowed 100,000 guys that did not meet the minimum intelligence standards into the army. The Marines and Air Force said, thanks, but no thanks. It took many years to recover. |
Schubert: Yesterday, here at the local Texas State Veterans cemetery.. Thought it might interest you. [url]http://kdhnews.com/news/local/more-than-attend-funeral-for-vietnam-veteran-billy-david-hill/article_...[/url] |
Today's Listen: Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra -- QUE VIVA HARLEM [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtbsMXGcums[/url] This is just great. And these are supposed to be students!! No filler here, all the tunes will hold your interest. These guys, and one girl, on trumpet, can play!! Includes tunes by Ellington and Strayhorn. Sales help support youngsters in Jazz. Buy It!!! Maybe Wynton and the guys should be looking over their shoulders. Cheers |
O-10: Bird: I noticed that in Nica's book, many, many of the Jazz players, 'wished' they could play like Bird. I don't know if he had a 'patent' or not, but that's high praise from his peers. I would have thought most would have been too proud to say it. On 'Passport', it seems as if you can hear a little of the past, then he states the present/future. Cheers |