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.
Showing 36 responses by acman3
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0XIjGei8zG8 Merry Christmas! |
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aGsVqF-URXc Back at you! |
Nice little record. Great Bob Stewart on Tuba! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNvBsAgVZk4&list=PLOIN53xDgv1whz6wEQoFXCq-Hk29Ua1z2 |
Stuartk, I like them all, but a safe start is the Telarc mid-nineties recordings. He went on an absolute tear around then .I know the sound won't distract. If you like Art Farmer they have a great live recording from the early 60's. The one with Jimmy Giuffre called "Western Suite" is a Favorite. Just try them all! |
If I remember correctly, Sinatra called himself a "Saloon Singer". Swung like crazy, probably a pop singer though. I found this interesting. Frank Sinatra: Through the Lens of Jazz - JazzTimes
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I was meaning to listen to Melissa Aldana more closely, so Audio-B-Dogs reference to her over the last few pages, told me now was the time. I only have had time to listen to 3 recordings a couple of times. My initial and final oversimplicated observation is she sounds like Wayne Shorter in the way she writes and in the way she plays, with a voice of her own mixed in. This in itself is not a bad thing. I will be paying attention to future records. I will say I hear no masculine or feminine sounds if I am listening to a recording. Just good music and playing. Now, if I am looking at her I can hear more feminine sounds. Call it what you want. I find it interesting that Audio- B-dog, said he loves her music after seeing her live, and then shows us a live recording where he says she has a feminine sound. Maybe, I'm not the only one effected by my eyes. I struggle with people pushing a subgroup forward on age, sex, color, or any other reason short of ability. I could name 10-20 young musicians, over the years, who are playing all types of music, with no voice yet, but are lifted up because they are young, when there are 100's of older great musicians who have never gotten their due, and can't put food on the table. Then once the youngster, gets older, starts actually playing great, with his own voice, people no longer care because they are older. Drives me a little nuts. You don't hear as much about Joey Alexander now that he has developed his own voice in early twenties, except from Jazz lovers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MUFhBaLm4I My brother is always pushing women to the front in sports, music, and other endeavors. I think they have to stand on their own excellence, not some manufacturerd push because they are women, and they absolutely can stand on there own talents, and I would hope that their femininity would be part of their sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42X2rb60_Mk I won't even have to mention all the BS that people have had to put up with due to skin color in music, as full books have been written on that. |
Zoot and Al |