https://youtu.be/D6N3IDUah9g
A little faster. Sweeter? Sugar will do that 😊:
https://youtu.be/XzGkXi3zNfQ
A little faster. Sweeter? Sugar will do that 😊:
https://youtu.be/XzGkXi3zNfQ
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 frogman
Fabulous Brother Jack McDuff live clip, Keegiam. Red Holloway sounds great! If you don’t know this other band from Benson’s early period, you may like it. With the great Ronnie Cuber, my favorite living baritone player: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l4dlNGqMBAZ4AtDzUyu3zumdBzQcQgsIc |
Don’t know about that particular recording, but it is a fact that Williams mentored young Dizzy Gillespie; would explain the respect shown by Dizzy. A tune written by her for Dizzy for his band https://youtu.be/C9Vanz-3To0 |
Hah! I listened to that two nights ago. I love the Duke’s piano playing. No pyrotechnics, but great feel and he improvises the way one expect a great composer to; beautiful development of ideas and always musically logical. Surprisingly modern sounding considering he came out of the stride piano school. We tend to forget what a great piano player he was the way we tend to forget what a great bassist Mingus was. Their composing skills tend to overshadow their playing. A couple of favorites from the record: https://youtu.be/YW6VbVFJYzQ https://youtu.be/zXEeys-vclc |
inna, quite beautiful! I particularly like McLaughlin’s more restrained side; not so much of that lightning speed. Thanks! Curious what you think of this. Something very different. Incredibly tight band: https://youtu.be/ppNFJbMrOHw |
Very nice indeed. Transition period to his “second great quintet” which IMO was the greatest band to play the music; my favorite, anyway: https://youtu.be/lRhqn21-xeg https://youtu.be/bVtVobH3GDo https://youtu.be/a8MWHpxEbnw |
**** Speaking of Miles’ new group, what is the primary thing a leader looks for in selecting band members? **** No. 1- “Can I work with this guy?” “Is he an a-hole?” Doesn’t matter how great the player is, if the personality is not a fit then all bets are off. Musical considerations: Again, personality; this time, musical personality. The player has to have a similar musical vision as the leader and other band members. Musical style is one aspect of “vision”. A great pre-bebop era player like Prez wouldn’t have known what to do with a harmonically obtuse tune like “Giant Steps”. No way of knowing for sure how his playing MAY have changed over the years given that he died so young, but not even Bird would have been a good fit in a ‘60s era Miles band. IOW, is the player someone who is forward-looking style wise; or, at least, has the skills to adapt to the moment? Some players are musical chameleons; others, even great ones, are very set in a style and have no ability or desire to adapt or evolve stylistically. There’s a reason that Sonny Stitt didn’t last in Miles’s quintet. Fantastic player, but very set in a more traditional bebop mold. Of course, all this is governed by the leader’s personality and ego. Just how much leeway is he willing to give a player personally and musically? As in any relationship, ego is a big factor; even for someone like Miles, who valued players with very strong and individualistic musical personalities. From his autobiography. Miles on Joe Zawinal: ”I needed to let Joe go because that dude has more skills and rhythm than any musician I know. I don’t want to play back up for Joe” Speaking of rhythm, of all the musical skills needed to be considered a good player, that is THE No. 1 consideration. You can have great technique, great intonation, command of harmony and beautiful sound, but if the rhythm is not super solid all those other positives mean little. |
Rok, I know David Hurwitz; he is a fellow Brooklynite. He is the ultimate music geek and I say that in the most positive way possible. Extremely knowledgeable about Classical music, composers, artists and history; you name it. He has a very easy and appealing way with his music writings and critiques. I would definitely take his opinions on “best of” seriously. Glad you came across his YouTube links. Btw, speaking of LVB 5&7, he wrote a book on those two symphonies as part of his Magnum Opus Series “A Closer Look, Beethoven’s 5th and 7th”. Check it out. He also has a book coming out on LVB’s orchestral music. Very interesting guy. |
More of the new “good stuff”. Astounding quartet. Michael Brecker taking what Coltrane started to a whole other place: https://youtu.be/7L97yBaKFRQ Joey Calderazzo! Someone to check out. I didn’t think I would have ever say this, but I don’t miss Herbie on this: https://youtu.be/2wRUEjwF9rA https://youtu.be/Rdb7zadFxJo |
Thanks for the Geri Allen interview clip, pjw. Very good and accurate. She pays her musicians to rehearse (not all leaders do) because it is not only a sign of respect, it is the smart thing to do. If you rehearse a band then the players have no excuse come time to perform. There is a recurring misconception that Jazz players can just show up and play at the highest level without rehearsal or personal practice. Sure, if they are going to play “Cherokee” or “Invitation” for the 1000th time in a loose club setting in the standard way (melody/solos/melody), good players will sound pretty good. However, when they are working with an artist on the level of a Betty Carter and who performs very unusual arrangements of tunes it’s an entirely different story. Very good insights in the clip. |
I saw Frank Morgan at the Village Vanguard in the mid 80’s (1985?). Fantastic performance. Beautiful player with one of my favorite alto sounds once heralded as “the new Bird”. Sad personal story, as Rok points out. After hearing that performance I bought this record; his second as leader. It features along with Wardell Gray a trumpet player seldom mentioned, but deserving more attention, Conte Candoli: https://youtu.be/YV5RWI1ho6A https://youtu.be/8gaDwM9cgsc https://youtu.be/Dr1tMYyfwPU https://youtu.be/uJ3oIvQWk2U Interesting Abbey Lincoln record with Morgan as featured soloist. I find her singing style to be an acquired taste, but I like her unaffected soulfulness as well as her compositions: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvxWibFr0wiJqwclRsPZ_lQRbEP1EKiKB |
Funny, I don’t concern myself too much about ultimate sound quality unless I’m listening to LP’s or CD’s. Just me. To me, nothing comes close to the sound of my two turntable setups; the one in my main system, in particular. My CD players sound good also, but not quite. When I listen to YouTube it is mostly with iPad or iPhone feeding good earbuds when I need portability; or, feeding my Stax Lambda electrostatic headphones/tube energizer which sounds great....for YouTube. Only occasionally, during our Friday “family music share” do I play YouTube over my main system. Just me. |
https://youtu.be/CNKAv1aa9IA Listen to the end: https://youtu.be/Jbs_-BobfOs Badass: https://youtu.be/hqb_QUsnKbg https://youtu.be/23sah6aWk3A 😊 : https://youtu.be/xAz_t2Ybvmc https://youtu.be/ZgcOTFNzw9A ” Personality is everything in art and poetry” - Goethe |
This thread, just like the subject of the thread itself, has evolved, I think. Early on there would be many contentious arguments about what is and what is not Jazz. Personally, I am always mystified by why it seems so important for some to put up tall walls dividing the various genres that can fairly be called serious music. Of course there are extremely important differences between the genres. They are obvious and it would be silly to not recognize and acknowledge them, but there are also many connecting threads that are the result of the ethnic links going back millennia; our common humanity. Chick Corea, probably more than any musician I am aware of, was a great example of this commonality. His compositions and writing style, particularly his harmonic approach, demonstrate this “crossing over” very well. Here he is performing works by three of the many “Classical” composes whose works have had a deep influence on his playing and on Jazz itself: Scriabin: https://youtu.be/PO7gd1JtrCk Stravinsky: https://youtu.be/vGqLK8_SAHU Bartok: https://youtu.be/wjezsCO867s |
Good advice from Alex. Another satisfied Oppo 103 here. In my video surround setup it offers excellent resolution. Compared to the EAD DAC/transport in my audio only setup it sounds a little thin, but excellent in every other way. **** Btw, I have two copies of Bitches Brew, because it is an important recording.**** 😊 Speaking of Chick Corea (and Sinb....I mean, Miles 😉) https://youtu.be/WtORTuLJw7o https://youtu.be/Ec_gYe03cX8 Who knew? : https://youtu.be/6ztq0-2DJfQ |
Nice account, skyscraper. Thanks. Miles opening for Laura Nyro?! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvxWibFr0wiIkBE7JktUnLm4EGfpPVfdT |
**** where does the impetus for instrument development and creation come from? The composers or players. **** The composers. The players would often help in the design of the instruments by offering advise on things like practical key mechanism requirements based on hands experience, but the impetus is mostly the composers. Although, most of the great composers have, at least, rudimentary understanding of the possibilities and limitations of all orchestral instruments; part of formal training. The saxophone is a particularly good example for the answer to an interesting question. It is a relatively new instrument invented in the mid 1800’s by the Belgian instrument maker Adolph Sax. He invented the instrument due to demand from composers for an instrument that would bridge the “gap”, timbre wise, between the woodwinds and the brass instruments in an orchestra. As a solo instrument it added a very interesting and unusual (for the time) color to the tonal palette available to composers. His original vision for the instrument was for an entire family of saxophones spanning a wide range from contra bass to sopranino. In all, he designed upwards of ten different saxophones in different keys (ranges). Most became obsolete relatively soon after and the most popular (practical) remain in use today: (sopranino), soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, (bass). After an initial flurry of interest in this new instrument on the part of composers, interest waned and it wasn’t until its use in American popular music at the turn of the century that its use really took off. Re “Pictures”: ”The Old Castle” from Modest Mussorgky’s “Pictures at an Exibition” is probably the most well known and arguably most beautiful orchestral saxophone solo in the literature. Keep in mind that the piece was composed as a solo piano work by Modest Mussorgsky in the 1870’s and it was subsequently orchestrated a few times by different composers in different versions. It wasn’t until the early 1920’s that Maurice Ravel also orchestrated it in its most well known and arguably best version in which he gave the solo melody in “The Old Castle” to the alto saxophone. The PO/Ormandy recording is of Ravel’s orchestration and it is one of the best recordings of the piece. Speaking of Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra and the saxophone. Another beautiful (my favorite) orchestral saxophone solo can be found in the first movement of Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Symphonic Dances”. Like many well known European composers, Rachmaninov left Russia due to the political upheaval taking place in Europe in the 1940’s. He composed the work after arriving in America and dedicated it to the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ormandy. The recording by that orchestra and Ormandy is hreat and generally considered to be “the one”. The recent Sony Classics reissue is fantastic and with excellent sound. Check it out. |
I have always loved Abbey Lincoln’s singing and song writing. It’s funny, I sometimes question why I like her singing so much. It’s not a beautiful voice and it is rough around the edges in many ways. Still, there’s an honesty to her delivery that gets me very time. This is one of my favorite albums of hers. It is also the last record that Stan Getz ever performed on before passing. The two are an unexpectedly complementary pairing. I have posted this previously, but it’s today’s listen. Hank Jones, Charlie Haden, Mark Johnson. https://youtu.be/ojZd98pw2Ek https://youtu.be/Apfw6jKYoxI https://youtu.be/--VoDLuUh18 A younger Lincoln with then husband Max Roach. Talk about “sign of the time”! Clifford Jordan! https://youtu.be/YTeacoeAm9o Even younger: What a babe! What a band! https://youtu.be/wbrtwRZ9O2Q |
“Grass is Greener”: I enjoyed that. Thanks, grey9hound. That kid CAN SING! Who says young straight looking chubby white dudes can’t sing like that? Well, if critique we must: I agree with Rok....mostly. I’m not too concerned about the audio quality too much since I can forgive that given that the band is not exactly a top recording band. The band is not bad, but not on the level of the singer. Especially the drummer; not exactly Bernard Purdie pocket. Really slow tempos always separate the men from the boys! Where I disagree with Rok is the brass players. The opposite of the over zealous guitar playing.....nice and in tune, but way too polite with no attitude. Here’s some nice pocket in a slow tempo: https://youtu.be/bOQ07fVVDJQ |
Orchestra of St. Luke’s is a great ensemble. Don’t like tooting my own horn, but I’ve played with them many times 🤫. Technically, considered a chamber orchestra. It along with Orpheus are probably the best of the “orchestras for hire” in NYC. Re no credit on the cd: contractual stuff gets weird. Battle, Previn and von Stade, not to mention Wynton are very big names. Often agents win on demands to not have their clients share the spotlight (credits) with too many names. As an aside, the orchestra recently purchased a building in NYC to use as their home and rents out some of the rooms as rehearsal space for other ensembles. It is sadly one of the few remaining large rehearsal spaces left in the city. Sadly, a sign of a declining live music scene. Changing times. Btw, TWO copies of Bitches Brew and ‘Fusion’ on the Lord’s Day! Changing times indeed 😊 |
Great record! Cachao was a giant in Cuban music. From a family of bass players! Can you imagine post Xmas dinner chez Lopez? That record goes back to early in this thread. You didn’t post one of my favorite cuts. Some very sexy clarinet playing by Paquito on one the great Ernesto Lequona’s compositions: https://youtu.be/4uooPvBeFbE |
“Moanin’” (of course) “At The Jazz Corner Of The World” Vols. 1&2 Since you are a Shorter fan (I am!), “Big Beat”, the first record he did with Blakey should probably be on your list. Also with Shorter and one of my favorite JM lineups which included Freddie Hubbard and Cedar Walton: “Mosaic” For something different, “Second Genesis” an interesting record with Blakey as sideman and Shorter as leader. Enjoy! |
Well, my feeling is that to better understand Shorter the composer and his artistic direction, this album is a “must have”; even if one may not entirely like it. What I mean is that it is something completely different from anything he has done previously and I would say that more than anything it is “modern Classical” music with Jazz quintet. From that standpoint, I find it very interesting. Listeners who don’t have a taste for contemporary “Classical” may find it strange. The album features compositions (some from previous records) orchestrated for chamber orchestra (the recently mentioned Orpheus Chamber orchestra) and it is interesting to hear them in this new context. A clear extension of his “composer’s head”. The instrumental playing is great. Recommended, but buyer beware. |
Wayne Shorter is one of my very favorite Jazz musicians. Not only a great player, but a great composer as well. His compositions are unusual, but always unusually interesting. A true giant who is thankfully still with us: Good list of Wayne Shorter “must haves” by Keegiam. I would also add: “Adam’s Apple” https://youtu.be/LgaIUqH0w6c ”The Soothsayer” https://youtu.be/IbE3jlLhJL8 ”The All Seeing Eye” https://youtu.be/ylc6_wPm6SA |
Alex, first of all, I like the “Improvisations on Purcell”... a lot. It’s really quite beautiful. A beautiful blend of genres. Is it Jazz? That’s a loaded question around here. Personally, it ultimately doesn’t matter and I have a pretty good idea of what the “Captain of the Jazz Police” will have to say about it 😊 No, it’s not Jazz, but definitely has a Jazz component. What I find interesting is how in that piece they manage to keep two styles completely separate and still make it work in combination. What I mean is that the countertenor vocals remain in a strict Baroque style and the horn plays with a decidedly Jazz feel. (Btw, a bass clarinet, even though several different horns appear in the video, but no bass clarinet) . I have always been a fan of Pieranunzi’s music. I would definitely call his style Jazz. Jazz, rooted in Italian Romanticism instead of the (American) Blues. For some that is a deal breaker right there, but not for me. It checks off enough of the requirements for me. I think that an argument can be made that every cultures has its “Blues”. Like acman3, I am a fan of Marc Johnson and often wonder why his name doesn’t come up more often. Wonderful bass player who I heard play with Bill Evans a couple of times at the Village Vanguard years ago. Once with Joe LaBarbera on drums and another time with Bob Moses on drums...another name that doesn’t come up too often. Thanks for the beautiful clips. Good stuff! |
Speaking of Bill Evans, Marc Johnson, Pat La Barbera and Italian Romanticism (“My Romance” in Rome): https://youtu.be/uegDATOwHPU https://youtu.be/uZ_VkNtd26w https://youtu.be/G-DC_-6QuFc |
pjw, the graphics of Wayne’s graphic novel are fantastic; the novel, pretty ordinary IMO and not much of it. The art work is really great. An interesting companion to the music, but his writing skills are nowhere near the level of his musical skills. Lockjaw: Love that tone; one of my favorite tenor sounds. Pjw, those tenor battles with Griff are epic. Great stuff! |
Not being a fan of big bands, O-10, it’s understandable why Jerry Dodgion is unknown to you; but he is hardly unknown, not even on this thread. Jerry has been a fixture of the NY Jazz scene (and others) since the 60s and is considered one of the premier lead alto players in Jazz. He is also a fine composer. He was lead alto with the great Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra for many years. I have posted his best known composition here at least twice (probably more). The original recording of the piece features Jerry on alto and a blistering solo by Pepper Adams: https://youtu.be/7YyA7NXSpps Partial discography: With Louis Armstrong
With Randy Brecker
With Ron Carter
With Al Cohn
With Benny Green
With Quincy Jones
With Jimmy Owens
With Jack Sheldon
With Dakota Staton
|
**** can somebody tell me what specifically they heard on the "jazz at the pawnshop" CD that made it such a collector’s item? **** Trentmemphis nailed it: **** Fun music performed in a fun atmosphere, and well recorded **** Sonically great. I would expound a bit on Trent’s description by saying that it is unlikely to be considered a collector’s item by lovers of Jazz from the Swing era who are not also audiophiles....if you catch my drift. |
Rok, it’s worse than that. IMO. It is very formulaic music geared for the TV and movie soundtracks of the 70’s. Those strings 😱! (And I like strings). Remember, Q’s soundtracks and other similar music of his was funkier and did have improvisation. “Killer Joe” had a classic flute solo by Jerome Richardson. Q is a great producer; his soundtracks were funkier and seldom crossed the line into excess....for the time. A favorite Q TV theme: https://youtu.be/T5DnqW3F57E |
O-10, very nice on “Phantom”. I like “Phantom”; very funky. Jerry’s alto flute is great; understated and very tasty like his playing always is. Jerry on flute (regular, C flute): https://youtu.be/_c1fRgQtbQM |
Perfect example of the part of the CTI catalog that I can’t stand. Sorry. Overproduced quasi-funky saccharine. The good news: this kind of thing kept a whole lot of musicians working in the studios; something that is a thing of the past. Jerry made a fortune playing dates like this; and still getting residual checks. |
Thanks! https://youtu.be/Uu9FfXQs4-A https://youtu.be/o4mwdEtx-88 Only lovers of big bands need apply 😉. The classic: https://youtu.be/dLrC-BZiFuA (Sour cherry; my favorite 😋) Hey, speaking of cherries and the parts of the CTI catalogue that I do like: https://youtu.be/dHGrCCYIkck |