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, the AEOC box set features Lester Bowie on the majority of the discs. I like his interpretation of "I Only Have Eyes For You." The box set has a total of 21 discs Albums 1 - 4 Art Ensemble of Chicago 1. Nice Guys disc - 1 2. Full Force disc - 2 3. Urban Bushmen discs - 3 and 4 4. The Third Decade discs - 5 Album 5 Leo Smith Divine Love disc - 6 Albums 6 - 9 Lester Bowie 1. The Great Pretender disc - 7 2. All The Magic and The One And Only discs 8 and 9 3. I Only Have Eyes For You disc - 10 4. Avant Pop disc - 11 Album 10 Art Ensemble Of Chicago Tribute To Lester disc - 12 Albums 11 - 12 Roscoe Mitchell 1. Nine To Get Ready disc - 13 2. Compositions/Improvisations disc - 14 Album 13 Evan Parker Boustrophedon disc - 15 Albums 14 and 15 Roscoe Mitchell 4. Far Side disc - 16 5. Bells For The South Side discs 17 and 18 Albums 17 - 19 Jack DeJohnette 1. New Directions In Europe disc 19 2. Made In Chicago disc 20 3. New Directions disc 21 |
I have Catwalk and Royal Flush but after hearing that song I will be adding Mustang to my collection. From his Blue Note label recordings I have Off To The Races Bird In Hand Fuego Live at the Half Note Café volumes 1 and 2 (a favorite) Byrd In Flight The Cat Walk Royal Flush Free Form A New Perspective Slow Drag Fancy Free Ethiopian Knights ( a favorite) Black Byrd Electric Byrd Missing: I’m Trying To Get Home Mustang Black Jack |
nsp, I have listened to a few songs of Places and Spaces and passed on it. Black Byrd, Electric Byrd, Fancy Free and Ethiopian Knights, are my favorite 70's Byrd. Ethiopian Knights has these 2 long funk/soul/jazz jams that I really like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4j96aEDAA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiYaTLP8xM From Black Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHI1qzqPlpk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIf6Vsphtmo Fancy Free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHnjxPZGEmM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_FeSOb-z8Q Electric Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RISUwB6jo2I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zck1urC4-Uw |
Another great one for the "slower is better" or "slower is harder to play" crowd. A true master of his instrument can play both hard and fast and slow and smooth..... JMHO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX-4OGaMmfo |
Schubert I certainly am not trying to insult anyone here. I agree that sustained slower notes and rythm can be more taxing on players. I don't, however, prescribe to the belief that less is more. Depends on the mood I am in and who is playing what I am listening to. One of my favorite blues guitarist's Roy Buchanan is a great example of a player who can pull off both beautifully. He is my favorite "pure Telecaster" player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swX9oq6TVAU |
acman3 thanks for the links. Very informative and the concert was is fantastic. frogman here is where I found the review. Scroll down its the first review by F. Hoffmann : https://www.amazon.com/Mccoy-Tyner-Coltrane-Village-Vanguard/dp/B00005NRWZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=mccoy... This guy trashes Tyner then gives 5 star reviews to DJ mix electro dance music. |
Thanks for your opinion and for the links frogman. McCoy is one of my favorites right up there with Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson. Do you have the Oscar Peterson 8cd box set here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01018T3VC/?coliid=I2M5AESQHUS64N&colid=2MJEFFF7AFXNS&psc=0&re... The price is steep and I wanted opinions on the sonics. |
Anyone interested in McCoy Tyner's early sessions as a leader on the Impulse label here is a fantastic bargain. 6 albums for 12 dollars. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KLCRVNT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I just ordered mine! |
nsp, As for Byrd's 60's output don't pass up this gem which, IMHO, has great music and since your an LP guy the cover is a bonus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l8Rssn5XT4 |
I listened to the 4 discs of that new release of early McCoy Tyner sessions. It is an import but the sonics are fine. Each of the first 3 discs contain 2 full albums totaling 6. The 4th disc was a surprise. Its and Eric Dolphy lead group with Tyner on piano playing live in Munich. I found the recording session here: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-Dolphy-Munich-Session-Mainstream/dp/B00KNYXZIC The above album is presented in its entirety on disc 4 but the sonics on this are pretty bad compared to the first 3 discs. Still worth the price and I would buy it asap before its out of print and the price gouging starts. Here is the original link for the box set: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KLCRVNT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
alex Thanks for the Eddie Costa links. On that last one he is listed as the Vibraphonist. A very talented musician. Here is a cool trio session with Walter Bishop Jr. on piano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p2R34reoQI |
That guy on the stairs is pretty darn good. The song he is playing was written by the Flamenco master Paco de Lucia. And I agree with Schubert the guy on the stairs is better then a lot of "mainstream" guitarists. Paco: Entre dos aguas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s |
nsp, I have about a half dozen discs of live at Smalls sessions. Off the top of my head the 2 Peter Bernstein sessions are really good. I have never been to Smalls. https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Bernstein-Quartet-Live-Smalls/dp/B004O0VDEO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=peter+b... https://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Goldings-Stewart-Live-Smalls/dp/B005TMGY6I/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=pete... The price on the second disc is ridiculous. Good thing I bought it when it was first released. |
A very long discussion on vocalists funny I was listening to Astrud Gilberto last night. And she was asked by Stan Getz to stand in and sing while the band was waiting for the "professional vocalist" who was arriving a day or 2 later for the recording session. Well you know how that ended up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DudoQ_yx0yo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMX6E68qJAg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5QfXjsoNe4 |
Here are a few of my favorites. I hope they are approved by the music critics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkD_kYkRk3c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt8dKZSvkjA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ZGKALMMuc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FygIKsnkCw |
Listening to Bill Evans now. This one says it was composed by him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ_-iyBaD64 |
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Complete Concert At Club Saint Germain I bought the above 2 disc set in 2013. The version of A Night In Tunisia is 17:35 and is basically one long drum solo interspersed with brass and piano/bass bridges. Wiki (not the best source) says that its Kenny Clarke playing the drums on A Night In Tunisia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Blakey_et_les_Jazz-Messengers_au_club_St._Germain However my 2 disc set says 1959 while the above set is from December 1958. My set does have the bongo's in the stretched out percussion jam. The player is listed as unknown on the wiki page. So I'm thinking its the same recording. But the drumming sounds like Art Blakey not Kenny Clarke unless he is trying to imitate Blakey. Here is the set I have; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X6VRK0/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The wiki page says the entire concert is on a Sony 2015 box set titled The Complete Columbia and RCA Albums Collection. I just ordered this set as it has 8 discs for 20 dollars and I am an Art Blakey completist: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YY03SJ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I can't wait to get it and compare the versions of A Night In Tunisia. I probably have a lot of the material on the 8 discs but for 20 bucks its worth it. There are 4 versions of ANIT on the set. I know it sounds crazy but I'm not buying that wiki jive that its Kenny Clarke playing drums on that 17;35 ANIT that I have. |
frogman, nsp, mary jo, and Schubert thanks for the Bill Evans links and the classical links for comparison. I kept going back and forth and I learned a thing or 2 I only have 1 Bill Evans purchase but its a box set with 12 albums on it: https://www.amazon.com/12-Classic-Albums-1956-1962-6CD/dp/B00MR9HO9C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NP20B0TYHOVW&a... |
I just ordered this Sinatra DVD. I hope the sound is ok. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072K126S8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
I have the recently released Woody Shaw Live In Bremen 1983 and I have to say it is an incredible display of a master of the trumpet. Its 2 discs and the first two songs on disc 1 showcases a master trumpet player on what must have been an "on night" for Woody. I’m so happy this was found in the vaults! And the rest of the band is also "on point" Mulgrew Miller on piano, Stafford James on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums |
Mary jo I see you slipped in a Grant Green clip upthread. I just saw it this evening. I am a Grant Green completist and have about 30 discs with him as a leader an another 30 or so with him as a sideman with Lou Donaldson, Sonny Clarke, and Big John Patton to name a few. Speaking of Big John Patton, he was a nice guy who loved to have a conversation after a show. Here is a tune from his album "Let em' Roll" with Grant Green on Guitar, Otis Finch on drums, and the incomparable Bobby Hutcherson on vibes. Great album cover! Sometimes I wish I collected LP's instead of CD's just for the album covers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5qNhicHopw |
Thanks for sharing Orpheus. Grant, to me, has a beautiful tone to his sound. I prefer his playing over Montgomery and Burrell but with no disrespect as I dig many of the great jazz guitarists and have over 100 CD's of jazz guitar greats. I just find myself listening to Green more then the others. I have that CD with the song you posted above. Great song..... |
alex all of my jazz guitar discs are well known musicians. Although I recently purchased 2 Senri Kawaguchi discs from cd Japan and they sent me a notice of a new release she has coming out with a Japanese classically trained guitarist named Jiro Yoshida whom I never heard of. I found some clips from him on youtube Senri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXzDdf2FLE Jiro solid body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0S8ibSxpg Jiro hallow body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PaZz2fZOuo And here is Andres Segovia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dXID4GM4oQ You asked for old and Segovia is |
acman3 I had never listened to Ulf Wakenius before. He is fantastic. I guess those Scandinavian’s stick together! Of course I do know about Yngwie Johan Malmsteen but never bought any of his progressive classical rock/metal fusion albums. Many of my heavy metal friends were always asking me why I don’t own any Malmsteen albums and my reply was I just don’t like the way he plays. Wakenius, to me, is better. To each his own. Just saw this and had to post it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i6puq4I13s |
acman3 that is a great pick from the great NHOP. Do you know who is playing the guitar? Schubert that big band Cubano clip is outstanding. The Japanese really love jazz - all genres of jazz. The Andres Segovia link I put up is actually an interview with him from 1969 at his house in Spain overlooking the Mediterranean. He was 75 then and it was the first summer he spent at home with his wife in 25 years. He was a classical player but influenced many jazz guitarists. The great jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd used one of Segovia’s guitars that he gave away. Anyway here is Andres Segovia minus the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeebWgjrrU Charlie Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPyY80pUujE Luiz Bonfa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VWDYo8gGc |
Here are some great guitarists. They are as beautiful as the music they play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxGT5z6d-GA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez62cQPYyI8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-NzOxyi-VY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIVZ25vHJ4 |
I cant leave out Narciso Yepes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxwceLlaODM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN6tcdiqELk |
frogman Maiden Voyage is an excellent recording and Freddie really is on another playing field. Coleman is underrated and also played well on this live date with Miles Davis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG5FAVw3UqY Schubert thanks for the 5x5 clip. I have that disc and a 4 disc compilation set in which one disc features 5x5 with Dave Brubeck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qebMRJpWIzs Paul Desmond's tone really goes well with 5x5!! |
There are similarities to the following two songs...Or could it be the bourbon I've been drinking.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWzj-SXe9M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5i_y_ItAnQ |
alex a few years ago after I purchased the Jimmy McGriff album "Giants Of The Organ In Concert" I liked it so much I bought 3 more McGriff albums including "The Worm" Anyway I liked O'Donel's playing so I searched and bought the following disc which is pretty darn good, IMHO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd8yJfnyozk&list=PLPIqvlnadfCzjUSQZGpjzAR9Pw_YPOpub O'Donel Levy does have some recordings with him as a leader but I don't have any of them. The LP cover of his "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky " release is quite revealing. |