I concur.
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 orpheus10
While there are many divas, there's nothing like a hometown gal; I present to you Mardra Thomas, "All Blues"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBPuaYy9tlU |
Inna, here's some jazz violin with a different twist that I wanted your opinion of. What makes this even more interesting is that Ray Nance is better known for trumpet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVnLz9TI7Ok |
Inna, you confused me, and you were confused by the picture on the album cover; Ray Nance is a guy; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Nance Nevertheless, you have observed something, very few aficionados are aware of. |
I'm glad you liked that Rok. There is something special about some hometown artists that I can't put into words; I guess it's because they were born drinking the same Mississippi river water, and eating the same food, that enables them to better communicate with me, but whatever it is, I really like Mardra, and Reggie Thomas. |
mary_jo, without a doubt, this is one of your best submissions; it conjures up memories of my youth. There were "greasy spoons" as opposed to fast food burgers, and that's where I went for hamburgers and chili; these establishments had a jukebox of course; Wurlitzer with all the colors of the rainbow spinning around. The first thing I did, after ordering, was put a quarter in the jukebox to hear something like what you submitted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_c-fueLOgg |
Chris Potter is new to me, I think; the reason I added "I think" is because I have CD's of many people he has played with; but at any rate this is the first time I have been distinctly aware of him. He makes old music; be bop, hard bop, sound new again; his is a voice in jazz that's making it's mark, I will add him to my collection. So much music, so little time. |
Inna, "Like a cosmic wind" is a good description. This is the first time to my knowledge that I ever heard a "duduk"; it sounds like the Arabian desert to me, although it’s Armenian. It fits the very definition of "haunting". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYmAzwQPfdY |
Inna, here's some jazz you might like if you don't already have it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAxdTSc_fts |
Inna, this is as close as I can get to what I'm looking for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5rcFjqM56Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkLKhKT8X6I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnv-Dpq4XnI |
That's quite a compliment mary_jo, A has submitted some of the best music on this thread, and rarely have I heard it before; that's taking it to another level. My life, who I am, is spread out over the pages of this thread; I consider the people who post on this thread my friends because I have much more in common with them than people I know; that means you are one of my friends. |
Inna, I've been in this groove all morning; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz2jOXvoOUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHle2ipjQsU&list=PLDDyPnLSXvQNmxW2fe75vpnCqHh57MEyn&index=4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXYrk4VFM4 I like to get in a groove, and do a mind and body transfer to ancient landscapes where people knew how to live life for what it was worth. |
Rok, Rachelle Ferrell's voice is a fantastic instrument. I had forgotten that I have a CD by Andy and the Bey Sisters, but not that one; it really swings, and they seem to have so much fun making music when you see them. Some of us have to get our world music fix every now and then, kind of like the "Classical Aficionado" fix. |
Inna, I knew you would like the first two best when I posted. The native American resonated quite well with me; while I have several Ancient Future CD's, I don't have that one. Here's a lady that comes in on that same frequency, although she's a long way from America; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kprl0CECykA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kvTNbc8d5s&list=PL9F443ADD5608341A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Y4kpZ7xQk "White man speak with forked tongue"; so do all politicians no matter what color. |
Pryso, I have all of those CD's by Rabih Abou-Khalil with the beautiful covers; "Blue Camel" might be the best. East Indian on Water Lily Acoustics is very well recorded. I'm glad you and your friend enjoyed those links; they make me feel like I have Native American blood; by the way, one of my blog names is "Lakota". |
Inna, maybe I have Native American DNA somewhere in my roots, because I really connect with the music and words; but more likely it's the universality of the message, a longing for a connection to the creator, and nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRs2iq4rEFA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgoEcckBVeY Everything of this nature has been totally destroyed, and now they even destroy those who identify the masters of destruction of the human spirit. |
Inna, I have had that same theory for a very long time. I have memories of places that I've never been, and I recognize those memories in paintings, and to make things really weird, one of those places isn't even in this country, yet I have a memory of being there. I must admit, this memory was strongest when I was a child. We inherit much more than we realize; I have pictures of my fathers mother, my grandmother that I can barely remember, who has Native American blood, according to her features. Since everyone is dead, I can't trace ancestry. Who we are, goes back to long before we were born; I think it explains what can be a strong attraction to music from foreign countries. |
A long time ago, there was a dispute in which Rok was right, but rather than side with Rok, I stated we should let "Wiki" decide. Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States,[1] in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime.[2] Jazz is seen by many as "America's classical music".[3] Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression. It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation.[4] Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime, as well as European military band music.[5] Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as "one of America's original art forms".[6] Like it or not, this is the impartial way we make decisions of this nature on this thread. |
I don't want to, but I suppose it's my duty to step in the middle of this "fray". It looks like a "caucus race" to me; that's from Alice in Wonderland, and everybody is right and everybody wins. Music is so subjective, that it's hard for anybody to be wrong; as an example there's an album that's a hit with a lot of people, which has something in the title about a "gravel road". Without hearing the album, I can't imagine anything about a "gravel road" would appeal to me. It's very unlikely that I will ever hear that album. We've touched on DNA and the possibility it plays a role in the music we like; not to mention all the sociological factors from birth to the present. We have a right to all our prejudices in regard to music; it's not necessary to agree. Inna, as you stated; "a few brief moments"; I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKYMEseTZxE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koto_%26_Flute Koto and Flute is my all time favorite Japanese jazz oriented album; I still own this album, but it's too scratched to be listened to. At any rate we are all entitled to our different tastes. |
mary-jo, in America, pronounced "Merica", the vast majority of people are total morons when it comes to politics, and they bandy about words like "Socialism", and "Communism" without a clue as to the actual definition of the words. We "Mericans" have been taught those are bad words, by the people in Washington, and we always believe what the people in Washington DC tell us. That's why they can rob us and loot the treasury; by the way, they punish snitches like me; maybe that's why the citizens choose to stay dumb. |
Don't be sorry Inna, I was just testing your "jazz tolerance". Yusef Lateef and "Sister Mamie" has been one of my favorites for ages. According to me, if that's your opinion of that tune, which incorporates some of the Eastern rhythms you like, jazz is just not your thing, but I'm only one individual. Would any other Aficionados like to weigh in on this debate; how do you rate this tune; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE65pr0JoHA |
Since this is a musical contest, and not a beauty contest, Dee Dee wins. I have never heard those two songs sung with more emotion. I know she looks foxier on this album, but I have my eyes closed when I listen; consequently, she always looks foxy to me, because I see with my ears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEFHBKLsbxc |
Today, I've been groovin on "Jimmy Smith" organ, and it's easy for me to imagine being on the set, because in my town, so many house bands are based around the organ. This is one of his grooviest jams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YpKGKF7_XY |
Rok, I went back to Joe Henderson and Horace to confirm your comments. The lady was a fox when I posted it, but after reading your comments she began to look sort of spooky; her eyes looked like she might change into a big black cat, not a romantic thought. (you put a pox on the lady) Actually the music fit the mysterious looking lady, and Joe sounded even better the second time around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmlOh4uNpLU |
Alex, I want to thank you for your Kenny Dorham contribution and my continuing education. I recall having a debate in high school (57 or 58) with a guy whose father was an aficionado; naturally he had access to more jazz records than me. We were debating who was the best trumpet player, and I chose Clifford Brown, and he chose Kenny Dorham. I didn't even know who Kenny Dorham was, but I argued anyway. I regret that to this day, and it's for certain I will make up for it by discovering all I can about Kenny Dorham's music. |
In an art form that's as abstract and varied as modern jazz, "better" is rarely an appropriate word; "different", maybe. Just say you prefer Eddie Harris over Grover. In regard to "Better", Wynton Marsalis is recognized as one of the worlds best trumpet players, but he's one of my lesser favorite jazz musicians because of his lack of imagination. He's just fine when playing someone else's music, but when given a blank musical sheet of paper, he's unable to fill it with the best jazz. I prefer to listen to Eddie Harris, or Grover Washington based on my mood and thoughts at that particular time, or which memories I want to enhance. If I want to enhance these memories, which are self explanatory, I prefer Grover Washington; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOuI4OqJfQc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPH1IuMtFGc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3mISAmKUo4 |
I listen to such a varied list of musicians, that when the one I started with comes back up, he sounds new. One of the musicians that's rarely come up here is "John Handy". He was born in Dallas Texas and he's still around. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJhp43v-yd8 One thing is for certain about John is that he's never "stereotypical" he covers an extremely wide range of music; he's never in a rut. This is for my "meditation" mood; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJSO_LfEw2g |
While we've touched upon almost every genre of music, there is one we haven't mentioned, we left out "Psychedelic". My experience with this music was so fast and intense, that I almost forgot about it; but as I recall I actually lived that experience with the strange slides and topless dancer. I don't know if I even owned one psychedelic record, because it seems I was always where it was going on live, and that was an experience you had to have been there to know what I'm talking about; and as Forest Gump said; "That's all I'm going to say about that". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWxMj6IQbJc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCkHanF4v1w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4 |
That was nice Inna, but for the romantic, I prefer Gato; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0SZ4rE-QJo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vowcj9DXKbU |
Alex, as you stated, it was a long time ago; it wasn't so much the music as it was the events surrounding the music, they were seductive, plus, you were young and easily seduced. Reality, and non reality was a blur after one became deeply involved in "Psychedelia"; but I think it was fun, that is, if you call a hazy dream-life fun. Everything went along with the music, including a strange sense of timelessness; if you were in a dark place, days could pass while you were under the trance of hypnotic events; films flashing on dancers gyrating to the music, in a room with like minded people. That's the way it was. While listening to your music it all came back; would never do it again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcL8SvyKtE4 |
Alex you presented this album, and I bought it; this album projects the mood and feel of these places (63rd and Cottage Grove, 45th and Calumet, La Salle street) when I was a teenager exploring them. This is the power of music; John Wright projected these streets in his music so well, that you could re-experience strolling down them once again; they were among the the hippest streets in Chicago, but now, they only exist in the memories of people who lived there at that time, and enjoyed life as it was lived on those streets. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=john+wright+south+side+soul The comments below this concur with my thoughts about this album, and that part of Chicago at that time. |