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.
orpheus10

Showing 7 responses by stuartk

@curiousjim

Well you never know. After my recent bewilderingly underwhelming audition of a 10K DAC, I no longer know what to think. At this point, the only thing I’m certain of is that cost is no guarantee of satisfaction.

@curiousjim

I haven’t bought anything from a local dealer in about 20 years. They went out of business not that long afterwards.

I bought a system from them that sounded good in the showroom but proved unlistenably bright at home. I decided from then on to not buy anything I couldn’t audition at home with a return policy. I’ve stuck to that with two exceptions, my Silverline standmounts and Jay’s cd transport. Fortunately, both have turned out to be "keepers".

There was another dealer in town but as they didn’t allow home demos, they got no business from me. They subsequently shifted their focus to home theater installations.

I did buy gear from a guy who ran his business from home. He lived close by and would bring gear to my house to hear. Sadly, he couldn’t make a go of it and ultimately closed down.

I’ve subsequently bought gear from brick and mortar stores that also sell online and offer returns: Alma in San Diego and Listen Up! in Denver.

Where are you?

 

 

 

Finally discovered a M. Brecker CD I like enough to purchase. It’s contemporary without sounding overly commercial and it’s all acoustic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wp3TSgdEa4&list=PLm4I8tP6UbWad15rthLO-huvRvKerJI0d&index=4

Perhaps, now that I’ve gained a "toe-hold" in his discography, I can use it as a "springboard" and move onto appreciating more of his recordings. If this one has been mentioned here, before, I don't recall it. 

@curiousjim 

Yeah -- it's a gorgeous performance. Makes me want to check out the rest of C. Haden's groups from that same festival. 

Cuban Jazz piano players can often sound like McCoy Tyner on steroids but here, Rubalcaba's playing is more measured. 

@frogman 

Thanks for the Brecker suggestions. 

@mahgister 

Thanks for the links to Latin American Jazz pianists. 

@ho249 

Thanks for introducing an artist I wasn’t familiar with. 

All excellent examples of why I value this this thread and appreciate those who contribute to it!