Inportant is much better than Important. :)
Rok, the pot calling the kettle black again. It's Joni Mitchel
Rok, the pot calling the kettle black again. It's Joni Mitchel
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 acman3
Mingus- New Tijuana Moods Coltrane- Cresent Garland- Groovy Ellington / Hodges- Back to Back I will add one more. At a time ,about 15 years ago, when I thought Jazz had said all it could, I heard Chicago Underground Duo's " 12 degree of freedom". For some reason this record opened, no, reopened my eyes to what Jazz can be and still is. I hope you all get your eyes and mind opened regularly. |
Rok, I am hesitant to say, you will love. It is not a safe choice, but it has been one of my favorites, and is a classic. After starting to listen to jazz from strictly rock, by way of Metheny, I picked up an ECM sampler and "forced" myself to understand what was going on. I picked this recording up at this time and fell in love with it. If you think about it, it is actually easier, as a young man listening to Zeppelin, to understand free jazz and hard bop than structured classic jazz. |
For the sake of Orpheus's thread, let's just say, I am struggling with the football/music analogy, however I do agree Bill Parcells was a great coach. If the masses don't get it, it's bad? We will have to agree to disagree on some things, or we will have to keep fighting the same battles. Goofyfoot, I for one, would like to see your Ellington list, understanding how difficult that would be, if your willing. |
Two not mentioned yet, would be Bill Holman and Bob Florence. I always found them interesting. I have a newer recording of a big band Bob Florence wrote and played piano in before his death. The Phil Norman Tenant . May seem like a strange question, but would you label Lee Konitz "West Coast"? He seems actually to defy labels. |
Pnmyer, I listened to some Roy Hargrove recordings a few years back. He had a bright future , but had IMHO not matured as a musician at that time. I will certainly check him out. I will also check out Eric Alexander as I have, not to my knowledge, actually heard him play. Charles Lloyd has turned into one of my favorites. His music with BoBo Stenson was magical. If you like Enrico Rava you might like Tomas Stanko. Both are very good. Thanks, |
Tom Harrell with the late Horace Silver,Bob Berg, and Eddie Gladden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njf7pY7oUxg |
Rok, No intention of a thread hijack, please look at it as a small supplement. I have been enjoying your lists. Even ordered and am listening to the Mellow Fellows, on vinyl. Very good indeed. I stumbled across Etta Jones by way of the great Houston Persons, and agree she is wonderful. Walter Davis? I need to pick some more of his work up. Mingus "Town Hall Concert" ; Listen to what Byard is doing to create tension. Mingus as a composer was on the EDGE too! |
Rknight, Like all music on an edge, not all of Braxton's music is a math equation, or played over your head. Try Anthony Braxton/ New York, Fall 1974, with Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Dave Holland on Bass, Jerome Cooper on drums. Some fairly straight ahead compositions, and a couple of streches. Startling dynamics, at least on my 40 year old LP. |
Maybe this will work?????? http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lYeHiHUFU8 |
And now for something completely different.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcOnbzq40pY Notice the age of the Polish audience. Jazz is cool again. Who wants to listen to Grandpa's music? |
I would think that most of the audience was there because they are fans of the bass player, Wojtek Mazolewski's band. I can only hope they knew who Dennis Gonzalez is. Mr Gonzalez is a music teacher in Dallas. He travels the world with his band, sons Aaron and Stephen, to play with like minded musicians. His recorded work is usually thought out and does not fall apart into noise ( not that there is anything wrong with that) ;) you can hear a lot of Miles in his trumpet playing. No Rok, he will never be as popular as Kenny G. Now back to your regular programing. |
Off one of the best recordings last year. Mike Barone Big Band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WQKTOMD8zM |
I was fortunate to see this group in the old Caravan of Dreams in Ft. Worth. I was sitting about 3' in front of Di Meola. It was sort of overwhelming to the senses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygmboKbCxbs |
I was also unaware of Billy Bang's death. Bummer! 2007 saw the death of Texas tenor, Marchel Ivery. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzVSMLHXwas A bootleg recording from the old Recovery Room, with Red Garland, Marchel Ivery, James Clay and a college kid named Bob Belden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgScowl9d_Y There is a part two if interested. |
Rok, I can recommend any, or all, of the 3 Leaning House recording of Marchel Ivery. While your at it, if you run across any Leaning House, pick it up! The guitar player on the Ivery recording was Clint Strong. Great jazz guitarist. Also played a long time with Merle. How's that for diverse. Mentored by Howard Roberts. |
One who is still going strong and one who has found his own voice.Got to get some more Ravi. New recording is supposed to be good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dFtZbha29M |
O-10, I like the Prasant. First thing I hear is the good tone. They are playing in a different dialect of the Jazz language. I will have to listen some more. Regarding pianist, I like to hear them in both settings. The group interaction is always of interest to me. Not just their solo's, but what do they add to the others. I also am interested in how they play when they have to carry everything on their own. Different ways of listening and playing. One Saxophonist I followed and lost track of, is Craig Handy. I will have to see what he is doing today. Saw him with Herbie around this time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKlFv0mhi3s |
Would all the purest cover your ears? I ran across this and thought someone would enjoy it. Real primal and African. Were they a little Pissed? Can anyone tell me who is in this band besides David Lieberman? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxSFSdcGPLM |
Funny, I remember Lisa a little different. Definitely a Babe though! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctrC9FtkmYA |
Rok, I heard this young lady and thought of your love of Ella. Maybe not a finished product, but tons of potential. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmQbC5TYFM4 O-10, let us know if you are better???? |
Freddie Hubbard- Forced my Dad to go see him when I was visiting my folks in L.A. My Dad played some trumpet in school and some local plays when he was young, but he had never heard Freddie. My Dad told me a while back that, when he thinks of his time in LA, 2-3 years, that night is his first memory. Cedar Walton- For some reason, his loss hurts a little more than normal. One of my favorites. RIP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9pccmxOn5c |
O, I just wanted to encourage you to keep the thread open. There may be a lull in the action from time to time, but as we hear or rehear some great jazz, we can return to report what we have heard. I have learned a lot from you Jazz Aficionados and am not ready for it to stop! I have seen a couple of interesting talents lately and will report further when time permits. |
Chazro, thanks for the Bobby Mcferrin recommendation. I will look it up. I like June Christy. She usually has a smoking band, and her coolness works for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYrgEi12EvY And then there are the ballads. Definitly not Billie, but who is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13T2SiP6qRA |
Rok, I THINK I disagree with your take on the Cannonball/Nancy Wilson, but cannot, after an hour of searching, find it on LP or CD. What color is the end of the CD? I remember talking with my daughter about her talent on this recording compared to American Idol talents. I'm sure my daughter enjoyed me "Helping" her. LOL. |
I ran across this music while looking for some Kurt Elling to post. Not great Elling , but Ernie Watts is awesome!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTu05Iys48 |
The Bad Plus are very interesting. Add Joshua Redman. :>)) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iouAsXwCpM |
Desert Island Disc....... Stan Getz,Kenny Barron- People Time Getz was dying; the music touches my soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdiXmO-tO_o |