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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 8 responses by fourwnds

fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Ben Webster- Dukes in Bed

recorded in 1964-65, not exactly the cutting edge stuff for the time period, the recording sounds like a Sheffield Labs though and even if it didn't sound awesome which it definitely does, it makes you feel good, and swingy happy in the most kick back way. How's that for an amateur hour review. Did these dudes have an audience for this swing stuff mid 60's. It seems like they don't care either way and are just playing, Love it.  Makes me wish for a time machine and to be a player. What days they must have been. Tough ones, glorious ones. I almost feel unworthy as I sit here comfortably removed from many of the realities of the time and even now for most of the world. Black Lion label. 
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
I kinda feel like I might be buttin in here, but hey do you guys think Spyro Gyra is jazz. I'm not sure myself and don't think it is to some. But I was just listening to Morning Dance and am pretty surprisingly impressed with the production, it's very very good. I don't think it it's because of that reason although it doesn't hurt, but I find myself really enjoying it, immensely in fact. Not having a broad base of their material, but prior to listening to it I lumped them with say Kenny G. and the smooth jazz you hear in the dentists office or something. 
Sooo, what do you jazz heads say. It won't make any diff. If it's not considered on par with other serious or real artists mentioned in this thread as its a killer listen musically as well ime. I almost listed this in another post as an artist I was surprised I like, mainly from the aforementioned smooth jazz connotation I had in my brain. Maybe I should give the G a half a chance. : ) so yeah I'm just curious is this jazz to the afficionados and what do musicians of you are one look at this. Thanks
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Orpheus 10, I have the record as well and I'm pretty sure it's an original pressing. It was giving to me as a gift by a well intentioned family member who got it from a store I think is called Urban Outfitters selling "curated used vinyl" Good vinyl is where you find it I suppose but not my first consideration. But hey I shop at thrift stores. 

Ghost,
your funny, narrow bandwidth, guilty as well, but I try.  In my case it's the old router itself or modem or whichever it is that can't keep up. Thing is I'm okay with it. I'm not looking to impress nobody with my sophistication or lack there of. 

Im gonna go out on a limb and say it's a better record, or at least deserves the same cache, that two other records that bookended Morning Dance, and put out by another pop jazz group. Both of which get mentioned quite a bit for sonics and perfectly other legitimate reasons to my ears as well. I'm referring to Aja and Gaucho. 


fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Thanks guys for the thoughtful and thought provoking responses and warm welcome. I’m not sure I agree with the frogman’s SD assessment of their musical craft being of a different order. But it’s one I shared prior to listening to MD. More listening and time will tell how I feel about it. I was just initially taken aback (and no less so with subsequent listening so far) to be as thoroughly engaged. So much so I needed a reality check and thought I’d drop by.
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Orpheus10, thanks for the Bobby Hutcherson recommendation. I first heard this record when the guy I bought my current table from put it on. I haven't been able to remember the title. But it did prompt me to pick up another record by him one day crate digging. It's Solo/Quartet, side one is a slice of Bobby by himself that is recorded wonderfully with layer upon layer of harmonic and tonal bliss. A 1982 recording but don't let that dissuade you. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qAJqCPDVePU

fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Orpheus 10

Acman, it still swings and it's some fantastic sounding music. I no longer categorize, but simply listen to determine whether or not the music meets my qualifications as good sounding music that I would want in my collection, and this will be added if it's not already there.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppNFJbMrOHw

Did id you figure out if it was in your collection and is it on vinyl. 

I looked it it up and there is a double lp out and wondered how the sound quality was. I love that cut you posted. 


fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
 Vaya con dios Mr. Abercrombie. 
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
277 posts
 
Does anyone else feel like John Abercrombie's last record title Up and Coming was a wryly humorous wink and wave goodbye. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Anyway great record. 
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