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 11 responses by mayoradamwest

Really intrigued by “Tal” by Tal Farlow (1981 Japanese pressing). Good album. Would love suggestions for other hidden gems of bebop guitar. 
Just got the double LP Freddie Hubbard/Stanley Turrentine In Concert. Unlistenable. I made it through one side of one LP. 
Better. That’s like good elevator music. Still not my cup of tea. Love jazz. Don’t love this. 
Wow, you all are harsh. Sorry I don’t like a particular album. I bought the album because of the lineup. I found the music (The tracks I listened to) to not really come together. Like they weren’t playing as a group but more as a bunch of individuals. The solos seemed uninspired. Afterward turned on Hubbard’s incredible Open Sesame (45rpm) and Herbie’s Head Hunters. Then finished off the evening with Legrand Jazz.  
I had the opportunity to play with David Benoit recently (I happen to also play music professionally), so I know some good elevator music. ;) doesnt mean it’s bad. 
I mean, David Benoit is literally the sound of the weather channel. But something has to be elevator music, right? We can’t just stand there awkwardly in silence. It’s important we have music that’s so inoffensive while also not evoking any sort of emotion to take some of the awkwardness away. Except in Vegas, where it should only be Dean Martin on every elevator. 
I don’t think we’re allowed to dislike anything in this thread. I like Zappa. Lots of examples of jazzy rockers. I’ve always loved shows by some bands that end up being jazz concerts, and the audience doesn’t know. Great example is Dave Matthews Band. I also saw an early show of Maroon 5 where Adam Levine was even scatting. 
The Blue Hour sessions are fantastic! Sugar, is a bit cheesy for me. Not bad, just not my taste. I think the massive reverb isn’t helping for me. Still, the solos, especially Hubbard, lack directionality to me. He seems aimless. His early solos were cohesive musical thoughts, told as a story. His later solos on tracks like Sugar, seem disjoint, throwing together some generic licks with some overused extended technique like shakes and alternate fingerings. The guitar solo on this track, however, is astonishingly good. 
Not sure if it’s aficionado enough, but listening to Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer Quintet in The Power of Positive Swinging. On vinyl (mint) S/6054 Mainstream Records. Really fun album.