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 19 responses by mitch4t

.
Dexter Gordon's 'One Flight Up' album is a must-have in your jazz collection. The cut 'Tanya' is a monster jam.
.
.
Hey Frogman, GREAT ARTICLE! Thanks for sharing, Freddie is one of my favorite trumpeters. It was good to read about him.
.
.
I went on Rhapsody music service today and pulled up and played eight different versions of one of my favorite songs, 'Ceora' by Lee Morgan. That was a real treat.
.
.
Listening to Pandora. Saxophonist Buck Hill playing a tune called 'Yesterdays' from the album 'This Is Buck Hill'. I've never heard of Buck Hill before. Check him out if you have a Rhapsody account.

The cat can play.
.
.
Whoa! A blast from the past! While going through my cd's I came across 'Flute Souffle' by Bobby Jaspar and Herbie Mann. Oh man, I haven't listened to this cd in almost 20 years. I've got to put it back in the rotation. I'd forgotten how good this cd is.
.
.
Frogman....If you have Rhapsody, check out some of Herbie's late '50's early 60's stuff. He was all bop and bossa nova. The '70's came and he had to make a living...pop and disco tinged albums paid very handsomely. While the puurists scoffed at his output during this time... Herbie laughed all the way to the bank with his new fan base.

Rok2id....Looks interesting. I put it in my queue.
.
.
I saw Monty Alexander about 30 years ago at the Vine Street Bar & Grill in Hollywood. Up until that time, I had never heard of him. It was a great show. Today while listening to Pandora, this swinging piano came on...I went over to my stereo to see who it was. It was Monty Alexander playing 'Call Me Irresponsible' from his Echoes of Jilly's album. I had forgotten how good this cat is.
.
.
Rok...I checked out the track listings for the 1960 and 1961 cd's on Amazon. The compilations have the makings of a winner if the sound quality holds up. Be sure to let us know.
.
.
Check out Andy Bey's singing on Horace Silver's 'Total Response' album. 'Old Mother Nature Calls' is the vocal that I like on this LP.
.
.
Lears...very interesting piece. Thank you for sharing. I'm a jazz lover, but I was guilty as hell regarding the Rothko-Monet example...excellent analogy.

Amazingly, I don't listen to very much vocal music because it gets in the way of, or distracts from the instrumental content. Easily 95% of my jazz collection is instrumental.

The next time I see a piece of abstract art, I won't be so dismissive of it. I will be more open and try to look a little deeper. However, It's going to take me another two or three decades to try to figure out Cecil Taylor and Jackson Pollock.
.
.
You guys check out The Jamie Saft Trio.

The song is 'What Was It You Wanted?'

From the Jamie Saft Plays Bob Dylan album...
...it should be on Rhapsody Music Service.
.
.
Rok, I work at home, and Pandora is always on in the background. Randy's work on the cut was what got my attention to get up and see who the heck it was that was jammin' so tuff. I'm going to create a channel for her in my Pandora lineup so that I can get more exposure of her work. She's a keeper.
.
.
Amazing arrangement! I have to chuckle because the only version of that song I've ever heard is the one by The Dixie Cups back in '65.
.
.
Listening to Pandora today while working. A smokin' jam comes on, I walked over to the Roku to see who it was. The artist was Lynn Arriale, the album 'Nuance' and the cut was "Carry On" featuring Randy Brecker on trumpet.

I'd never heard of Lynne Arriale before. I'll look for more examples of her work. Randy Brecker was outstanding on this cut.
.
.
Chaz...I've been a Randy Brecker fan for 40 years myself. The first time I heard him was on the Idris Muhammad album
'Power Of Soul', his trumpet solo on "Loran's Dance" made me a fan of his for life. That's why when I first heard the tune yesterday, the horn player sounded familiar.
.

Check out "I Called Him Morgan" on Netflix streaming.

It is a documentary about the the life of the great jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan and the circumstances of his death.

Great footage of Lee performing and outstanding photographs by Francis Wolf of Blue Note Records.
Fantastic viewing.

Also, check out "Afraid Of The Dark", a documentary about Nat King Cole...also excellent viewing.