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.
borrow a few CD’s that he thinks are a good example of non-noise and compare. I bet you still like what you like, at least till you start hearing what he is hearing.
The problem is, this guy is batting a 1000 on recommendations. Has a great gift for gab. Such as, he talks about the bass lines in classical music, which I think is great. I will have to try his 'best of' on Haydn.
Most of his recommendations are long out of print, so it's the used market. He points out that classical releases stay in-print for a week. Or so it seems. I am beginning to notice that also. Get them while / when you can. As far as used, ebay rivals Amazon.
TWO copies of Bitches Brew and ‘Fusion’ on the Lord’s Day!
Three actually, if you count the original issue LP. LP, CD, CD 'LIVE'. It's sort of like teetotalers, that buy whiskey for medicinal purposes only. Just historical in my case. Some things you have to have, like it or not.
Abbey Lincoln: Always liked her, I just couldn't decide if she could sing. But she is sort of compelling. 'Afro Blue' drew me in to her.
I have always loved Abbey Lincoln’s singing and song writing. It’s funny, I sometimes question why I like her singing so much. It’s not a beautiful voice and it is rough around the edges in many ways. Still, there’s an honesty to her delivery that gets me very time. This is one of my favorite albums of hers. It is also the last record that Stan Getz ever performed on before passing. The two are an unexpectedly complementary pairing. I have posted this previously, but it’s today’s listen. Hank Jones, Charlie Haden, Mark Johnson.
Orchestra of St. Luke’s is a great ensemble. Don’t like tooting my own horn, but I’ve played with them many times 🤫.
Technically, considered a chamber orchestra. It along with Orpheus are probably the best of the “orchestras for hire” in NYC. Re no credit on the cd: contractual stuff gets weird. Battle, Previn and von Stade, not to mention Wynton are very big names. Often agents win on demands to not have their clients share the spotlight (credits) with too many names. As an aside, the orchestra recently purchased a building in NYC to use as their home and rents out some of the rooms as rehearsal space for other ensembles. It is sadly one of the few remaining large rehearsal spaces left in the city. Sadly, a sign of a declining live music scene. Changing times.
Btw, TWO copies of Bitches Brew and ‘Fusion’ on the Lord’s Day! Changing times indeed 😊
Well, borrow a few CD’s that he thinks are a good example of non-noise and compare. I bet you still like what you like, at least till you start hearing what he is hearing.
Listening to recently arrived CD of Handel's 'Water Music.' Orchestra of St Luke's - Mackerras - Telarc.
I remembered that they were the orchestra that played on "A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert"(Battle, Previn, Marsalis) Then I thought, they were just a 2nd or 3rd tier local outfit. Shows you what I know. These guys are playing with Mackerras!! Must be Big Time. Silly me. Btw, the name of the Orch does not appear ANYWHERE on the CD or DVD.
Also, my classical guru just ignored all my Haydn String Quartet CDs. He as much as called the String Quartets playing the music, noise makers. FTW!!!
Notes: Excellent booklet with pictures and lyrics for all the songs. The usual historical nonsense common with this music, but not too bad. Ali Jackson on drums / percussion.
I enjoyed that. Thanks, grey9hound. That kid CAN SING! Who says young straight looking chubby white dudes can’t sing like that? Well, if critique we must:
I agree with Rok....mostly. I’m not too concerned about the audio quality too much since I can forgive that given that the band is not exactly a top recording band. The band is not bad, but not on the level of the singer. Especially the drummer; not exactly Bernard Purdie pocket. Really slow tempos always separate the men from the boys! Where I disagree with Rok is the brass players. The opposite of the over zealous guitar playing.....nice and in tune, but way too polite with no attitude. Here’s some nice pocket in a slow tempo:
@rok2id I also noticed the distortion. I wonder what’s up with that ? Here is Solomon Burke with Derek Trucks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NE9OB40g3U It seems the guitar shares the spotlight here
MJ, if you have time, would you please hunt down a YT clip or two of the way you love to hear Texans talk. Just so we're on the same page - it's tough to spell it out!
Actually, when I was searching for something like that, I found this:
**** Well there’s blizzards down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are down. And I been tryin’ to call my baby, Lord and I can’t get a single sound."
MJ, if you have time, would you please hunt down a YT clip or two of the way you love to hear Texans talk. Just so we're on the same page - it's tough to spell it out!
Well from what I have read, never mess with Texans. Tread lightly. :--)
You folks talk funny. I like the way you play with words. You either miss or add the letter. And that accent. The way you make a pause before saying the next letter in a word. Cute.
Y’o folk’ talk’ funna. I l’ke ’e ’ay y’ bein’ so ’conomicala witha w’rda.
"Well there's blizzards down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are
down. Well there's blizzards down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are down. And I been tryin' to call my baby, Lord and I can't get a single
sound."
**** Well there’s blizzards down in Texas, all of the telephone lines are down. And I been tryin’ to call my baby, Lord and I can’t get a single sound." ****
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