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.
Currently, I'm in a "jazz lock-down" which is my normal state of being, not a "Covid lock-down".
Right now, "Gene Harris" is keeping me company. He had an extensive run with "The Three Sounds" before recording on his own. Their album "Moods", recorded in 1960 was my favorite; it had such a beautiful cover.
Here is "On Green Dolphin Street"; Gene hits the just right keys for this tune, it sets the mood for a perfect evening.
Just started, but it is obvious this book was not written for Jazz fans, perhaps his college English professors, his peers, or, heaven forbid, the faculty at Juilliard.
He never uses common easily understood language, when some esoteric mumbo jumbo will do.
But, these are early days. Maybe it will get better. Great Photos.
"Summer Madness" was one of my all time favorite tunes, Kool And The Gang was really cool; they reminded me of the mad summers when I was playing tennis. Somehow the tune projects the madness of youthful Summer nights.
For a long time, all of us on this thread connected very well; we seemed to like the same jazz, but now I'm the one moving to a different drummer; I don't particularly like "new jazz", and a lot of the "old jazz" being submitted is far too "conservative" meaning too "classical jazz" jazz sounding, too "Stereotypical".
Joshua Redman Quartet -- SPIRIT OF THE MOMENT: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD with / Joshua Redman(saxophones), Peter Martin(piano), Christopher Thomas(bass), Brian Blade(drums)
2CD Set. No notes to speak of, but he does thank everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, at Warner Bros Records.
Gato Barbieri was one of my favorite artists for ages and whether he played jazz or not is moot to me, I still like his music. (some people pigeon hole music and some don't)
I overheard one of my favorite tunes "On Green Dolphin Street" and didn't know who the musicians were. The more I listened, the more the music drew me in; like this music was made just for me. Have you heard music that resonated so deeply that you feel that music was made for you?
When I discovered that the music was from the album "Grant Green, the complete quartets with Sonny Clark", I knew why the music resonated so deeply, they are two of my favorite artists; if I could play guitar, I would sound just like Grant Green.
Outstanding clips! Thanks. That live clip kills. So does Jimmy Owens! Unsung hero.
Gotta love YouTube. Can’t believe I found this. Rare record given to me by a college trumpet playing friend who loved Owens. Owens and Barron look like kids in the cover picture.
Once upon a time the South Side of Chicago in the vicinity of 63rd and Cottage Grove was the place to be, and I was there at the right place and at the right time.
All the apartments in the 3 story building we lived in had balconies, and they reminded me of paintings I had seen of apartments in Paris. When I reminisce about this time, I have to remind myself that this wasn't a fantasy or a dream, but a time and place that actually existed. Even the weather at that time makes my memory seem like a fantasy; in 56, no one had or needed AC; it was always cool in the mornings and evenings. I liked to walk down to the lake every day for a swim, but some days were too cool, and everyday I had to wait until at least noon before it was warm enough for a swim.
Dinah Washington was a resident of the neighborhood and could be seen casually having cocktails and entertaining friends at the "Pershing Lounge" where Ahmad Jamal was leading the "House Band". You knew when she was there by the brand new Lincoln Continental parked out front, possibly the only one in the big city of Chicago.
I was too young to go to the jazz clubs in the vicinity, but in order to partake of the ambiance of the neighborhood, I would borrow one of my cousin's best sport coats, and stroll the Avenue in the evenings, just to mingle with the other well dressed patrons of the nightlife.
Fortunately, for me and a lot of other people, John Wright created some music to let us know that our memories were not fantasies, but memories of real times, "South Side Soul" is the title of this album. This music has a "hip swagger" to it that could be called "The Southside Strut"; I like it.
Somehow, in ways I can't explain, John Wright has captured the dramatically different personalities of these streets on the South side of Chicago at that time, and projected them into music; this is the only record we have of a place that existed but is no more.
I beleive that men should accept certain inalienable truths: ’prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old-- and when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders’...
...and that music, or film, or art in general, was better....
But, than, on the other hand....during the summer, I have the opportunity to meet many young folks from all over the world (last few years worked as a skipper on different boats) and these are not definitive conclusions, just thoughts as I would watch them having fun at holidays....
Perhaps the reason might be the postmornism time that we all live in, but I cant help to notice that there is almost complete lack of any individualism or personal taste in all senses, including one towards music, individual look or social presentation. Everyone are almost identical clones and the ’social’ media and its influence is so important and in the same time profoundly shallow and superficial.
I dont think that holidays are to blame for such picture. I know that in history of art 50 years (or more) is just a moment and that is very possible that some new generations might create bigger and more important works, but I do not see that coming very soon.
Good stuff Alex. I once worked on a charter boat (fishing) off Montauk Point Long Island which faces east and when the sun rose over the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean it was a sight to see.
**** Why isn’t this one of the great Trumpet solos? ****
It is. Along with the solo on “Compared To What”. Monster player. Are you stealing my material again? 😊
**** 07-01-2019 2:49pmEddie Harris was a genius. Lots posted here early on; and, in fact, I would venture to say that “Compared To What” has been posted here more times than any other single tune. Don’t have the time to dig it up right now, but there is video on YouTube of that very live performance; definitely worth checking out. For me, Benny Bailey’s trumpet solo has always been at the top of my list of most exciting Jazz solos ever. ****
"Sort of like the Democratic party, the more they 'help people succeed', their words, the more Republican these successful people become."
Most unfortunately, there is much too much truth to that; it leaves all those people who were having a hard time having a harder time because their leaders joined the rich Republicans, leaving them to fend for themselves.
I beleive that men should accept certain inalienable truths: ’prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old-- and when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders’...
...and that music, or film, or art in general, was better....
But, than, on the other hand....during the summer, I have the opportunity to meet many young folks from all over the world (last few years worked as a skipper on different boats) and these are not definitive conclusions, just thoughts as I would watch them having fun at holidays....
Perhaps the reason might be the postmornism time that we all live in, but I cant help to notice that there is almost complete lack of any individualism or personal taste in all senses, including one towards music, individual look or social presentation. Everyone are almost identical clones and the ’social’ media and its influence is so important and in the same time profoundly shallow and superficial.
I dont think that holidays are to blame for such picture. I know that in history of art 50 years (or more) is just a moment and that is very possible that some new generations might create bigger and more important works, but I do not see that coming very soon.
I am not pessimistic (aldo one can argue that pessimist is an educated optimist) but much before before this new wide spread events I did not like the way the things (regarding ’culture’ in general) were developing.
*****
And is there something wrong with that? Isn’t that the goal?*****
Not a thing and absolutely. Unforeseen consequences is the point. Many potential Jazz musicians would rather play in an orchestra or teach at university or even work at Amazon than live the life of a Jazz player. They take advantage of opportunities previously closed to them. Actually, that's what Wynton did.
You can't have it all.
Sort of like the Democratic party, the more they 'help people succeed', their words, the more Republican these successful people become.
The musician/composer/arranger
Allen Toussaint, born and raised in New Orleans to a family which loved music and he was always around musicians and listening to many genres including jazz. When he grew up he had a pretty good musical career mostly with R&B, Pop and funk.
One of his songs which went on to be covered by a lot of musicians is titled
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On). I am a big fan of this song and just wanted to post a few versions with
Toussaint's original first. Any feedback or posts on your favorite version(s) is welcome.
I really dig this last one by a well traveled backup singer who was once one of the Ikette's in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. She also sang for Joe Cocker and Leon Russel. She had one solo album titled Phew. Here is the sexy Claudia Lennear's version of
Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky:
If you saw a Bentley half parked in a neighborhood where angels feared to tread with a couple of wino's lolling around in the back seat ready to guard it with their lives, you knew that car belonged to the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, better known as "Nica". There have been more jazz tunes written for her than any other lady I can think of.
During her time, she could be found making the late night rounds in the hippest jazz clubs in New York where she was always treated like Royalty.
What I think or don't think is unimportant; what is and is not, is what's important. There will be some kind of music that people call "jazz", but will it be a musical expression and projection of the emotions and inner soul of man.
Can’t agree with that, O-10. What is going on in our cities is PRECISELY the kind of thing that gives birth to new interesting music; including in the Jazz genre. It will surely not be like music from the past and anyone of us may not like it, but it will surely be interesting and relevant. It’s the way it has always been.
Now that we no longer have that combination available in many places we can not grow new jazz musicians. What are your thoughts?
Excellent question. The Country changed. Working class America Changed. You could ask the same question about Boxing. The social conditions that produced people that gravitated to these endeavors changed, as more attractive / lucrative and dependable ways to earn a living opened up.
The Second World War and the G.I. Bill, changed everything.
Just the end of a bygone era. At least we have the recordings, and there will a few good players that will carry on. And there is always the infrequent discovery of a long lost gem by Mingus or Monk. etc.... Maybe some new technical breakthrough that will clean up all the unlistenable stuff from Bird and the blues guys from Mississippi.
Shaft reminds me of Atlanta, that's where I was when that movie came out. As much as I liked Atlanta, I often wonder what I'm doing in St. Louis. But it doesn't make much difference where I am now, as long as it's cool in doors in the summer, warm in the winter and the plumbing is good.
Art Blakey -- THE JAZZ MESSENGERS with / Donald Byrd(trumpet), Hank Mobley(Tenor Sax), Horace Silver(piano), Doug Watkins(bass), Art Blakey(drums)
Very nice booklet with great photos. The notes talk about this being MODERN Jazz, and this is in 1956. That's 64 years ago folks.
Of all the Blakey CDs I have, I didn't have this one simply titled, "The Jazz Messengers". As the OP, who posted Nica's dream a few days ago, might say, "That's Incredulous".
Just like they grew cotton in Mississippi, they grew jazz musicians in our cities. I knew a few of them personally; while I idolized them, I had zero comprehension for how they did what they did.
Now that our cities no longer exist, I have no idea where the next crop of new jazz musicians will be grown. Just like you can't grow cotton anywhere, you can't grow jazz musicians anywhere. Cities provided the right soil; concrete, bistros, and jazz lovers with money to spend. Now that we no longer have that combination available in many places we can not grow new jazz musicians.
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