Jazz for aficionados

I did leave off one of the toughest babes of all. That would be Miss Betty Davis. Remember the scene of her strolling down the staircase putting six slugs in that poor guy. One of the most famous sequences in all of moviedom!!

Cheers

I honor of this thread's 1000 post mark, I am going to re-post this link to what I think is a performance that exemplifies all that jazz is.

First of all, it is an example of big-band jazz; something that has gotten short shrift in this thread. More importantly, as the title suggests, its about groove; groove is everything in jazz. You have groove, and then you have GROOVE. The groove that this rhythm section sets up is unbelievable; for me, that is what sets a performance apart. Roland Hanna was a genius. The ensemble playing is absolutely superb. To play with that much swagger and still be incredibly tight is very very difficult to do. Listen to the brass hits on the upbeats at around 3:50; gives me chills. The reed section lineup is amazing: Joe Henderson, Jerry Dodgion, Jerome Richardson, Eddie Daniels, and Pepper Adams anchoring things with his big, beautiful husky sound; enough said.

But, there is something about this performance that brings up a subject that hasn't been discussed here very much, and is a subtle and key element in great jazz. I am talking about the depth of the love for the music, and the mutual respect and appreciation that great jazz players have for each other. That backdrop is a key element in a truly great, and not simply good, performance. Check out the "bantering" between Thad Jones (the leader and arranger) and Richard Davis; the FUN they are having. Then there is Snooky Young's expression at 2:35 while he listens to Hanna play his a## off; priceless.

No one bit with comments the first time around; so, here's another chance:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=4ZLvqXFddu0

Of course, that should read "In" honor of.....

Frogman,
Thanks for that, it captures the sheer talent, energy and genuine raw joy and emotion this music inspires, it's all there on display. Thad Jone's legacy has always been an enigma to me. He was an absolute master of the trumpet, excellent band leader and arranger and composed some timeless jazz standards. For some reason (early death?) historically he takes a back seat to his equally talented brothers Elvin and Hank(that was some gene pool in that family huh?).

One of the most beautiful jazz ballads I can name is"A Child Is Born" written by Thad Jones. Of all the versions I've heard I'd say Pepper Adams is perhaps the most utterly beautiful and touching interpretation. Thad was extraordinarily talented.
Charles,

Learsfool,
There's a Jimmy Heath CD "The Quota" it features Julius Watkins and Freddy Hubbard recorded in 1961. You might like this one.
Charles,

Leersfool, now that I know what you like, I believe I can help expand your jazz collection. Here's Benny Green on trombone, tell me what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2i-vAINqUg

Enjoy the music.

The Frogman:

I didn't realize you had posted this clip before. You know I would have commented. I would not have known what to say or how to say it, but that has never stopped me in the past.

Most often after you make your comments on your postings, there is really little anyone can add. It's like Einstein giving a talk on relativity to freshmen college students, and when finished asking, 'any comments?'. :)

You nailed it on this clip. I listened to it three times. Tried to find it on Amazon but could not, other than MP3.

I have noticed that great Jazz is getting harder to find except at exhorbiant prices from 'these sellers'. Get it while you can.

The playing on the clip was great, but the icing on the cake was that you could SEE the magic being created. Live sound is the best, but it's the visual part that makes it special. The closeup of the reed players was priceless. Pros at work.

The reeds brought Ellington to mind. I have several by Hanna, but all are solo efforts. He was Julliard trained and taught college and even wrote a ballet. I guess he was a genuis.

Nice shout-out to 'us' guys in the brass section. :)
Thanks for the clip. One of the best on this thread so far.

I think this was done in Europe. Does the audience affect the playing of the musicians?

Nothing worst that an unappreciative audience. The greatest(worst) example being, Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing, playing 'poinciana'.

Cheers

Benny Green "Glidin Along" features Johnnie Griffin, Ben Riley and Junior Mance. This is excellent jazz trombone, Benny could play!
Charles,

Leersfool, Chuck Mangione is nice on fluglehorn, here he is on "Children of Sanchez".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBtxGiqqPTA

Here's Herb Alpert "Rise", it's a hot number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vltC-O7PDYQ

Dakota Staton is a female vocalist we haven't touched on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INhj10CiCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am2oKRJdGwU&list=PL1AFA363FFD6C4752

Gloria Lynne is another female vocalist I like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkecwh4wJac

There are plenty more where those came from; once we get on the right track your jazz collection will be larger than mine. Give these a serious listen and give me a lot of feedback.

Enjoy the music.

Here's Benny Green from the album "Glidin Along", I can not believe I don't have this. That problem will be solved, and thanks for the heads up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7qjE0DYc-k

Enjoy the music.

Hi guys - just quickly listened once to Frogman's clip - I was not familiar with that band, very nice! I'll have to check out some more of their stuff.

Orpheus, I had not heard Benny Green, seems from the two clips I listened to that he is a pretty good player - I will definitely check out some more of him, he didn't actually play much on the two clips I heard, it was much more the sax guys.

Rok, yes, the audience most definitely has a very serious effect on the musicians, especially the smaller the group (of musicians, I mean).

Learsfool,
That Benny Green CD I suggested yesterday has no shortage of trombone, it`s high level Bop and a couple of ballads.

Rok, thanks for the kind words; and thanks for your and everyone's contributions. Einstein!? Not sure where one can go for there. But, for perspective's sake, I would point out that there are many who truly live the "jazz life" who posses a level of insight and understanding of the language of jazz that blows me away every time I speak to them. The depth and number of layers in the music (any music, really) is amazing.

Charles, I completely agree about Thad Jones; every bit the talent that his siblings was/is and deserving of as much recognition; although, he certainly gets it from the players. BTW, more times than not, when he fronted the band he played cornet instead of trumpet.

Learsfool, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (now the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra) has been the Monday night "house band" at the Village Vanguard in NYC since the 60's when it was founded by Thad and Mel as an outlet for playing in that kind of setting for many of the top NY guys (and occasional lady) who spent the days in the NYC studios doing session work. The list of players that have played in the band is truly incredible; many of these players went on to have high-profile solo careers. The band gained recognition during a time when big bands were in decline and is certainly the most influential big band of the last forty years. I heard the Thad/Mel band at the Vanguard about half a dozen times while still in high school and college in the 70's and early 80's. It was an amazing experience every time, and you can imagine how awe-inspiring is must have been to hear all those "heroes" in that room with the walls covered with photos of all the greats that have played there. If ever there has been a place for a jazz lover to make a "pilgrimage" to, it's the Vanguard.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tE7CJhf0eK8

Hi guys - just wanted to let you all know that if I don't respond for a few days, it is because my internet has been sketchy lately, and we are upgrading from our DSL to something else, I think on Tuesday. I also won't be home much anyway. To respond to a couple of things for the moment:

Frogman, I have of course heard of the Village Vanguard, though I have not had a chance to get there whenever I have been up in New York. Thanks for the info on that band. I can imagine how inspiring that was to be going there regularly during those days...

Charles, I'll try to check out some more Benny Green when I get a chance!

Orpheus, I am not so big on Chuck Mangione or Herb Alpert, though I do have a couple of Herb Alpert albums that I picked up for a buck...some of his album covers and tunes were really hilarious, though, and there are some great tunes on some of his albums, for sure. I will check out the two vocalists you mentioned at some point and get back to you on them, but as I said I may not be back on this board for a few days.

Leersfool, thanks for the info on your last post.

Enjoy the music.

I was listening to bird with strings and it sounds just as new and fresh as it did the day he recorded it.

I have a story to tell you about that music. This was at a time before everyone had AC, and the screen door was the only thing that separated them from the outside world when it was hot. Every time I passed this one house, I heard music that I had never heard before, "anywhere". That house was between our house and the candy store. On my way to get candy (I was nine at the time) I "accidentally" dropped a dime in grass in front of that house; this meant I had to get down on my hands and knees to look for it, that gave me more time to hear this beautiful music coming through that screen door.

Over 10 years later, I bought "Bird With Strings", and I had the feeling that I'd heard this music before. Each time I played "Bird With Strings" I was certain I heard it before, but I couldn't place where. Many years later, in a conversation about the people who lived in that house, did I put Birds music, and dropping that dime together. They liked jazz, and it was rumored, they even smoked pot.

Enjoy the music.

Today my local PBS station played:

Duke Ellington and his Orch with HERB JEFFERIES singing 'FLAMINGO'.

WOW!

I didn't recognize the performers when I heard it, but it only took a few minutes to find it online.

I understand he is still alive.

Youtube is just toooooooooo much. An abundance of magic. Where would we be without it! Hell, how could we live without the internet period! Thanks Al Gore. :)

Cheers

Rok, now I know why that's been one of my favorite tunes since I can remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlmMzUMCIIg

Enjoy the music.

Gabor Szabo -- THE SORCERER

This made a much bigger impression on me back when I started my Jazz journey, than it does now. I have a lot of his stuff on LP. How our taste evolve.

Pleasant lightweight 'european' guitar. Good background music.
No Blues!! This could be the problem.

Cheers

O-10,

Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes
Verve 314 523 984-2

The liner notes on this CD are much more interesting than the music. Read them. Good insight on the cultural war that raged within Jazz.

Does not sound like one of the the creators of Be-Bop. As the notes imply, he needed someone to push him. This is what happens when non-musicians try to 'direct' or 'improve' genuis. How do you 'improve' Bird?

Norman Granz was the 'Typhoid Mary' of Jazz.

Of all the great players that I have on CD, Bird is the most disappointing / frustrating. Either he is playing a toy sax, or the recording is technically bad, or some stuff like this (with strings!!) Really!

I seldom play Bird, and never this one.

Cheers

I decided to put this CD "Bird With Strings" on before waging war; but the most beautiful alto sax riff I've ever heard, or ever will hear on "Just Friends" took me out of the fightin mode. Bird is somewhere riffing on a cloud as I'm listening to his most beautiful music.

"Summertime" just took my breath away, I could feel the intense heat of a cotton field; "Bet you don't know nothing about that". How he can riff and still maintain the beautiful melodies of these standards is one of the wonders of the music world.

"Laura", hauntingly beautiful Laura; was a lady so fascinating that men fell madly in love with her portrait. Only "Bird" could capture the mystique of her beauty in his music.

Although I've heard the lyrics to these standards many times, no one can capture the romance that is the essence of this music like Bird; his music can tell the stories behind this music better than any words ever could. This music never gets old "Long live the Bird".

Enjoy the music.

We will agree to disagree about the 'strings'.

Consider this, if he had been backed by a top notch be-bop crew, you would have heard a different summertime.

You won't maneuver me into being critical of Bird. :)

You do realize that Mitch Miller was in this group. I used to watch 'sing-a-long with mitch' on tv back in the day. Not your typical be-bopper!

******I could feel the intense heat of a cotton field; "Bet you don't know nothing about that".******

Having been born and raised in the 'sovereign' state of Mississippi, I have seen and been in a few. :)

Cheers

you ain't one of them fusion and third stream folks, is ya?

Cheers

Having been born in the state with the worlds hottest cotton fields, maybe you would know a little bit, like "There ain't no shade in a cotton field".

After this "Bird" fiasco, I hate to admit it was your fault that I'm back into this "old" jazz in the first place; but since there's no new jazz that suits my taste, I might as well be here as any place else.

Just keep on reviewing, eventually we'll strike a "harmonic chord".

Enjoy the music.

Here's where jazz meets the Mississippi cotton fields.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZnCuMn1hA

How about the real deal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY

Enjoy the music.

Something New for O, Has Art Tatum returned?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95UpHPvQAXE

The Bad Plus are very interesting. Add Joshua Redman. :>))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iouAsXwCpM

O-10:
I thought you might like to hear 'Summertime' for real. I found myself wiping my brow from the heat!! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lA

Other listens today:
Horace Silver -- SONG FOR MY FATHER
Horace Silver -- BLOWIN' THE BLUES AWAY

We are all very familiar with them. I was neither asleep nor fully awake. WOW!! I love to be in that place when listening to great music.

Clark Terry -- COLOR CHANGES
featuring Yusef Lateef on tenor, flute, english horn and oboe!!
There is also a guy on French Horn and trombone. What a line-up.

7 tunes. 'Nahstye Blues' is my favorite. All are very good.

I do not believe this man, Clark Terry, has ever done anything less than a stellar recorded performance. Try ANYTHING by Clark Terry, you cannot go wrong!

Recorded NYC 1960

Cheers

Why does a lot of Horace Silver's music have an 'Eastern" tinge to it. Or am I 'hearing' something that is not there.

Cheers

Acman3, she is without a doubt the most expressive artist I've ever seen. Hiromi puts body and soul, with the emphasis on "body" into her very artistic performance.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, that "Summertime" was so awesome I played it twice, and I'm still sweating, no AC at that time.

"Song For My Father" is one of my favorites by Horace. In regard to the east, here's something that leaves no doubt. "Calcutta Cutie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LM9opF6kOw

Enjoy the music.

I am with Orpheus re "Bird With Strings". I love the record. It was possibly the first recording of a major jazz star with a string section. At one point, Bird considered it his favorite recording. Kinda hard to argue with that, when it comes to judging its worth. The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting. As Rok points out Mitch Miller appears on the record, and I have an interesting (for me) story about that. Back in the mid 90's I played a classical/pops concert with Mitch Miller conducting the orchestra, and of course used the opportunity to ask him about the Bird WS recording. He had many stories to tell, and of special note was the fact that the addition of the oboe to the arrangements was a last minute decision made right in the recording studio and the oboe parts were entirely improvised by him; pretty impressive for a "legit" dude.

Rok, re Horace Silver and the "Eastern tinge". No, you are not hearing things; you are exactly right. Here is an interesting article that speaks to the general subject:

http://sessionville.com/articles/the-influence-of-indian-music-on-jazz

et tu, Frogman? :)

I listened again and I will agree it's beautiful music. And great sax playing. Must have been the reason I purchased it. I just think there are many(several?) competent professional reedmen, like the Frogman perhaps, who could have played Bird's part.

It's a great CD, just not what I expected. I will say, that from a technical standpoint, it's the best recorded music I have of Bird. It's just not on my 'goto' list when I want to hear Jazz.

And lastly, my mama didn't raise no fools. When I am opposed by The Frogman, a pro, and O-10, a man who has seen Trane himself, it's time to throw in the towel. :)

Cheers

****The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting*****

Exactly. Now the question becomes, how much aggression can you take away, and how much can he defer, and still be Bird?

I guess that was what I was trying to say. I knew that if I read your post enough times, you would state my point better than I could.

Cheers

Today's Listen

The Three Sounds -- EIGHT CLASSIC ALBUMS

Gene Harris(piano), Andrew Simpkins(bass), Bill Dowdy(drums) Nat Adderley and Stanley Turrentine appear on some of the CDs.

Four Cds containing eight albums. One of the great bargins in Jazz. Great sound quality, flat piano on one track notwithstanding.

Check it out. I think I paid 10 dollars on Amazon.

Cheers

Hi Orpheus - I am back online now, and I have heard the Bennie Green clip you posted, from Glidin Along. I do like the music, however it unfortunately brings up one of my pet peeves in the recording of the brass instruments on many of these jazz albums. For some reason, they are very often recorded with the mike WAY too close - often they are playing with it just a few inches from the bell of the horn. This creates obnoxious feedback, and pretty much destroys their sound, as much of the extraneous noise that is made while playing is audible, when it would normally not be, even up quite close to them live. There are some Miles Davis albums I have where he is recorded this way, but the rest of the group sounds great. I just don't get it - it really makes no sense at all, either from a musical or a technical standpoint. It's not like these guys can't make a decent sound and NEED the help of the mike, like so many pop singers do. OK, rant over.

O-10:

****How about the real deal?******
*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY ***

When this record was released, it created quite a stir in the state of Mississippi.

First of all, people assumed she threw a baby off the bridge. This was back in a time when there was such a thing as shame.

Secondly, and most importantly, for a spell, people did not know if she was black or white. So they didn't know whether they could show that they liked the song or not. In public that is.

Lest you think this is silly, when I worked in the movie theater, the Rock & Roll movie 'Rock Around the Clock', was shown at a special showing at midnight on a saturday night, "Adults Only"!!!! I was the only young person in town that got to see it. hahahhahahah

I think back and can't believe it.

It is a great song. Mississippi has always punched above it's weight when it comes to musicians and writers.

Cheers

In Clint Eastwood's movie Bird, Charley Parker hated Bird with Strings as not being true to his playing!

Charley Parker had many better recordings than strings!

****Charley Parker had many better recordings than strings!****

True; no one is arguing that point. Still, great to hear Bird in that setting.

This brings up an issue that has always been interesting to me. Obviously, a listener's personal taste has to be respected, but when a great artist says, unequivocally, that he/she likes a particular work of theirs (Bird said BWS was his favorite) or a particular sideman, IMO the most productive attitude is that even if we don't agree at first (or ever!), an attempt should be made to understand why it is that the artist himself that we so admire feels that way. Seems to me that is the best way to fully understand the artist or a particular work and grow as a listener. In this case Bird was saying: "Look, I can be more than just the relentless bebopper that I am known to be; I can play with more delicacy than what most of my records demonstrate". Who am I to argue with that.

Rok, the very first time I heard "Ode To Billy Joe", I was crossing a bridge going into Hattiesburg, MS, in my brand new "deuce and a quarter", and I wrongly assumed it was the "Talahatchie Bridge" in Chickasaw county. That song also spoke of towns I had just passed through coming from St. Louis, consequently, I identified with it immediately; it was an instant hit with me.

I never stopped liking the song, and I have the CD. Bobby Gentry is one of the most authentic singer songwriters to come along. Her songs brought Mississippi to life, although they left out the ugliest aspects of that culture, which was most certainly best.

After I entered the state, I had the feeling I was in "The Twilight Zone", and had gone back in time without knowing it. Everything looked the same as it had in some long ago past; filling stations, farm houses, country stores, you name it.

Enjoy the music.

Todays's Dose:

Carmen McRae & Betty Carter -- THE CARMEN MCRAE - BETTY CARTER DUETS

Recorded before a live audience in San Franciso. Very enjoyable set. A lot of 'carryin' on' between Carmen and Betty. The audience loves it.

9 tracks. All very good. My favorites were the Ellington tunes 'Sophisticated Lady' and It don't mean a Thing'. Also, 'But Beautiful' and 'Sometimes I'm Happy. Great scatting duel on the latter.

Great recording. DDD. No tape hiss!! Thank the Lord for Digital.

Everyone had a good time on this one, and it showed. Wish I had been there.

Try it. I guarantee you will love it..

Cheers

Rok, although Carmen is one of my most favorite female vocalists, the years were not as kind to her voice, as they were to Ella's. If you could find a song at the time when Carmen looked as seductive as she sounded, I can chime in. Just as athletes peak, so it is with female vocalists, and what you've chosen is past her "peak".

When you find a song where she looks as seductive as she sounded, I will chime in.

Enjoy the music.

If this is Thursday, it must be change of pace night. Enjoy! You know you like them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0oFadjx-is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFIOu2sYxoc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCTN0cmFTQo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XMn0U9b2Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu9RVPTpDyA

Cheers

Dissing an artist because of her age!?!?!?!

As 'Fats' Waller might say
"Why, I never heard of such a thing!!" hahahahahha

I was so upset I had to reach for Wynton and Clapton and a little 'layla' and some 'a closer walk with thee' to regain my composure.

sine you be the OP, I guess we can't fire you! hahahhaah

How about some prime Nancy Wilson? Coming up.

Cheers

If Rok wants Carmen McRae, Rok gets Carmen; a sexier, more alluring Carmen with the seductive voice I have on many LP's in my collection. To me she's one of the most attractive, of not only female vocalists, but females period; and she will always look the same as she looks on one of my favorite LP's.

Carmen Mcrae the midninight sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVzPqyAW4N0

Carmen McRae "Yesterdays"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYRrcCjLiGA

Carmen "Skylark"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41uQvy1mO94

Carmen "I'll be seeing you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrBDRaRG1ME

Enjoy the music.

Today's diaappointment:

Nancy Wilson / Cannonball Adderley -- NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY

12 Songs. 7 Vocals and 5 instrumentals.

Wilson does a good job on 'Save Your Love for Me' and 'The Masquerade is Over'. The others are very forgettable.

I am not sure this is even a Jazz recording. Her voice is superb, but the songs don't say anything.

I can't even imagine when or where a person would have to go to hear this type of music live. Surely not a Jazz night club or concert hall.

Sometimes music can be a little too uptown, hip, cool, New York-ish and sophisticated. This is one of those times.

Cannonball and the quintet are great as usual. This is considered his best group. Only Lateef is absent.

I would take, over the hill Carmen McRae, any day over the music on this CD. Recorded in 1960.

This is the only Nancy Wilson I have on CD. I remember her from the song, 'Guess Who I Saw Today'. I think that was one of her best efforts. It's not on this CD. Too bad.

Cheers

Now I'm going "deep in the pocket", this is for aficionados only.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_kCtoidtmA

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I THINK I disagree with your take on the Cannonball/Nancy Wilson, but cannot, after an hour of searching, find it on LP or CD. What color is the end of the CD? I remember talking with my daughter about her talent on this recording compared to American Idol talents. I'm sure my daughter enjoyed me "Helping" her. LOL.

Acman3:

White, black, lettering, Capitol Jazz.

Cheers

My first recollection is Nancy in the tight yellow dress. You can't miss it.
I always did like this album.