Thanks Rok and Isochronism, I did remember the dress;)
I found it in a box of about 300 cd's I don't have storage for. Will report back.
I found it in a box of about 300 cd's I don't have storage for. Will report back.
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.
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.
30,874 responses Add your response
I ran across this music while looking for some Kurt Elling to post. Not great Elling , but Ernie Watts is awesome!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTu05Iys48 |
"Nancy Wilson with Cannonball" is an absolute gem. I am biased since she is probably my favorite female vocalist (non-classical) and Cannonball is (was) one of my very favorite alto players. Her repertoire is unusual for a jazz singer since it covers many "torch" songs and songs from the musical-theater and cabaret genres; but, it's so great to hear that material sung with a jazz singer's sensibility and sophistication instead of the "over the top" approach of many cabaret singers. While I disagree with Rok's lack of enthusiasm for the record, I get where he is coming from. As he points out that was probably Cannonball's best band and it's in top form. Nat was probably one of Jazz's most inconsistent players and he is killing on this record. Rok, give it another listen :-) This clip of Nancy Wilson kills me every time. As far as I am concerned, it doesn't get much better than this for sheer class and emotion by a singer; not to mention flawless vocal skill. And if I write what this clip does to the male in me, this post would probably be deleted by the Agon censors. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QBmrDS2Zhaw |
Acman3, thanks for the Kurt Elling clip. He is fabulous and the best male jazz singer on the scene today as far as I am concerned. Ernie Watts is a wonderful player, but while I admit this is strictly a personal bias, he always sounds to me like Michael Brecker with a cold. Because of this I find his alto playing more to my liking. Since we are talking about singers (especially female), this is from one of my favorite Sarah Vaughn records with one of my favorite Ernie Watts solos. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TW1Vcd5uXYg |
When I clicked on the 'midnight sun' by Carmen, off to the side were links to the same song performed by Ella and Nancy. I listened to all three, with the intention of ranking them. I gave up. I'm just thankful we have these treasures to treasure! If someone said I had to choose, or all my Kenny G CDs would be confiscated, It's Ella in a squeaker! Great singing by all. Cheers |
Today's Listen: Hampton Hawes -- THIS IS HAMPTON HAWES VOL.2 THE TRIO hawes(piano), Red Mitchell(bass), Chuck Thompson(drums) Hawes is one of my favorite Jazz pianist. According to the liner notes, he says he was most influenced by Charlie Parker. Good guy to be influenced by. Hawes' fingers are like Fred Astaire's feet, fast and light. 9 tunes. Mostly standards, but, because he puts his own unique spin on them, you are not aware you have heard the tunes before. Excellent sound quality. In a word, this performance is 'delightful'. Recorded 1955/56. Cheers |
Rok, that one along with this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRi273CRTdg That "deuce" could be identified as the car with a "rooster tail" of dust behind it as it cruised from one "juke joint" to the next on them dusty Mississippi gravel roads. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, you brought up a very interesting point; as long as that LP has been in my collection, I didn't know who was on sax. While each time I heard it, I was quite impressed by the sax, I never bothered to find out who he was. Now that my entire vinyl collection has been transposed to computer, and I can never find an LP in order to discover the personnel, I'm really lost; but that tenor sax belonged to Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, so "Google" told me. Enjoy the music. |
Today's Pick: Randy Weston / Melba Liston -- VOLCANO BLUES Randy Weston is a Jazz pianist who has had a long collaboration with Trombonist and Jazz Arranger, Melba Liston. She (Liston) arranged all the tunes on this set. Weston is very much into African and Caribbean music. He has tried to merge that music with Jazz / Blues. Of all the atempts of this sort of thing, Weston actually gets it right. This entire CD is just great. Even Johnny Copeland appears to sing a little Blues. He is also into merging african rhythms with American Blues. Weston gets the mix correct. Jazz and Blues fans will be happy as well as unapologetic 'progressive internationalists', like O-10 and The Frogman. If you don't have this CD, better get it now! Some of his stuff is offered for $100 from 'these sellers'. for you youtubies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjg9S1BUNkw A Must Have! Cheers |
Desert Island Disc....... Stan Getz,Kenny Barron- People Time Getz was dying; the music touches my soul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdiXmO-tO_o |
Fabulous! One of the great pairings in jazz. Thanks for sharing. This old thread might be of interest: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?gmusi&1302841452&openmine&zzFrogman&4&5#Frogman |
Frogman, Stan Getz "Voyage" is so consistent, not a bad cut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k036P1jsdq4 Here's a cut from "Focus", which is another one of my favorite Getz LP's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAyrdlUcZIw Getz had a long stellar career. Enjoy the music. |
Today's Gem Sonny Rollins -- +3 tracks 3 & 5: Rollins(tenor sax), Stephen Scott(piano), Bob Crenshaw(electric bass) YIKES!!! WTF!! Jack DeJohnette(drums) all other tracks: Tommy Flanagan(piano), Cranshaw(electric bass), Al Foster(drums). 7 Tunes. Mostly standards, but two by Rollins, 'H.S.', a tribute to Horace Silver, and 'BiJi'. I liked the Rollins tunes the best. This is the most enjoyable sax playing I have heard in a long time. It's as if he knew every note he would play, on every tune, before the session ever started. When it did start, he just played! Why the electric bass? I don't know, but, if Rollins wants an electric bass, who am I to disagree. I didn't hear where it added anything to the perforance. The playing? Fluid, no stops and starts, and 'what next' moments. Sound quality is top notch. Both groups give excellent suppot. I think we need The Frogman or O-10 to weigh in on this one. I don't think I can do it justice. Wanna know what a Jazz tenor sax player is supposed to look like? Check out the pics of Rollins on the front and back of the CD cover. Esp the back. The coolest and most distinguished looking player in Jazz. The pic on the back is classic / priceless. I cannot understand why any Jazz aficionado would not already have this one, but if you ain't got it, git it!! Cheers |
Rok, I can't think of a time that I heard something by Sonny Rollins that I didn't like. "+3" is one of his best. Sonny is one of the greatest and most influential of the modern tenor players. Miles considered him to be the greatest tenor player ever (!!!). He has a very distinctive style and an extraordinarily powerful musical persona; particularly when it comes to rhythmic feel. His sense of rhythm and projection of it is so powerful that, unlike most players who play with or to the rhythm section's groove, the rhythm section often seems to be playing to HIS groove; he is a very commanding musical force. Of special note on this record is the unusual (for him) use of fast vibrato on the ballads like "They Say Its Wonderful". You are absolutely correct in your observation that he sounds like he knew what he was going to play ahead of time. While I doubt that is the case (strictly speaking), I think what you sense is his incredible sense of confidence while still being spontaneous. While Cranshaw is a great player and, as you said, if Sonny wants electric bass who are we to argue, I am with you about electric bass in jazz in general; have never liked it. But, let's hear (read) the reasons why from the horse's mouth (so to speak): http://jazztimes.com/articles/20314-bob-cranshaw-shop-talk |
Although I'm not a religious person, I can feel the sadness, and the faith in this young lady's voice when she took the problem without a solution to "Jesus". Once she told Jesus, she knew everything was going to be all right. Every time I hear her sing, "I told Jesus, he said everything was going to be all right now"; I can feel her heavy heart, and her faith in Jesus at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSkqfm73HxQ "Salt Song" is the title of the album, and there's a picture of Stanley, facing the ocean in front of huge breaking waves. This is a fast paced number that captures the intensity of those waves breaking on the shore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVlGVZQFAEQ "Gibralter" has a fascinating rhythm that floats my boat; Eric Gale's guitar never sounded better, and Stan is blowing his ass off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTBRiyB4KpU Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite albums. Enjoy the music. |
Today's Listen: Dianne Reeves -- THE GRAND ENCOUNTER I have always felt that backing is everything when it comes to Jazz singing. Well if that is true, check this out. Miss Reeves is backed by: Clark Terry(trumpet), Harry 'sweets' Edison(trumpet), Phil Woods(alto sax), Bobby Watson(alto sax), James Moody(tenor sax), Al Grey(trombone), Kenny Barron(piano), Toots Thielemans(harmonica), Rodney Whittaker(bass) and Herlin Riley(drums) You would think with this lineup, Dianne would get lost in the preceedings. You would be wrong. She is up front and center, and the focus of the entire set. The recording is excellent. Great dept to the soundstage. The performance? Wow!! What a voice and what a talent. If she had come along back in the heyday of Jazz she would have been up there with the Ella's and Sarah's of Jazz divas. Great song selection. 'Besame Mucho', made me smile. I just knew she was in front of me, singing just for me. She does a duet with Joe Willaims on 'Tenderly' and another with Germaine Bazzle on 'Side by Side'. Both are exceptional. The band gives great support. They never overpower her. Professionals! Like Jazz singing? If you don't have this one, you don't. Cheers |
Rok, "Besame Mucho" has special meaning for me, it brings back memories of Victoria Gomez in the 6th grade. I sat at the desk behind her, and those long braids that sometimes flowed across my desk. When I heard that song, it caused me to fantasize kissing Victoria Gomez. Although I had never kissed a girl at that time, the lady who wrote the song had never been kissed either when she wrote it; little did I know, we had a lot in common. Enjoy the music. |
******Although I'm not a religious person****** Of course you are. There is no atheism in Jazz. Where do you think this stuff started. Maybe a 'review' of Mahalia Jackson with Duke Ellington is in order. :) Great clips. Stanley Turrentine was one of the players that caused me to become interested in Jazz. Along with the Three Sounds and Ray Byrant. In fact I have a CD of Turrentine with the Three Sounds. And of course I had to have the Toe Licking CD / Lp (sugar). :) I have a lot of him on Lp. I think 'Hustlin' is one of the great Blue Note Jazz album covers. Have it also on CD. Cheers |
RE: Religion and Jazz The February 2013 issue of BBC MUSIC magazine has an article entitled "The 50 People Who Changed Classical Music Forever" 1. Pythagoras 2. Jesus Christ 34. Joseph Stalin :) You have to read the article to understand. Since ALL music is derivative to some degree, and stretching that logic almost to it's breaking point, we can say that the Good Lord was very influential in the creation (no pun) of Jazz. And of course, everything else. Cheers |
Today's Gem and History Lesson: Everyone who was Anyone -- THE FIRST ESQUIRE CONCERT To name a few: Tatum, Eldridge, Armstrong, Holiday, Hawkins, Bigard, and many more. Recorded at the MET in NYC in 1944. The event was part of a War Bond drive. The sound quality is remarkable considering the time and place. Since it went out on radio, we are inflicted with a 'Master of Ceremonies'. This one is not as bad as some I have heard. The liner notes are very interesting and hilarious at the same time. The writer says a few words about each performer. When got to Billie, he says she can only be 'termed'(?) with Bessie Smith, and "ELLA FITZGERALD, THE WOMAN JAZZ SINGER"!! hahahahahahahahah This was really back in the day. Roy Eldridge was 70 when this was recorded!!!! I think playing trumpet was a lot harder pre be-bop. The event gets better as it goes. Lionel Hampton sort of jump-starts things with 'flying home'. This CD is worth it just for historical reasons. To hear these magicians in their prime. The sound of the applause is distorted and is abruptly ended. There are a few glitches in the editing process, but these things are very minor compared what is recorded here. The music is never affected. Got to Amazon for a full list of the players. I see there is a second concert recorded in 1947. 2-CD set. I got my copy in Austin years ago for $2.98. I think I was introduced to this one in 'Stereo Review'. Check it out. Cheers |
Too good not to share. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzvlivbptXk One of my all time favorites. I remember where I was when I first heard it. I wonder how many awesome performances have been wasted on European and Asian audiences? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50mSSca1xnQ The most exspensive single CD I have ever purchased. Japanese CD, but I had to have it. Cheers |
Rok, here's tune that was going strong at about the same time "Ode To Billy Joe" was hot, you might like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwvWKcNE0cI Enjoy the music. |
O-10: I have 'The Country Preacher' This style of Jazz was responsible for getting a lot of young people into Jazz. If most people's introduction to Jazz had been some of those 'free' or 'avant-garde' types, the genre would have died years ago. The commentary does 'date' the performance, but it's still a nice listen. I am sure you remember when it was possible to play music like this on the juke boxes in cafes / bars. Cheers |
Eastern Rebellion: Why is this record not considered when people talk about "Greatest Jazz Records Ever"? George Coleman, Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, Billy Higgins. Side one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ubU5TclcEg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdTYMDIyQq8 Just a question, Why are some gems so overlooked? Like Rok says " If you don't got it, get it". Rok, I remember liking The Weston/Liston recording, Volcanic Blues, but I have trouble locating the CD's in time to comment. Also, a few years back my son sold some CD's thinking I would never find out. I started seeing "my" Cd's at the stores and figured it out. I am not real sure what I own anymore. I need to get a list on computer and organize my LP's and CD's, but that would be work. ;) |
***** need to get a list on computer and organize my LP's and CD's, but that would be work. ;)***** Acman3, you are right about that. I did my Jazz, Classical and Blues and then decided that the rest, (pop, gospel, Christmas and Opera) weren't worth the trouble. I just used the database thingy that comes with MS Works. Feel free to comment on anything at anytime. Time is of no consequence. I would love to try the Eastern Rebellion CDs, but the prices on Amazon are in the hands of 'these sellers'. $136 new, and $563 for Eastern Rebellion 2. I'll try looking elsewhere or for a greatest hits thingy. Cedar Walton is worth the effort. 'Hype', IMO, is the main answer to your question about overlooked gems. Most of us are so busy going gaga over the 'Royalty' of Jazz i.e Miles, Trane, etc... we often overlook a lot of talent. This is esp unfair because, often times the Royals have no clothes on. Cheers |
Rok, I could live without the commentary as well, but it's recorded on something I have. In regard to organizing, that's something I dread even attempting, let my heirs organize. Acman3, I sold some Cedar Walton LP's and a CD at what I thought was a good price; as it turns out, I regret every LP I ever sold. Enjoy the music. |
The best way to listen is in total darkness, and not even know who you're hearing. When the program list is running the music, I have to identify everything by the sound and my knowledge of the music. When I heard this trumpet that stood out from all other trumpets, it attracted my attention; as I became drawn into the music, each instrument seemed to be the best I'd heard. Normally you have an idea of what you're going to hear before the first note hits your ear, and since you have the CD or LP in hand, you also know who the artists are; but listening in total darkness without this information, means you have to identify everything by ear. I identified the music as "Stolen Moments" from Oliver Nelson's "Blues And The Abstract Truth". Although this music has been in my collection for ages, I couldn't identify the artists by name from the sound of their instruments, as impressive as each individual artist was. I can tell you this, I was in for a surprise when I identified the artists. Although every note they played was spectacular on this tune, none of them was my favorite artist, even though they were all well known. The sum total meaning of all of this is; every well known jazz artist has recorded a spectacular solo, you just have to find it. The artists were: Oliver Nelson, tenor sax; Paul Chambers, Bass; Eric Dolphy, flute; Bill Evans, piano; Roy Haynes, drums; Freddie Hubbard, trumpet; and George Barrow, baritone sax. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, here's an outstanding artist you should be familiar with who no one has mentioned. "Desert Lady" is the CD I've chosen to illustrate his talents. The Lew Tabackin quartet on this CD features: Hank Jones, piano; Dave Holland, bass; and Victor Lewis, drums. While I like the entire CD, "Pyramid" is one of the cuts that's special to me. Lew Tabackin's haunting flute opens this number with an oriental mood that evokes far away places with strange sounding names. The cuts on this CD alternate between "laid back", and really cookin with a high "jump factor". Between the "laid back" cuts, and those with a high "jump factor" is where me and Rok differ, I prefer the former, while he's more in tune to the latter; but this CD has enough for the both of us. Unfortunately, I couldn't find that particular CD on "Youtube", but this one which features Lew and Toshiko Akiyoshi is reminiscent of that CD; fortunately, I have both. Here's Lew's fantasic flute, on "Desert Lady/ Fantasy"; you can't go wrong with both CD's. I would like your professional opinion in regard to "Lew Tabackin", who I feel is an under rated artist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JvUQeelTwc Enjoy the music. |
*****I have to identify everything by the sound and my knowledge of the music.***** Sort like the old DownBeat thingy. I was always amazed at how often the guest artist got it right. Yours sounds like an interesting method. I used to listen in the dark back in the day. I liked the Sansui light show!! Now I am not so fond of stereo equipment lights. Even the power light seems to irritate me. Blues and the Abstract Truth sounds great no matter the lighting. One of the best. I could probably pick out Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, from anyone else. That's about it. :) Cheers |
Thelonious Monk -- MISTERIOSO Monk(p), Johnny Griffin(ts), Ahmed Abdul Malik(b), Roy Haynes(d) Typical complex simplicity from Monk. Recorded Live At The Five Spot Cafe, NYC Aug 1958, which makes it a little over 55 years ago! WOW! I still think of these guys in the present tense. Great music, mostly Monk's tunes, and great playing, esp from Johnny Griffin. This could easily have been his CD. This being pre-Rouse. The audience is there but barely heard. Not obtrusive at all. One complaint: On the title track 'Misterioso', we have Monk in the middle, the drums and sax in the left speaker and the poor bass by itself in the right speaker. I had not heard, or been aware of, my speakers for ages, until this. When Griffin took a solo, all the sound came from the left speaker. This only happened on this track. The rest of the recording was good. But, it's Monk, and that's more than good enough! This was recorded at the same time as another Monk recording 'Monk in Action" Both on Riverside label. Do you need it? Can an 'aficionado' have too much Monk? Check out the 'complete riverside' CD box set. Cheers |
Genius! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ9El7k4mNo Rouse sounds amazing! And no, one can't have too much Monk. "Misterioso" is a great record. Griffin is fabulous, and one of my favorite tenor players. Still, there's something about the way that Rouse seems to get inside Monk's musical head that is almost creepy. |
Orpheus10, you could not be more correct; Lew Tabackin is most certainly an underrated player. Lew has been one of the heroes of the NY scene for a long time and I know him personally, having recently been part of a project that recreated Henry Mancini's scores for "Peter Gunn" on which Lew was the featured soloist. A Harmonia Mundi CD release of the project is scheduled for early 2014. http://www.jazzpromoservices.com/jazz-news/harmonie-ensemble-new-york-steve-richman-conductor-with-lew-tabackin-lew-soloff-the-music-from-peter-gunn-weds-june-1-2011-at-100-p-m-st-peter’s-church/ Lew is a beautiful and exuberant tenor player with a notable Sonny Rollins influence. Heard live one immediately notices his HUGE sound and "take no prisoners" approach. He is a classically trained flutist and is widely recognized as one of the very best, certainly the best living, flute "doublers". You will notice that his style on flute has a subtle Eastern influence; probably the result of having been the featured soloist and co-leader in his wife Toshiko's big band, for which she wrote material some of which has an unabashed Eastern (Japanese) flavor. Some of my favorite playing by Lew is on Freddie Hubbard's recording "Sweet Return"; highly recommended, and as Rok says "gotta get it". |
By popular demand?? :) Toshiko Ankiyoshi Jazz Orch -- DESERT LADY / FANTASY featuring Lew Tabackin Acman3 asked why are so many great players and great music overlooked in the Jazz world. This recording is proof that great players and music can be overlooked sitting right in front of a person on his CD rack. Since O-10 and The Frogman were in such a rant, I thought I would see/hear what all the fuss is about. I got this CD soon after it's release (1994). Listened to it for a few minutes, and back on the shelf it went. Wrong place and time, both in a physical and emotional sense. I have learned that over the years, so I never sell or throw out any Cd. I might listen at the correct time, and / or grow into it later. WOW! You are spot on about Tabackin. Well constructed solos. I am amazed at how he goes from the highest to lowest notes of the instrument with such ease. He spends a lot of time in the lowest register / octave. And he can play the flute. His tone is great. The notes are round and clear without all the buzzing / spitting sound you hear with a lot of flute players. This band is very together. Very tight playing on all tracks. Great arrangements. The brass players have excellent tone also. I could not pick a favorite track. They are all exceptional. 'Be-bop' was the perfect tune to close things out. They were so tight, it could have been two people playing. This is not the first time someone on this thread has opened my eyes to music I already own. That's why I like it so. As The Frogman said, I said, ain't got it? Git it! Lord, I almost forgot to mention the Trombone player Conrads Herwig. Awesome playing on the title track. Cheers |
Frogman, "He is a classically trained flutist and is widely recognized as one of the very best, certainly the best living, flute "doublers". A "doubler" with jazz talent, that's super impressive, and it explains why we can't get enough of his flute. Thanks for this new information on Mr. Lew Tabackin, and if you see him tell about his new fans on Audiogon. Enjoy the music. |