Damn, what a fine, fine post, frogman.
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.
31,712 responses Add your response
Frogman, I woke up this morning, and this is the music that resonated; do you have any comments? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ_cUm0sr6c&index=2&list=PLIeVTsm02i1B9_XeOyHqjspQifdWvSlz6 |
This is some of the most beautiful music ever written, it has resonated down through the ages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23x59neYlJ8 |
While I have maintained "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", which is a subjective stance; there is some music that's objectively beautiful, and if the beholder disagrees with this music, he should have his eyes checked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIJZSs2gxdo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLsg_Lk819s |
Diana Krall with a distinctive Spanish accent, interesting. In 2009, Cesaria Evora was made a knightess of the French Legion of Honour by the French French Minister of Culture and Communications Christine Albanel, the first Cape Verdean who became one. Horace Silver's Father is also from the Cape Verdean Islands; hence song for my Father has an island lilt; The Album I'm speaking of. Since I have no idea where those islands are, I asked "Wikipedia" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde I have her in compilations but not a complete album, that must be corrected. |
frog, thanks for your well-considered comments, as always. o10, are you, or anyone else, surprised that Yma's estate didn't sue Simon and Garfinkel for "stealing/copying" "El Condor Pasa"? Actually, the whole musical plagiarism thing escapes me. It has been such a long-standing tradition, and not only in jazz, to copy/lift/modify/be influenced by all or part of songs created or performed by others that I just don't see a case for it. |
Pryso, you have noticed it well, Child in time from Deep Purple borders with heavy metal. I haven't thought about this before since the song stays long enough in the range of the hard rock which is ok for me since I am not fan of the heavy metal. But you are quite 'an Ear', it seems that hardly anything can pass beyond your radars. Orpheus, I am glad you like Carlos Santana. This might be latino rock which is kind of 'soft' in the comparison to the mainly 'hard listing' of mine. I mostly picked rock with strong accent on the guitar and a bit aggressive vocal due to uncle's comment about the rock of being too noisy. But Santana definitely has a touch. You surely have a well cared style. Santana, Black magic woman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyQUCYl-ocs And Frogman, man, that was absolutely great post, I enjoyed very much reading. You know the stuff. Nothing to add nor subtract there. You have said it all. Shaping the world (music) exclusively according to one's own preferences and seeing it through one's eyes only, would be leastwise, boring not to say limited. How can you not to love this: Art Pepper, The Prisoner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5utT5yiQAOo This Erik Satie, Gnossienne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUAF3abGY2M This Mighty Sam McClain - When The Hurt Is Over https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4YPMiFaPWo Or this at the same time Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWzyiU-S_w Uuuuuu, uuuu..... |
Santana's "Black Magic Woman" to go with black lights that made ladies stockings glow in the dark, and hot pink was my favorite color; those were the days. "The Prisoner" by Art Pepper, was most certainly one of his best. This is my first time hearing Erik Satie: Gnossienne; it sounds a little like "Marche Slave" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwqdOhF6LhE In regard to music "resonating", it depends on the time of day, the weather, the humidity plus more factors than I am aware of; what I'm saying is I can like something one day and not like it the next; the last two fall in that category. |
O-10, “La Paloma” is indeed beautiful music. Classic “Habanera” by a Spanish composer incorporating some of the rhythms and sounds of Cuba (Habanera/Havana). Check out this rendition by a true Spanish guitar master and part of the “Romero” guitar dynasty: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QajnO1gtxCQ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LLtBJcaY1kw Esteban; think the Kenny G of Spanish guitar 😎 |
Hmmm mk2 what? The first link of Santana that Orpheus listed was ’soft’ in comparison to my hard rock listing (if i do not count Beatles). Soft does not mean less good but means less hard, you wise guy. p.s. As the answer that you 'requested': There is nothing wrong with my listing of rock. If you think that you know better, just check Frogman’s post about it. You obviously skipped it. |
Today's Listen: Fats Navarro -- THE FATS NAVARRO STORY I love this guy. He is sort of like Dizzy with a much better tone. This was during the change-over period. He was dead at age 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mdt9heAoc4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWOmgV1Ppfw A 4CD set. It just may contain everything Fats ever did. Highly recommended. Seems as if All the future stars of Jazz appear at least once. 87 tunes in total. Cheers |
I had trouble finding Fats Navarro when I was looking, it seems you've struck gold. Mingus wrote a lot about "Theodore Navarro" in his autobiography. That music and "Fats" really capture the essence of that time; this music is like a time machine that takes you back to another day when "Bop" was cool. |
I'm almost afraid to mention Quincy Jones music because of the controversy, but his music is undeniably good, even if his mental state is questionable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6A3qT8_vWg This is one boss jam, and I don't think it's in my collection, but it will be. Quincy has been a part of so much fantastic music; I prefer we focus on the music and leave the controversy for others. Do you have any of Quincy's music you would like to share? By the way I'll search for the albums that are in my collection. |
Catching up with the rest of you again. And glad to be back on track with the OP -- jazz. Let me offer this as a possibly surprising and under appreciated jazz musician, Andre Previn. I say that knowing his "My Fair Lady" album was alleged to be the top selling jazz record for some period of time. But after that died off, almost no mention again. He focused on Broadway show tunes with several albums devoted to individual shows. Of course it helped that he was accompanied by top flight musicians. To me he was certainly more than a classical conductor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNBy1fxdZjE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCSQlmUnMFs Regarding Romero, know it started with Celedonio, then his three sons, and are now into the third generation. (Yes I know not jazz, I'm just replying to earlier comments.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrJWS8YLhwE As for Satie, I doubt I'm the only one initially exposed to his music by Blood, Sweat, and Tears - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6f_uj6qCFM Regarding QJ, possibly his greatest talent was surrounding himself with first rate players, whether on his own recordings or as a producer? |
These babes sound like no others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05w5ch9l6zI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18u-SNiICUk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KzGiuL-Cl0 Cheers |
Pryso, I told you we had the same collection; I bought "My Fair Lady" in the Fall of 59. You guys are really submitting some beautiful music; I gave it "the once over" to confirm that, but I'm going to settle back and savor every last note later on. Rok, who can ever forget Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66; absolutely fantastic! Acman, that Previn was most tasteful, one of my favorites; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwEuR2TtW5c Rok, that Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio, is one that I will have to get. |
More Previn... with Russ Freeman 'Double play' 1957. https://youtu.be/qD-_qmfYqps with H.Ellis,Manne and Brown 'Four to go' 1963. https://youtu.be/20JAuGknjm4 Andre Previn trio 'King Size' 1958. https://youtu.be/gLQlz4-aQ_s https://youtu.be/TZotgvkaulI |
o10, yes it would be fascinating to compare our respective jazz collections. However, I'm not into computers enough that I have an inventory list to share. But you struck again. I also had that "Like Young" album. Now if you remember my comments not too long ago you'll know I'm not a fan of string backgrounds for jazz, Getz's "Focus" being one exception. So I didn't keep that particular Previn album. I still have 4 or 5 of his trio albums however. My greatest amazement is that you can remember buying "My Fair Lady" in the fall of '59. As I commented recently on an audio site, I can't remember where or when I purchased hardly any of my music collection. That has been spread out over several decades, in three separate metropolitan areas, with purchases from record stores, department stores, audio stores, audio shows, record clubs, swap meets, yard sales, on line, and having friends and family give them to me. I know I've owned "Kind of Blue" since around 1960 for example. But if that was '59 or '60 or '61 I really can't say. It may have come from the Columbia Record Club, but I'm not certain. So I admire all of you with better memories. ;^) |
Speaking of Oscar, here are my favorite Peterson albums - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDCbfZxRg48 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjShabu5-Z8&list=PLV8QvievY3ImKOwlHlqxhTA6abvP0rezT Including this lesser known performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVLU9ZwUId0&list=PLZVHpciTR73MQZLuNXBxvvAHTUNENtcda Add another favorite keyboard giant and you get something special - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo1fkjnKVsw |
Pryso, I only remember early purchases because I was in the Air Force, and each new album was an event that we shared with other airmen; consequently, I remember the party surrounding the reviewing of the album. (any event was an excuse for a party). But more current albums, I only have a vague idea when I purchased them, the same as you. Getz's "Focus" is his most interesting album; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXxybiV4Pxs&list=PLfOleD7-7Oj90W890D0puroQgM7yTR-0P |
Oscar Peterson Interview: Outstanding!!! Very informative, and above all, interesting. You will never see anything like that, and that long, about Jazz / Jazz players on American TV. When Previn made the comment about someone playing BACH with a rhythm section, was he speaking of MJQ? I have 'Blues on Bach', which is a lot more blues than Bach. I have the 'Solo Masterpieces' 7CD set by Art Tatum. Not my favorite pianist, but they seem to think very highly of him and his place in Jazz And they should know. In my mind I always put him in the same place as Bird and Dizzy, too many notes and too fast. I will have to revisit him. Not once did he ask Peterson to comment on another player. I liked that. Most often this 'interviews' are just opportunities to fish for compliments for some up and coming player or a peer. Thanks to The Frogman. Cheers BTW, Previn did slight the blues once in his comments. I would say his playing could use a little more Blues.
|
Glad you liked it. I also think it is outstanding. Peterson was a remarkable musician and a true gentleman. As articulate and interesting with his spoken comments as he was in his playing. I don’t think the Bach comment was in reference to MJQ. Previn says “the fellow” and I’m pretty sure he was referring to Claude Bolling who had a series of records on which he played Classical with a jazz rhythm section. The best known of these was his “Suite For Flute and Jazz Piano” with the great flutist Jean Pierre Rampal. Pleasant enough music and fun depending on one’s mood, but as Previn said “neither here nor there”. |
“Suite For Flute and Jazz Piano” with the great flutist Jean Pierre Rampal. ***** That was the most forgettable music I ever heard; I have the CD, but I don't know where it is. Some reviewer wrote that you had to work in order to hear the "new jazz". I could have responded, "I'm retired, and I would only work if I got paid, now if you are willing to mail me some new jazz along with a check for listening, I would gladly oblige". This new music is like the present generation, "It's confused"; however, there are some outstanding talents, and Liz Wright is one of them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hxVXFNks40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqgocq64mwg |
I'm concerned about homelessness today; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFcSVOU1CRM I once worked (without pay) for the homeless in my city; that was in the 80's when the problem was no where near what it is today. The vast majority suffered from mental problems, or they were winos. Very few of what you would call average normal people were homeless. One woman who had a degree that commanded a high salary wound up homeless as a result of health problems. There was no way she was ever going to get hired if she put on her application that she lived in a homeless shelter; we had to give her a new place to live. We devised a plan (the head of this shelter was very influential); we gave this lady a phone number (thanks to the phone company) that would give her address as the ritzy suburbs. That number rang at the shelter; which means she also had an answering service. Since she was healthy when we devised this plan, in no time at all she was back at work earning the high salary she was qualified for. Had we not devised that plan, the woman could still be homeless, and gone wacky in the head; the two go together. |
Today's Listen: Blue Mitchell -- THE THING TO DO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXr-Jz5RBn0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv3MlbLnkXM Cheers |
When I think of Blue Mitchel, I think of Horace Silver; that might be the only Blue Mitchel, I have, but it's boss. What you submitted sure sounds good, him and Junior Cook have been blowing together for so long they can read one another's musical mind. Blue Mitchell - trumpet Junior Cook - tenor saxophone Chick Corea - piano Gene Taylor - bass Al Foster - drums That's another album I'll have to put on my order list. |
Something a bit newer (a 2006 release) and from Italy...so yeah, Italian Jazz (hope that don’t make anyone’s head explode; or maybe I do). A trio that does hold my interest. Sonics on this recording are very good. Love the "equal time" (i.e., prominence) given to the bass player. Track 2 from Meltemi by Alboran Trio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkcQWPdVQno Review in All About Jazz https://www.allaboutjazz.com/meltemi-alboran-trio-act-music-review-by-chris-may.php @rok2id - John Mayall’s "Jazz Blues Fusion" might be of interest to you (in the unlikely event you don’t already know it) if only because of Blue Mitchell’s participation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_5_RcPubY |
My Blue Michell (as a leader) picks.... 'Out of the Blue', from 1959. with Golson and Kelly https://youtu.be/cPilE8TeGu4 'Blue's moods' from 1960. https://youtu.be/6026xPnrl7I Believe it or not, but the Italians 'dig' jazz and have great scene,together with some established artists. Maybe a new topic? |
If you have to put an adjective in front or behind the word ’Jazz’, there might be a problem. If it’s "Jazz Blues Fusion", you KNOW there is a problem. I speak from experience. Traditionalist are not born, they are created by personal experience. Believe it or not, I paid good / real money for the CD "Corky Siegel Plays the Blues". I was deceived by the word ’blues’. I also paid for the Jean Rampal LP. You would be surprised at the junk on my shelves as a result of trying to be ’progressive’, or ’avant-garde’. We don’t go to the MET to hear the "American" Tosca. We go to hear the Opera ’Tosca’, in Italian! Same with Jazz. I don’t understand what the term ’Italian Jazz’ means. Is there a polish Jazz? Or heaven forbid, Croatian Jazz? Jazz is Jazz. And it’s a lot more than just improvised music. And it’s American. Cheers |
Well, now I know what the "traditionalists" think...at least one of them. Appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Rok, Can't say I'm surprised. Can't say I agree entirely. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. I will still enjoy the Meltemi recording whatever music type it's considered. Although I continue to think it IS jazz. Jazz written and recorded by Italian musicians in Italy. That's all I meant by "Italian Jazz". I do readily admit Mayall's Jazz Blues Fusion doesn't seem all that "jazzy" to me. I only brought that one up because Blue Mitchell is on it. This whole "It's Jazz/It's NOT Jazz" discussion has been done to death in this thread. Much rather talk about the music. For starters what do you like or not like about that Meltemi recording? What about it does or doesn't fit Wynton's view (or yours) of jazz?? Myself, I'm now curious about that Corky Siegel or Jean Rampal. What's so bad about 'em? (although on the latter, I got a feeling I will probably feel the same way were I to hear it). |
@ghosthouse In my haste to rant, I failed to mention that I found the Alboran Trio piece to be enjoyable to my ears. I don't know if they have a track record or not, because I have never heard of them. And you are correct in saying they were Italians playing Jazz in Italy. I guess there is bound to reflect Italian sensibilities in the music. However, The Frogman's first Law will always apply. The Marketplace is brutal. I hope your curiosity concerning Rampal and Siegel does not lead you to spend money to satisfy it. My excuse was that we didn't have you-tube at that time. The Mayall piece was run of the mill. In Blues, it's the legitimacy of the singer and the lyrics. That's the hardest part for the Rockers to get. Cheers |
Very interesting article. WM is certainly articulate but assuming Paolo, Dino and Gigi are unaware of this history, does it disqualify what they create from being jazz? I am taking liberties with WM’s position. A very good article. WM is impressive. http://wyntonmarsalis.org/news/entry/forgetting-the-roots-of-jazz-is-forgetting-the-history-of-race-... Hey Rok...just saw your reply. Don't worry...I won't spend money on those 2 recordings you mention but will try to find the Corky Siegal on Spotify etc.. I'm slightly familiar with Rampal. No interest in greater familiarity. That Meltemi is the debut by Alboran Trio. Their 2nd is Near Gale...also favorably reviewed in All About Jazz. Glad you found it enjoyable (jazz or not!). |