nsp, I ordered "The Best of Jacintha" yesterday, it has "The Look of Love" on it.
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.
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Thelonious Monk was 27 when he wrote "Round Midnight". Does anybody think he was thinking about the "drippy" lyrics that are now attached to the song? Girl type lyrics at that. If you're an aficionado, you got to think like a hip jazz musician. Jazz is about mood and feeling, but you also have to think like the artist who wrote it. When you think like a 27 year old hip jazz musician in New York, you will get a different picture than those "drippy" lyrics; what you get is a mood, and the feeling of the city "Round Midnight". |
Apples and oranges. Well, maybe Red Delicious and Honey Crisp 😊 Works for me: https://youtu.be/n_R9AGDvXe4 |
Sorry folks, "Maiden Voyage" is definitely best without words, just like I heard it for the first time in 66. I picture me, and I'm sailing across the sunny sea for the first time (maiden voyage) in my small craft. The music depicts the rise and fall of the waves as the wind picks up, and I feel the exhilaration of being on the ocean for the first time; I might even sail all the way to Tahiti. "The Look of Love"; Dusty Springfield is the beginning, all there is in between and the end. Words don't belong on some songs; "Round Midnight" is one of them. This song portrays the mood of the city "Round Midnight", leave that drippy love out of it. No matter which city, skyscrapers are intoxicating when you look at them "Round Midnight"; since I was a child, seeing the skyscrapers of New York was always exciting, they held so many dreams and fantasies. Now, each "Round Midnight" has a different mood; Miles begins a little spooky, but Coltrane welcomes you into this city for all the allure that cities hold at night; beautiful ladies seeking company for example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIgLt7LAZF0 This is my favorite, it's altogether different from the last one; it's so beautiful, there's nothing mysterious about it; alluring maybe, it holds the promise of a new and beautiful experience on this starlit night around the bewitching hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Xozvcf0FA |
Indeed it was, nsp; sorry about that. Hard to keep track of everyone’s posts sometimes. You’re right, I like the Mark Murphy “Maiden Voyage” a lot. Always have and ever since I bought the record back in college. Thanks for that! I was responding to O-10’s post, and I didn’t think he would like it as much as the other two that I posted. Maybe I was wrong and would like his thoughts on this. O-10? A relatively minor detail, but that Mark Murphy record is from a period when Michael Brecker’s tone, which went through changes during his career in part because of equipment choices, was my favorite; the subject of much debate among saxophone geeks 😀. This is a favorite track from the record: https://youtu.be/XdF0AcklZNs |
frogman The Tony Bennett posting was mine, credit where credit is due😀. Enjoyed the Jon Lucien Maiden Voyage. Thought you might like this version With the Brecker bros. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC_GjtY-YVs |
O10 I think Jacintha's version of "The Look of Love" compares favorably to Dusty Springfield's original http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1d65OHYXo |
What happened here? Over the weekend I posted an experience where more than half the audience walked out of a Miles concert in the '70s after he went electronic. In that I also posted a link to a great Ben Webster album in response to a prior comment. Today I looked back at page 367 to see where I left off but it is no longer there. In addition there is no note about a message being removed. So does anyone know how or why this happens? |
Thanks for the correction; the posts you submitted with words were fantastic. The very first time I heard Herby Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" was when it came on the FM Stereo while I was cruising the Boulevard in my 66 "Deuce and a Quarter", that still had the "new car smell". Of course that was in 66. Probably the next tune to pop up was this one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR1bWhdoIXM |
orpheus 10 Here's another from jacintha from an album " Here's to Ben" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CghbuJbu20k |
Here’s an overlooked female Jazz vocalist. Incorporates r&b and soul into her style. She also composes most of her material. Talented lady: https://youtu.be/JhgQc0wT644 |
Very nice Tony Bennett, O-10. That recording is a favorite and from what is probably his peak period, Bennett can do no wrong in my book; always sings from the heart. Thanks for that. I kept waiting for the words in the Andrade “Mayden Voyage” 🤔. One of my favorite tunes and Herbie has been quoted as saying that it is his favorite of all his compositions. Words were set to the tune by his sister some time after Herbie wrote the tune. Here are favorite versions; with the lyrics this time 😉: https://youtu.be/hLGQKtcXlLI https://youtu.be/CKx-T7E6kng |
Aside from the very well known jazz divas, we have neglected many female jazz vocalists, maybe we can remedy that. Rebecca Pidgeon, I like this CD; it's very well recorded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngrnfIhT1JU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RMTEWsGGEg Leny Andrade sings "Maiden Voyage"; this is the first time I have ever heard words put to Herby Hancock's famous tune; it's boss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2WicKm0dc What female vocalists do you have in your collection that we haven't heard? |
pjw & o10 I really like Jacintha, I have several of her cd's .She really sounds great on SACD. Will po st something tomorrow . Here is my favorite version of " Boulevard of Broken Dreams" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t24xDweUX7M |
O10 that story you told about miles brother not buying his music was funny.!! the cut you posted by Miles sounded to me like later day weather report which I don't like. To me there was nothing original there I think I stopped buying miles albums after his first comeback album sometime in the 80s . I think the title was star people. Although I did see him in concert the year before he passed and it was terrific. |
pjw Interesting that you had posted something from Fela. O10 & I had discussed him very briefly earlier this year. I have been listening to him for 40 plus years. I was buying his albums way back when it was tough to find them. HIs music is enjoyable on more than one level. It's danceable but also the solos are interesting to listen to even though it's not strict jazz. A couple of points not in the article you posted. I had read that Fela was influenced by Miles Davis and Sly and the Family Stone. He was poised to make a US tour and break out as a star over here sometime around 1980 when he was arrested at the Nigerian Airport for having more than $5,000 on his person which was apparently a crime there. I actually wrote a letter through Amnesty International to try and help get his release. HIs breakout album of the time , was excellent I will post it if I can find it online. But unfortunately he never became a star over here. |
Sometimes it seems that you can't really hear a song until you've sang it. It's only after you have experienced the emotional depths of the words can you hear the song. "The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" is such a song; I'll try to illuminate what I mean. Here's the setting; Gigolo and Gigolette, prior to their chance meeting, have lost their hearts to the one and only true love they have ever known, but even if they're an empty shell, life goes on. While they both are attractive, they know that even that will be coming to an end before long; life for them is whatever they can get out of the moment. When they take a kiss without regret, they're thinking of someone in that broken dream that they left behind, but each kiss without regret, is about whatever exhilaration they can get out of the moment; these kisses merely ease the pain of broken dreams. Both of them are singing a song and dancing along, but their souls are in an old Cathedral town where they left their broken dreams. I walk along the street of sorrow - The boulevard of broken dreams - Where Gigolo and Gigolette - Can take a kiss without regret - and so forget their broken dreams. You laugh today and cry tomorrow - When you behold your shattered schemes - And Gigolo and Gigolette wake up to find their eyes are wet with tears that tell of broken dreams. "Here is where you'll always find me - Always walking up and down - But I left my soul behind me in an old cathedral town" The joy that you find here, you borrow - You cannot keep it long it seems - But Gigolo and Gigolette - Still sing a song and dance along - The boulevard of broken dreams. [REPEAT] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgBgaR01Mk&list=RDmpgBgaR01Mk&start_radio=1 |
pjw, we are certainly in harmony today; both of those are boss and on my shopping list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQJybhk47xU Mundell Lowe on guitar is someone I haven’t heard in awhile; I’m quite familiar with all the artists on that album, and they’re sounding extra special. I definitely don’t have enough of Jacintha, that will be corrected. I was wondering the same thing about Alex and Mary_jo? |
orpheus10, I have 2 of Jacintha's albums I bought at the same time around 10 years ago after hearing her voice, which I agree, is beautiful. They are "Lush Life" which contains the song from you first link. Your following 2 links were great selections which showcase her abilities as a jazz vocalist. I also have "The Girl From Bossa Nova" in which she sings beautiful renditions of Bossa Nova classics. Here is one from the Bossa Nova album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWl22wlGR9U Lat night I listened to Ben Webster's album from 1959 titled "The Soul of Ben Webster" - one of my favorites in my Webster collection. It is definitely "old school jazz rooted in the blues" Here is the longest song on the album and a classic which as you would say bears repeated listening's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj--aO61TN8 |
"Jacintha" is a beautiful songbird from Singapore. I've selected some of my favorites by her; this is one of them, "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams"; This song, like so many songs, is a very sad short story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgBgaR01Mk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxSs9p1IBvs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWO7PyDl7Ks |
Amandla is an album by jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1989. It is the third collaboration between Miles Davis and producer/bassist Marcus Miller, after Tutu (1986) and Music from Siesta (1987), and their final album together. The album mixes elements of the genres go-go, zouk, funk and jazz, combining electronic instruments with live musicians. This is the last album I bought of Miles music after the change. While it's likely that I'll buy more of his music from an earlier time period, it's very unlikely that I'll buy any of his music after this time period. Miles stated in his autobiography, that he knew his original fans, that includes people he loved and who loved him, would not be buying his music after he made a drastic change from his standard jazz. He also said a lot of them were probably not even buying records anymore. The bottom line is, that made no difference to his bottom line, or his relationship with those people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs45871s9DE&list=PL6B0V2FKgTzLFKcaNInJhBnvrlnkJ8Gpc pjw, this one's for you. |
Barbara Cook: She does have a great voice, and surely has that ’Broadway’ vibe. We always give credit to the Blues and other genres for their influence in the creation of Jazz, but maybe Broadway and the ’Great American Songbook’ deserves a lot of credit for the growth and sustainability of Jazz. Because a lot of a Jazz, is ’borrowed’ from other genres. Nice clip from a lady I was not familiar with. Cheers |
In keeping with O-10’s “great female vocalists” theme: We have looked at many great female Jazz singers and more will surely be posted; some who definitely deserve more attention. There is a type of singer who can be rightfully called “cross-over” singers of a sort. They are not, or certainly are not considered to be, full-fledged Jazz singers in the usual sense, but they have a fantastic way of delivering a song; of telling a story. They take the back seat to no “Jazz” singer in their ability to deliver the goods....in a particular way and particular style. They are the great musical theater vocalists. For me, “great” is reserved for those that (again, for me) don’t cross the line into a kind of over the top caricatureness as some musical theater vocalists do. Their acting background certainly helps in their ability to tell the story. Some of them are also fantastic vocalists in the sense of control and sheer beauty of the voice. Rok has previously posted some Audra McDonald who is definitely in this category. Barbara Cook was one of the very greatest. Amazing singer: https://youtu.be/WHloHH9KwQc (Some further thoughts re “dissonance” forthcoming) |
Rok, I agree with you, Casandra is quirky, but I like her anyway. In the beginning, I didn't care for her because she messed up my favorite songs, but after listening to her for quite awhile (after you buy a CD, what else are you going to do with it?) I got used to the "Casandra Wilson" treatment to everything she sings, and I no longer compare her version to the way the song is supposed to be sung. No, she's not trying to find her way, she done found it; she's quirky. |
Almost two different songs. bass alert!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=theMDrkhLN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vEKTRLnUI Cheers |
One of the great Blues Classics. Does not have quite the same impact when sung by a woman. Song by Son House, another great from the Delta. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFvnT0X9eFQ Cheers |
Casandra Wilson: You don' t know what Love is: Way too slow. Distorts the song. Check out Etta James and Miss Holiday. Black Orpheus: Nice enough, but even through she is from Mississippi, she is hit and miss. As if she is searching for her place in music. Billie's Blues: Great!! A lot of the impact goes to the arrangement and the band. But she nailed it. All we need is a CD full of stuff like this. Nice clips Cheers |
pjw, I just thought of a funny story about Miles music. I ran into Vernon Davis, Miles brother, (ages ago) and I asked him if he had Miles latest album? He looked me straight in the eyes, and asked very flatly "Do you"? I cracked up, because he knew that I was "old school" which meant that he knew I didn't have Miles Rock oriented album, but I'm thinking, you're his brother, you're supposed to buy his music anyway. Love only goes so far, but Miles himself understood that very well; he knew that the people who loved him, would not love his music after he changed, and he didn't expect them to. |
Recently it has come to my attention that we have a "wealth" of female jazz vocalists, past and present that we have not paid enough tribute. I would like for us to remedy that by posting any female jazz vocalist that you think we have neglected. I will begin with Casandra Wilson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KKiR4NumaE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iisdJ0wAv_Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB1HK-rlVig |
Rok, for me, Dakota Staton has a certain energy that makes her unique among all the Divas; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBw-w_jql4g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peWwRw6CrNM |
o10, this slips in some country you might enjoy. I bought the CD after seeing it on PBS years ago and still like it a lot https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&p=rhythm+country+and+... |
Back to jazz in keeping with the thread theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM2YKTmGHBQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAHE8LIbyzo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6Vq2OsdFM |
The thing is I can listen to Fela and then listen to this next: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZBlqcbpmxY And then this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpKB6OZ_B4c I too leave the "jazz reservation" on occasion. |
Great Fela Kuti live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr8oRpA2SpE For the Fela uninitiated: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fela-kuti-mn0000138833/biography |
"Here's one of the places where I go when I wander off the jazz reservation" orpheus10 if that's the case what are your thoughts on Fela Kuti? Here is one I really like which has captions describing the music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_D-Hh0hglk Its a long song but believe me the journey is worth it. |
I guess I’m basically saying everyone has different tastes and its all good. My musical tastes vary as I like many genres (except country and hip hop) and they also vary within their respective genres. I could have made both those statements because their true for me as well. Here's one of the places where I go when I wander off the jazz reservation; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgHSGPBVpQE |
orpheus10, I like Kenny Wheeler. Not all of his output/songs but most. The Albums I purchased I like. And I do give them repeated listens. To me many of his songs are "rooted in emotion". The majority of his repertoire is not rooted in "the blues" like "old school jazz" but that’s what I like about it. As I have stated multiple times on this thread my favorite Trumpet player is Clifford brown followed by Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and Lee Morgan and not necessarily in that order. I am sure you like these 4 players because their playing, for the most part, is rooted in the emotion of "old school" jazz. My musical tastes vary as I like many genres (except country and hip hop) and they also vary within their respective genres. If your musical tastes are basically jazz music from the swing to bebop to hard bop period of 1930 - 1970 (I am aware of this because you have repeated many times on this thread when you bought the "new stuff" when it came out you wasted your money and realized your old stuff was way better) and current renditions of the 30 - 70 "golden era of jazz" compositions its cool and I know where your coming from. Miles Davis’ output from "In A Silent Way" and forward was not rooted in the emotion of "old school" jazz but I like it. There is plenty of "emotion and blues" in the following Wheeler song for my ears https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHejwS-Cgcs I guess I’m basically saying everyone has different tastes and its all good. |