Yes, I noticed that One from Amos was actually from Firm Roots. I will have to double check next time. Apologies.
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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Hey, no apology necessary; it is in fact on the Sam Jones reissue and is a Sam Jones tune. There’s often a lot of ambiguity and cinflicting info re recording dates and reissues; always surprises me. What a great player Sam Jones was; truly one of the greats. And great composer! Two of his best known tunes: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vAdE3pLlMFQ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rJuEk0J-7Mc Unusual in jazz, along with Ron Carter, he was also a fine cellist: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mX4RhGL7zqA |
frogman, Great links. I really dig Cannonball and Sam Jones is another outstanding bass players from that era. The following features Percy Heath on bass, also from that era and also outstanding. Milt Jackson shines on this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDnIQ1JPcCU |
acman3, One for Amos is a great tune as is that entire album. I don't know about the vinyl mix up but I have it on CD with that photo on the cover: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Common-Sam-Jones/dp/B0000516WC/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&...= When I clicked your link I saw this on the side and gave it a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SONmA1cBbW8 After hearing the above song I ordered the CD. Its different then straight ahead jazz but I like it. |
I have the CD's Bass on Top and We Three from Paul Chambers Here is one from each: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX7spHdg4Gs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dumLpkn4jXg |
More bass! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldY1wR3G8L0 I’ve had the great fortune to see Stanley Clarke numerous times at small jazz clubs in NYC playing solo’s like that from 10 feet away! Good Stanley Clarke interview discussing his gear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FRe4_7wTec |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf2wg8XUEZI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXOnhzoC-i8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyl-dD5qLjk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTCAZK9rzY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvtjA7__EqY Could not help myself from posting that last one. Its a classic with a young Marcus Miller and Kenny Garrett with Miles! |
orpheus10, you might've seen this movie or you might not. Soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer, Gasparian's duduk. He is thought of as the greatest living duduk player. No, Armenian music is far from Arabian in many ways. Armenia itself is a very ancient area, they also had been part of Persian Empire for many centuries, so they are closer to Iran and yet very distinct. I am a little familiar with those people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpo3RwiJO9c |
Inna, this is as close as I can get to what I'm looking for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5rcFjqM56Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkLKhKT8X6I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnv-Dpq4XnI |
Great belly dance music. I'll try to find some interesting Moroccan or Egyptian or Turkish music. In the meantime, let's call it Iranian jazz. Not bad, I think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DayfXQXyenQ |
That's quite a compliment mary_jo, A has submitted some of the best music on this thread, and rarely have I heard it before; that's taking it to another level. My life, who I am, is spread out over the pages of this thread; I consider the people who post on this thread my friends because I have much more in common with them than people I know; that means you are one of my friends. |
Buster Williams new record is excellent! He is overlooked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCSEIVfVvZ4 |
acman3, Thanks for that great live link.Williams is not overlooked by me! I have the new disc and one other older disc titled Something More. From Something More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9_WYHJ9m4 I just had the pleasure of seeing Buster live last month and taking lots of solo's at Birdland in NYC. He was the bassist along with Jimmy Cobb on drums, Sonny Fortune on sax, and Mike Stern on guitar in the "4 Generations of Miles" quartet. They played a 90 minute set! |
Inna, I've been in this groove all morning; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz2jOXvoOUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHle2ipjQsU&list=PLDDyPnLSXvQNmxW2fe75vpnCqHh57MEyn&index=4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uXYrk4VFM4 I like to get in a groove, and do a mind and body transfer to ancient landscapes where people knew how to live life for what it was worth. |
Iranian Jazz? Jazz from Armenia? The Jazz Queen of Croatia's greatest hits? I guess being an Aficionado ain't what it used to be. For context, the following clips, posted by the world renowned Jazz expert, me, were roundly booed and trashed by these same people. Over the top, Wynton can't play etc..... it was horrible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgNA3rCw7U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnshBIuu97Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLGPiQ6ud2U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBt9DQJOO-4 Cheers |
Great Buster Williams clips! Let’s not forget his work with the band “Sphere”. Imagine a tribute band named after a great musician with the middle name Sphere (!!) which recorded its debut album on the very day that he (Monk) died....without being aware of that sad fact. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d0E6SVMsm90 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RHNZ5ZJR_MM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m2U_4UL_Pz4 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_1_OuG6jfJk |
Rok, Rachelle Ferrell's voice is a fantastic instrument. I had forgotten that I have a CD by Andy and the Bey Sisters, but not that one; it really swings, and they seem to have so much fun making music when you see them. Some of us have to get our world music fix every now and then, kind of like the "Classical Aficionado" fix. |
Orpheus10, I liked the second track most, but they are all good. Iranian and Indian rhythms and art of improvisation go back thousands of years and must be respected regardless of preferences. I do not listen to Indian music much, it doesn't really resonate with me with some exceptions. Iranian culture in general and musical tradition in particular are much closer to European. Indo-Iranians separated about 5000 years ago, so India is something different, but roots are the same. |
Armenians don't improvise much, their main musical form, besides folk and dance, is what I would call existential ballads, whether there is vocal or not. Azeri are close to Iranians. In fact, many talented musicians and singers in Iran are ethnic Armenians and Azeri, it appears that Armenians have a particular talent for singing. |
Inna, I knew you would like the first two best when I posted. The native American resonated quite well with me; while I have several Ancient Future CD's, I don't have that one. Here's a lady that comes in on that same frequency, although she's a long way from America; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kprl0CECykA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kvTNbc8d5s&list=PL9F443ADD5608341A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Y4kpZ7xQk "White man speak with forked tongue"; so do all politicians no matter what color. |
o10, I’ve been fascinated by several percussionists I’ve heard in Middle-Eastern music. The variety and nuance they can produce from one or two small drums is amazing, plus the speed and duration of a line. For your groove today this is the most jazz oriented example I can offer. I apologize for repeating it, but hey, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hbuleX_PDQ Outside of jazz there are a number of wonderful recordings on Kavi Alexander’s label Water Lily Acoustics by leading artists you might watch for. Also, I had to share the link of "Ancient Future" with a friend who has some Native American blood. I'm sure she'll enjoy that so thanks. |
Pryso, I have all of those CD's by Rabih Abou-Khalil with the beautiful covers; "Blue Camel" might be the best. East Indian on Water Lily Acoustics is very well recorded. I'm glad you and your friend enjoyed those links; they make me feel like I have Native American blood; by the way, one of my blog names is "Lakota". |
Orpheus10, the first track is absolutely great. It is not just her singing but the musicians too. Haunting, evocative, powerful, nostalgic in an unusual way, coming from very distant times. Now that resonates. Scandinavians, especially Norwegians, are very musical people. But in this case it is more than that and not quite Norwegian. Sami people, if I remember this part of history right, were actually the first modern people in those lands, they are natives, just like natives of Americas. Norwegians themselves are Germanic tribes, like Danish and Swedes. Indian shamanic songs are nice too but.. They do in some way remind me of certain Mongolian songs, though the latter are more powerful, often aggressive and freighting. Well, Mongolians swept thru most of Asia in 13th century, wild people. |
Pryso, I knew that Monk had adopted his middle name Sphere, but did not know about the connection with Speer. What parent would make a child “Sphere”, after all? Then again, we do have Moon Unit and Dweezil. Zappa’s oldest daughter escaped being named Motörhead when Mom objected, so they decided on something more normal....Diva Muffin. |
Interesting discussion about Armenian and other ethnic musics; thanks for that. For me personally some of the posted music strikes me as “ethnic-lite” with the use of modern electronic instruments (non-traditional) and an overall “World Music” vibe; kind of what Smooth Jazz is to Straight Ahead jazz. Just a personal feeling/preference. Traditional Armenian folk music is particularly insteresting. As Inna alluded, it is based on a tonal system very different from that of the European tradition which is what our ears are more accustomed to. It does not have the same and more familiar sense of tension/release that we are used to. This is a young Armenian artist who has been getting a lot of attention. Fantastic piano player and composer who brings those Armenian folk music roots to his compositions and playing with music that looks forward instead of backwards. Whatever one wants to call his music, this guy can play. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pVN36Ou4BUU https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-6R4kCQk6XA |
Inna, maybe I have Native American DNA somewhere in my roots, because I really connect with the music and words; but more likely it's the universality of the message, a longing for a connection to the creator, and nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRs2iq4rEFA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgoEcckBVeY Everything of this nature has been totally destroyed, and now they even destroy those who identify the masters of destruction of the human spirit. |
Orpheus10, you might indeed have American Indians' blood in you, or your predecessors had a lot of more than superficial contact with them. Memory is a very complex and in many ways unknown thing. There is a kind of memory called memories-in-feelings. This may be what you are experiencing when listening to them. In this case, you resonate because you remember, their music activates your emotional memories which might be hidden deeper in your mind. But not too deep to be totally inaccessible. |
Frogman, I never thought of it in the words that you used, but I think you are right - no tension/release in Armenian music. Different state, 'position'. And constant tension/sorrow/longing, I would say. I intentionally don't post purely ethnic music here, this would take us too far from the thread. I don't even post traditional flamenco, which I am fond of. Mongolian throat singing, anyone ? No thank you, not for me, but it is interesting. |
But I will make one exception. He is very famous, plays a few instruments, leads a group, plays with different musicians from various musical traditions, tours the world, teaches theory. He is very traditional but he sometimes takes the tradition further. Not of course exactly, but in some way he is kind of Iranian McLaughlin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y034jkNTYgo |
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Inna, I have had that same theory for a very long time. I have memories of places that I've never been, and I recognize those memories in paintings, and to make things really weird, one of those places isn't even in this country, yet I have a memory of being there. I must admit, this memory was strongest when I was a child. We inherit much more than we realize; I have pictures of my fathers mother, my grandmother that I can barely remember, who has Native American blood, according to her features. Since everyone is dead, I can't trace ancestry. Who we are, goes back to long before we were born; I think it explains what can be a strong attraction to music from foreign countries. |
inna, Hossein Alizadeh plays that instrument extremely well. However the music he plays with it is not my cup of tea. You mentioned John McLaughlin. I know John experimented into this "international jazz" music in the 70's. I've listened to the Shakti music and was also disappointed in most of the material. I much rather prefer traditional American jazz/rock/blues fusion. Not that I'm not opened minded, which I am. You also mentioned Flamenco which I enjoy immensely and have at least 2 dozen pure Flamenco albums in my inventory. I prefer the Spanish influence more then Middle Eastern/far east/India influences. One of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C97H_HvBjPA |