Each and every instrument, piano, brass, woodwind, guitar by the same manufacturer sounds different than another; although, same model instruments will have similar family traits. Sometimes the difference is very subtle and sometimes it is very obvious and every possible degree in between. The difference is “felt” as well as heard by the player and may or may not be obvious to the listener depending on hearing acuity. Top players often go to the manufacturer (by invitation) and try many instruments in order to find THE ONE for he/she. The differences are due to differences in the composition of the metal in the case of brass instruments (including saxophones) and the craftsmanship that went into the construction of the particular instrument as well as differences in the actual design of different model instruments from the same manufacturer. Brass needs to be burnished with special tools in order to achieve the right “ring”. Inexpensive instruments are made from parts stamped out by machines without the final hand finishing and will sound very similar....bad. With woodwinds...think about it and all the potential differences in the grain of the particular piece of exotic wood as well as other natural differences in wood. Its all mainly about resonance and the differences in resonance. It is highly unlikely that two of anything will resonate the same way. But, rest assured that the differences are very real and can be very audible and important to a player if not necessarily to the listener.
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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Speaking Of Master Showman, check the end of this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwLABSm0yYc Interesting Bolero and Orchestra. Not exactly Royal Concertgebouw, but wiki says he is worth around 44 million. I doubt if anyone playing for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is. Cheers |
Frogman, saw documentary on tv, from Steinway factory (in lack of better term, as they are made by hand) and aldo the pianos are all made by same people with same material, they sound different, so man can choose one that suits him best. They have a large hall where the pianos can be tried before purchase. Fascinating stuff, but it seems that they (Steinway co.) are worried about the future. What about brass instruments, do they sound different ? (if made by same producer) Keegiam, when posting, try to find the clip you are talking about on ytube and than share it here. Its much easier to hear it that way |
You always do ac . This old girl may have a few miles on her , but her engine is hitting on all cylinders !Boys in the band have good tires too . https://youtu.be/OOtUIMrJUyc?t=6 |
He is a showman, but I like his stuff. The singers at 2:30 didn't seem to fit the song. Sort of like most drum solos in Jazz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1mQT1u_45I Cheers |
To start with , the boys in Vienna would be surprised to know their mighty Bosendorfer’s have a German sound . Also it is a well known fact(by me) that God , the creator of music, has a special hour every day of the week during which great composers born in Austria or who spent most of their career there , to the mighty B factory fly, to infuse their soul into the present products before they leave the factory. Boys take turns and all , but normal seven are Beethoven, Bruckner, Haydn,Korngold ,Mahler , Schubert and Mozart. Back up is Brahms . P.S . yes indeed, that little opening is both lovely and very apt to the piece . |
An acquaintance who is shopping for a piano (not in this price range!) sent me this last night. You may find it interesting. Obviously not definitive, but interesting nonetheless and I definitely have a preference. https://youtu.be/mrB8IthgoRQ |
Schubert, Galliano is undoubtedly a great artist. How can one ever argue with “just plain pretty”?. Very pretty rendition of the tune. Loved it! Thanks. I loved how they crept into the melody by first just hinting at it before making a full statement of it. Beautiful! And, what a fantastic and interesting example of the meeting of cultures: A tune composed by a Hungarian which became an American Jazz standard, as performed by a French man born to Italian parents and played with a Cuban cha-cha beat! Wonderful. |
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In the Bible, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, where he, by God's grace, is raised to a position where he is able to save his family. I have often wondered if God would again use evil to move Africans out of the African continent to other locations for His good. In other scripture, God tells Abraham "Four generation later, your decendants will return here and take this land, because only then will the people who live here be so sinful they deserve to be punished . What do you think this means for the U.S.? Are we reaping what we sow? |
I simply love this version of my favorite standard . Nothing wrong with just plain pretty . To my hears Galliano is a great artist . https://youtu.be/9hjMisX997Y |
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Keegiam, you are not the only one who thinks that such post is out of the place, but, the Rok has a history of such expressions, its better not to take him serious. If we would react on every such move, this place would soon end up beeing a place where we discuss jazz music. There is a good example about it, just few pages earlier. So, it can be sad, that perhaps we got used to it, which of course does not excuses us, but its perhaps a lesser evil in comparation to likely desintegration of forum in case we start to answer to each other on every such sentence that we might object. Since there are just a few people writing here anyway (there are lots more views, but no actual responses or contributions) maybe it is a wise thing to do.Personally, part of me sometimes screams with a wish to say few things, but I am quite sure that it could be also very easily taken as offense by someone, but to what point? Pick your battles where it make sense to fight them... |
@nsp Ideally, this would be a forum to discuss jazz and jazz only. But would you remain silent when someone posts this stuff? I can't, and no one who gets jazz should either. <<Slavery was the best thing that ever happened to Black folks.(got them out of Africa) (a green card was not an option in the 1600’s.)>> <<Jim Crow was the second best thing that ever happened to Black folks.>> What's disappointing is that I've been the only one to call Rok out on this post. How can this be? Get rid of the blinders and stop pretending nothing's wrong. |
Thanks for the Larry Young clips, nsp. Great stuff. I agree with your assessment of the various stages of his career. Nice organ sound on this early stuff; very “church”. Another favorite organist. Just plain fun rendition of this classic tune: https://youtu.be/H2R3o35fA14 |
I knew Wynton played Classical, did not know he composed it also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTsAkAHMvf4 Cheers |
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frogman Larry Young had a short life and career. I have everything he recorded on Blue Note records, pretty much his best output. He was the first guy who comes to mind who broke out of the Jimmy Smith method of playing organ. also participated ontwo cuts of Bitches Brew. unfortunately his later output after 1970 was not up to the same standards mostly commercial output, something he was probably pressured to do by the record company issuing the music.I'm featuring several cuts from earlier Larry Young when he recorded for Prestige or the new Jazz label .Some solid Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjK76JXf9vs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRqJ70umXpE |
Forum etiquette; IMO. The idea that, for reasons mentioned and sadly borne out many times previously, it is best to keep discussion to the stated topic of the thread seems to be a hopeless cause here. I do hope I am wrong about that. One specific piece of etiquette that, if observed, would help prevent things from getting out of control even further than they often do is the idea that any comment or music (!!!!!) posted is fair game for anyone to comment on. Sure, anyone can address another contributor specifically, but not exclusively. Seems to me that this why there is private messaging. It also seems to me that the purpose of wanting that kind of exclusivity in a PUBLIC forum is to, not only keep the dialogue exclusive, but to also make sure that everyone else views it without having the benefit of participating. Not cool. |
@rok2id <<Slavery was the best thing that ever happened to Black folks. (got them out of Africa) (a green card was not an option in the 1600’s.)>> <<Jim Crow was the second best thing that ever happened to Black folks.>> Rok, unfortunately your words remind me of the Nazi flyers left on our front porch when I was a kid. The depressing thing is that you'll never get it - as so many Americans never will. The USA is doomed to never-ending racial strife. It will be a big part of our downfall. O10, it would be a pleasure to meet and share observations. But this is the web. Just let it be known we're "in tune." |
Hey frog, yes I certainly saw your answer to Children Song #1, so thanks for that. I have "Crystal Silence" but have not listened to it in years* -- maybe that was the familiarity? I need to check out your other references. And thanks for the greeting as well. pjw, I also need to take some time with your Baker links, so thanks for those too. Getting settled into my new home is taking longer than expected. I've still not set up my music system! Plus other references here have been coming fast and furious here lately. Thanks to all. As the song goes, "I'm Over My Head"!! * Before moving I sold a little over 2,500 LPs to a local audio store. That included a lot of good jazz. But at my age how much will I still have time to listen to? I did move over 1K LPs, including a few hundred jazz favorites, so hope to begin enjoying those soon, |
orpheus10 I admire your concern and compassion for others and your concern about societal issues and political problems. To be quite honest I come to this forum not to discuss politics but to get away from it. Schubert had some good comments but I'll leave it at that.I think change is possible but the will of the people has to be strong. I also feel this is for the Young who should get involved because they shall inherit this mess. at this stage of your life you should be looking for peace of mind and I know that's not always easy ,but that's my advice. |
"Being poor, lack of finances, does not make you a killer." Rok, when I was a kid, that statement was true; being poor meant that you lived in a crappy house, and didn't have the best clothes; but on this year of 2019, poverty in the wrong place can be a death sentence. If the Gods picked any number of hard core poverty stricken inner city Ghettos; including Frogman's New York City, poverty can be a death sentence; kill or be killed. But just like in Chicago, those who live on the Gold Coast couldn't care less about those who live in less fortunate parts of the city. Every man for himself and God for us all; but when ever you get through, every him or her is going to do whatever it takes to survive one more day. |
Great posts, nsp. Excellent points and well laid out. Your observation about the pressure that artists put on themselves is exactly right. Musicians are their own toughest critics. All this brings to mind a quote often repeated by musicians: “If I don’t practice for one day, I know it, two days and the critics know it, three days and the audience knows it”. |
orpheus10 Charles Mingus always got the best out of his side men that is what made him such a great leader. Debating whether someone has a better Jazz performance as a leader or sideman could be endless. I'm sure we could all come up with instances of great performances in both. Seems like an exercise in futility. |
frogmanSpeaking of players who sound better as leaders I'll refer you back to a you posting of yours of the first meeting between Stan Getz and Bill Evans recorded on Verve. this album was not released till after Stan Getz died in the early 90s. I am quoting this information from his biography that I am currently reading. The author stated that both Stan and Evans privately stated they where not happy with their playing and did not want the music issued. getz had veto power so the session was issued without his permission after he died. the author said Stan played like his usual self but Evans was tentative possibly due to the Rhythm Section. I had listened to several cuts prior to reading this and enjoyed them but went back to listen to the album after reading this and I could hear that Evans did play tentatively not spinning out his usual lyrical lines. I think there are three interesting points of observation:1) the pressures that artist(s) put upon themselves to achieve a higher level of playing. And the fact that two great artists were getting together they both expected great music to be produced.2) although they may not have been at the top of their game we both enjoyed the pairing and the music produced despite the fact that they may not have raised each other to a higher level.3) the session was produced by Creed Taylor. He also included coltrane's drummer and 2 bass players ,Ron Carter and Richard Davis at different sessions and maybe thought the pairing of thesegiants would be a super session. Although well-intentioned it may not have worked out that way. |
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what I would do is make curing ,as much as we can ,now seems about 60% , of traumatic suffering children THE # 1 job of the nation no matter what***** Excellent point. I would say that the vast majority of children born and raised in inner-city America are victims of child abuse. It approaches 100%. Either physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or all of the above. This explains the conduct more than anything else. Being poor, lack of finances, does not make you a killer. Being Poor in a spiritual sense, morality and humanity can. That's where they are poverty stricken. Cheers |
Liberia: The President of the country of Liberia said during an interview on a European news broadcast " Liberia never had the ADVANTAGE of being a European Colony". President Ellen Johnson. Harvard Educated. She was attempting to explain the long running civil war and poor economic development. Talk about food for thought. Cheers |
That’s true mary jo.,Humans who have suffered a lot tend to inflict on others what they have gone through to give some meaning to their suffering . In Germany a few years ago a law that medical interns can not work over12 hours a day or 60 hours a week was passed .Why? Because they were making too many mistakes to include death . German Doc’s were bitter over that and most wanted interns to work the 24 hours shifts they had to. You could 20x that in Liberia ! If mankind was not basically peaceful we would all be dead by age 20 . rok, what I would do is make curing ,as much as we can ,now seems about 60% , of traumatic suffering children THE # 1 job of the nation no matter what . FYI, the initial studies (21,000) were largely white middle class . As a soldier you know Napoleon said a lot of things , some were even true . My favorite is "There are no bad soldiers , just bad Generals" . Apt for many things in society . Your answer on the Krurds was brilliant and worthy of a great Staff S-3 !I say brilliant because that is EXACTLY what my old E-8 brain thought as well . Leaves bad taste in my mouth .The one thing I am most proud of was I led from the front and never left anybody behind . |
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**** Kindness is definitely not sine qua non in just every case.**** Of course not and I don’t disagree at all with what you say, mary_jo; there is a limit to everything. However, my comment referred to a person’s reaction to simple and honest disagreement and a suggestion for a better way to interact following the disagreement. The subsequent response to an extremely negative or abusive reaction to the disagreement is a different matter. Although, it is also true that the provocative comment is sometimes made simply to “stir the pot” and illicit a reaction (loneliness and boredom can be a b!tch). In that case the best reaction is no reaction at all and to leave the small minded provocateur “hanging”. |
p.s.2 "I think the key is to use the disagreement as a way to have better understanding instead of immediately jumping to “the dark side” and shutting down the dialogue; or worse...far worse. Regards." fro, I watched yesterday a reality show. A woman reacted on man's bad behaviour with extreme politeness. She showed understanding, tolerance, kindness. But you know, my point is, that now and then one has just to 'jump to the dark side' and say 'shut the f*** up' or throw something (a plate or similar :---)) in the right direction :--) Kindness is definitely not sine qua non in just every case. |
p.s.1 "Does anybody remember Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert? They were two of the best movie critics; while they differed a lot, when they were in agreement, it was time to buy some movie tickets." :-----) lol, if you by any chance spot some of the ancient review resemblances, please inform me about the movie title... |