Do not worry orph, I have almost nothing under my control. But things will be just fine. I thank you for the beautiful song.
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.
31,723 responses Add your response
mary_ jo Your Pepper "You Go To My Head" would not play on my PC or Ipad so I have posted this version (not sure if it was your pick) that I have always liked. I remember reading Pepper's bio where he stated somewhere in the book that a great jazz musician had to have musical knowledge, technique ( ability to play the instrument of choice) and ability to convey emotion. He certainly had all 3, especially the emotional part. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9KKR66FiBLU |
acman3 xlent vid posts by early Weather Report , especially the second one. It had a "Bitches Brew " feel to it with great interplay .They had two excellent free jazz musicians on this date , John Surman and Alan Skidmore.This represents jazz fusion experimentation at it's best. This was Weather Report's best period IMHO, before J Z AND Jaco took over and somehow Wayne's contribution disappeared and they commercialized the music as time went on. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=76KbasbPm9Q |
orpheus10 My thoughts and prayers go out to you, think positive. Let the music ease your soul. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E57SMan1-uA |
What would a thread be without its OP? As nsp suggests, the power of positive thinking is not to be underestimated. Some tunes become a type of anthem for instrumentalists. Among tenor players and within the tenor saxophone world ”Invitation” is one of those tunes; up there with “Body and Soul” as ultimate vehicles for players to demonstrate their true musical mettle. The reasons that certain tunes achieve this status is not only that they are great tunes in their own right, but also because they often “lay” really well on the instrument and there has often been an important recording of it by one of the great players on the instrument. The importance of Coleman Hawkin’s famous recording of “Body and Soul” is well known. Coltrane’s “Invitation” has been the standard setter for contemporary (post-Coltrane) tenor players. Great tune! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xC6wo9Jqey0 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oqB-sz2SBsg https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F-el0Sblhsg |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxbaEOEqUQ0 Lyrics for Invitation sung by Dinah Washington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp1yvSBq5I You and your smile Hold a strange invitation Somehow it seems We've shared our dreams But where? Time after time In a room full of strangers Out of the blue Suddenly you are there Wherever I go You're the glow of temptation Glancing my way In the gray of the dawn And always your eyes Smile that strange invitation When you are gone Where oh, where have you gone? How long must I stay In a world of illusion? Be where you are So near yet so far apart Hoping you'll say With a warm invitation Where have you been? Darling, come in into my heart Wherever I go You're the glow of temptation Glancing my way In the gray of the dawn And always your eyes Smile that strange invitation When you are gone Where oh, where have you gone? How long must I stay In a world of illusion? Be where you are So near yet so far apart Hoping you'll say With a warm invitation Where have you been? Darling, come in into my heart Without a doubt, Dinah Washington sings the best version of this song. While others may have more beautiful voices, this song is about mystery and "drama", which Dinah's voice adds. Picture yourself in a lounge, alone in a roomful of strangers, and there is a striking lady about four stools down, wearing a big black floppy hat that adds to her mystery. You glance at her to confirm her aura. Then you catch her glancing at you. Shortly after that, she leaves; leaving you with her aura, and the desire to see her again. A week later, you are in the same lounge, on the same bar stool, and again she's about four or five bar stools down; this time the big floppy hat is straw. Sneaky guy that you are, you decide to get a good look at her in the mirror behind the bar; low and behold, that's where your eyes meet, and she smiles, the hide and peak game is over. There is no doubt in my mind that Dinah actually lived this scene by the way she sings the song, plus the fact that she lived life with all the zest a nice lady could manage. Mary J., I don't know how to recreate this scene for you, other than to make you the striking lady wearing the big black floppy hat. |
Thanks so much 0-10, made my day. All our souls will fly away sometime , my time is not far away and all I will get for a send-off is the Army’s dog ,"Caissons Go Rolling Along" .Marines and Sailors do a lot better as "Marines Hymn" and "Anchors Away"are both quite stirring . But, truth be told my friend, you get the best of the bunch , "The Wild Blue Yonder " played by the Magnificent USAF Band ! |
One of my "go to discs" Krupa and Rich: Krupa and Rich and look at the other players! On this CD reissue, drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich only actually play together on one of the seven songs, a lengthy rendition of "Bernie's Tune" that has a six-minute "drum battle." Krupa and Rich do perform two songs apiece with a remarkable all-star band consisting of trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge, tenors Illinois Jacquet and Flip Phillips, pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, and bassist Ray Brown. Each of the principals get some solo space, giving this release more variety than one might expect. In addition there are two bonus cuts from a Buddy Rich date that feature the drummer with trumpeters Thad Jones and Joe Newman, tenors Ben Webster and Frank Wess, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and rhythm guitarist Freddie Green. Excellent music overall if not quite essential https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e75c21Nfav0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnyRUIgOKLA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be0kO8aJ6B8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoCuRJzhpLA |
Great clips, pjw; and nice description of the record. “The Monster” swings like mad. Two of the fathers of modern drumming! Krupa was the first drummer to be featured with extended solos in a band. His solo on Benny Goodman’s swing era mega hit “Sing Sing Sing” is a classic. He and Rich, and music from that era, are definitely deserving of much more attention here, imo; and I have always felt that it is unfortunate that the swing era has gotten short shrift. It would put bop and post bop in a much better perspective. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fhyhP_5VfKM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJ4dpNal_k |
Diane Schuur is an artist that I don't think we've covered; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6DwEGPuyBs This is another one of my favorite songs; there are so many beautiful versions, I like them all; this is my favorite instrumental version; I think, but you may come up with something better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2_dTssW_eU The songs that get recorded the most have a life of their own, and "Speak low" is such a song; let us examine the lyrics; Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief Speak low when you speak love Our summer's day withers away too soon, too soon Speak low when you speak love Our moment is swift like ships adrift Swept apart too soon Speak low, darling speak low Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near Tomorrow is here and always too soon Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief We're late, darling, we're late The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon I wait, oh darling, I wait Will you speak low to me, Speak love to me And soon Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief We're late, darling, we're late The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon I wait, darling, I wait Will you speak low to me, Speak love to me And soon And soon Speak low, speak low Speak low, speak low That is life; "Love is pure gold and time is a thief"; don't waste it. "The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon"; no matter how long it lasts, the curtain descends, and everything ends too soon. I cherish all the songs that played as the background to the movie of my life. |
orpheus Thank for your warm and colorful stories and for assigning me the role of an elegant woman with a hat. But just to make you smile and all in good fun of course. ; ) |
There is often something indescribably right about the way that the composer him/her self delivers a song. Simple, direct and without any pretense nor concern about the listener judging the possibly limited vocal and/or self-accompanying ability. No attempt to jazzifize the song, but to simply let the essence of the song come through. Whether it’s the “best” rendition or not, I always find it very interesting and puts all others in a certain perspective. Beautiful song! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VgQJvNhuiAE A favorite: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2CwPnp2VCYM |
orpheus, I am not quite military type of the person but could not think of anything else that would be quite opposite to the flattering image of the elegant woman with a hat. ; ) However, this subject of women in army opens different subject of my interest. It is the case as rare as woman in army. Or I could be wrong? Women in jazz. Not women as singers but women as piano players, trombone players, guitar players, drummers... You're all welcome to post the suggestion. Thank you. |
Neither one of those versions are as good as this; even though Kurt Weill wrote it, he should never try to sing it in public; his version is totally out to lunch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiIb0TZbLOg let me post the words again; Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief Speak low when you speak love Our summer's day withers away too soon, too soon Speak low when you speak love Our moment is swift like ships adrift Swept apart too soon Speak low, darling speak low Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near Tomorrow is here and always too soon Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief We're late, darling, we're late The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon I wait, oh darling, I wait Will you speak low to me, Speak love to me And soon Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief We're late, darling, we're late The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon I wait, darling, I wait Will you speak low to me, Speak love to me And soon And soon Speak low, speak low Speak low, speak low That is life; "Love is pure gold and time is a thief"; no time to waste. "The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon"; no matter how long it lasts, the curtain descends, and everything ends too soon. The song itself speaks of "urgency"; the race against time. Carmen projects that urgency, while Ella's beautiful voice projects "romanticism"; this song is more about desperation to beat the clock; not a minute to waste, lets get it on and keep it going on until the curtain descends and everything ends. This is the rare case where the instrumental wins; the urgency in the words are best projected by Sonny Clark and crew; plus the couple listening to the music who know the words and understand the urgency of the situation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDd_0FuenDc |
Orpheus, Cal Tjader is an excellent vibraphone player that is often overlooked. My favorite disc of his is the Cal Tjader Stan Getz Sextet. It is from a 1958 recording session and features one of the earliest record dates for bassist Scott La Faro and drummer Billy Higgins. Here are a couple of songs from the session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALs8bfhB6B0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcI9pl17xm8 |
mary_jo, Rok posted a number of fantastic women in jazz; I'll try and recall them. I brought up a lady jazz pianist that we discussed at length; her name was Mary Lou Williams, and what made her so unusual was how she changed with the times. I thought she predated the music I was into, and didn't bother to investigate; was I ever wrong; Rok agreed. What we need is your evaluation; that's the one that counts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X4r5ZioIBw I find her interpretations unusual; take "It Ain't Necessarily So"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20kDIh3q928 |
frogman"Invitation" is perhaps my favorite standard tune. I love the version w/ strings which opened the movie posted by O10. I believe this song was featured in another movie from the same era but can't remember. the name. To me the song has a certain exotic feel with an air of mystery & longing. I had forgotten the versions you posted by Coltrane and Henderson. I own both of those lp's . both versions are stellar but for this listening session I enjoyed the Henderson version. These are 2 of my favorite versions http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3pvMy9OuOIw http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1f2gSQmD5h0 |
O-10, this is not a competition as you always insist on making it. Ella/Joe Pass “(not) as good as this”. Well, la-di-da! Kurt Weill, “out to lunch”!? You missed the point. A very important point and not at all unusual that you missed it. Once again, you unfortunately demonstrate that you often let your asessment of music be governed by factors other than its merit or points of interest. Unfortunate; especially coming from a “connoisseur”. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mn423hPa2bk. |
We sadly lost the great Geri Allen recently. One of the most important women in jazz of recent times: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f6qS05TZmME In a trio setting with two other prominent current women of jazz: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=INcuvX6oudA |
No frogman,it is you who missed the point; Kurt Weils couldn't sing if his life depended on it, he should stick to writing. Of course we know Ella can sing, but in my opinion, that song, according to the words should convey the urgent desperation to out race time and the descending curtain; it should convey passion and the need to fill available time with wild romance and love; which Carmen's does; while Ella's conveys beauty; beauty is not a substitute for passion. All the words to that song convey love, passion, and time; "time is a thief"; the curtain will descend, and everything ends, all too soon. Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief. The couple staring across the table and looking into each others eyes, while listening to Sonny Clark's music, who knew the words, got the message that "Love is pure gold and time is a thief". Life was for those who lived it, not for those who watched others live it. Another case of a great diva who missed the message was "lady Day"; she sang a song the wrong way that someone else chose at the last minute, and she was very angry about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgK3vi4rMw This is the way it should have been sung; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf27yA20OhU You tell me why Lorez sang it the way it should have been sung, and Billy didn't; not my words in regard to the song but "Billie Holiday's". |
Two more nice versions of the great tune, nsp. Thanks for those. I know the Milt Jackson version well, but had not heard the Clarke/Boland. The Boland/Clarke big band has always been one of my favorite big bands, but had never heard their sextet recordings. Always appreciate hearing new pieces of the puzzle. Here’s an interesting version. I don’t like to post things that I don’t particularly like. What’s the point, right? Well, I find this version interesting for a few reasons even though I’m very mixed in how I feel about it. First, I love Stan Getz. I think he was one of the most beautiful tenor players ever with an amazing sense of melodism and I am interested in anything he recorded. This recording has always driven me a bit mad. The rhythm section, especially the piano player Albert Daily plays in a way that to my ears just doesn’t complement Stan’s fairly traditional style. The piano underpinnings are very modern in approach; very much like the way McCoy Tyner (with Trane) would play and creates a stylistic clash to my ears. Taken on its own, Stan’s playing is brilliant as always. What’s your take on this? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tajiSHADer8 |
Mars and Venus, O-10 and I’m ok with that. If interested in another shot at getting my point, please reread my post; but, since you’re so hell bent on shooting down any point I might be making it would probably be pointless. I would, however, gently remind you of Rule No.5 from “Rules For Aficionados”......Unfortunately, it seems the guard checking at the door is on lunch break 😊 Inspired by mary_jo, time for a little levity: Q: How can one tell if the floor of the stage is level? A: The viola player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth. 😊 |
This is absolutely incredible; not because it's John Coltrane blowing, but because it's so "seductive"; this music makes the object of the music (the lady with the big black floppy hat) absolutely irresistible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8eYVN8hAlU Songs tell stories, or incite emotions; Billie Holiday was a master at both. |
What else can you say? That’s an easy one. How about that you’ll stop with the provocative and insulting comments that start these stupid arguments. Or is this another one of the “most stupid, ludicrous, and ridiculous statements” that I have written here? Have you any idea how childish and disrespectful you come across? All because you feel insecure and feel your mantle is threatened. You know, I have an old dog (a great dog) and he learns new tricks all the time. |
Frogman, I never have, nor ever will be about shooting down every point you make; I'm about the song, and the music when it coincides with the song. Take this version of in a sentimental mood, it captures the emotion of the song more than any vocal; while I'm not always right, I think I am; that's because I've spent my entire life listening to this music, and absorbing the "aura" of each song. Now we both know that can't be true, but in my mind it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwweLcoHqNQ |
Rok, here is a very early Mingus I've been perusing that I don't recall posting, and I was wandering if you had it? This music and poetry connects with me personally, but it's not for everyone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdQuL1Vyy04 |
O-10, first, the name is Kurt Weill, not Weils; one of the most important figures in music in the 20th centur and whose influence continues into the present. The point I made was perfectly clear. I’m sorry you could not understand it. Also clear was that the point wasn’t really about Weill per se; you made it about Weill. You see, here we have yet another example of how unfortunate it is that you choose to approach a potentially interesting discussion the way that you do. Your approach erodes any interest (speaking for myself) in further clarification or expounding because history has shown that more times than not your follow up question is nothing but a setup. Very unfortunate. If you truly are interested in understanding you can try rereading my post. If that still doesn’t do it for you and you would like some clarification from me try a different approach. Otherwise, as I said, I believe my point was very clear. One of Kurt Weill’s most beautiful songs and a favorite: https://youtu.be/5dCcGorrT0Q |
Today’s Listen: Count Basie & His Atomic Band -- COMPLETE LIVE AT THE CRESCENDO 1958 Five CD box set. Sound quality is great. In the same class as ’100 best jazz recordings of the 50’s’. Ain’t got it, git it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR1bRtvwEzI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv4E90UVHjs Nice booklet with pictures and history. Questions to The Frogman: Was Neal Hefti, Basie’s ’Strayhorn’? Cheers |
O-10, no, spelled it twice as Weils. Seems to me that the name of a composer of his stature deserves correct spelling. Two more great Weill songs. Sarah sings with arrangement by the great Nelson Riddle. Clifford Brown on trumpet sounds wonderful. Herbie Mann’s flute solo follows Clifford and while that would always be a tough act to follow it confirms for me why I’ve always felt he was one of the most overrated famous players. Still, beautiful rendition: https://youtu.be/otPzP4YYFpE And, of course: https://youtu.be/S-lHrDPjGfQ |
Gotta Love It .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx6AwHyp1X4
Cheers |
Jarreau, Hendricks, and Elling; three guys entertaining and having fun, what is there not to like? Mingus always was unusual; he was someone who they didn't know what to make of in 57, but I liked him anyway. I noticed your jazz queen of Croatia didn't comment on Mary Lou, but that wasn't surprising; taking all things into consideration she couldn't be expected to appreciate the blues. I had forgotten how special Mary Lou was, but I know you appreciated her; she played the blues different from everybody else. Have you ever looked at those lights gleaming down the railroad tracks in the black of night; that's a lonely sight, it reminds me of the blues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw-V_raPJEE |
Here's another special pianist for both of us. I don't know why it's so hard for some people to realize that their music might be the best in the world, but I don't think some of it is squat. I don't think 99 and 9/10ths of the music that's presented on "audiogon" is squat; so what? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyNL4T7JBpg |