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.
orpheus10 I was more confused that the mayor liked "Salt Song" better then the live album which was originally released by CTI as a double LP in 1973 and reissued as volumes one and two on CD numerous times.
I have both live sets(on 2 Japanese RM - RE) releases and I think the music is fantastic. Here is the personnel on the recordings.
Freddie Hubbard trumpet
Stanley Turrentine tenor sax
Herbie Hancock piano
Eric Gale guitar
Ron Carter bass
Eric De Johnette drums
You have already listed the personnel on Salt Song which is very extensive compered to the 6 man lineup on the live set. Here are reviews I found for both the live album and Salt Song:
Live Album:
Scott Yanow of Allmusic stated "This LP pairs trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and tenor-saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, two very individual players who always brought out the best in each other. They stretch out on long versions of "Povo" and "Gibraltar" that clock in around 19 minutes apiece. The backup rhythm section (guitarist Eric Gale, keyboardist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Jack DeJohnette) is a major asset and inspires the two horns to play reasonably creative solos."
Syd Fablo of Rock Salted wrote "A really, really good — if strangely overlooked — live jazz fusion album, comparable to Cannonball Adderley‘s The Black Messiah and Donald Byrd‘s Ethiopian Knights, which is to say this is not formally or stylistically innovative but everybody involved delivers superb performances with a focus on warmth and heart. There also is an equally good Volume Two, on which Herbie Hancock shares top billing — strangely, because he plays on both volumes, but also not so strangely given the commonalities this music shares with his own Mwandishi group. As fusion was starting to drift into bland mediocrity, this is something else entirely, a vibrant, energetic and likable rock-inflected electric jazz performance that sidesteps the sort of pandering that usually goes hand-in-hand with fusion from this point onward. There are overt signs of structure, and efforts to make the performances sound proper and professional, but there is always a hint of something unruly and dangerous lurking behind every note. It is that sense of double meaning that makes this more than just a funky good time (which it also is)."[3]
Salt Song:
The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 4 stars and states "it’s another fine, eclectic outing that falls squarely into the signature CTI fusion sound: smooth but not slick, accessible but not simplistic... All in all, Salt Song has dated well, partly because the arrangements don’t overemphasize electric piano, but mostly on the strength of Turrentine’s always-soulful playing".[2]
I agree with the two reviews of the live album, because owning it, I have listened to it to many times to count.
"Salt Song" gets 4 stars but I do not have that album so I cannot compliment on it. Suffice to say if Orpheus10 says its a good album I will listen to all of the songs on it via You Tube and decide for myself.
BTW, I am a big fan of Turrentine and own 24 of his recording sessions on CD including "Sugar" which I believe Creed Taylor (CTI) put together. "Sugar" is definitely a 5 star session, IMHO.
Wiki indicates this was a school for poor folks, but I think they got it wrong. I guess they are just used to Poor and Black appearing in the same sentence. I always thought of it as being an exclusive school. I knew one of my sister's best friends who went there, and I always thought it was because her parents had money. She later married B.B. King.
Big Band Charlie Mingus -- LIVE AT THE T.B.B. PARIS
Both include many big time players. One of course, is mostly Latin Tunes. Mingus had a thing for Mexico. In fact he died there while receiving medical treatment.
orpheus10The saxophonist on the Mingus big band cut you posted was Seamus Blake, one of the new younger artists that I posted recently. Here is something elsehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoFB1G05z1I
rok" the International sweethearts of rhythm" was a nice little slice of jazz history. The person who posted the video seems to indicate there were numerous all-female bands back at that time . Did Ken Burns forget to cover them in his PBS Jazz series? Or did I just miss that segment. I am guessing that these ladies got together out of necessity as none of them were probably offered positions in the male-dominated Bands of that era.
Track listing "Gibraltar" "I Told Jesus" "Salt Song" "I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do" "Storm" "Vera Cruz"
Recorded on July 7 & 13 (tracks 1-5) and April 23, 1971
Personnel Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone Eumir Deodato - electric piano, arranger, conductor Ron Carter - bass Airto Moreira - drums, percussion Horace Parlan, Richard Tee - piano, electric piano, organ (tracks 1-5) Eric Gale - electric guitar (tracks 1-5) Billy Cobham - drums (tracks 1-5) Julius Brand, Paul Gershman, Julius Held, Leo Kahn, Harry Katzman, Joe Malin - violin (tracks 2-5) Harold Coletta - viola (tracks 2-5) Charles McCracken, Alan Shulman - cello (tracks 2-5) Hubert Laws, George Marge, Romeo Penque, Jerome Richardson - flute (track 6) Sivuca - guitar (track 6) Russell George - bass (track 6) Joao Palma, Dom Um Romão - drums, percussion (track 6) Margaret Branch, Brenda Bryant, Patsy Smith - vocals (tracks 2 & 5)
Mayor, the title of this thread is "Jazz For Aficionados". According to Webster, an Aficionado is a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime. "aficionados of the finest wines", or the best jazz; think of "connoisseur".
Since you were never issued an official "aficionado card", I don't have to pull it.
With all due respect, you're evaluation of that gem is proof positive that you do not meet the requirements of a "Jazz Aficionado", but with enough effort, you may one day be qualified.
Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Harry Edison -- LAUGHIN' TO KEEP FROM CRYING
My kind of Trumpet players! Lester plays clarinet. Excellent, if tiny, liner notes. Didn't say to what Benny the salute was intended. Lester died the following year.
Way back in the days of "Fusion", I recall listening to the music with a tobacco specialist, and he brought his unique blend of Turkish and domestic that we smoked while listening to the music.
When I gazed at the album cover of "Sextant", I could see the natives moving to the rhythms of the music; that music doesn't sound quite as good now, I wonder why not?
I never got into the fusion craze. But I did go for Soul Jazz is a big way. Acman3 is posting some good stuff in that area. I will post some of my favorites.
Fusion is a genre that sounded so different when it was new, and I had never heard it before. I can still recall buying and listening to "Sextant" by Herbie Hancock; "Weather Report" and probably something by Chic Corea.
I try to go back to that time, which was around 1973; keep in mind that I had never heard any of this music before; it took me to the seventh galaxy, but that's the way it is when things are new and fresh. See if you can take this time travel trip with me?
Here's another tune that takes you places, "Stolen moments is where people won't bind us to the hands of time; we can just linger in precious moments that we spent 30 years ago forever, and no one will find us"
When you hear the greatest jazz tunes, you don't just hear music, they involve you emotionally. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a good example; while it's infinitely sad, it still swings.
Great tune and performance. Written in honor of the great Lester Young. One of the most respected and beloved figures in Jazz. His life and death had a great impact on Jazz. Those of you with sharp eyes would have noticed that the tenor player on the International Sweethearts of Rhythm clip, held her sax the same way as Young. All being from Mississippi. Influence indeed.
Pepper Adams is someone who has been a featured sideman on many of the best albums we've submitted but we haven't talked about him much. His photograph also appears in Nica's book "Three Wishes".
The lengthy article somehow fails to mention that these babes were from Mississippi. My Aunt gave me a photo of them signed by some of the players. She knew them. I treasure that photo.
This is true. The 'danger' in outsiders playing the blues is that you have to understand the 'double entendre' that are very common in the blues. If a phrase sounds silly, think sex!
*****
This is the only time when a band honoring another musician really succeeded.*****
The larger the original group the more likely it can continue after the creator has passed on. The Ellington and Basie Bands come to mind. But I agree these folks do a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of Mingus.
This is true because they are often honoring a composer. Playing his music, rather than trying to play like the person.
Now, if someone wanted to honor Miles or Trane, getting a rhythm section together would be possible, but who would be Miles / Trane?
acman3 enjoyed the Masada book of Angel cuts. My one Masada CD "Eight" never received much play time but I like this group lineup and songs you posted. Might buy.
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