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.
Before the personnel of the Second Great Quintet was set with Wayne Shorter chosen for the tenor slot, Miles tried a few different tenor players including Sonny Stitt, George Coleman and Sam Rivers. The story goes that Herbie and Tony Williams disliked Coleman because he tended to have his solos “worked out” ahead of time. Not spontaneous enough for them. They also disliked Rivers for being “too free”. The opposite of Coleman. Shorter was unquestionably the right choice, but “too free” or not, the quintet with Rivers recorded some of the greatest Jazz ever, imo.
I really enjoyed Tom’s "Labyrinth" disc. Anything with Kenny Werner, I am there!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
About ten years ago, my wife and I were lucky to catch Werner’s trio in a very intimate venue. Even better, we were able to remain for the 2nd set, as it had not been sold out.
Besides playing and teaching, Werner also wrote a very interesting book on the psychological issues confronting performing musicians.
I was gonna make a post here about the great drummer Chick Webb but after seeing @alexatpos and @frogman’s post...Funny how things work out sometimes...
Man, thank you both for the in-depth posts. I only remembered how people described him. Pre-hippie was spot on. The guy was ’mystical’ way before it was cool. I’ve often described the song version done by Nat King Cole the most ’ethereal’ song I’ve ever heard and it has the same effect on me when I here it. It’s as if the musical collaboration(s) version of the NKC recording has a ’Vibe’ (vibration) that causes a response in me that is always the same. As the song has never got old to me. My Pops was a BIG NKC fan. Here is a George Benson version.
It’s the historic all-star reunion concert that resurrected Blue Note back from the ashes in 1985. The show includes a very young Stanley Jordan, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Reggie Workman, Grady Tate, Stanley Turrentine and many many more.
This 2003 DVD is a definite keeper. However, it’s also on YouTube.
I have posted cuts from this record a few times previously. Apology for the possible repetition, but this record just kills me. It is records like this that set such a high standard of modern Jazz musicianship that I can listen to it countless times without missing “variety” or “newness”. There is so much to be discovered with every listening.
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