The Electrifying Eddie Harris
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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Some of Chet Bakers finest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJF7M6f8XbY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwDSDy7gLr0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwDSDy7gLr0 I think Chet sounded better after he changed his embouchure due to his teeth getting knocked out |
More on the "Jazz Lab" I found the complete sessions box set on CD but its rather pricey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGQ2QCM/?coliid=I1WASKOPWRQVOI&colid=2MJEFFF7AFXNS&psc=0&re... The above includes the live at Newport recordings which I have read are of very poor sound quality. I will be buying the individual studio albums volumes 1 through 4 which can be readily be found for 10 - 15 dollars each. |
nsp and frogman I have 2 Donald Byrd albums with a young Herbie Hancock. The aforementioned "Out Of This World" and another which Pepper Adams does not appear on titled "Free Form" The next Donald Byrd albums I plan on buying are the late 50’s "Jazz Laboratory" sessions featuring Donald Byrd and Gigi Gryce with a numerous cast of excellent supporting sidemen including Paul Chambers and Art Taylor among them. There are 4 or 5 discs of this incarnation currently circulating. https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-lab-mw0000889906 The "Jazz Lab" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkDkD9G4130 |
Great record from one of my favorite quintets. Pepper is great as always. This was not, in fact, Herbie’s recording debut. The record “Out Of This World” by the same group was recorded earlier the same year. It was released the same year while “Chant” wasn’t released until years later. An interesting footnote is that “Out Of This World” was billed as being by the Pepper Adams/Donald Byrd Quintet. The same quintet subsequently recorded as the Donald Byrd Quintet with Pepper Adams listed as sideman along with Herbie and others. Would love to have been a fly on the wall in the room that day 🤨. Recommended! |
pjw Thanks just listen to The Impressions cut you posted. Wow. I'm buying it right away no hesitation.BTW I just saw a listing on Amazon for a new Donald Byrd album title "Chant" early 60s with pepper Adams and Herbie Hancock supposedly in his first album feature. the listing was for vinyl I didn't see CD available but I'll check it out and let you know |
nsp, "Getz at the gate" features predominately long songs and all of the musicians stretch out some nice solo's. Stan, being the leader, is showcased more. There is a nice surprise on track 5 disc 1 in which Stan steps back and lets the rythm section do a fine 12 minute rendition of the John Coltrane song "Impressions" Stan says they would play Miles Davis' "So What" but it is definitely the song "Impressions" as listed on the disc tracks. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ln36YA6_xM |
Here is Avishai playing electric bass with Jimmy Greene on sax. I have always liked Greene's playing and have a couple of his discs including a live one from Smalls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_317YOBfMZQ |
alex hope you have a great time. That band is tight. Cohen is a great bassist/arranger/composer and he seems to always have a really talented pianist and drummer on his studio albums and concerts. As nsp mentioned the drummer on that live concert was also really good. I like his drummer Mark Guiliana and pianist Sam Barsh the best of them all and have ordered the albums "Continuo" and "Gently Disturbed" Guiliana plays drums on both those sessions and Barsh plays piano on Continuo. |
pjwThat Stan Getz live Village Gate recording is definitely an excellent addition to his recordings of that time frame. As you know from his biography (which I am reading now) his popularity had Fallen in the late 50s. I actually was amazed to discover how many musician polls he came in first year after year. in 1961 he had not embraced the free jazz thing and it was prior to his Bossa Nova recordings. So I am curious to see if he attempted to stretch out more on this Live date. according according to one of the reviewers on Amazon Roy Hayne's drumming moves Getz to stretch out a bit more. Wondering if you had the same impression? |
alexatpos thanks thanks for posting that Cohen concert. I have been listening to it enjoying the trio. From the first note I was drawn in to the music. The trio is very cohesive and plays as one. They are a very tight unit especially considering the drummer was a replacement that night. enjoy the show let us know what you think. |
Over the past hour I have been listening to bassist Avishai Cohen songs on You Tube WOW! Incredible bass playing and all around musicianship by the whole trio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ_tWKhwBbQ&list=PLoxhDWWBCgecfKLVfjH9wX5D2dXlMYOS-&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JURBuEQA1sM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnuRTvbS9xE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B19J-Mgfz88 One of the best trio's out there is my conclusion! |
Alan Broadbent is similar to Steve Kuhn in that he slips under the radar but is an extremely talented pianist/arranger/composer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UzpART4gNk |
nsp I listened to Getz at the Gate last night and it is an outstanding 2 disc set. Steve Kuhn is indeed underrated.Steve Kuhn and Roy Haynes were in top form on the "Village Gate" date and Stan Getz - well what can I say - he was not called "The Sound" for nothing! I also enjoyed Kuhn's playing on the "Mostly Coltrane" album. Lovano shows why some consider him one of the greatest saxophonists ever on "Mostly Coltrane" |
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Just booked tickets for the Avishai Cohen trio concert next Tuesday in Dubrovnik. Some of my friends are great fans of his work, but I havent spend my much time listenig his music. Still, curious to see him alive, should be good opportunity to hear and perhaps like something new.Any thoughts about his work? Here is the link from his show, from last year... https://youtu.be/K6s7Et1X0C4 |
mary jo I had a great time. JC never disappoints when performing. He is passionate about what he does and it shines through with not only his saxophone playing but also the rythm section, which in following his lead, elevates their playing as well. What really stood out was Gerard Gibbs' excellent playing on the piano which I had never seen him play as he is always plays a Hammond B3 organ. Gerard and James go way back as you can see on the 3rd link in my last post - a live video from Jazzwoche Burghausen 2004. More on Gerard Gibbs: https://www.bluellamaclub.com/event/gerard-gibbs-organized-crime |
Chazro Thanks for the link I was not aware of that. The Blue Note was packed last night for the show. Unexpected for a Wednesday night. JC signed autographs and took photo's with the fans in between sets. Gerard Gibbs played piano instead of the B3 organ and the bassist and drummer, which I am unfamiliar with, were great in rounding out the rythm section. |