The subject of slow tempos and playing slowly came up recently in conversation with a friend. Tends to separate the great from the simply good:
https://youtu.be/wsVsUkwvWco
https://youtu.be/wsVsUkwvWco
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.
31,726 responses Add your response
frogman I have that Byrd CD and that is a beautiful song. Donald is always a big go to during my listening sessions. On another note I just received this new limited edition 21 disc box set from ECM today. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HGBR8YJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Very eclectic music. Here are 2 totally different sounds from the same album "Nice Guys" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbcsjKaNS2A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoP0-UImSH0 |
From the Art Ensemble Of Chicago disc 2 (Full Force) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTkghqtmR3w I know its 20 minutes long but its worth a listen. The first 7- 8 minutes puts you in a sort of meditation trance then from 8 - 10 minutes layers or "sheets" are slowly added and then from 10 minutes until the end its totally Avant Guard with a heavy influence of Polyrhythm. The Polyrhythmic percussion dominates throughout and really is a treat along with the "free" incursions of the brass. Challenging but, IMHO, very well executed. The song Charlie M, from the same album, has a "Mingus feel" to it and, like all of AEOC's albums diverts from the Avant Guard into a more "acceptable to the jazz masses" direction. Each AEOC album repeats this theme of playing different types of jazz on the same album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgFm-Q7CeP8 |
Nice review, pjw. Enjoyed the clips by this always interesting ensemble. Lester Bowie always surprises and makes me reconsider my preconceived notions about some of the “out” guys. Your comparison of the CTI sound compared to ECM’s is interesting; completely different production approaches. With a few exceptions, CTI’s has never really been my cup of tea even when I like the music. Highly stylized studio sound with lots of reverb whereas ECM’s is pristine with great refinement; in a way, not unlike classic tube sound compared to good solid state. Our MIA keeper of the traditionalist flame poster is a big fan of this record: https://youtu.be/7-WoFL3jCLc |
Thanks frogman its kind of frustrating knowing that engineers could and should make the recordings like ECM. ECM is a relatively small label and if they can do it why not the others? You can have a 50,000 dollar sound system and the source, if bad, still will not sound as good as it should. I spent about 5k on my 5:2 set up Yamaha AVR, Emotiva amps and JBL Studio L speakers and subwoofers and the ECM recording Garden Of Eden by Paul Motian sounds incredible on it. The source is what really lets your system shine. I have a 4-6 hour listening session every Friday night while sipping on my favorite bourbon or scotch (Elmer T Lee or Glenlivet) and when the source disc is bad I start thinking I should have spent more money on my system but when I hear the music from a properly engineered source I calm down a bit. Besides I'm on a budget LOL! |
Speaking about 'The subject of slow tempos and playing slowly' I guess this could count as well, aldo not all album is like that.... Roger Kellaway trio, from 1965. https://youtu.be/-Rkt1gvZF0o same song as Byrd played it above, from other album (this one I dont have) https://youtu.be/wxwYVvx3wE0 and one played live, with Gene Harris....senor blues https://youtu.be/gfNIVdnz1FQ |
frogman, the AEOC box set features Lester Bowie on the majority of the discs. I like his interpretation of "I Only Have Eyes For You." The box set has a total of 21 discs Albums 1 - 4 Art Ensemble of Chicago 1. Nice Guys disc - 1 2. Full Force disc - 2 3. Urban Bushmen discs - 3 and 4 4. The Third Decade discs - 5 Album 5 Leo Smith Divine Love disc - 6 Albums 6 - 9 Lester Bowie 1. The Great Pretender disc - 7 2. All The Magic and The One And Only discs 8 and 9 3. I Only Have Eyes For You disc - 10 4. Avant Pop disc - 11 Album 10 Art Ensemble Of Chicago Tribute To Lester disc - 12 Albums 11 - 12 Roscoe Mitchell 1. Nine To Get Ready disc - 13 2. Compositions/Improvisations disc - 14 Album 13 Evan Parker Boustrophedon disc - 15 Albums 14 and 15 Roscoe Mitchell 4. Far Side disc - 16 5. Bells For The South Side discs 17 and 18 Albums 17 - 19 Jack DeJohnette 1. New Directions In Europe disc 19 2. Made In Chicago disc 20 3. New Directions disc 21 |
Great stuff, Alex and pjw! That wonderful Red Garland clip reminded me of this version. I have posted this at least twice before and it just doesn’t get old. Amazing vocal performance: https://youtu.be/q9DFB0TM1h0 Thanks for the info, pjw. |
Nice posting guys, I like it. Ella for today and every day, because I like (....). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R-hFypvkJk And because I like this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beh-bnTHxcw Today is loving day, f*** all the non-loving days. ;) |
frogman"I'm a Fool to Want You" excellent ballad playing. I don't recall too many jazz artists in my collection covering this song, it's great, especially for singers. My submission of a D Byrd ballad i like mostly because i play it on pIano occasionally:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxyA-sKt_d0 "I Only Have Eyes For You" strange c over for a jazz band but well done I like it. Nothing beats the original IMO. |
Agree with you nsp, "I'm a Fool to Want You" is absolutely great but demanding in so many ways. I am glad to hear that you play piano. ... Miriam and Dizzy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lHuWuh7rHQ |
’I am a fool to want you’... https://youtu.be/iSjQa7FmKNo https://youtu.be/ouuRsRz8syM https://youtu.be/hOKdDwMxfOc |
Paul, glad you like it. Yes, it would be hard to choose between those. If you like Chet, I could recommend the album on which that song is. It is this one, he plays standards on it, its one of my favourits. 'As times go by' https://www.amazon.com/Time-Goes-CHET-BAKER-QUARTET/dp/B000026GVI/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=As+time+goes+b... But, for tonight (its after midnight at my place) I will post this one.... Taft Jordan 'Mood indigo' album from 1960./61. https://youtu.be/NZ0hvEO0CIo https://youtu.be/PZSyAkub5f4 https://youtu.be/eQJVo4jFSko |
I am glad you like it pjw. *** Joan Regan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-_muuektoY *** all the things you are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Ahmng5ee0 *** Paul Desmond feat. Jim Hall - Samba cantina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRfhtKUiqRA |
pjwI need to buy "Mustang", "Catwalk" and "Royal Flush" to add mire D Byrd to my collection. Thanks for posting AEOC. I have very little in my collection always seem to favor othe r avant garde artists over them.This group walked a fine line between tradition and avant garde always keeping it original and interesting."Dreaming of the Master " was great especially L Bowie's soloing several times over the groove created by the group.love his tone and style. unlike other avant garde trumpeters who spit out a continuous stream of notes Bowie plays melodic .Charlie M did remind me of Mingus in many ways: the writing , the bass solo in the middl e, the veering off into playing outside later in the song. Obviously the song title is an homage to Mingus. I wonder if any of AEOC played with Mingus or were they too young? I lik ed cut "Ja" at beginning and end not so much the reggae section. Will listen to the other cut from Full Force over the weekend. |
I have Catwalk and Royal Flush but after hearing that song I will be adding Mustang to my collection. From his Blue Note label recordings I have Off To The Races Bird In Hand Fuego Live at the Half Note Café volumes 1 and 2 (a favorite) Byrd In Flight The Cat Walk Royal Flush Free Form A New Perspective Slow Drag Fancy Free Ethiopian Knights ( a favorite) Black Byrd Electric Byrd Missing: I’m Trying To Get Home Mustang Black Jack |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuObBKXcQKU Here is a lesson on greats don't need to play fast and loud by a B-3 Master. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baNueuDCue0 Perhaps the greatest American piece on the theme less is more by two American treasures beyond genre . |
acman man, that Witch Hunt is very good. Have you noticed that DirtyHarri published it? Lol. ~ ~ The song ’If I give my heart to you’ refuses to leave the music department of my head. This morning I found the parody lyrics of the same song: 'If i give my heart to you, i’ll have none and you’ll have two.' This sounds good. More real. : ) |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD2D4ho5AYo Oh my, somethings are just wrong. ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlMT-oEIQuo |
Acman, this is the cover music from one yougoslavian tv series (about the ww2) from 1974. Translation would be kind of ’ The Expendables’... You can clearly hear the original influences.... https://youtu.be/IguyjzDt_88 https://youtu.be/LH3kcW0-lbc |
AlexYour C Baker post "I'm A Fool To Want You" was great . Thanks for the link to the cd . I will be buying it . I listened to the samples to be sure as I am not always a fan of his singing but never tire of his trumpet playing. 2 of your Taft Jordan cuts did not play . I am posting them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc5ZXzMDqtw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWT2PR83P0 |
pjw I have Blackjack on vinyl and also free form , live at the half note cafe , byrd in flght, fuego on vinyl. Blackjack and Mustang have the same frontline Byrd , Sonny Redd on alto, H Mobley on tenor . Walter Booker on bass plays on both . Blackjack has Cedar Walton on piano and B Higgins on drums whereas Mustang features McCoy Tyner on piano and Freddie Waits on drums. I hope to purchase 5 more Blue Notes by Byrd on lp. If you like Byrd's 70's output you might like the Places and Spaces lp. |
nsp, I have listened to a few songs of Places and Spaces and passed on it. Black Byrd, Electric Byrd, Fancy Free and Ethiopian Knights, are my favorite 70's Byrd. Ethiopian Knights has these 2 long funk/soul/jazz jams that I really like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4j96aEDAA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiYaTLP8xM From Black Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHI1qzqPlpk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIf6Vsphtmo Fancy Free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHnjxPZGEmM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_FeSOb-z8Q Electric Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RISUwB6jo2I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zck1urC4-Uw |
Another great one for the "slower is better" or "slower is harder to play" crowd. A true master of his instrument can play both hard and fast and slow and smooth..... JMHO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX-4OGaMmfo |
I am still in the Themes. For the kids. If any here. : ) Paddington Theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frpC_NXJG_Q brm, brm... |
Schubert I certainly am not trying to insult anyone here. I agree that sustained slower notes and rythm can be more taxing on players. I don't, however, prescribe to the belief that less is more. Depends on the mood I am in and who is playing what I am listening to. One of my favorite blues guitarist's Roy Buchanan is a great example of a player who can pull off both beautifully. He is my favorite "pure Telecaster" player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swX9oq6TVAU |