acman I have one Tom Harrell disc - Number Five - I bough it when it came out and always go back to it. I'm going to buy a few more of his recordings. Thanks for the song that session is on my list to get.
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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Mary jo I see you slipped in a Grant Green clip upthread. I just saw it this evening. I am a Grant Green completist and have about 30 discs with him as a leader an another 30 or so with him as a sideman with Lou Donaldson, Sonny Clarke, and Big John Patton to name a few. Speaking of Big John Patton, he was a nice guy who loved to have a conversation after a show. Here is a tune from his album "Let em' Roll" with Grant Green on Guitar, Otis Finch on drums, and the incomparable Bobby Hutcherson on vibes. Great album cover! Sometimes I wish I collected LP's instead of CD's just for the album covers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5qNhicHopw |
It just so happens that I was listening to Grant Green with tears in my eyes; I knew and heard Grant Green even before Blue Note. I was having a beer with my jazz crew at the club where Grant performed on weekends; we all knew and admired Grant as a person and as a jazz musician. They, jazz musicians, always seem to have quirky ways; he came in, turned the juke box off (with everyone's permission of course) and just began to play his guitar. As I recall, the music he played was intensely personal, and just a little sad; he was playing for himself and we just happened to be there listening. Times like that are unforgettable; that was in 59, the reason I remember is because it was just before I went into the Air Force. When I saw that he would be appearing at a club in St. Louis, I knew I would get a chance to hear him live again, and maybe even chat a little bit. This was at the time his album, "Grant Green- Live At The Light House" was out, that was in 72. Sure enough, during intermission, he had someone request that I meet him outside; it was stuffy in the club, and the fresh night air was welcomed. Between 60 and 72 is a long time; 12 years, plus he had gotten bald; the last time I saw him, he had a thick head of hair and looked "cowboy slim" in Levis, now he had a paunch, and was bald, I barely recognized him. "Is that you Grant?"; honesty is my worst fault. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked me about a jazz musician who was closer than a brother to him. When I told him the truth, Grant exploded; "You're lying", and stormed off. What a way to meet your idol after 12 years. Not long ago, someone's wife asked me personal questions about her husband (a lifelong friend, if anyone knew she knew that I knew) after his funeral. I remembered Grant Green, and I lied like I had never lied before. When I finished, she began to have a peaceful look on her face. You've got to know when to tell the truth, and when to lie. The music I was listening to by Grant that brought tears to my eyes was "Feeling The Spirit"; this is music that's reminiscent of that night in 59 when he was playing just for himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SHdqD077yY |
Thanks for sharing Orpheus. Grant, to me, has a beautiful tone to his sound. I prefer his playing over Montgomery and Burrell but with no disrespect as I dig many of the great jazz guitarists and have over 100 CD's of jazz guitar greats. I just find myself listening to Green more then the others. I have that CD with the song you posted above. Great song..... |
Paul, just in case you missed this post... https://youtu.be/_4jMQNJFPO4 ...here are few albumus that I posted before of (now) less known guitar players, curious to know do you have them.... Dempsey Wright, from 'The Wright Approach' https://youtu.be/_drYUC7aT_E Dick Garcia, from 'Message from Garcia' https://youtu.be/5vUj-zzv-SE https://youtu.be/O2oHTUIDm9E Oscar Moore quartet (w Carl Perkins) https://youtu.be/TpZ2on-4M2Q https://youtu.be/SA4-f40NVIQ https://youtu.be/o3OjL1Gcs-U Billy Bauer 'Plectrist' https://youtu.be/XjiyZVQLnM4 https://youtu.be/kIE8snn8zsA Joe Puma from 'Wild Kitten' https://youtu.be/YYN7LwS93aw https://youtu.be/nZneBGulpQc Les Spann from 'Gemini' https://youtu.be/Dm60_Ltjgc4 https://youtu.be/pjuOvsRJrsg Mundell Lowe 'A grand night for swinging' https://youtu.be/2QhGdwX6wRo Ray Crawford 'Smooth Groove' https://youtu.be/M4zQxbZPX1w Tiny Grimes 'Blues Groove' https://youtu.be/2mS4jjjSml4 Rene Thomas 'Guitar Groove' https://youtu.be/0Xoli1r1t2Y |
pjw , whart & frogmanIf you like Herbie Hancock's album Crossings and you should check out his other Warner Brothers album "Mwandishi". It has three long songs on it. It's available as a double CD. I have the original LPs from the 70s and the CD two-fer here is one song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUFINUzGt8E |
schubertI thought you might like these two saxophonists: Grant Stewart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H_g0SuORcU Joel Press. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ7pgVcFKTU |
Very kind of you nsp. I don’t know about Grant Stewart , at least on this he and his group don’t seem to know what they want to do . IMO sloppy . I think that’s 1st i ever played critic on a jazz player . Joe Press still swinging at my age is quite a feat ! Boys hold him up well too.You know he was something in his day . What I really like is an American double lip alto saxophone artist playing tight as Dick’s hat band with this Spanish band locked up with him . https://youtu.be/9VVty9xmT-0 His other side .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LYINPAqZn0 |
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Mary_jo, I'm not really back, but I'm moved by your kind words. My health is not the best subject. Since you like my stories, the next one will be just for you. As to the jazz, others are really submitting some good jazz, I wont compete with them; however, I will submit some new music. As Rok used to say; "What's he discovered out of Africa now"? I like the way the thread is moving along, and I will contribute when I can. |
"Out of Africa"; I give you "Fatoumata Diawara"; she only sings in her native tongue, which is "Mali", but that's good enough for me and the rest of the world. She is so expressive that she doesn't need words, her music tells the story. Once I saw a video where tears were streaming down her face; that was a sad song and people of Africa have a lot to cry about, but things are getting better. I like her best when she skips and dances; you can see the joy of life in her face as she expresses this emotion in her music. "Fatou" as she likes to be called, lives in France, and is now happily making the world her stage. I just received her LP "Fenfo" which I like a lot, but I have exotic taste, that's in addition to my kind of jazz that you guys have been posting. Her are some links, and I'll let you be the judge of "Fatou" and her music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gmGL5SqhaY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82BifytoYY |
I hope no one else had heard a better display of talent than this , I might pass just hearing it . My main man Jesse hanging in with the big dogs , Cyrus pounding on a Bosendorfer , look out world !! Vienne (France) Festival , 1996 with NO tricks ...................https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab8t0Mn8EHw |
He does hang in; and well. Phil Woods was just incredible. The ideas flowed with total ease; and it was always expected. In a way this made Charles McPherson’s solo the most interesting to me. Just the right amount of tension from that little bit of wondering whether he would pull off a particular line or not; and he always did. Interesting that only Jesse did the time honored and “collegial” thing of starting his solo by using material that the previous soloist (Bartz) ended with. Great clip! |
alex all of my jazz guitar discs are well known musicians. Although I recently purchased 2 Senri Kawaguchi discs from cd Japan and they sent me a notice of a new release she has coming out with a Japanese classically trained guitarist named Jiro Yoshida whom I never heard of. I found some clips from him on youtube Senri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXzDdf2FLE Jiro solid body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0S8ibSxpg Jiro hallow body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PaZz2fZOuo And here is Andres Segovia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dXID4GM4oQ You asked for old and Segovia is |
Not to mention Jesse wrote that tune . To my hears he was a tad more melodic than the others without changing the overall idea but that’s just me . . From all I’ve been able to find he is noted for his good nature and politeness . For a listener to got such good looks at various embouchure’s was very interesting indeed !Every player on that clip had something to say and said it very well . Like a template on how to play jazz. Of course Woods and Chestnut were the big dogs but all gave so much it was like a beautiful family . |
Oh , frogman , in my hears Davis is a notably better player now , more control and coherence than he had as the "kid" on the clip 25 years ago . pjw, That jiro hollow piece was fantastic , that Japanese way of always coming from a disciplined foundation no matter where they go is seems to be in the blood . So many greats in a land 1/3 rd of ours . .https://youtu.be/n504TUSRX0g?list=RDn504TUSRX0g I never knew there were so many cubanos in Japan , most have been caught in Gulf Stream . |
I listened to, and enjoyed everyone's submission; I especially enjoyed Schuberts Japanese Cuban submission. It seems that movies used Cuban music in all Latin American movies without giving the Cubans credit, and that's why I thought the music was Brazilian back then. Many times I can't figure rhyme or reason for the name of a tune, but the name of this tune is so appropriate that you can feel it; the title is "Lullaby of The Doomed". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_c-fueLOgg This tune has a feeling of profound sadness, as it's title suggests. |
Yes PJW, the Jiro was nice. I will have to keep an eye on him. Schubert, Really enjoyed the Jesse Davis clip. All of them were really good. Just depends on what you want to hear in those solo's, But as one of the commenters said, and I paraphrase, " Sometimes Woods just kicks some butt". Usually the "Star" goes last, but I think he knew what these men behind him could do, and going first he had to be very good. Good to see you posting Jazz O10! |
acman3 that is a great pick from the great NHOP. Do you know who is playing the guitar? Schubert that big band Cubano clip is outstanding. The Japanese really love jazz - all genres of jazz. The Andres Segovia link I put up is actually an interview with him from 1969 at his house in Spain overlooking the Mediterranean. He was 75 then and it was the first summer he spent at home with his wife in 25 years. He was a classical player but influenced many jazz guitarists. The great jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd used one of Segovia’s guitars that he gave away. Anyway here is Andres Segovia minus the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCeebWgjrrU Charlie Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPyY80pUujE Luiz Bonfa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VWDYo8gGc |
Here are some great guitarists. They are as beautiful as the music they play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxGT5z6d-GA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez62cQPYyI8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-NzOxyi-VY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIVZ25vHJ4 |
I cant leave out Narciso Yepes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxwceLlaODM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN6tcdiqELk |
acman3 I had never listened to Ulf Wakenius before. He is fantastic. I guess those Scandinavian’s stick together! Of course I do know about Yngwie Johan Malmsteen but never bought any of his progressive classical rock/metal fusion albums. Many of my heavy metal friends were always asking me why I don’t own any Malmsteen albums and my reply was I just don’t like the way he plays. Wakenius, to me, is better. To each his own. Just saw this and had to post it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i6puq4I13s |
I’ve listened to that Jesse Davis clip about ten times. Fantastic clip and I love great alto playing! Acman3 is right; “depends on what one is looking for in a solo”. Jesse Davis is a fantastic player, but to be compared to a giant like Phil Woods is a pretty tall order. Schubert makes a great observation. While I wouldn’t say that Davis is more melodic than the others, he does have a certain clarity in his sense of melody. He likes to take a short melodic snippet, transpose and repeat it and turn it upside down. Acman3 brings up another interesting point re the solo order. What I find fascinating about that solo order is that listening to those four players is like following the development of jazz from the post-Bird period to the present. Woods’ playing screams Bird while bringing his own somewhat more modern harmonic language and tone. His playing projects an amazing sense of confidence and maturity. McPherson takes it a step further into the future in overall approach. Bartz’ playing shows why Miles chose him for one of his electric bands. Davis takes things the farthest outside the harmonies of the tune and one can hear some obvious ”Coltranisms” in his solo. All great soloists. From the standpoint of technical command Woods couldn’t be touched. IMO. Thanks again for a fantastic clip, Schubert. https://youtu.be/448rUZ7BnjA |
Of the at least 10,0000 covers that have passed through my hands this is the most beautiful .Decades later he looked at high school players the same way .,.https://youtu.be/448rUZ7BnjA . IMO Davis has the most soul . Just me . |
Davis twice is a good thing (great minds think alike 😊). Did somebody say soul? https://youtu.be/V323NXXd3ow |
Pushing Getz on this ?https://youtu.be/lmFuEispUUk Not fair with McPherson , he was using Japanese air ! |
That’s very funny. Davis sounds fabulous on Voyage. Love the sound. Was surprised he was using that Selmer metal mouthpiece on the clip with Woods. Very unwieldy style of mouthpiece; doesn’t allow a lot of agility in the playing, but unique sound some players like (sometimes). https://youtu.be/FoxBWLwxcdk |
Straight up, McPherson on tone , Jesse on melody and swing . A tie . I saw Davis had a different mouthpiece but I thought it was the double lip thing NO players use . Never seen either in real life . Lousy sounding clip on Voyage for Davis , seems to be only one extant .Woods is great but to use a classical analogy , to me he's Heifetz, Davis is Menuhin. But that IS ONLY me . |
About twenty years or so before he passed Phil Woods, suffering from emphisyma, switched to Yamaha altos, a much freer blowing horn than the Selmer he had played all his career. As always, there are no free rides. The Yamaha is less resistant and freer blowing, but doesn’t have the color in the tone that the Selmer has; sounds a little bleached out like in the Vayage clip. Classic, pre-Yamaha Phil Woods tone, 1974: https://youtu.be/t0DPCG_enHc Good analogy. To use another Classical analogy: I sometimes get tired of Woods’ effortlessness in his ideas and total command; I want to hear a little struggle. To me it’s like Richard Strauss operas. One asks oneself “how much dessert can one have?”. One impossibly gorgeous and perfect melody after another and it becomes too much. |
One of my desert island records. Classic. The line up is amazing. Featuring the great Freddie Hubbard and a great tenor player that we don’t mention much, George Coleman. https://youtu.be/VUnE_P6n1gU https://youtu.be/cs6rxYEvrns Freddie Hubbard was a bada&s; a master of thematic development in his solos. Like Jesse Davis, he loved to take a simple idea, use it and develop an entire solo around that idea. On this tune the idea is as simple as it gets, one note. Listen to the way he starts his solo with one note (F). Remembering the sound of that pitch one notices that he finishes many of his phrases with that very note; keeps coming back to it. Grounds things. Love it! https://youtu.be/oQ9V22hnYyQ |
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