orpheus, glad to see you back. I missed you stories and your jazz. And I am sure I am not the only one. Hope you’re well.
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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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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..... |
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 |
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 |
I have the recently released Woody Shaw Live In Bremen 1983 and I have to say it is an incredible display of a master of the trumpet. Its 2 discs and the first two songs on disc 1 showcases a master trumpet player on what must have been an "on night" for Woody. I’m so happy this was found in the vaults! And the rest of the band is also "on point" Mulgrew Miller on piano, Stafford James on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums |
No, I watched it only once...I have no albums of Shirley, remeber that Frogman mentioned him before the movie talk started, For me the thing that got me thinking was segregation...not the first time that I saw it, of course,in film or in literature, but it is a really ugly sight... Pity that Rok (if you are reading this, hope you are well) is not participating, guess we could read some interesting explanations... |
OK, so riddle me this. I just saw the Green Book and liked it. (I'm not much for Hollywood 'big' movies but thought it was good). I was aware of Don Shirley as a name before and when the movie was first released, researched his recordings, most all of which seemed to be sappy covers of pop tunes rather than classical influenced jazz- the only one that seems to fit that bill, maybe, is Orpheus in the Underwood, which looks like it never got reissued. So, it seems like the movie story line that Shirley had to cater to popular taste rather than do his own thing seems accurate. I'm not posting this as social commentary, but more as a question of catalog. Are there any recordings of Don Shirley that are more in the classical music style of playing improvisational jazz (or original compositions?) I gather he did perform some straight classical pieces at one point, but am less interested in that than classical music influenced jazz, if you get my drift. Thanks, all. |
...maybe tomorrow... Bill Evans & Jim Hall Duo - Romain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7-NGEEtWSI Grant Green - Maybe tomorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9oNHowrg4w |
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mary jo . IMO that is the best post ever on A’gon , by anyone about anything !.You made my MONTH as I read Evans himself state he was influenced by Bartok . And Faure’s place in modern melody . I’ve been trying to pay attention for 50 years and just knowing I can hear now and then, what’s what , is very gratifying to an old man . Thank you . |
When I think of the music being universal, G.B.Shaw's quote fits entirely in what I have in mind under this theme: "Music may be a universal language, but it is spoken with all sorts of peculiar accents." I have no words to describe my affection for Préludes, livre de Claude Debussy by Claudio Arrau. The words simply left me. If you, by any chance have seen them, return them back to me. Some useful link on Bill Evans. I think I have already posted this but suppose re-posting will do no one any harm. http://www.billevans.nl/Classical.htm |
pjw, just listened to NIT. I think that the answer to the mystery re Kenny Clarke is simple. Wiki says Clarke and you correctly say it sounds like Blakey. You’re both correct. Blakey and Clarke are both playing on NIT; plus a percussionist (actually congas). whart, thanks for the nice post. Big Herbie fan here. I’ll check it out. |
I've been on this Nathan Davis kick lately- aside from that recent issue of previously unreleased material from Paris on Sam Records that Mike Fremer reviewed, some of the albums he recorded once he returned to the US, and took a position as the head of jazz studies at Pitt, are pretty marvelous. "6th Sense in the 11th House" is beautiful and "Makatuka" which was the first album he recorded when he returned to the US (and features a vocal track) really show how adept Davis was at pretty much every style. There was a guy on e-Bay who had a stash of these old records, still sealed, that he grabbed when the studio went bankrupt. There is a recent issue of Makatuka, but I'm not sure of its provenance. It may be a 'Scorpio'- Glass Bead Games has been reissued by Pure Pleasure- who is always a little cagey about sources they use, but they tend to sound good. The original Strata-East pressings are now crazy money. I haven't received my copy of this latest release but am looking forward to it. A friend has an original and we may do a shoot-out. I can almost predict the outcome-- the original sounds better at X the price. Such is life. I was pleasantly surprised by the Speakers Corner re-do of Herbie Hancock's Crossings, a kind of funk/spiritual jazz thing that sounded great on Warner green label. The Speakers Corner, which is relatively cheap compared to a time vault original (I had to go thru 3 copies to find a clean player) is punchier, and has more sparkle. Maybe a little less 'organic' sounding, but Kevin Gray's work on this really brings out the sound of the Rhodes. |
I’ll have to send you a Rolex for Christmas for that post frogman .Never heard Arrau do that , How he towers over everyone , the improvising on himself is unreal . IMO Arrau had the best possible personality for music, Latin passion tempered by German perfectionism . . Faure is one of the least played truly greats , taught Revel and Nadia Boulanger all they knew. His influence on harmony is still paramount . |
Listening to Bill Evans now. This one says it was composed by him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ_-iyBaD64 |
I just ordered this Sinatra DVD. I hope the sound is ok. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072K126S8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
frogman, nsp, mary jo, and Schubert thanks for the Bill Evans links and the classical links for comparison. I kept going back and forth and I learned a thing or 2 I only have 1 Bill Evans purchase but its a box set with 12 albums on it: https://www.amazon.com/12-Classic-Albums-1956-1962-6CD/dp/B00MR9HO9C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NP20B0TYHOVW&a... |
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Complete Concert At Club Saint Germain I bought the above 2 disc set in 2013. The version of A Night In Tunisia is 17:35 and is basically one long drum solo interspersed with brass and piano/bass bridges. Wiki (not the best source) says that its Kenny Clarke playing the drums on A Night In Tunisia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Blakey_et_les_Jazz-Messengers_au_club_St._Germain However my 2 disc set says 1959 while the above set is from December 1958. My set does have the bongo's in the stretched out percussion jam. The player is listed as unknown on the wiki page. So I'm thinking its the same recording. But the drumming sounds like Art Blakey not Kenny Clarke unless he is trying to imitate Blakey. Here is the set I have; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X6VRK0/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The wiki page says the entire concert is on a Sony 2015 box set titled The Complete Columbia and RCA Albums Collection. I just ordered this set as it has 8 discs for 20 dollars and I am an Art Blakey completist: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YY03SJ2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I can't wait to get it and compare the versions of A Night In Tunisia. I probably have a lot of the material on the 8 discs but for 20 bucks its worth it. There are 4 versions of ANIT on the set. I know it sounds crazy but I'm not buying that wiki jive that its Kenny Clarke playing drums on that 17;35 ANIT that I have. |
Bill Evans was a classically trained pianist. His training was strictly classical as a young pianist and he graduated from a conservatory with a degree in piano performance. His admitted biggest classical music influence was the music of Gabriel Faure who was one of the earliest Impressionist composers. It is often stated that the influence of Ravel and Debussy, two other Impressionist compsosers, can be heard in his playing. Schubert’s comment about a possible Bartok influence is interesting and I agree. Bill Evan’s use of dissonance is closer to Bartok’s “edginess”. Sound familiar? https://youtu.be/X6BbTo9JaHs |
SchubertThat's an astute point you make about Evans sounding like a classical player. I cannot speak directly to this because I am not familiar with bartok's music. But I can tell you I have read in several places and maybe an Evans interview that he practiced playing classical music as an exercise at home. So it stands to reason that when he played professionally this classical influence would come out in his playing. I can't speak to the similarities between jazz and classical music maybe someone like frogman would be better for input on this matter but I do believe you are onto something regarding Bills playing. |
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FrogmanLove your comments about Tony Bennett ie " the joy of singing "and" he has the smile in his sound ".Thanks for the additional Bennett posts BTW I have compared Tony'sversion of " lost in the Stars" to Frank Sinatra's And Tony's comes out on top but I don't want to drag out this comparison I enjoy both of them on different songs.I wanted to post this song by Frank. He really feels it and makes me feel it also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jHr5JbTeRY Listen to his voice crack at 1:25 and again his feeling at 2:15 |
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