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.
nsp, I agree with acman3; my opinion of Wynton’s IMPROVISING also has softened. As a trumpet player he has few equals; some might argue, no equal. As a bandleader he is great. As an educator and advocate for jazz, particularly its roots, he is fantastic. He has become such an important personality in jazz that I think the “beef” that many critics and players had/have has become rather moot. The beef was that the level of attention, notoriety and fame that he received was considered by some as not being deserved relative to the quality of his jazz playing. The feeling was that his playing somehow lacked soulfulness; that it was dominated by feats of virtuosity and, as older players like Miles would say, “he doesn’t say “sh$t”. I agreed to a degree. While I acknowledge that this is a subjective thing, I was seldom particularly impressed by his “story telling”, but the gorgeous sound and amazing command of the instrument usually held my attention. My opinion on this has softened because I think he continues to grow as an improviser. The solo on the Ruben Blades clip is a good example. I must say, however, that there are other current trumpet players that I find more interesting.
Tom Harrell is a favorite. Not too many players can play an extended solo without the help of a rhythm section. His time feel is so strong that one almost doesn’t miss the bass or drums. His command of harmony is so good that one can follow the changes of the tune without the help of a harmony instrument (piano or guitar). Beautiful warm sound:
acman3 & frogmanI refrained from buying any Wynton music four 20 plus years as I did not like the context or musical style he was playing in. At the time I was going through a strong "avant-garde" period. Over the last several years I have been purchasing the jazz at Lincoln Center titles and I've been enjoying them. frogman I have to agree about w y n t o n s playing I never felt he stretched it out harmonically like other like other modern players do. I'm not sure but I think that was a personal choice of his.I guess when you have the major record contract(Columbia) and you are the face of the new wave of jazz players you are going to come in for some criticism for sure.Although I don't think Branford received the same level of criticism as the two brothers took different paths or different musical roads in their output and careers.I like Tom Harrell also I don't think he's that well-known. I have been listening to his recording "light on" lately. I like his piano player Danny Grissett.
schubertNice feature of Karolina S.with the WDR big band. Beautiful tone and excellent improvisational skills. I wonder if she is featured on any of the WDR BB recordings?
Beats me nsp, I 'll look around . When you see a musician like John Clayton is impressed you know they are good . I love those German Radio Bands , got addicted to them as a soldier in Berlin .Jazz is loved all over the world which why i try to remind folks of that .
acman3 I just ordered Marsalis' "Blood In The Field." I know its a concept album comprised of suites. These types of albums can be hit or miss but I got a great deal for it on discogs so I took a chance.
frogman A few weeks back someone brought up Tom Harrell (you maybe?) and I mentioned I had just one disc with him as a leader. Its called "Number Five." I also have 2 Phil Woods discs with Harrell on them and I agree he is really good. I intend to get more of his material.
nsp I have every Jeremy Pelt album and another great and overlooked player that appears on that recording session "Soul" is saxophonist J.D. Allen.
I have 5 of Allen's albums and I rate them very high. Great straight ahead jazz - not "gimmicky" or "exploratative" Here is the J.D. Allen trio live at the NYC winter jazzfest. Hard charging improvisation from 0 - 30 minutes then some beautiful ballad/blues playing.
Another overlooked but excellent sax player who Jimmy Heath called his best sax student is Antonio Hart. Hart was Heaths student at Queens college and Heath said his dedication to learn reminded him of a young John Coltrane. Hart would practice for hours on end. I have the following disc and it is definitely a winner with Hart joining Roy Hargrove:
A younger Tom Harrell with Phil Woods I listened to the whole clip. I must say it was an outstanding live session with all the band members showing great musicianship.
There are many similar clips, from airports and shopping malls, with professinall player disguised as ordinary folks, playing piano, but the next clip is kind of funny, because its Billy Gibbons playing on the street corner in Finland and nobody seems to pay any atention...
Apparently, its considerd rude, in Finland, to start first talking, when in company and there is story that pictures that well, where one neighbour visits the oher who lives in a house next to his. After knocking on the door gets invited in, where he sat with the host for a couple of minuts in silence and than,when asked what is the purpose of his visit, he said that his house is on fire and that he would need some help to put the fire down...
pjwRead his bio and Gerard Gibbs has certainly rubbed shoulders with and Been Mentored by some top organ players. does he play Just organ? I can't think of any other young jazz players play strictly Organ and no piano. It seems like the organ is not as popular today as it was back in the 50s and 60s, in other words it's lack of popularity has led to fewer and fewer players over the years. I do like Larry goldings a lot but he also plays piano.I am checking out some recordings by JD Allen thanks for the link. His playing has a lot of soul and at times he sounds like Coltrane somewhat.
nsp, I know as much about Gerard Gibbs as you do having read the same biography. As far as jazz organists there are not many big names like back in the day. Dr. Lonnie Smith is still carrying the torch and playing at Birdland NYC this week and again in July.
pjwI own two discs by dr. Lonnie Smith Purple Haze and Foxy Lady, both jazz interpretations of Jimi Hendrix material. I'm sure you're aware of them and probably own them As You Are a big Hendrix fan. these are the only discs I consider a worthwhile attempt at playing Hendrix music in a jazz context.
nsp I have 10 of the doctors albums but not those 2. I knew of them for years now just never purchased them. My favorite Smith disc is Live at Club Mozambique. I will check You Tube for the Hendrix interpretations.
BTW I have seen Lonnie numerous times and will probably go again in July. Chris Potter is playing with Lonnie's group just one night on Sunday July 7th at the Jazz Standard NYC. That's the show I plan on attending.
nsp I listened to the whole album Purple Haze from DLS. John Abercrombie on guitar and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on the drums. The Voo Doo Chile interpretation is my favorite.
A favorite Mingus album I have is live at Cornell University.
Do any of you jazz fans have the Resonance Records (2017) pressing of Wynton Kelly/Wes Montgomery "Smokin' in Seatlle"? Just trying to decide if it's worth the hefty cost of trying to obtain it on vinyl. I know only 4 tracks (about 19 minutes) include Wes but I've also heard this RTI pressing is done pretty nicely and the packaging is an added plus. Thoughts? Is this worth $70+? Occasionally I will hear "Jingles" from this album on Real Jazz SiriusXM and think "man I need this one!".
I have many of Wes Montgomery sessions on CD. If you want perfection (whatever that is) I would say to try another website full of "50,000 dollar and above sound systems
T.E.P. I ve got that album on cd, its a good one, however, you must decide is it worth it to you. Here is the link with the album,perhaps it might help....
Thanks for the link! I didn't even think about looking for it on youtube...duh. I was just curious whether those of you who acquired it were happy with it. Much appreciated...listening now and it sounds good so far ;-)
T.E.P. I am not a vinyl collector and own just a handful of LP’s one of which alex graciously donated to me. As such I never researched about the current modern methods of new vinyl pressings.
I had some free time on my hands today and did a little research. I’m sure you know most of this stuff already being a vinyl aficionado.
Of course your turntable, tone arm, and cartridge is a huge factor. Just out of curiosity what equipment are you using. I have seen reviews of quality turntables (Project) with Ortofon cartridges for under 500 dollars but obviously you could spend a lot more but does all that money make the audio so much better? BTW I just ordered the resonance CD issued at the same time as the LP. I will let you know if the audio on it is better then the same CD I bought many years ago from a different label.
Anyway sorry for the rude answer earlier and good luck.
I went through my discs and it is Smokin' At The Half Note that I have on the Verve label. So the disc Smokin' In Seattle will be new to my collection.
@pjw81563 Thanks for the links on the Wes topic. I also don't own the "In Paris: The Definitive ORTF Recording" from 1965 which would be really nice to have. Contemplating that at the moment too.
Yes, vinyl is definitely an area where you get what you pay for. An entry-level turntable and entry Ortofon cartridge surely gets you started but moving up the ladder pays dividends if you want to really capture the magic that separates digital from analog according to my ears. I'm using modest TT equipment compared to many folks on here but it nurtures my soul - a Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi tonearm and Dynavector XX-2 MKII cart. I have recently ordered a Herron VTPH-2A phono pre. Can't wait to get it onboard in ~2 weeks. I use all tube equipment down the line.
Schubert, I love you and respect your suggestions always. As far as Wynton, I feel he is a punk. In his words, his Mom brought him around for some years to live music in hope's to encourage him to take up music. He alway's rebelliously held out until he was "11 or 12" (his words in an interview) he finally gave in and picked the trumpet..... ! We had AM radio when I was young, top pop 40. I heard Louis Armstrong outside the home and freaked out!!! I asked Mom, I get that and want to do that. Asked for years... (cue Promises Promises Warwick/Bacharach/David. . I very much enjoy his first Classical album but none of his Jazz.
As far as Wynton Marsalis I think punk is a little harsh. Do I think he is a great trumpet player in the same class as Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Kenny Dorham, Miles Davis, or even the late Roy Hargrove who played during the same period as Wynton?..... No I do not.
But many of his musical arrangements and compositions are very complex and pushing boundaries which takes b**ls and I give him his due respect for that. And, as stated by members here, his trumpet playing has evolved and IMHO is adequate.
I just received the "Blood On The Field" concept album comprised of suites and after listening to the whole of disc 1, I enjoyed it. It is not swing, be bop, or hard bop but is in a class of its own. I like a change from the same old same old from time to time and this fits the bill nicely.
Hi guys, yes Schubert, I suppose I was being slightly tongue and cheek. My term of "punk" just seemed enjoyable for me to type, at the moment. I imagine for anyone in the ranks of many accomplishments as Wynton has tallied, keeping the ego tame at times presents difficulties. He does deserve his credits. Pjw, What a loss, the great Roy Hargrove! Wallace Ronny (mentored by Miles) is another great. His album Misterios, (to me) is in the vein of Freddy Hubbards' First Light. Again I really do enjoy Wonton's (Grammy) album with the English Chamber Orchestra. Darn punk (sorry for paragraphing attempt)
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