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.
orpheus10
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. ;)
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.
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  





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
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!
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


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








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


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
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Great post, acman3 , guys from that part of the world should should be heard more .
listening to the Paul Motian Band on the ECM label it sounds terrific on my system. Compared to the Stanley Turrentine  Cherry recording I mentioned last week. Like night and day. same system same adjustments. This one I really dig:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBKk67G5F-8


I owe it to this thread, and Andre Previn to post my thoughts on him and his musical abilities.

He's clearly not given the credit he deserves as a jazz musician, but many jazz musicians are not given any credit at all, so maybe that's just the disparity in regard to the two different genres; Classical and jazz.

I first became acquainted with Mr. Previn's music in the form of "My Fair Lady"; it was "West Coast" cool and hip in a different kind of way. This is as hip as it gets, that cat could jam.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCSQlmUnMFs


You talking about style; you had to have been there on the set at that time, and seen some slinky long legged chick in black leotards looking like a slinky black cat and moving to this music; those were the days.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZKzTMr1M5E


Linda Lawson put this into words that fit those times;


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA81pRYtEXc


May he rest in peace, somewhere as hip and cool as his music.


   
And here is a heavenly melody with his beloved London Symphony Orchestra.Perhaps enough have gone before him to play him home .https://youtu.be/tsusR4RTcNU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffcPtDtddgM
I know there is because I heard him say so .https://youtu.be/l-JX6gtxMwMThis is my favorite Jazz recording of Previn and no. there never be one like him again .
I doubt that there is no connection between Previn’s affinity for Shostakovich (and, of course, jazz) and Shostakovich’s own interest in jazz as a composer.
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Late night solo piano music by Lara Downes on Steinway & Sons label. ’A Billie Holiday Songbook’. Very laid back and quite enjoyable. Sort of like Hyman who’s music I find more energized (not so much ’late at night’ music). FWIW.
frogman you misread my post above on Redman. His residence at the Bluenote ends on Sunday April 7. Here is the schedule:

http://www.bluenotejazz.com/newyork/schedule/index.shtml

I plan on going to the Friday April 5 show for Redman at the Bluenote and the Thursday April 11 show for Carter at Birdland as my friend and I have already chosen that date.


However, if I can swing it, I will also go to the Tuesday April 9 Carter show at Birdland.


Thanks, pjw.  I still would like to try to hear Carter on 4/9. Let me know if you decide to go.  Due to my work schedule the only dates that might work for Redman are 4/8 and 4/9.  I would prefer Carter on 4/9; but I couldn’t do both 4/8&4/9.  Let me know what you decide. Thanks.
frogman , I truly thought, is this computer generated ?As amazing a thing as I have ever seen !Those tiny three Angels on the trombones are beyond all credulity !


Dios los bendiga NIPPON !


Joshua Redman has a residency at the Blue Note NYC 2 through 7 April if your interested
pjw, I’m a little confused. You wrote he is at Birdland 4/8-4/12. The date I can make is Mon 4/8. I might be able to make Tues 4/9 depending on the time. The rest of the week is no good for me. What time is the set on Tues?

I saw Carter at the Village Vanguard several years ago when he was first causing a bit of commotion on the scene. Played a lot of sopranino and baritone saxophones that night. Very exuberant player. I like him although I can’t say he is a favorite. I haven’t followed his career too closely and would like to catch up and hear where he’s at currently. Please let me know about the dates. Thanks!
I thank all of you for introducing me to the great pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. I have just ordered 4 of his albums!
frogman The 9 April date is on a Tuesday. I’m definitely going to the Thursday 11 April show as I have prior engagements for that weekend but I may just see him 2x and go on the Tuesday.


IMHO, James Carter is someone that every jazz aficionado should see at least once in their lifetime. He was an exceptional player at age 16 when he toured Europe with the International Jazz Band in 1985.
34 years later, having just turned 50 this past January, you could make a strong case that no saxophone player alive can match him on a technical level. My only wish is that he would put out more albums. At the least once every year like modern trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has been doing. I plan on asking him about this and taking more photo's of him and I together at the show.

Here is a JC clinic in Mariachi Sax Boutique, Moscow, Russia. His statement about the "timeless jazz standards" was not surprising to me as he has the deepest respect for the musical composition arrangements of the great writers from the 1920’s - 1960’s and the players that made these songs masterpieces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7bcVdgHgcI

I have seen Carter play alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone and he has mastered them all.

His 1996 album "Conversing with the Elders" is his testament to the standards of the past and the musicians who played them. His 2000 album "Chasin’ The Gypsy pays homage to the great Django Reinhardt.


nsp I urge you not to miss out!!
I must confess that I was so astounded that I looked for clues that they weren’t actually playing, but “playing”along to prerecorded music.  Nope, they are playing.  Amazing!  Better intonation than most college bands.  Even more astounding is the well developed tones.  Extremely rare for players that young to have that kind of fullness of tone.  Those kids have had exceptional training.  Disciplined with relaxed and correct posture and embouchure; hallmarks of great training.  Pretty incredible.  Bet you none take their smartphones to band practice.  

Haven't been following the thread but saw it in my inbox, more of reading first two pages and last two pages. Main question unrelated to the subject of the thread is how do I find higher quality pressings made for original masters which I can buy new? I have a budget of ~ $100 a month on vinyl and have a small collection which is just now larger than a single storage box.
Back on topic, the first I bought after "completing" (yeah, right) my turntable / phono stage around September. 

Miles Davis - In a Silent Way. Columbia Legacy reissue. 

I have several others but this is one I go back to often for the low noise floor with tolerable tape hiss while still having an open sound. I'll stop using descriptors regurgitated from memory.
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frogman, pops plays just plain beautiful . see where Sonny got his elegance !
Think I’ll make a fool of myself again , in last 50 years I’ve heard a lot of pianists .
The only one I would place above Gonzalo Rubalcaba is another Latin, Claudio Arrau .They both bring a heavy dose of spirituality to their playing and in a similar manner .
And , for whatever reason , Arrau played better in person than on recordings and his recordings are often iconic .
P.S all " Autumn Leaves" was originally a French song  that Mercer worked over . "Les Feuilles  Mortes " . ( The Dead Leaves ) .


Johnny Hartmann & John Coltrane.....Tony Bennett and Bill Evans.....almost any Ellington
I just had a deep feeling these two are in some manner kindred souls
I don’t drink but every Feb.23 I have a champagne in honor of the iconic voice of France. Last Sat.was the 50th anniversary of her death , there was no one like her and none that ever will be .
Gonzalo Rubalcaba could comp for Pavorotti , he’d have no trouble lifting the "Little Sparrow" to God .




Catching up here. Nice clips all. Thanks!

pjw, thanks a lot for the invitation. Due to my work schedule the only date I can make is Mon, 4/8. Let me know if that works for you guys; would be great to meet you both. Thanks again.

That “Autumn Leaves” by Rubalcaba is pretty amazing, nsp. Mind blowing technician! That was recorded almost twenty years ago and I think he has tamed that incredible exuberance a bit. Always a lot of depth however. Amazing player. I wonder what Chick Corea was thinking while in the audience listening to Rubalcaba. Not common knowledge, but Gonzalo is also a terrific drummer and percussionist. He is the son of pianist Guillermo Rubalcaba a legendary figure in Cuban music.

Schubert, Piaf/Rubalcaba; interesting pairing to say the least. This might offer some clues as to what that might have been like. The old man himself accompanying singer Luis Frank; another Cuban music legend. Beautifully suave playing by the senior Rubalcaba:

https://youtu.be/Z4MeEz-Q-Mc