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.
Alex, Beck and a few others have the ability to play Jazz, IMHO, but don't have the desire or discipline to follow completely through, so I I agree with your premise.
0-10, I thought you would like to know why Coltrane played like he did at the end. Way over our heads musically. Not Chaos but order. He knew what he was up too.
Nuts and bolts again, but ahead of most everybody!
I may veer off course sometimes but I know jazz - real jazz as our OP puts it. The other day I noticed on page one of this thread after orpheus10's OP Count Basie was name just once I believe.
This is the only time when a band honoring another musician really succeeded. "The Essential Mingus Big Band" has actually reincarnated Charles Mingus, they sound as good as the original, plus they expanded on his ideas. I've been collecting Mingus since "Mingus Ah Um"; they capture the essence of Mingus, and I'll have to capture all their records.
acman3 enjoyed the Masada book of Angel cuts. My one Masada CD "Eight" never received much play time but I like this group lineup and songs you posted. Might buy.
*****
This is the only time when a band honoring another musician really succeeded.*****
The larger the original group the more likely it can continue after the creator has passed on. The Ellington and Basie Bands come to mind. But I agree these folks do a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of Mingus.
This is true because they are often honoring a composer. Playing his music, rather than trying to play like the person.
Now, if someone wanted to honor Miles or Trane, getting a rhythm section together would be possible, but who would be Miles / Trane?
This is true. The 'danger' in outsiders playing the blues is that you have to understand the 'double entendre' that are very common in the blues. If a phrase sounds silly, think sex!
The lengthy article somehow fails to mention that these babes were from Mississippi. My Aunt gave me a photo of them signed by some of the players. She knew them. I treasure that photo.
Pepper Adams is someone who has been a featured sideman on many of the best albums we've submitted but we haven't talked about him much. His photograph also appears in Nica's book "Three Wishes".
Great tune and performance. Written in honor of the great Lester Young. One of the most respected and beloved figures in Jazz. His life and death had a great impact on Jazz. Those of you with sharp eyes would have noticed that the tenor player on the International Sweethearts of Rhythm clip, held her sax the same way as Young. All being from Mississippi. Influence indeed.
When you hear the greatest jazz tunes, you don't just hear music, they involve you emotionally. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" is a good example; while it's infinitely sad, it still swings.
Here's another tune that takes you places, "Stolen moments is where people won't bind us to the hands of time; we can just linger in precious moments that we spent 30 years ago forever, and no one will find us"
Fusion is a genre that sounded so different when it was new, and I had never heard it before. I can still recall buying and listening to "Sextant" by Herbie Hancock; "Weather Report" and probably something by Chic Corea.
I try to go back to that time, which was around 1973; keep in mind that I had never heard any of this music before; it took me to the seventh galaxy, but that's the way it is when things are new and fresh. See if you can take this time travel trip with me?
I never got into the fusion craze. But I did go for Soul Jazz is a big way. Acman3 is posting some good stuff in that area. I will post some of my favorites.
Way back in the days of "Fusion", I recall listening to the music with a tobacco specialist, and he brought his unique blend of Turkish and domestic that we smoked while listening to the music.
When I gazed at the album cover of "Sextant", I could see the natives moving to the rhythms of the music; that music doesn't sound quite as good now, I wonder why not?
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