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.
31,726 responses Add your response
Once in a blue moon someone comes up with good lyrics to match good music; such is this case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP6mX_HtgGI |
No mention of Dee Dee and her Horace Silver Interpretations??? All good to listen to, but they are also very forgettable, preventing a person being trapped. The best kind of Jazz lyric, for Jazz instrumental music, great when you hear them, but they don't linger forever. Leaving the way open to even better lyrics in the future. Cheers |
An "abstract" work of art, whether it's a painting, a sculpture, or in this case "jazz", which is an abstract musical art, takes on a life of it's own once it leaves the artist who created it. Examples of this are infinite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gX9Tcci3nM |
O-10, the lyrics for NY Voices’ “Stolen Moments” were written by Mark Murphy. I posted his rendition of the tune with his lyrics just above your NY Voices post. I have always liked NY Voices; not quite the singers that Manhattan Transfer are, but I like their arrangements. Nice rendition of Murphy’s lyrics. And very nice “Round Midnight”. Glad to see you changed your mind about the lyrics for that tune. Along the same lines as setting lyrics to a tune is setting lyrics to a solo. Manhattan Transfer’s take on Coleman Hawkins’ famous and ground breaking solo on “Body and Soul”: https://youtu.be/7oyemhTQjBw |
Rok's post where he mentioned Dee Dee's interpretation of Horace Silvers music is the best example of where I'm coming from. Dee Dee used words to describe Silver's music, but that's not the same as permanent lyrics; they lock you into thinking about the same thing every time you hear the music, and that's what "Round Midnight" is not about. |
Lyrics for "Stolen Moments" are pure genius, they fit the music, and they work for me as permanent in the case of the original music. Monk played "Round Midnight" differently, every single solitary time he played it, now I'll let someone else tell me how many times he played it. With that knowledge, does anyone think he had some kind of lyrics in mind? |
What was on the clowns mind who stopped them; he was not an aficionado, I heard the last beginning as being better than what they played after the interruption. Monk done got pissed, he ready to forget about it and go home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In16H9J72HY |
frogman, The vocal rendition to Body And Soul by the Manhattan Transfer was not to my liking. As a matter of fact, the first thing that came to my mind when I listened was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E |
That’s very funny, pjw, The Jetsons. I get it. MT can be a bit of an acquired taste. I find that reaction to them can be a little like the way some rockers react to Steely Dan. It’s that “look how hip I can be!” vibe. I think I referred to it as “urban chic”. Still, the singing and the tightness of the harmonies are pretty great. When in a certain mood, I like it. |
Mark Murphy's rendition of "Stolen Moments" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsvTPeAYfuA Terry Kath, the great guitarist from the band Chicago (one of my favorites) and vocalist on many of their songs, has a similar tone. When I heard Murphy the first time I immediately thought of Kath. The great Terry Kath on guitar on lead vocals. The piano intro ends at about a minute in and he starts singing (for all you jazz fans not familiar with the song). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UOP6l82vU0 Chicago has always been one of my favorite bands of any genre all time. First "big band" rock group using a brass section to break into the pop charts regularly but at the same time not "sell out" and still play great innovative music that you cant really "categorize" Terry Kath's vocals engineered in a studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWkXmx-0phc |
Re Xmas music: Rok, for something different and certainly interesting you may try these. Hungary has had a very rich choral tradition for centuries. I love the choral music of Zoltan Kodaly and Bella Bartok. My wife bought this a couple of years ago. This music has a beautiful simplicity that you may like. The recording quality is excellent (Harmonia Mundi): https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Music-Medieval-Hungary-4/dp/B00005N8D3/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Hungaria... This one is not Xmas music per se, but this choral music evokes a similar feeling: https://www.amazon.com/Kodaly-Choral-Works-Female-Choruses/dp/B00LDMYLCM/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Kodaly+... Both can be sampled on amazon’s site. |
Holiday jazz? Check out the line up here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U5HpTqOTDQ pjw, I'm a Chicago fan too. I'm sure you know the original group all had strong music backgrounds prior to forming, not your typical garage band rock group who couldn't play beyond 3 basic cords. |
Just to add one good album. Thelonious Monk Quartet plus two at the Blackhawk from 1960. They play 'Round Midnight' version too https://youtu.be/Ibk5r4tH1fE one more version of that standard on which I do not think about the words, as usual, the tempo and the feeling of this version is very different Ray Brayant quintet, from 'Lonesome traveler' album https://youtu.be/dG-RLgDabRs |
Christmas Music -- The Traditional (The kind I like) Listing all the stuff I like would have been an impossible task. So these are my essential albums. Covers all styles of traditional Christmas. A new CD of two Ormandy / Philadelphia Christmas albums on one CD has recently been released. Can't go wrong with that. Robert Shaw -- THE MANY MOODS OF CHRISTMAS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg_RWJoZgX0 Robert Shaw -- SONGS OF ANGELS: CHRISTMAS HYMNS & CAROLS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z62Ju7ADThY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jMnpoOS9-o Philadelphia Brass Ensemble -- A FESTIVAL OF CAROLS IN BRASS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG_XqM6qBMg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mDJjvFeCLk Boston Pops / Feidler -- A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDODwGOmMxw Toronto Symphony and Choir -- MESSIAH with / Andrew Davis, Battle, Quivar, Aler, Ramey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T8uPe_wTHg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLmmnVdi3l4 Secular "Christmas" music Tomorrow. Cheers |
So, in other words O-10, you have not enjoyed an instrumental version of Round Midnight since the first time you heard a vocal version of the tune? Or, when did Or, was there something unique about Bryant’s rendition that made you hear the dippy lyrics? Just really trying to understand your very strong feelings about this. |
pryso, Great link to the xmass tune. Chicago, IMHO, was way ahead of the "simpleton" rock bands of the 70's. After Terry Kath's death they did "sell out" a little with the top ten FM tunes sung by Peter Cetera. especially in the 80's. But man they sure did compose and play some awesome tunes and put out some awesome albums in the 70's. |
I too like Chicago the band, pjw. They were the very first major Rock band I ever heard live. In was while in HS, probably 1972 or 3 at Queens College, NY. Very exciting for a kid that age even though Southern Rock (Allman Brothers) was more my thing at the time. Didn’t really appreciate Terry Kath’s talent till much later. |
I am waitin' for the secular Christmas songs...lol In the meantime, it's not Once upon the time in the West but...Go West... Did you know that apple can play the piano? https://youtu.be/bfIVnzpj1vM |
Frogman, first and foremost, I never cared too much for vocals. Of course I have many CD's by Ella, Sarah, Dinah, Billie, and Nancy. I just checked them, and only Ella has "Round Midnight". Ray Bryant's version was fantastic; had I heard it before now, the words would never have crossed my mind. Carmen McRae is the only vocalist who I have a number of "records" by, and I certainly don't have that version of her singing "Round Midnight" that you posted; this tells me how little I was into vocals, unless you call these vocals; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjf81fSUXsM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnrYk1pq12I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWYUNJkO5Ow My vinyl collection lets me know I was even more discriminating before CD's. Just recently (last few days) I asked someone about their impression of a non vocal version of "Round Midnight" and they said it was about "unrequited love". "Those words have put a stamp on my favorite jazz tune". Now when I hear it I hear those words. This never occurred before that. I might have to go to a psychiatrist to get this curse removed. |
****I might have to go to a psychiatrist to get this curse removed.**** :--))) This could be good time to visit Marie Laveau’s ancestors. I am sure that some of them inherited some useful powers... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLRfDLJLjxc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtdQiOPRDfA |
I was not assure which version of lyrics Orpehus do not like, the Monk's 'original', or later one, that is now considered as 'official'. I find the lyrics quite suited for the melody, in fact the verses 'its really gets bad after midnight', or 'memories always start 'round midnight' are the ones that i like the most, for me it describes the mood of the song perfectly, easily one of two of my favourite standards (Angel eyes would be the second, I guess) one of my favourite versions Chet Baker, from 'As times go by' album https://youtu.be/YURCyXB9q1w As for 'Angel eyes', the choice is wide. Sinatra comes to mind, of course, from 'live at the Sands' https://youtu.be/tro3r_DKDdY Chet, from above mentioned album too https://youtu.be/6XEoZ0YiMPs Tommy Flanagan from ' Lady Be Good .....for Ella' https://youtu.be/v6UZTw1uHmk again, Ray Bryant, for Op https://youtu.be/531S2BNPMIY I am lucky that is lunch time now here, not an evening time... |
In regard to "Round Midnight" it's an instrumental mood piece that paints a picture of the city "Round Midnight"; which can be inviting, mysterious, or even dangerous, but never a time to think about "unrequited love". That's because in my scenario you are in the city looking up at the skyscrapers, never in an apartment feeling lonely, but out on the town with the feeling of great anticipation and expectations for the night. I like many versions of angel eyes, both vocal and instrumental (Ray Bryant is always special); I'll present some of my favorite versions of this gem; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHGQM6GDCFg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If77_P8v7iE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x0RSapKapo |
BTW This song was originally recorded in 1947 on Savoy 78 rpm records, and was featured on a 1956 jazz compilation LP record titled "Jazz Of Two Decades"; it's the most special version of "East of Suez". I played it so much that every syllable is stamped on my mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnrYk1pq12I This goes back to when I was listening to the radio; quite a nostalgic tune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfF84ackMM |
It is interesting how the same song causes different associations, but I guess I could never separate the lyrics from the melody, in RM. If I had to choose the song for wandering the city streets at night, this might be the one... Kenny Burrell's 'Asphalts Canyons Blues' https://youtu.be/4X71q_hQ9qo ..but also his version of Round Midnight... https://youtu.be/HrftSxNCsAQ ...or perhaps an album that had that tone in mind? Gerry Mulligan's 'Night Lights' https://youtu.be/u5PG7aRYS1k By the way, where is Acman? |
Descendants not ancestors...mary jo... *** ~ What I will tell to my heart? David Sanborn https://youtu.be/UIHw-rs5BiY Ella... https://youtu.be/mKlyTw_KIAQ ~ Gloomy Sunday Mel Torme https://youtu.be/379hN4TmGEY |
"Asphalt Canyon Blues" is self descriptive and that's the way it sounds; walking the city streets with the blues; while RM is exploring the city "Round Midnight", and experiencing the various emotions; always on alert, while anticipating all the exciting things that can happen "Round Midnight". Kenny Burrells version of RM is soft and alluring, like one of the beautiful ladies one might meet RM; it has none of the trepidation of the reality of exploring city streets RM; very beautiful. In Gerry Mulligan's "Night Lights" you're in a penthouse looking out at the other skyscrapers. |
There is hope for the future of jazz. I attended a jazz band concert at a small, private Great Lakes area college last evening. I came away with two positive impressions. First, there was real musical talent in the 19 member band. All but one were students in two local colleges and it was evident they loved the music they played. You could see all were having a great time while delivering sharp ensemble playing and decent solos. Second was the surprising turn out. The event was on campus and I would guess attendance was maybe 5-600, with about 70% of the audience being students, at least those <25. To put that in context, enrollment at that school is only about 1,500. So that kind of turn out was wonderfully encouraging. And they didn't just show up. They were attentive, appreciative, and responsive to the music. I left with a nice feeling inside. |
Nice to hear. That scenario is replicated all over the country. A lot of young talent out there. Young players get better and better all the time. Unfortunately, “serious” music like Jazz and Classical will never have the kind of audience that more popular forms will, but the music is here to stay. The music changes and evolves and the problem is usually that the older we get the more “trapped” we tend to feel by the way the music was and what we are used to. Good for you for supporting your local musicians! |
"The music changes and evolves and the problem is usually that the older we get the more “trapped” we tend to feel by the way the music was and what we are used to." While we are getting better trained and schooled musicians who can take a musical sheet and play it better than it's ever been played before, we are not getting the creative genius's that we got in the past; case closed. |
Nonsense. Case is not closed at all. It may be closed for some; but, not for everyone and certainly not for those who can relate to a different type of genius. The recent discussion about lyrics is a great example. Some get trapped in a certain viewpoint and make up their own reality while others are open to new possibilities. Of course, there’s always the much simpler way of looking at this and similar issues: glass half full/glass half empty. I’ll take half full anytime. |
Christmas Music for the Devil's Music errrr I mean Jazz Crowd Battle, von Stade, Marsalis, Previn -- A CARNEGIE HALL CHRISTMAS CONCERT -- DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XIjGei8zG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2nEPpFgpz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnygAf8mG-k Jazz at Lincoln Center Otchestra -- BIG BAND HOLIDAYS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6mvjnhwrEs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67BEFZt_njA This arrangement violates some law of music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnshBIuu97Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBt9DQJOO-4 Oscar Peterson -- CHRISTMAS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1MKbmCkEYM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oUs_lul9lE Nate King Cole -- THE CHRISTMAS SONG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mP9T8BQ_bQ The Temptations -- SILENT NIGHT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA44kLu_VB0 Cheers Btw, this year's Jazz at Lincoln Center Christmas CD will be released very soon. |
The case is in fact CLOSED. Artists of all stripes are better trained, educated, and have easier access to better materials, instruments, and places of learning than at any time in Human history. When the next Mozart, Bach, Parker, Mingus, Monet, or van Gogh shows up, call me. Cheers or better yet CASE CLOSED |
Creative genius...it is definitely the matter of perception and of ones standards, I guess, but I would not recejt Op's words like as they are nonsense. With todays sea of information its possible that is harder for such content to become more known or influential, but one cant argue that in past were more prominent and obvious examples in different forms of art, or music in this case... Even here, aldo we are kind of split between the ones who like older stuff more, there is enough room for anyone to post better or equally interesting music of today or of more recent past and aldo such music is shared and displayed, still I ve got the feeling that it has not got the 'power' as 'older' artists had. Maybe with time we shall be able to see it better.... Woody Allen pictured that thought very well in 'Midnight in Paris' here is the scene... https://youtu.be/XbkKirBSQnI |
Frogman, reality is what "is", not what "ain't", and no one speaks for reality, it speaks for itself. As a matter of fact our posts on this thread have been speaking "reality"; they have been saying "what is", not "what ain't"; they have been saying "Old school is the only school", and even you have been confirming this with your posts. |