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.
Acman, there is a world of difference between a recording and a live performance; you can see and feel where the artist is coming from, that changes your perspective. I don't have that option. One thing I can say about these new artists is that all of their albums seem to have a high recording quality. It will be good not to have that concern anymore.
Since Christmas is upon us, thought I would mention three Christmas jazz recordings that I turn to every year.
Jingle Bell Jazz - A Columbia Records collection of jazz tunes recorded over a year's time by such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Chico Hamilton, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis. Teo Macero produced jazz recordings by these and a few other folks during 1978-79 and insisted that each produce one jazz number that was holiday related on each release. These were then collected on this record in 1980, released in stereo. Wonderful stuff here.
A Swinging Christmas - An Ella Fitgerald compilation of non-religious music popular during the 50's, released in mono in 1960. I bought this last year from Barnes & Noble online, who were featuring these old original pressings (wonderful vinyl quality). Don't know whether the same holds true this year. Nothing revolutionary here, but just good swing and ballad vocalizing of some seasonal classics backed by the Frank DeVol orchestra.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Yes, it is easy to forget that the soundtrack for this ever-popular tv program is original jazz, partly composed and partly improvised by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. And if you just sit and listen to it, it is decent jazz (apart from the now universal story-line.)
It would seem to me that Dr. Lonnie Smith likes Allison Miller and vice versa. Another live performance in Brooklyn where the Dr. hired 2 drummers - Allison Miller and Joe Dyson. This music is a lot different from Millers Boom Tic Boom band but she is proficient in both of the very different styles.
Pjw, it seems we have similar aesthetics when it comes to music. I like "Back Track" by Dr. Lonnie Smith; this is very unusual music that combines many different things, two drummers for one.
Acman, I'm still listening to "Tic Boom". I think the fact that you have seen and heard some of these artists live gives you a different perspective, and if I had experienced that, we would have the same view.
The guitarist, Jonathan Kreisberg , is also on the Brooklyn date. Give Kreisberg a listen. He is seldom mentioned here and is an upper echelon guitarist for sure. Here is one from him:
For the record, it is pwj, who was lucky enough to see Allison Miller live. I have only heard her music on my local music station, and have her on Tidal to stream.
I like most of her music, but the Glitter Wolf record is worthy of a top 10 on most year end list. The members of her band are very talented.
"Little Niles" is a tune that I first heard in 1957, that's a long time ago. Since then I've heard various versions that I liked. "Little Niles" was just a name that had no meaning until recently
Now we get to the present; little Niles was little in 1957, maybe 6 or 7; so how old is little Niles now? "Little Niles" is Randy Weston's son, Randy Weston was inspired by his childish antics to write the tune.
I would agree. Brilliant! Brilliantly executed and because it brilliantly taps into an aspect of the personality of Christmas that I think gets lots on some. Joyous time that doesn’t have to only be serious because of the seriousness of its most important meaning. The orchestra and chorus sound fantastic. Thanks for that.
She seems to be full of internal and external energy, like a woman that has something to say...But in a way her singing makes me nervous, I cannot place her anywhere (?) and I wonder why. Help me.
Love Beth Hart, mary_jo. Thanks for posting that KC Honors clip. I posted that clip a while back and so glad to hear it again. I like your description of her. She has a lot to say; no doubt due to things she has had to deal with including years of drug addiction. She can be sexy as heck. That solo by Jeff Beck kills. Speaking of having a lot to say, a great example of saying so much with the fewest words (notes).
I mispelled her name at the beginning. Not respectful thing to do. This forum waves with it’s non-editorial rule mercilessly. Cool it...
Fro, I did not give up on her, it’s just hard for me to embrace her in full, can’t quite sure why. Incredible talent she has but I think I need more softness to be seen from her. Maybe she’s playing too tough for my taste. Although what yells from inside (in regards what she has gone trough) indicates something else...Anyway, thank you fro for your answer, I appreciate it.
...sometimes I feel like "who the hell I am to talk about the way one performs". About what one should do or do not. Love it or leave it. But really, where are the boundaries, what one should comment without possibly interfering or behaving poorly towards the performer and his hard work at the same time.
It is not the listener’s responsibility to worry about protecting the artist that way, IMO. Be free to not like an artist or have mixed feelings; but, that is different than “judging”. From your description it’s pretty obvious to me that she pushed some buttons for you. For an honest performer, that is getting about 3/4 of the way to the goal. Worrying about whether listeners will “like” them is toward the bottom of their list. Why should she have more “softness”? She is tough as hell and can exude a very raw attitude with a little theatricality, I get what you might be feeling about her. For me, it’s a Janis Joplin like Rock and Roll sensibility. I know that for me that part of my reaction to her attitude is that I am a man and she is a woman. Women are not supposed to be so rough, right? On the other hand, I think most men, if honest, would say they find it sexy as heck.
Generally I do agree, one should not think about it, I just wanna make sure that it does not sound judging. There is a thin line to that, you know...
As for softness, for my own preference, perhaps I would prefer that she shows it for more. You pointed that right, do you read one’s mind (?), theatricality do bothers me. Janis had much of all that too, true, but from what I have watched of her, she was rough and soft at the same time, I could not see anything pouring out in any direction. With Hart I do.
As for sexy as heck, she is interesting but not sexy to me. For instance, we recently mentioned Sade who I find to be sexy. But again, it’s the matter of preference.
Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra -- I QUE VIVA HARLEM
Notes: A brief over view of the history of East Harlem and it's musical heritage, with Mario Bauza figuring prominently in both. "The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts Program, one of the first conservatories in the U.S. to acknowledge the prime importance of Jazz as an Art Form...."
I knew they grew chickens in Mississippi, but I didn't know they grew them in New York. Just kidding about Mississippi, but I had no idea there was such a thing as "city chickens"; I bet they like jazz, especially "Bird".
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
