Rok, the ultimate music can change for me in a matter of hours; presently, this is the ultimate music;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sda6b_0Kiak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpenHlO_D_Y
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.
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Here is an album that was originally posted by Alex. He has a number of albums that capture the spirit of The South Side of Chicago in the late 50's, and he's never been to Chicago. This one album earned John Wright so much fame in Chicago that a day was designated in his honor which is celebrated every year. People who experienced this "Mecca of Hipness" that was so cool, have a hard time believing that it ever existed. Now, John Wright's music is all that we have; it captured something that would elude a photograph; he captured the living spirit of what is was like to walk those streets, to live where famous artists and musicians were a common occurrence; but most importantly, he captured the essence of life on the South Side at that time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvvJWkG0oKk |
I'm not exactly an art critic, but I have spent a lot of time at the St. Louis Art Museum; https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x87d8b5576e47b955%3A0x97a4b1dc139c963a!3m1!7e115!4sh... As I recalled, I liked the Dutch Painters; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwJmO3I9lWw I don't know about Randy Westons philosophy, but I certainly liked his music. I didn't hear as much Africa in that music as the cover might indicate; just a touch of North Africa, but not too much, sounds primarily like hip jazz. I don't think that cover would be hung in the Art Museum, but as I stated, I'm not an art critic. |
When I lived in the city, there was a film festival that was held at night in the Art Museum, and my wife didn't want to go, so I had to go it alone, and some very strange, even scary things occurred that night on my way to the museum. As I was driving down one of the main thoroughfares, I coincidentally changed lanes several times as a car a few lengths ahead of me changed lanes. (I hope that guy doesn't think I'm following him) He turned left on N Kingshighway Blvd & Natural Bridge, and so did I (that was the way to the Art Museum). We drove a long way down Kingshighway before he made a right turn off Kingshighway and I kept going straight. After this I breathed a sigh of relief; don't need some paranoid dope dealer to think that I'm following him, those guys shoot first and ask questions later. I drove for a mile or two before I reached the turnoff into Forest Park, inky black dark at night Forest Park. Boy am I glad I'm not still coincidentally following that same car into this deserted park at night. The next thing I know, this same car appeared a few car lengths ahead of me in this dark deserted park; that's when my pulse began to race and I could hear my heart beat. Fortunately, he sped up and disappeared out of the park, we were both thinking the same thing; he thought I was following him, and I thought that he thought I was following him when I was just trying to reach the Museum which was in the park. |
While Paul Desmond’s "Taste Of Honey" is so sublime that I must have it, I don’t think it captures the intended spirit of the tune. I think the spirit of the tune should be seductive, like Woody Herman’s; one can not stop with just one taste of that honey, it always calls for just one more taste of honey. It has always been interesting to see how the same music affects us diferently. As much as I like Woody Herman’s Taste of Honey, I agree with pryso here. Melancholy would be the word I am searching for. And this feeling lives in Paul Desmond’s album. Suitable for the ancient history. Well, it is ancient. The seductive tune I would patch to later times or even better, to present time. Something like this is coming to my mind. Hm, good verb though. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EmlOh4uNpLU I saw this tune for the first time when you posted it I think about year ago. Nope, about two years ago... |
"Melancholy", a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. "an air of melancholy surrounded him" "Sublime", of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe. "Mozart's sublime piano concertos" If we combine both of those words, we get "Beautiful sadness"; is Paul Desmonds "A Taste Of Honey" a beautiful sadness, or a sad beauty? Now let us examine other aspects of the song; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAFpqd_mDNo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4glzb5lVnzA I conclude that which ever version you like the best is the best. |
Rok (and others too) Here is the link to a spanish label 'Fresh sounds' https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/ They print and sell much of old music, on cd and lp that is almost impossible to find on original labels or its to expensive to buy it even if you do. They have large choice as well Sound quality is quite decent, or even better (they advertise it as remasters, but I dont believe its from original tapes) I have several of their editions, including the John Wright. The shipping to Usa is cheap, more than 3 time less than on Amazon, its even cheaper than for european customers |
I was saddened to hear of Lee Konitz's passing last week. I have been listening to all of my Konitz discs repeatedly since his passing. He recorded so many good albums. This Covid 19 will definitely take the lives of elderly men and women much faster then those under 70 (who took car of themselves). A lot of people here on Long Island NY have been recovering without a hospital stay. I hope all the members here are safe in these troubling times of health and financial crisis. |
This Bud is for you Rok; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RapLJuowRA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg3ZUsfvttI Not every one even knows what a "juke joint" is, much less ever been to one. When I was in my "juke joint" phase, I went to juke joints from Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Cairo, Ill, that was before I was even 21. |
Today’s Listen: Ella Fitzgerald -- ELLA FITZGERALD SINGS THE DUKE ELLINGTON SONGBOOK 2-CD set. Disc one, Ella with small groups, Disc two, Ella with Ellington & his Orchestra. ALL the good stuff is here, and sung by the best ever. 1957. Collector grade booklet. Duke’s Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brth0hcOP1Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJes7XRuWEk Small group (ain’t this the truth.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xikVWnJVgc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y_d_aQg2xI Ain’t got it, git it. Otherwise, never utter the word ’Aficionado’ again. Cheers |
I like him better doing this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOPYn1l1pvw The World Cup club. Uijongbu, Korea. 1976. Cheers |
That's the one Alex, I love that photograph where you can see the skyscrapers from the railroad tracks. It was just such a setting where me and a choice friend or two would gather to philosophy and smoke exotic blends of tobacco from the orient. Those were happy times; although I don't have any exotic blends from Mexico or the orient anymore, plus the fact that I no longer smoke, I can still use music like that which you submit as a vehicle to travel back to happier times. 1960 was a fantastic year, coincidentally, that was the year we (select friends) were viewing skyscrapers from railroad cars while discussing different philosophies. You have all the privacy in the world at such a location; just what's needed to smoke exotic blends of tobacco and philosophy. I'm not sure I even have any music in my collection other than that Richard Wright album that can place a person in a geographic setting, or even create a mood like King Fleming and I never heard of either one of them before your submissions. Bobby Hutcherson's "A Night In Barcelona" might come close; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5LzriDdyM Thanks for remembering. |
So pleased you liked it, O. A great track. Dunno if they had Southside Chicago in mind or not but that title and Auger's playing are what prompted me to post it. YES - Oblivion Express and going back a little further (I think I have the direction right) there was Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & Trinity. The guy has been around and paid his dues. His playing on the various CAB albums is superb. |
Orpheus, I tryed to find more music that I have, recorded in Chicago. I believe those two clubs were popular at the time, these are few albums that were recorded there. Harold Harris ’at the Playboy club’ (you can find entire album on ytube) https://youtu.be/cg8ISlaIcaQ https://youtu.be/ZUbvgUb229o https://youtu.be/EaYvj9fCSdw Also, his album ’Here’s Harold’ recorded in 1961. in Chicago https://youtu.be/tadhrJQAVcI https://youtu.be/CWJg_WgbKNs Oscar Peterson recorded few albums live at Chicago’s ’London House’ https://youtu.be/9z0xi6x_OWQ https://youtu.be/eYLNrh_DsXE ..and finally, some story about those places and times.... https://www.chicagodetours.com/forgotten-chicago-nightlife-history/ |
Alex, I appreciate your efforts, the music you submitted is good jazz, but you've already submitted the only music that's able to conjure up memories of the "South Side" that John Wright's music conjured up. That magic time came and it went, leaving only John Wrights music to conjure up it's memory, which is why his music is so valuable to all the people who lived in that time and place. I really liked 'Moanin', Live At The London House, Chicago, 1961. Thanks for your efforts. |
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Today's Listen: The Gene Harris / Scott Hamilton Quintet -- AT LAST Skimpy notes, mostly about how the recording session came about. SACD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV2jJHYxr-s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PsClCYYRDc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYxGGRwyE5g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmYWt5ucTz8 Gene Harris never made a bad record. Cheers |
schubert...I do not think that she is actually playing it. Recuerdos is a challenging piece to perform (well) on a classical guitar. It takes time to learn it on the level of the beginner, more time to learn it on the intermediate level, years to learn it on advance level and many devoted years to master it. The piece is hard because of left hand position which is not easy and right hand tremolo technique which is challenging classical guitar technique for many classical guitarists. In tremolo one plays bass notes with the thumb followed by three (or two depending on the chosen technique) repeated higher notes, plucked with the ring, middle and index finger. Although you must not move your right hand but fingers only, you can see that fingers are dancing at the player that actually performs the tremolo. |
Mary Jo, I tired them all, and they opened. Must be a Balkans thing. I am probably under age.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJh_B6xcFuA Cheers |
O10, not south side, more downtown Chicago I guess. This was my introduction to Jamal six decades ago and I still enjoy it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Sktqhz6GI&list=PLr94Z3tn0F9uUCeLR3FwEQ6Np4iW71TKo |
Pryso, that was ground 0, it was the right place and at the right time; that was on 64th and Cottage Grove. Dinah Washington lived in that neighborhood at about that time, I saw her car parked in front of the lounge with a crowd of people around it; that's because most people didn't know what kind of car it was. Since she wasn't performing, she was probably just having a cocktail with friends. Here is the car; I can't swear to what color it was, black I think, with gold letters on the spare located on the trunk; https://www.google.com/search?q=56+lincoln+continental&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS858US858&oq=56+lincol... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Mark_II |
Before they dropped "Jazz" from their name and attempted to appeal to a broader "pop/rock" audience - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg6LNvQMs7U Still, I enjoyed them as simply the Crusaders - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OahE2GGaGq4 |
Pryso, I was so busy living my own life, I didn't realize the change in name meant a change in music; however, that explains why I liked them much more under the old moniker "The Jazz Crusaders" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4ekBaJNg5w I don't know if you recall me mentioning that I saw Maynard Ferguson just out on the town having a good time; I said friends, but from looking at this, it was with some of the members of his band. This is what he looked like, and since he had on a suit coat, he looked even fitter; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlfg06DOrXA It seems that since I always saw him clowning around on the Johnny Carson show, I never took him as a really serious jazz musician, that clip proves I was wrong. |
As you stated Pryso, they still succeeded in making great music after dropping the "Jazz" from the name of the group; however, I have more recordings by the "Jazz Crusaders"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GdJtyvhI1E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0iqqcs80cA |