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.
Some others too, that’s for sure. One particular artist, don’t remember his name right now...You do not know what love is was one of a very few pieces that he actually made. All in all, one album only, if I am not mistaken.
I can picture that old junkman every time I hear this.
I know this is Billie Holiday's song, but I find it just as interesting from a man's point of view; 6 in the morning, sun shining, and she's going off a mile a minute about what happened, while he's just glad to see her in one piece.
Oregonpapa, I can hear what impressed you so much about that little girl, I was moved as well.
I had to play "Blue Gardenia" twice; it took me back to another time, that instrumentation was so fantastic that I could listen to it forever, and Dinah has a special place in my heart.
Something different. The little known band “Dreams” from the late 60s/early 70s was probably the most creative and interesting (to me) of the horn based bands that would become popular during that era. Before the terms Jazz-Rock or fusion were coined and before the Jazz left Jazz-Rock. Members included Billy Cobham, Will Lee, Jim. Abercrombie and the very young Brecker Brothers. Their first record would become a bit of a cult classic:
I have that Dinah Washington recording on vinyl. Her rendition of "Blue Gardenia" is one of my all-time favorite vocals. I have quite a few of her recordings on vinyl. She’s been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager. An entire lifetime has passed by since then.
What did you think of Angelina Jordan? Is she an old soul, or what? Check out Angelina’s other youTube videos. She’s an amazingly talented little girl. Interesting thing ... she doesn’t feel comfortable singing with her shoes on.
Frank, that music was made at a time when Dinah was really on top, and the musicians with her as well;
Dinah Washington – lead vocals Clark Terry – trumpet Paul Quinichette – tenor saxophone Cecil Payne – baritone saxophone Jimmy Cleveland – trombone Wynton Kelly – piano Barry Galbraith – guitar Keter Betts – bass Jimmy Cobb – drums
That music takes me back to a much better time than now, and that was even before this COVID 19 mess. From my observations, we've been going backwards for 20 years now. I need all the help I can get to be "elsewhere" in another time zone.
I just ordered a 5 LP box set, and I'm setting my analog rig back up. Might need a couple of tubes for the phono, but they should be here when the records arrive.
Thanks for reminding me just how good that music sounds. The funny thing is that it sounds so much better now than it did back then.
Do any Tyrants, Despots, autocrats still exists in the ranks of Orchestra Conductors today?? Seems as if, the title meant they wanted everything their way or the highway, but, I always assumed this was the norm for all conductors.
Found this on google. The last sentence had me LMAO.
The most famous embodiment of the despotic maestro was Arturo Toscanini. Even in the glory years of the handpicked NBC Symphony Orchestra, he routinely flew into tantrums during rehearsals, breaking his baton, storming off the stage, vowing never again to conduct such louts, whose playing was an insult to him and to Beethoven -- who, the point seemed to be, were equals.
I have posed before the Green, Burrell, Kessel concert from 1969, from french tv. Tonight I have stumbled on concert of Grant Green trio, it seems from the same occasion. So rare to see him play live. Great stuff
Thank you very much Alex. It's very painful for me to see someone I walked and talked with, plus even heard his music before Blue Note ever heard of him. I heard his music in a fashion that few people ever get to hear any musician, and that's when he's not playing for any audience, but just for himself.
Actually, some of this music is not so different from what I heard, except that the music I heard wasn't written anywhere other than on his mind, and his heart. Grant's music is so honest; it's coming straight from his soul.
Seeing and hearing him is still painful; Grant was a man's man, what you see is what you get; St. Louis is not the softest or easiest city to live in, and that's where he grew up.
This music really touches me, it's as honest as music can get.
These are three of my favorites. This brings back memories of hearing Grant in a small club before he became famous; I can hear those notes popping off his strings like they were just outside my ear, and I would sit there with my eyes closed languishing in heaven.
I smiled while reading the notes where Herbie Hancock is mentioned as an "up and coming new talent". Great Blue Note Album Cover. 8 tracks, 3 of them 'alternate takes'. :(
Dinah Washington trivia: she was married to Dick "Night Train" Lane, defensive back with the Detroit Lions.
One thing I appreciated about Dinah was her unique voice, not just her phrasing. Phrasing can be copied but I favor artists who don't "sound" like others. Lady Day was like that too.
Dinah's private life was something; from everything I've read and heard, it seems that when she died was when she was the happiest, she never got enough of nothing until she married Dick.
Rok, sure, they still exist. However, probably not quite as despotic and tyrannical as the infamous ones of the past. Among others, two reasons for this:
Orchestra players' committees probably have more clout today than in the past and the modern trend of the jet-setting conductor who is constantly travelling to conduct orchestras other than his own causes some distance to be kept from the players in the orchestra.....sometimes as well as musical connection.
The conductor is boss. Ultimately, it IS "his way or the highway". However, the smart conductor knows that the only way to get the very best playing from the orchestra is to return the respect. Being an ahole to the orchestra is always counterproductive. Being respectful and giving a compliment when making a musical demand of a player is usually a much more effective way of getting good results. Trust is important. Don't stop and waste time pointing out the first time someone makes a small mistake. The player knows it and 99% of the time it won't happen again. Guest conductors' biggest mistake.
Another infamous tyrant was Fritz Reiner. Famous Reiner story:
He would sometimes conduct with a very small beat pattern which can be hard to see. A trumpet player once took out binoculars to look up at the maestro. After a while, Reiner took out a small piece of paper. When the intrepid trumpet player again looked at Reiner through his binoculars he noticed writing on the piece of paper:. "You're fired".
Pryso, I've been listening to Dinah's CD's, while at the same time looking forward to the 5 record set I ordered.
I'm sure the CD's are just as good in regard to Dinah's vocals, where I'm anticipating a difference is in the music; she chose the very best "jazz" musicians to back her, and while some are well known, others aren't, but they are still among the best.
She has Clifford Brown on a number of her records, and I want all the music I can get by him, plus someone who's not as well known, but can make a big difference "Paul Qunichette".
Dinah grew up on the South side of Chicago where jazz was king; record stores had outside speakers blasting the latest jazz albums, and there was always live jazz close by. Her love for jazz is quite apparent on "Dinah Jams". This was a live album featuring the top jazz musicians of that time.
Dinah Washington - vocals Clifford Brown - trumpet Maynard Ferguson - trumpet Clark Terry - trumpet Herb Geller - alto saxophone Harold Land - tenor saxophone Richie Powell - piano Junior Mance - piano George Morrow - double bass Keter Betts - double bass Max Roach - drums
Those guys were more than just background musicians; Richie Powell would have out shined his famous brother had he lived; Keter Betts is a boss bassist that I don't hear a lot about; Herb Geller is another name that's not well known.
One the first Jazz players I ever purchased on LP (Slow Freight). This music was recorded on a cassette deck 'somewhere' in France, hence the name. Pretty good sound from a $1.98 cassette. (notes). The notes also point out that Bryant is one of the few from the 'golden age' of Jazz to be living out his golden years in good shape, health and money wise. Good!!!
*** The Conductor of our choir was very temperamental man. He would yelled at us, sometimes even calling us names. He was funny though. We were bunch of promising neanderthals. He did what he had to do.
It was mixed choir, male and female voices. Something from our repertoire: (We sounded like this mostly on good sunny day or on Saturdays) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vhPkUwr3J0k
Great clip. Thanks. These days, I listen to music all day everyday. Nothing but relaxing enjoyment, but, when I was in college, and actually played music, there were days like the ones in the clip. Our tyrant came to us from the University of Michigan, via the U.S. Navy Band. These tyrants always seem to pick on trumpet players. Flugelhorn in my case.
(I’m sure it’s obvious that Alex’s very funny clip is a parody)
Whew!!! Glad to hear that. I thought it was the band backing Mary Jo's choir.
Cheers
I have stuff by all of them except, Esa-Pekka Salonen. Never heard of him/her. If they would stick with sensible music like Mozart or Beethoven, their lives would be a lot easier.
Ahahah, that’s a good one but for the moment I thought...you know what. Don’t you dare doing that because if you do, I will track you down and when I find you, will torture you for sure...:--))
Excellent informative clips about the impact of Beethoven’s Symphonies.. After watching, I could almost feel how hard it is to be a musician in a major orchestra.
He seems to be saying that they, the classical crowd, have to change with the times. Brings to mind the ’fusion’ and ’free’ folks in Jazz. There seems to be more recordings of Eastern European music in the magazines these days. Any connection? Something different?
My 7th copy of Beethoven’s 9 symphonies, Riccardo Chailly - Gewandhaus, is en route from England. Probably by tramp steamer.
Thanks for the great clips. I will have to buy something by Salonen. A guy this smart could not possibly be a noise maker.
Cheers
I just looked, and found I have something by him. He was involved with Wynton Marsalis' album, 'ALL RISE'. He conducted the L.A. Philharmonic.
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