I feel for you frog.
I always have reception problems on my yacht out on Lake George too .
I always have reception problems on my yacht out on Lake George too .
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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Thanks for the tip, @acman3 Listening now as I type. A nice change of pace from Three Quartets. Huh...nice stuff. I thought Modus was going to be all about the Hammond until that guitar player came on. Sent a link right over to my bro in law. "Meeting Spot" is sweet...old school soul sounding. Full album, "Shut Up About the Sun" is on Tidal. Going to be on that in a few seconds. Thanks again. |
Brecker is an absolute badass! Another band I have been hearing lately is Space Orphans. A lot like Snarky Puppy, only funkier. Probably not enough improve to be jazz. Still fun though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07sb6rcApSw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WgDLaVCmO4 This is the song which drew my attention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgfrRe1RV3Q |
How about early ’80s? Frogman, Thanks for turning me on to Corea’s Three Quartets. One of the most profound and moving albums I’ve heard out of all the other great music posted here. That wasn’t an immediate reaction but an awareness developing with repeated listening. The more time spent, the deeper you go. Don’t know what he tapped into for these compositions, but that connection seems to have been with something elemental. Would love to have been a fly on the wall for the recording sessions. Part 2 of Quartet 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQx96DsZXxA&ab_channel=JazzBreakTV I loved the comment from one reviewer on Amazon, "I cannot really express in words what this music means to me. This album is a very rare musical treasure, and has been like the voice of god for me 23 years or so....". Voice of God? I won’t claim that, BUT there is SOMETHING going on here that might deserve being called "transcendent". I could go on but won’t...other than to say I’m also very impressed with Brecker’s playing. |
Mid 60"s had some great artists alright , but most of them were products of the 20's through early 50’s when forms of jazz where THE music of America . By mid 60’s jazz was irrelevant to most, then ,as now, rock was the American norm . To my dying day I will believe the great big banks were/are the zenith of jazz. The big band, like a Symphony Orchestra, is not a collection of instruments , but an instrument unto itself , one which can do things no smaller group or soloist can . |
Frogman, Nancy came out in 64; the country was in a vastly different world musically at that time, and that determines the music that's chosen and gets played. No matter how good the musicians and their music is, the public at large chooses whether or not it gets played and noticed. I'm going to select music from the mid 60's to illustrate where I'm coming from. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dusty+springfield+the+look+of+love Carmen McRae; "Alfie" in 65 was a popular tune, that fit the description of "Our music"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozYKIWfRpQ Nina Simone; "Feeling Good", sure made me feel good; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHs98TEYecM I could go on all day in regard to music in the "Mid 60's", but you get my drift. What I'm saying is the same thing you said; there are terrific musicians every year, the top music schools are still open; it's the public that determines what we hear. There was a local establishment that I went to every week end that incorporated an African Finger piano, that sounded ever so good to me and the people who went there; but when that establishment folded, never again did I hear that kind of music. If the best jazz band ever, played in the boonies in Indiana, we may never even know of their existence. There was a club called the "Tanganyika" that was in "Columbus, Indiana" that I went to in 64, and the club over flowed with people from surrounding towns, because there were not enough people in Columbus to support that kind of attendance. As good as that band was, I don't remember the name, and they never made it big. If you just let Carmen play for awhile before you go to the next link, you will hear some of the best of Carmen. When you get to Nina Simone, do the same thing, let it play. The point I'm making is that the "Mid 60's" was an incredible time for music. |
I posted this a while back. It is so good that I thought it should be posted again. Pure class: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QBmrDS2Zhaw |
Schubert - 1) Once you have an item you want to copy a link to, put your cursor at the right end of the string of letters that starts "https" in the box at the top of the page (as Frogman says). 2) Click to highlight that string (single or double click...whatever it takes). 3) Depress and hold the Control key and then the ’C’ button (Mac); or press the Command key and hold it while pressing the ’C’ buttons (Windows). That will copy the string. 4) Above the "Post your Response" box in A’gon (where you want the link to appear, click on the little icon that looks like a tilted figure 8. Position your cursor in the box that opens, then press and hold Control or Command followed by the "V" key. This will "paste" the link. You might have to delete one of the "http://" occurrences if it appears twice. Click okay and now that string should appear as an active link in the box where you can add some comments to go along with it. Hope that makes it easier. Nobody is born with this stuff. Everybody has to learn it at one point or another. No extra points for being the first to learn (at least not in my book). |
An admitted Luddite and computer idiot that my kids laugh at for this reason, I can offer limited help. On my iPad, and presumably other devices as well, it’s as simple as going to the top of the YouTube page and copying the URL (address beginning with https:// ) in the box and simply pasting it into the text of your Audiogon post. |
Loved it! Interesting stuff from a vibist who has gotten short shrift here. Not exactly Jazz as usually discussed here but interesting music with a little bit of humor thrown which can be put in the "Third Stream" category. It sounds like a Carla Bley arrangement. Interesting lineup of players and hard to miss Gato's huge tenor tone in the mix. I particularly like from about 4:00 to the end; reminiscent of Kurt Weill's "Three Penny Opera" music. Thanks! |
Here's my favorite album by Pat Metheney, and it still sounds current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6jrvwbQzLs |
Few artists have been able to project the level of musical integrity that John Coltrane was able to. Even the photographs of him that I have seen project an intense feeling of purpose, but with a sense of calm and humility; all the more striking when one considers the ferocious quality of some of his playing. My personal feeling only, but this is the reason that I have always been reluctant to attach any kind of negativity to the music from his very last years (post "ALS"); as difficult as it may be to listen to and understand. IMO, artistry that deep deserves the listener’s humility and willingness to consider that it is we who are not up to the task. Schubert, very interesting that you should, without knowing the background of the music, attach religiosity to it. |
Define mantra: a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating. Repeat, "A Love Supreme", and it takes on power each time. Mantra's are associated with Eastern religions such as Hinduism, which is the way John Coltrane was leaning at the time of his death. If you absorbed the man and his music at this time in his life, you can truly understand what he meant when he said "All religions have a piece of the truth". Take that a step further and chant, "A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme", then stretch your imagination into it incorporating "All Religions", and you will have where Mr. John Coltrane was coming from. |
For a Sunday morning... Lars Danielsson Liberetto II I Tima (track 5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjCWnLqvvt0&list=PLE6gBt8NnBBeof3pOYWxCygpS62Qt3zOL&index=5&... The full album... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE6gBt8NnBBeof3pOYWxCygpS62Qt3zOL (Frogman - excellent NPR story about "A Love Supreme". Thank you for that.) |
Sublime indeed. In case anyone is not familiar with this period in Coltrane's life and the making of one of the greatest and most iconic records in all of jazz: http://www.npr.org/2000/10/23/148148986/a-love-supreme "A Love Supreme" in its entirety: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3CMgiUPuU |
Thanks for asking the question. Anything by Ella Fitagerald. Wanton Marsalis once said Ella can sing notes that people can't hear. Oliver Nelson, I think it was called The Blues and the undisputed Truth. The key track for me is Stolen Moments. Kinda Blue, Miles Davis and his allstars Jive Samba, Cannonball Adderly and a young Yuseff Lateef Roland Kirk Live in Copenhagen, I think he plays 6 horns at once on this one. The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery. Nuff said. A Love Supreme by Coltrane, once you're a bit of a real jazz fan. This is not casual listening. Take Five by Dave Brubeck and group as well,as,Blue Rondo ala Turk. Live at the Village Gate, Herbie Mann |
@minorl I hear you on Trane. Had the same feeling with his stuff in the latter years "Live in Seattle" (I think?). But from "Blue Train" to about '62-'63 Cotrane was superb. In a class by himself. And Miles ... I felt disrespected when he turned his back to the audience. As much as I have enjoyed his music over the years, that one and only live performance ranks as probably the worst in my experience. It may have been a function of the let-down from all the anticipation. Best concert: Sonny Rollins at Zellerbach in Berkeley. The man played his heart out non-stop for a good while, did a couple of encores, and was just cookin' the whole time! |
A lot of great live jazz experiences, minorl; and welcome to the thread. Would have loved to see Shirley Horn live; one of my very favorite singers (great pianist too). Schubert, I don’t know if you are familiar with Horn, but since you seem to have a soft spot for female jazz singers and appreciate a minimalist playing style you may enjoy this; one of my very favorite records (gorgeous minimalist orchestrations by the great Johnny Mandel): https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiBmNC-kqJEIKTMlP0AD-6yWP8mi2_oE7 |
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Coltrane is great to me. However, there are times where (in my opinion) he simply starts to lose his mind (and me for that matter) and goes all over the place and I can't follow him. it's these types of correspondence that really turns me on to music I never heard. About 30 years ago, I decided that before they all pass on, I would try to see the standard bearers of music. Miles Davis (yes he did turn his back to the audience). But only to conduct and communicate to the band, not to disrespect the audience as some suggested. Shirley Horn often visited Los Angeles and I saw her each and every time. Wow!. Ella, and many others that aren't here anymore. My favorite concert was at the Universal in LA to see the Pat Matheny Group (not the trio, or Pat by himself) it was a long time ago. The best concert and music!!! He was literally on stage for three straight hours and didn't want to stop. If you have a vinyl rig, get the original street life from the Crusaders and sit and listen to the introduction. I'm going to spend some money obtaining some of the music you all suggested. Thanks, |
Frogman - Happy to introduce you to something new. As ever your analysis is much appreciated. I don't know Carla Bley other than the name. Will have to at least check her out...see how much of a stretch acquiring that taste would be. Do give the entirety of the Saft, Swallow, Previte recording "The New Standard" a listen. Available on Spotify and Tidal. Strong compositions throughout. minorl - Welcome, though I myself am a relative newcomer here. Glad you like that listing of jazz recordings (the jazziness of a few could be debated, I suppose). Note of explanation on "only 2 Xs" for Giant Steps: I didn't want to overstate my enthusiasm for some of the more traditional "jazz jazz" recordings in my collection plus the 2X rating has to be viewed in the context of greater listening time devoted to other albums recently. I can say that Blue Train should get promoted to at least 2Xs. I spent more time with both those recordings when I first got them than lately. I was on something of a Coltrane jag at the time. Still, my jazz preferences do tend to lean towards more "modern" jazz than what some consider the "jazz jazz" canon. |
And boy, is she beautiful! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QAU52IimMQM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IlI5eTr5a-0 And btw, perhaps I'm reading too much into your comment, but I agree, her singing is very good but her piano playing is outstanding. |
I have to say, I have been reading this for some time and I quite enjoy the discussions. Jazz is my favorite music format, however, even after all these years (mine) of playing music (classical, Jazz, etc.) I have a really hard time classifying what exactly "Jazz" really is. Initially, to me Jazz ("real Jazz") was all about improvisation. However, I can't say that Bill Evans isn't jazz. The Pat Matheny Group, Spyro Gyra. etc. I'm listening (while working) to Spyro Gryra's Yosemite and realize that I still love this composition. The list that Ghosthouse included above was a great list and sparked my interest on music that I never heard before.( John Coletrane's giant steps gets only two XX's?). ok. I really benefit from and appreciated this type of respectful back and forth. This is not only fun, but very informative. I grew up (yes, I'm older) listing to music all the time. It was all over my mother's house. Rock, Jazz, R&B, you name it. I played classical so, that was also in the mix. Any and all music. As long as it was good. Take for example, the Jazz Crusaders' original version of street life, with Randy Crawford singing. Wow!!! I remember Robertson Audio in Los Angeles (really high end dealer) and many other dealers would use that track on vinyl to highlight what you can really hear on high end sound systems. The information in the background you just can't hear on inferior equipment. But the Jazz Crusaders were a staple in my neighborhood. Joe Sample, and the crew were amazing. Transition to Bob James music and his early stuff was/is very good. However, since younger people didn't get into very long tracks, let alone DJs that simply wouldn't play music that lasted longer than 3 minutes (ask Pat Matheny about this issue), they transitioned over to more formulaic style of "jazz" and it started to be called "smooth Jazz". Most of which I really don't care for. However, I have heard some pretty good stuff. I just wouldn't call it Jazz. As long as there are musicians out there that can play, and my hearing is still up to snuff, I will purchase and listen. Love good music. Eliane Elias also, not only great Brazillian music but she was a lover of Bill Evan's style and music. Keep up this discussion. This is really informative and fun. Enjoy |
Ghosthouse, thanks for the Jamie Saft clip. You are correct that, while I live in NYC, I do have a property in upstate NY. While I don’t know him nor Swallow or Previte personally I do know some of their work from their recordings with various other leaders; especially Swallow’s. In the case of Saft, I first heard him play several years ago when he was the piano soloist in a performance here in NYC of a chamber opera (!) by John Adams. That fact alone is indicative of the versatility of many of the musicians in the "experimental music" or "new music" scenes today. Also known as the "downtown scene" since the birthplace of this broad music category was "downtown" NYC. A lot of these musicians are excellent jazz players whose playing is informed by their interest and involvement in the modern classical, chamber and rock worlds. I like Saft’s playing on your clip quite a bit and was not familiar with too much of his work including this recording; thanks for the introduction. I find him to have a rather unique approach. His rhythmic feel is not as "swingy" as a lot of other piano players and is probably a result of his interest in other genres; and I particularly like the way he uses flurries of notes where the shape of the flurries become the musical statements. Steve Swallow is legendary and someone that is worth checking out. He was one of the first prominent electric jazz bass players and longtime collaborator with composer/pianist Carla Bley. I agree with you about the drumming and the music in general; very modern in feeling. Previte is wonderful and while he definitely brings a modern approach to the proceedings Saft and Swallow are equal partners in that feeling of "modern". Thanks again for the clip! Carla Bley’s music I find to be an acquired taste, but interesting and her collaboration with Steve Swallow is definitely worth being familiar with. Swallow's recordings with vibist Gary Burton is also worth checking out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PAhThf3ot1Y |
We are on the same page; here's Brubeck on piano, and Paul Desmond on alto sax; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsGSxbAB3qk |