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.
This subject has appeared on Audiogon before, back in 2012. Many articles on the internet. I sought to solve it by playing my Chesky recording of Wycliffe Gordon. Thinking this would eliminate any questions of the source. It did.
Results indicate that my system, Hearing and speakers are all OK. It is the recordings, including those on FM radio. This can be corrected with the balance control, but I hate using controls.
I asked The Frogman because I thought it might be the recording process that was the problem. If you visualize an Orchestra, most of the action is to the left. The violins, any guest soloist, singer of instrumentalist, always stand to the left. Then you throw in the guys in the mixing room and ...
Some of us lived long lives attempting to fill each and every hour with pleasurable experiences, while others sat on the sidelines watching the endless parade called life pass them by. It doesn’t matter whether you did or you didn’t, once you get old it’s too late; if you don’t have memories, it’s for sure you can’t duplicate the experiences of a young person now.
So many jazz songs are about the experiences of people who lived life as if there was no tomorrow, unfortunately, most of them never lived to get old, but they’re not missing much. On the other hand I made it, and now I’ve got all of those wonderful memories they so eloquently put to music, and I relive those moments when I hear their music.
Sometime I try to share those moments with others, not realizing that people who sat on the sidelines watching the parade of life go by, can never comprehend the exhilarating experiences of those who led the parade; my mistake.
Now I’m letting all those people know that I understand their feelings: I understand Frogman how you feel when I relate in detail of seeing John Coltrane and crew on stage playing "My Favorite Things". I understand Pryso, how you will never be able to understand all the various aspects of the song "Speak Low", that’s why I will try to explain them to you.
Speak low when you speak, love Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon Speak low when you speak, love Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we’re swept apart, too soon Speak low, darling, speak low Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near, tomorrow is here and always too soon Time is so old and love so brief Love is pure gold and time a thief We’re late, darling, we’re late The curtain descends, ev’rything ends too soon, too soon I wait, darling, I wait
You see Pryso, the song is more about time and the precious moments when one shares those emotions called love with another person. "Love is pure gold and time a thief"
"The curtain descends, ev’rything ends too soon, too soon I wait, darling, I wait"
Once the curtain descends, it’s all over; that’s the end of life.
Now I realize that for all those people who never lived such moments, that song is no more than music emanating from a pair of speakers; I expected too much from everyone, and now I offer my sincere apologies for my failure to understand how impossible it is for those who sat on the sidelines to comprehend the depth of so many jazz songs that portrayed the emotions and experiences of people who really lived life.
In the opinion of believing Christians life is not over when your body dies. Death is the start , not the end .Though we all fear it , as a baby coming into the world does , crying .
We also believe that God is Love itself and the Joy of life ,as he expounded on " The Sermon upon the Mount " is in primarily helping others .
Anyone with an lQ over 50 , like myself ,can understand the depth of Jazz songs , our entire nation did for decades
.The depth is that of a mountain spring we live by in our time here , not knowing our spring is flowing into the Mighty St. Lawrence which drains all the Great Lakes into the oceans themselves .
McCoy Tyner -- EXTENSIONS with / Alice Coltrane(harp), Wayne Shorter(tenor and soprano sax), Gary Bartz(alto sax), Ron Carter(bass), Elvin Jones(drums)
Inter notes in Japanese. Back notes talk about McCoy, his music, family and religion(Islam). Still searching for the imaginary connection with Africa. Hence the ridiculous cover photo. You wouldn't know it, but this is a Blue Note release. Even the disc label is solid blue now. No sense of class or tradition.
In spite of all that, it is McCoy Tyner! And, he must be heard. Shorter also. The more I hear it, the more I like it.
rok, we know that God is everywhere , at all times and places, but I often think he perhaps spends a bit more energy on Sunday ’morn at the A.M.E churches of the south, like this one in MS. that worship him so wonderfully . https://youtu.be/y03GJ9Nkjr8?t=4
Yes, the cover looks like "National Geographic", but African Roots are not imaginary; he's a descendant of slaves who came here on ships against their will; they probably picked cotton in Mississippi.
Since he has African DNA, his music could have traces of his ancestors music from a village in Africa that he can't trace.
I bought that album when it came out, I'll have to buy it again. I liked it better then than I do now.
Alice is more consistent and original; this music sounds too much like "Trane" without Trane, or should I say like Tyner when he played with Trane.
Rok, that was beautiful; the vocal and instruments complimented one another in such a way as to project one emotion, the deepest of all emotions "Love", that ultimately leads to the worst feeling; profound sadness.
Natalie Merchant, and those instrumentalists projected those emotions to perfection.
Listening to Big Band Sunday on local FM station. They are playing stuff from a 1944 issue of downbeat magazine. It was reported that a new band led by Billy Eckstine was opening at the Regal in Chicago. Had a singer named Sarah Vaughan. The DJ pointed out that they misspelled both of her names.
Those 3 you posted were outstanding rok, esp, that old school Baptist with Loretta Oliver ! I choose a poor church that had little money but much love showing in an original way . Amen
Amazing! Amazing how much deep knowledge and insight some have. I check in after being away for a day or two only to learn that I have been completely in the dark about my utter lack of character. That I “have been sitting on the sidelines of life”, that I have “never shared love” and that I have only been a “parade follower” all my life. Wow! Shoot me now. Please!
Also amazing how the need for that kind childish self aggrandizement at the expense of others would be laughable were it not so sad. O-10, I understand that you are going through what must be a very difficult time in your life; you have made that very clear. I am sorry for that. It must be very difficult for it makes you not just presumptuous, but also mean spirited. I wish I could offer some words to help, but I could not do better than Schubert’s. What I can do is point out that you really have no idea about what I feel about your experiences; I assure you that it’s best that way.
Frogman, I made one sentence about you " I understand Frogman how you feel when I relate in detail of seeing John Coltrane and crew on stage playing "My Favorite Things", and you add all that other stuff, but it's all true. I consider you to be a "hot house plant" you live in New York but you never write about life in New York.
How did Schubert get into this conversation? I consider you a "politician" Frogman because you always have to drag someone else into any discussion you bring up about me. If someone brand new that's never posted on this thread makes a negative remark towards what I've written, you always chime in to support them, you can't get any more political than that. Am I "mean spirited"? How many more of your attributes can you assign to me? Although I always try to stay close to a pile of the red bricks that are so abundant here in St. Louis, just in case I need to chunk a few if attacked, that's called "self defense".
Even when you talk about the music it's always something technical that relates to what musicians learn in school. I've had many musician friends and they never talked music, although they made music. It's the essence of the song and the music that you never discuss, that's an indication of the fact that you have never experienced life from that point of view. It's good to be a "hot house plant" and to be shielded from the elements.
0-10 I imagine I have known more classical musicians than you have Jazz musicians , most world class .
None of them were what frogman is, a walking encyclopedia of both genres and no doubt others as well . You can not become that as an act of ego.Love and extreme work at what you do and are is the only route .
He knows that because music is an instinct it would be foolish to tell anyone how they should react as I do with rock @ roll .
He is the surgeon and the rest of us are either listeners , LPN’s or like me, patients .A surgeon seldom tells the patient a story about where he lives or more than an outline about the operation . In the 5 years or so I have been on here I an as amazed that a musician of his caliber bothers with us as I was the first time he replied to me !
We are very fortunate and blessed by his presence . Period .
Schubert, while what you say is partially true, you are speaking for yourself; I don't know A-Flat from B-Flat, nor do I want to know, that fact rankled Frogman, and it may rankle some others as well; so be it.
I stated who I am and how I feel about jazz at the beginning of this thread and I haven't changed one iota. Like it or not, my presence is the "life" blood of this thread; even the mighty Frogman is lost without it. Have you ever noticed what happens when I stay away?
Sometime ago, our relationship (Frogman and I) took a wrong turn and it's been turning in that same direction every since. A perfect example of Frogman consistently agreeing with anyone on anything when their view is opposite mine occurred just recently;
Frogman's comment
Interesting topic and interesting comments. Tempo IS a major element in the success of an interpretation; and regardless of genre. I had the same reaction as Pryso to one of the recently posted “Lazy Afternoon” clips. I then posted one that I felt was “a lazier Lazy Afternoon” to make the point.
No matter what anyone states that's contrary to my stance, Frogman emphasizes it; that can hardly be honest, because even if the position was reversed, Frogman would still take the opposing position to mine. Pryso stated that "Sonny Clark's" tempo was too fast, and another tempo was too slow, since in both cases it was in opposition to my opinion, Frogman agreed wholeheartedly; that's not honest but political; the same as people consistently taking positions on "Politicians"; no matter how stupid the statement their guy makes, they always agree with him; it's not what is being said, but who is saying it that makes the difference.
When statements are made from the heart, whether I agree or disagree, I "respect" that persons opinion, but as soon as I see a political motivation in regard to an individuals comments, I disregard what they have to say because it's not "honest", and if we can't have "honest" discussions, they become irrelevant.
To the best of my ability, I have "honestly" stated my position.
Very kind of you, Schubert. I am tempted to say that you give me too much credit, but it is more to the point to say that you don’t give yourself enough credit. In answer to your question:
From the start I felt that an interesting thread about this great music was a very good resource for the Audiogon community and I felt that there may be value for some to hear a musician’s perspective about it all. From the start, and putting aside talk of technical matters, the two most important ideas that I hoped the offer of a musician’s perspective might bring to the Aficionado table were: That the learning process is endless. There is always much more to learn and I very much include myself in that; I have learned much here in various ways. Perhaps even more importantly, that true love of the music requires not only respect, but a certain amount of humility. IOW, love and respect the music and not so much the fact that we love the music. I could go on, but I think that for anyone that “gets” that message enough has been said.
O-10, there is nothing “political” in what I write. If you cannot bear the idea that someone has a different viewpoint from yours, or that there may be honest agreement among dissenters please don’t make it anyone’s problem but your own. Again, I could say much more, but I am beyond tired of your bs and petty attacks. Look at yourself and your own responses for where the conflict lies. Never too late to change the course of things.
You can add “desperate” and “disingenuous” to the list. Oh, and you are welcome, for saving your thread (literally) from the delete bin.
Rok, I had a problem with my right channel being louder than the left channel. Since I'm an electronics technician who put this rig together with attention to detail; how could that be possible?
That problem nearly drove me crazy, no matter what I did, the problem remained. It wasn't until I had a hearing test that the source of the problem was revealed. Ages ago, in the Air Force, my left ear drum was injured in a rapid decompression incident, and as many injuries, they get worse with old age.
The only solution is headphones, and I hate headphones (can't wear them for long). Now that I know what the problem is, I simply live with the louder right channel.
No, turning up the other channel only makes it worse, because you will hear that sound bouncing off the opposite wall.
Frogman, have you ever been to anyplace where they have all those funny mirrors that make you look fat in one and skinny in the other; I think you should have your mirrors checked?
Frogman, I'm not dishonest, nor am I a politician; yes, you almost single handed saved this thread from the deletion bin, but you didn't do for me, you did it for Frogman. Without this thread, you would almost cease to exist.
The clarinet doesn’t get a whole lot of love in Jazz. It’s not a particularly sexy looking axe; in spite of its shape 😊. I think, though, that a lot has to do with Jazz fans’ association of the instrument with “Dixieland”; or, what some consider Dixieland to be. Talk about unfair bias. In spite of all the justified appreciation and talk about traditional New Orleans music and blues and its earthiness and soul, the role and contribution of the clarinet in all that seems to get short shrift.
When most Jazz lovers talk about the clarinet in Jazz, the names that usually come to the fore are names like Shaw, Goodman, DeFranco, Hamilton and more recently Eddie Daniels. All great players and more than deserving of their fame, but they all followed the earlier great and very influential clarinet players.
Today is George Lewis’ birthday! One of the earliest and most important:
Interesting to hear their voices and aslo Patker’s opinion about practicing and studyng music (re your discussions with Frogman abou it)
Acman, in case I have not said it before, your taste is very eclectic, usually I ’hate’ when people do not write the name of artist with the clip, but for the many that you post I did not hear before anyhow
For some other parts of conversation, well...Monthy Python said it best...
I do believe the pertinent facts have been established; consequently, I’m declaring a truce and suggest that we get back to the music.
Nope, wait, I have something to say! :--))
I have a close friend, a walking encyclopedia as schubert pointed. The monster knows so much, I mean really knows, ask him whatever you need to know, it’s faster and easier to ask him than Google. You name any field you like, any. Music, literature, philosophy, physics, logic...
Bottom line is that I would like him not to be so perfect all the time. Little bit of weakness, little bit of craziness or even immaturity at some point, would be highly appreciated. :--)
To cut the long story short, fro, you are too perfect. We need you to show us your dark side. Bring it on. ;--)
shubert, When Nina Simone became more well known in an interview, probably her first main one, she was asked whom her big influence was. She replied without hesitation and matter-of-factly, Johann Sebastian Bach. I'm sure it was not quite what the interviewer was expecting.
ALL of you people get a little too personal with all this. You say things that can't be taken back, or forgotten. As the General said in 'Good Morning Vietnam', "Hell, it's only radio." Or in our case, Jazz.
I ’ve got a flash for you O-10 , without you nothing would change on here , without frogman it would die in a week
Wrong and Wrong!!
All this would be pointless without both of them. Both of them. Together.
Wrong.
Cheers
Also, we are reading type. Remember that when you post. Body language and facial expressions do not come into it. Things that would be jokes, or harmless banter, sitting around the table having a cold one, can take on different meanings when written.
Of course you all know this, so I am preaching to the choir.
Preacher. What do you mean wrong? Imagine this thread without 0-10 and fro. I would write mostly about chickens, you would post Sunday songs. They would ban us in a day.
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