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.
31,624 responses Add your response
Salvant: One of my favorites of her. Too short. It seems as if she should have come back in after the solo by Kisor, The Frogman said nothing is amiss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnshBIuu97Q Is Dan Nimmer the most under-appreciated pianist in Jazz? Cheers |
Kandace Springs does a great version of Sade's 1992 release "Pearls" Sade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI8ppnEJVAg Kandace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycpy2jtuoiw Btw Jazzmeia Horn, as well as Kandace Springs, is another young female vocalist who can sing jazz. Cécile McLorin Salvant is on another level altogether. She deserves all the accolades she receives. Thanks for posting her songs guys. |
Cora Lee Day- '
My Crying Hour ' from 1960. the only album in her brief singing career
https://youtu.be/-fJSJdMBou8 https://youtu.be/r60f81QSFKM https://youtu.be/nIxxqmgvnks https://youtu.be/HA21fudm4ko Debby Moore 'My kind of blues' from 1959. Harry Edison (tp), Jimmy Jones (p), Barry Galbraith (g), George Duvivier (b), Elvin Jones (ds) https://youtu.be/cxfr5arcyoo https://youtu.be/mzywuB9lzjk |
**** you realize you are condemning most of Jazz music. Think of all the standards that have been done a billion times. Autumn leaves? Are you saying once Miles did it, Peterson, Harris, Jamal, et al. were a waste of time? And what about the folks who did it before Miles? Does that make Miles a waste of time? **** C’mon now, I think you know the answer to that! Of course not; and I’m certainly not condemning most of Jazz. You wrote something (can’t find it now) about “putting a new twist” on a standard. That’s the point. Miles’ “Autumn Leaves” is nothing like Jamal’s. Trane’s “In A Sentimental Mood” is nothing like Dexter’s; and, therein lies the problem. I hear no new twist with Thurman. It’s all been done before; not just the songs, but the WAY the songs are done. We’ll just have to wait and see how she develops as an artist. As far as JALC goes, we’ll have to wait on that too. Probably until things get going again (post-Covid; if there ever is such a thing 😱). I have a hunch she will be part of the pool of “subs” and not a permanent member. Like all LC orchestras there is a probation period during which the band gets to play with a prospective member to decide whether it is a good fit. A good leader (WM) gives a lot of weight to what everyone in the band thinks. Notice she is not listed on the official roster. I agree about Nimmer; great player. Few put more of a new twist on things than Betty Carter. Complete original: https://youtu.be/ih7IrNMUWq0 https://youtu.be/FE9yZOanxko https://youtu.be/2y9deitIrIU (Btw, Lundy’s brother Curtis on bass) |
Cora Lee Day & Debby Moore: You can get both of these albums on the same CD at Amazon. One of the first things I look for, with artists that are not known to me, is the label, and supporting personnel. Speaks volumes. Cora Lee -- didn't like her diction. Strange pronunciation of some words. Debby Moore -- Much more interesting singer. Much better backing. The label of the CD on Amazon is called 'Best Voices Time Forgot'. Ouch! No reviews so far. The Frogman's first law still stands. Cheers |
Betty Carter: Some performers are just too sophisticated for these country ears. Perfect example of New York-ish. Nancy Wilson, although a stone fox, was another one. More Mississippi-ish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXdC5D2PqoU Cheers |
rok, don't mean to jump on you while you're jousting with frogman, but a question for your "these country ears" and "More Mississippi-ish" references. Weren't you the one who expressed dislike for Mose Allison a year or more ago? If so, considering his origins, how does that mesh? If I'm wrong thinking it was you never mind. |
I liked 'O Jednoj Mladosti', 'People', and 'Tebi Putujem' the best. I didn't get the wig and costume on Tebi.Josipa is pop - rock singer with occasional flirting with funk and jazz. One will not "cut wrists" over her singing but she has unique singing style which is why I have posted her. When I hear her voice I can tell she is Josipa, that was my point, her originality. I do not want to hear nor Billie, nor Ella, nor Julie, etc., etc., in anybody's voice. |
We can all use a laugh(cry?) these days. Results of the 1964 Grammy awards. Gospel[edit]
Cheers |
The reason for posting the Grammy stuff, is to show The Frogman what I mean by New York-ish. Below is the winner for Best R&B recording for 1964. R&B[edit] A link to the you-tube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHVZ51o6ZNE Now, SOMEONE decided that, not only is this R&B, but the BEST R&B recording of the year. Meanwhile, down in the Delta, real R&B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFfO1gP_JM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dHWdhHUysQ Cheers |
Weren’t you the one who expressed dislike for Mose Allison a year or more ago? If so, considering his origins, how does that mesh? I am not sure, but I don’t dislike Allison. I have paid real money for his CDs. He was OK back in the days of protest, when there was actually real things to protest. I have him on the shelf next to Dylan, Baez and Saint Marie. Not my goto guy for Jazz. However, Mississippi punches way above it’s weight when it comes to producing musicians. In all genres. Cheers |
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s9PQ7qPkluM What level of life experience she has? None, I guess. But she still can sing. How come? I feel honesty in her voice. Not many women - singer to be, I dare to say, have kept her original voices during their process of aging. You hear a lot of pretending. If I were a voice teacher, the first lesson would be finding your voice. It’s harder than it sounds. In my entire life I never wanted to sing. Ok, maybe when I was five. I bored everyone ’cause I were singing in the shops, buses, on the streets, everywhere. But later went to choir just to get away a bit from home. I think that singing is the job for somebody else. Singing is hard. Playing even harder. Dancing is another story. That’s easy. Even if it lasts 5 hours it is still easy. |
New York at it's best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Laj1BHoEaI There are several of these JALC concerts on you-tube. Check them out. Cheers |
**** what I mean by New York-ish. **** That may be what you mean, but your association to NY is extremely flawed. The Grammys, if you want to attach any kind of general sensibility to it, is an LA thing. **** *I can assure you, you will not hear Ella or Sarah or Billie or Dee Dee in anyone’s voice. As hard as they may try.*** Again, extremely flawed comment. If you can’t hear the obvious influence of Billie, Ella or Sarah on singer like Thurman; IOW, how much they sound like those great singers then I suggest.....oh, never mind, you think all amps sound the same 😊 |
Man does not live by R&B alone. Gorgeous singing by any standard: https://youtu.be/RRKP-qeJvVU https://youtu.be/eQ98YTcX7OM |
For anyone out there (I know all of the usual posters will know) jazz is alive and well. This is a terrific nonet group. Recorded and released by Gary Smulyan and co. recently. Jazz is alive and well... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QybbybCBsJk&list=OLAK5uy_l6QioULwGxnsXwSQ42bgDCOdjOZNNr-y8 Alec I had you in mind when I posted this. What do you think? |
The Grammys, if you want to attach any kind of general sensibility to it, is an LA thing. The Ceremony is held in LA. The voting and corruption is done by some outfit called the Recording Academy. The head of it was just fired for corruption. Surely NY is involved. extremely flawed comment. If you can’t hear the obvious influence of Billie, Ella or Sarah on singer like Thurman; IOW, how much they sound like those great singers then I suggest.....oh, never mind, you think all amps sound the same 😊 hearing some so-called influence, or more accurately, some attempt to copy or imitate the greats, is not the same as 'hearing them'. All amps, with the usual blah blah blah, do sound the same. A guy in Italy has put his money where his belief is. One million U.S., to anyone who can demonstrate they can hear a difference. Money is still on table. Been there for decades. Hell, you could buy 20 ft of cable, or a Pass Lab amp, with that kind of money. WIKI--- Are Grammys rigged? The suspended chief executive of the organization behind the Grammy Awards claims the nominating process for the music industry ceremony is "rigged" and clouded by conflicts of interest. ... Dugan denied that description of her roughly five months as chief executive, telling NBC News: "I was not abusive."Jan 23, 2020 Cheers |
The Grammys, if you want to attach any kind of general sensibility to it, is an LA thing.true hearing some so-called influence, or more accurately, some attempt to copy or imitate the greats, is not the same as ’hearing them’.true the nominating process for the music industry ceremony is "rigged" and clouded by conflicts of interest.true https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFLiDrYPE1w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8P80A8vy9I bye, bye :--)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxmz3RcNNBE |
Paul, call me oldfashioned, but yes, I liked the MM Ensemble,(liked the J.Pelt as well, in case you missed my post) it has that reminiscence to older sound. But, than again, it will be hard for me to exit my 'comfort zone' if I continue 'that way' ha,ha.... https://youtu.be/qK2hwkOHNKI |
Rok, here is another singer that perhaps did not get much attention, aldo she sang with the Duke Joya Sherill https://youtu.be/btvy3He-Nas https://youtu.be/IxJOF7cRLeA https://youtu.be/5go78WI0oNg |
You should see my blackberry bushes and Black-eyed Suzies (am I allowed to say that?), Mary-jo! Looking great. New pear trees, not so much. Btw, why are we talking about the Grammy’s anyway? It’s not news that there has always been corruption. Same with Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, etc. And, to use 1964 Grammy’s as an example?! 1964?! The thick of the civil rights movement and all its implications?! Still want to know what any of that has to do with NY and the best of the music scene in NY. JALC is great, but kind of the same way that a great History museum is great. Mostly a throwback; emphasis on “mostly”. Great, but not representative of the music scene of NY “at its best“; certainly not exclusively so. Unless, of course, for someone for whom “the best” only existed in the past. The irony in this kind of narrow thinking is that many of the forces that come into play in the corruption in those award ceremonies also come into play at JALC in its funding and how featured artists are selected; and even in how members of the band are sometimes selected; as evidenced very recently 😉 (Hint: berries and flowers). I better have my bean before I write any more and get in trouble (even more) 😊 |
Uh, that Art Pepper Live, Thank You Blues is great... You should see my blackberry bushes and Black-eyed Suzies (am I allowed to say that?), Mary-jo! Looking great. New pear trees, not so much.fro, lucky you, nothing delicate would survive my care. I have tough guys, lemon and orange tree, kiwi, grapevine. Come to think of it, one lemon is looking too yellow, I have to do something about it... |
New York-ish -- When a Jazz and Broadway Ballad singer can get the award for Best R&B Recording, and, on the Capitol Label to boot. I bet that surprised the heck out of the guys at Capitol. The votes , so they say, came from her peers, fellow musicians, most of whom would be in NYC and LA(same thing just more to the West). Great, but not representative of the music scene of NY “at its best“; certainly not exclusively so. And exactly what music scene in NY outshines JALC? As long as Wynton keeps the noise makers at bay, Jazz lives! Unless, of course, for someone for whom “the best” only existed in the past. Depend on the subject at hand. The best computers are the ones being made today. The best cameras. The best cars. All tech. The Arts, that is a different question. Just think about it. All the best was / is, in the past, for all genres in music. The musical tech is better, the gear is better, the speakers are better, BUT the performers? Not so much. Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Armstrong, Ellington, Miles, Coltrane, Mingus, Basie and the many many many more. All long dead. All still the best at their craft. Today, we have paint splattered on canvases, Pictures of Soup cans, and non-musical noise makers. The Emperor and his new outfits are back with us. And, to use 1964 Grammy’s as an example?! 1964?! The thick of the civil rights movement and all its implications?! Look at the list again. If anything, it shows the need for a movement, not the implications of one ongoing. Cheers |
@alexatpos here is another singer that perhaps did not get much attention, aldo she sang with the Duke I have a CD, "EBONY RHAPSODY The Great Duke Ellington Vocalists". On it, Joya Sherrill sings "It don't mean a thing" and "I'm beginning to see the light". Very nice singer. Apparently, just not having major faults is not enough. You gotta have that certain 'something'. The vast majority of Ellington's singers were male. I read somewhere, that big band members did not like singers. Took the spotlight away from them I guess. They must have hated Sarah and Ella. I see they used a picture of my 'system' on the LUSH LIFE clip. That's where I do my 'critical' listening. I need a new needle. Cheers |
Trying to find my favorite Classical Magazine, found this instead. Sign of the times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOHBEaLb4UY Maskless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_FX2gnV8NE Cheers |
Nancy Wilson: Sorry, I overlooked these gems. Fab - u - lous!! In her niche, she is better than anyone who ever was. I have the Cannonball CD. She is also good looking and kept her figure and weight. Another one I lusted over back in the day. My favorite by her is, "Guess Who I Saw Today". Now that is what I call sophisticated music / Jazz. Well written, you have to listen to the lyrics, you have to have lived a little in order to understand the song, and the bands are always top notch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFbDj5RBouE In a word, New York. So it’s not a bad word, just a statement of fact. Now, it could be the New York that Hollywood has instilled in us all, but New York nevertheless. Imagine Etta James or Millie Jackson, doing "Guess who I saw Today". They would have shot the boy in the first verse! Song over. Excellent Clips. But sad in way. Jazz has lost so much over the years. Cheers Btw, Nancy is one of the few I have seen live. At Constitution Hall in D.C., back in the 70s. |
New never before released Art Blakey record !! Not the best I’ve heard this band sound and some of the material was later recorded live, but definitely worthy. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEz_mLoNZMeTSML-J8UbHoJM2wuz7XQaJ |
Phil Woods was such a monster player that it’s easy to forget what a monster arranger he was. Great stuff! Chesky got it right with that one. Not as well known, another great arranger (and trombone player): https://youtu.be/IZ_BjtbP_Lk https://youtu.be/iwPyQmC5BUg https://youtu.be/YqMAw9HkRmQ |