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.
orpheus10
**** New York-ish does not mean bad. ****

Duh!

Funny, for me, Sinatra is anything but New York. Vegas/Hollywood. New York? No way. Tony Bennett; that’s NY attitude when it comes to that style of singing. I love the way this man sings. No pretense; just the joy of singing:

https://youtu.be/MuHdyZb2yUA

https://youtu.be/xwNoGuzwuZU

https://youtu.be/R-LliW6P9RE
Let the Aficionados decide.    Is it NYC, Denver, Provo, or Chattanooga?

a very good year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeDfgUvyKHk    

my way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQzdAsjWGPg   

that's life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnlPtaPxXfc   

strangers in the night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd_3EkGr0-4   

send in the clowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUrnUktTjU    

ny ny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUrnUktTjU    

the lady is a tramp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xafBWOxqssg     


I could go on, and on, and .............

Great Sinatra.

Cheers

I think the Big Apple took it in a landslide!!!




Curious, have you ever even been to NY?
Great Sinatra; no doubt...if in the mood. Sometimes there is just something in what he projects that rubs me the wrong way. No NY, though.


Today’s Listen:

Nina Simone -- ESSENTIAL ORIGINAL ALBUMS Disc 1
Disc 1 includes the albums "Little Girl Blue" and "Nina Simone Sings Ellington".

Three CD set. Nice packaging with excellent informative booklet.

’Little Girl Blue’

mood indigo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5euaoFlU87g

love me or leave me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uId47pfkAaE

don't smoke in bed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou8NZSPXMQM

’Sings Ellington’

it don’t mean a thing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2fJt0-yOx0

satin doll (here she ’sings’ on piano)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnm0nxbZT6U

solitude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPvViwu0gvU

Cheers
Curious, have you ever even been to NY?


I spent ten years over NYC one night.

Cheers
Unknown true really good Jazz albums are not so rare but not so common also...

After Bill Charlap trios, and Eddie Higgins trios, all really, really good...

A bit more creative is the Renee Rosnes Trios, so good, that i can found excuses for the silence around the 2 underestimated trios i just speak about, but this one is really out of the ordinary...No excuse for not recognizing  it or speaking about it.....

Great pianists all three.... But Renee is my first choice....She is the wife of Bill Charlap.... Too late guys!
I like Torme a lot, Pryso. Nice clip. Next to Ella, my favorite scat singer. Come to think of it, probably the only two singers whose scatting I really like.

https://youtu.be/z9VpCLyxLfU

https://youtu.be/Ju5NztMnQxE

https://youtu.be/4vZlyfa28iQ
Fabulous Nina Simone. Loved the first three cuts. I don’t think Ellington is quite the repertoire for her. 

I seem to recall a comment about Jazz and Bach and how “the twain shall never meet”. I don’t agree. A huge challenge for an artist and most attempts don’t work, but it is possible. You posted about the best example of a great meeting that I’ve ever heard:

https://youtu.be/uId47pfkAaE


I seem to recall a comment about Jazz and Bach and how “the twain shall never meet”.


The man has the memory of an elephant.   The notes of "Little Girl Blue" did mention her "classical Training".

I agree that her singing Ellington did seem somewhat 'incredulous', as the OP might say.  But I did like 'Mood Indigo', for the playing as much as the singing.

The notes also point out that she was bipolar.   Explains a lot.

Cheers
I've been to Nyc, but if I had to choose some cliche to desribe it by some art work, the influence of Holywood simply I cant avoid.

So, in my imaginary world, these are associations of it....now

https://youtu.be/_ayns3csL7c

and much, much before...

https://youtu.be/Ibk3S9Ecd0U


I’ve been to Nyc, but if I had to choose some cliche to desribe it by some art work, the influence of Holywood simply I cant avoid.


One of the most, if not the most unique thing about NYC is Broadway, and the industries and people that support it.. The plays, the musicals, the songs, and all the people that create all that magic.  Also, the epicenter of Jazz.

Sinatra sings a lot of songs written by the creators of that magic. The context of the songs only make sense in an environment like NYC. The entire vibe is NYC.

Another New Yorker, in the same sense, Audra McDonald.

Of course The Frogman knows this better than we do.

And yes, Hollywood has played a part in creating that concept in people around the world. People flock to NYC and LA for the same reason, to MAKE IT.

When I say NYC, I am not speaking of the South Bronx., but Broadway and the Hollywood creation.

Cheers

Today's Listen:

Dee Dee Bridgewater  --  IN MONTREUX
with / French Rhythm Section

No notes.   Minimum information.  Recorded 18 July 1990 during the Montreux Jazz Festival.   Verve Label.

Maybe the most versatile of all the divas.

take all of me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srhxcupPqrU  

night in tunisia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCt9eHEaCJY  

just friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcKwqehvpcw   

horace silver melody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkqod17ICzo  

Cheers
Now we’re talking. What a band! The first note by the brass is so tight it’s scary. Very NYC.....one piece of it. Probably the greatest swing clarinet player. Thanks.
It’s birthday party time again!

Without a doubt, one of the most under appreciated Jazz musicians. It is Idrees Sulieman’s birthday today. Has only gotten a couple of casual mentions here. Come to think of it, I think Alex posted something with Sulieman as sideman. Very inventive improviser with a very personal sound and even more personal swing feel. Have liked his playing since first hearing him in the Kenny Clark/Francy Boland Big Band recordings.

https://youtu.be/noBdKNqE4L8

https://youtu.be/OhMLTP2crOU

https://youtu.be/GNkFCDPpN70



 Come to think of it, I think Alex posted something with Sulieman as sideman.
Underappreciated? Rare to find? Yep. Al surely posted it. I do not have to even check it. 
Do you know red haired one eyed raccoon with cat voice? You do not? Ask Alex. :--) ;--)
Very interesting, Grammy Award winning documentary on the life and musical rise of Artie Shaw. Some great vintage footage including the hiring a young Billie Holiday; and NYC during the big band era.

https://youtu.be/oizFKxjqs7Q


It's good to see you back O-10. :--)
I love it, thank you. I even had in plan to record the last one but that will have to wait...I think, hm, never mind. And why have you been away this much?? You do know that we miss your postings. And stories! 
Very interesting, Grammy Award winning documentary
I have just watched it.

What do you think fro, do one needs to be (ab)normal if (s)he aims to do ab(normal) staff? In any case I think you have to ’stand out from the crowd’ in personal life, as well as in your profession, you have to be either weirdo or something else, powerful enough to be noticed or hard to live with.

I have read about Artie. I see ladies spoke about him as difficult man, emotionally abusive one.
Saturday. The most stressful day in week due to work. That is why I talk today more than usual so you will have to put up with me.

But from what I can see, it's even harder for them:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fstfsAtR6wE

I have read a lot about Artie also. He was an absolutely brilliant man in many respects. He was a wonderful musician. He was also uncompromising and many would say, an A-hole.
**** do one needs to be (ab)normal if (s)he aims to do ab(normal) staff? ****

I would make a distinction between “abnormal” and “extraordinary”. I do think one has to be abnormal to do abnormal things. However, I don’t think that it is necessary to be abnormal or “stand out” in one’s personal life in order to do extraordinary things professionally; certainly not in as much as being a weirdo or an A-hole. It is true that many great artists were also dysfunctional and were major weirdos; but some of the best artists are/were modest and gentle. 

I suppose that one’s chosen profession dictates how much of ourselves one can afford to reveal in our professional life. In the arts, the key is simply to be yourself, as your inner self will be revealed through your art. I think it is easy to imagine how a dinner date with Bill Evans’ might differ from one with Thelonious Monk. Just listen to their music.

That's great answer...

I think it is easy to imagine how a dinner date with Bill Evans’ might differ from one with Thelonious Monk. Just listen to their music.
I get your point. If you were a woman and you would have to choose, who would you choose? 

Great question. Since political correctness is not my strong suit I would have to say Bill Evans. Although, I’ve known a few women who would probably choose Monk 😉

https://youtu.be/PhBQd2VMWzA
Lol, I knew you would say that. Although we did agreed on "Nancy Wilson case" that "look" can deceive.

Moderators, cover your eyes, this is strictly about jazz and jazz only.

Today's Listen:

Anita O'Day  --  ANITA SINGS THE MOST
with / The Oscar Peterson Quartet

Not my cup of tea, but a Diva nevertheless.   All standards.  Unremarkable notes.  Recorded 1957.  Verve.

s'wonderful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8CBGqiNPDA    

love me or leave me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdTlFzBYqjs   

old devil moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeyDaioKsgU   

bewitched, bothered and bewildered
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZLfaewin8A    


Is this her finest hour?   She said she didn't remember this because she was high on Heroin.   Drug addiction was a constant throughout her career.  I do admire her tenacity.   Lived to 87.

sweet georgia brown (at newport)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2xaiNkUdg

Love the outfit.  If that's a typical Newport crowd, I don't get it.  

Cheers



That was the only version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" that I like; you could see the jazz in her soul, she was one of the greats.

My favorite by her is "Early Autumn";


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vN3UfVuQV8


     
I have that "Sings the Winners" CD also.  I bought her based on your recommendation.  

She is good, but, the top four, my top four,  I include Dee Dee, are so good, it's hard to get noticed.

Welcome back.

Cheers

To me, other rankings are irrelevant; I am a "jazz aficionado" and I make my own rankings. When I go to the record store, who pays the cashier, me or the person who made the rankings?

As to who is tops, that's based on something indefinable deep within; it seems that me and Nina connect emotionally. I connect with that green light that you see glistening down a railroad track late at night, it's a lonesome thing.
No, no, no.    When it comes to Divas, we can now say, we hold this list, (the top four),  to be self evident.  After them, the debate is wide open.

Cheers.
Good to see you back, O-10.

Beautiful Frisell! That’s another piece of NYC; stoop concerts. Thanks, acman3.

Listened to this tonight. It’s no secret how good the JALC band is. Great players with a great leader; although he (Wynton) is not present for this performance. This clip knocked me out. A real and great Latin rhythm section with the great JALC brass and reeds. Almost a revelation to hear some of the vintage Machito and Tito Puente arrangements with brass and reed playing at such a high level. Just as impressive is that they play the charts with the same authentic swagger as the great guest Latin rhythm section; but with sounds and intonation not always heard from early Latin big bands.  

Rok recently asked if Dan Nimmer was the greatest piano player today. I don’t know about “greatest”, but he sounds fabulous playing this style. Great solos from all.

One of the most enjoyable things that I have seen on YouTube. Leader for the night, mc and JALC bass player Carlos Henriquez does a great job talking about the music performed and the history of Afro-Cuban music and Latin Jazz.

Yet another piece of what is NYC and its very diverse musical culture. Highly recommended!

https://youtu.be/1Laj1BHoEaI