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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Reading back and feeling like you guys had a party that I missed.... Nice music One from Roger Kellaway (he plays piano in last Acman's post) https://youtu.be/-Rkt1gvZF0o and couple of tunes from 'Body and Soul' album of Zoot Simms (with Al Cohn) https://youtu.be/Rf_vF-rAxtA https://youtu.be/Wcns76PUuy4 |
This is mellow deep in the pocket jazz, that sounded best between the hours of midnight and daylight at an out of the way nightclub. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kE1K6o2UfE That LP is on it's way to my collection |
Music takes me to places that I've never been, or places that I have been but just can't quite remember when. This music takes me to someplace not far from the river, between the hours of midnight and daylight when there's a misty light fog that makes the glowing neon beer signs kind of hazy; the kind of night that you might see a Mickey Spillane detective stepping out of the mist. Maybe that's a memory that never happened; music does things like that to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I7JXzsyDhI |
orpheus10 that zoot sims ballad is sublime as was your description of a place the mood of the music takes you. I looked through my extensive zoot collection and could not find that song. I shall have to remedy that. Here are the Zoot Sims albums in my collection with notables in parentheses then recording dates. "Blues For Two" (with Joe Pass) 1961 "Choice" (Zoot plays tenor with Gerry Mulligan on baritone. Jim Hall and Billy Bean on guitar) 1954, 1959 "Down Home" (Hard swinging quartet with Zoot on tenor) 1960 "Either Way" (Zoot Sims and Al Cohn on tenor, Cecil "Kid Haffey" Collier vocals on tracks 2, 3 and 7) 1961 "In Copenhagen" (with Niels Henning Osterd Pedersen) 1978 "Jazz Alive! A Night at The Half Note" (Zoot Sims Al Cohn tenor, Phil Woods alto and Paul Motian drums) 1959 "Live At Ronnie Scott’s" 1961 "The Modern Art Of Jazz" (Milt Hinton bass and Bob Brookmeyer valve trombone) 1956 "New Beat Bossa Nova volume 1" (Phil Woods alto sax clarinet Jim Hall and Kenny Burrell guitars) 1962 "New Beat Bossa Nova Means the Samba Swings" (Milt Hinton bass, Sol Schlinger bass clarinet) 1962 "Plays alto, tenor and baritone" (Zoot sims vocals track 11) 1956 "Quartets" (Art Blakey drums) 1956 "Solo for Zoot" 1962 "The Zoot Sims Quintet" (Wilbur Ware bass, Osie Johnson drums) 1960 "Zoot Sims with Eddie Lockjaw Davis - Oscar Peterson Meets the Tenor Giants" (Oscar Peterson piano, Niels Henning Ostard Pedersen bass and Louie Belson drums) 1975 "Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers" (Oscar Peterson piano, Joe Pass guitar, George Mraz double bass and Grady Tate drums). 1975. "Zoot!" 1957 |
Another rarely mentioned artist is Ike Quebec; he's one of my absolute favorites, and here is my favorite tune by him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYaSGxDJPw8 Ike had been given a diagnosis of terminal cancer before they made this recording, hence the title; all the musicians had "Heavy Souls" on that day. |
I cannot believe no one mentioned this colossus album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fLnT0KwJTI I would put Tenor Conclave in what our OP says every jazz aficionado should have in their collection. |
o10 I have that Ike Quebec album but did not know of his circumstances when he recorded it. Here is one song from each of the Ike Quebec albums I have. The last one off of the aforementioned "Heavy Soul" It seems to me Ike liked to employ an organ player into his recording sessions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixXnF2E5x-E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LKzuf5zXRM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4XIl8UiudA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hrB-qQtTSo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjEQQbpjAlg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3zQXxTwugA I need to look into adding more Ike Quebec to my collection. I like Ike! |
Pjw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzJEqi4Te1k&t=44s Jutta Hipp - Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims (80th) (180g Vinyl LP) Price $24.99 or do you go in for more costly vinyl? |
Jutta Hipp's piano sounds just right on this one; it has the sound of "lost longing" that some would call "Blue". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDQwB1waXco |
Actually, Ike Quebec’s ’Soul Samba’ is his last album.He paseed away couple of months after recording it. To me, that is aslo his most beautiful one and because of grim cicumstances even more touching. To be able to make a such beautiful album, in such moment is something that leaves me speechless. Paul I agree about that ballad with Jutta Hipp that Op posted. Will browse some of the others album you mentioned (I have few of those, and few others) |
Here are notes by Michael Cuscuna: One Summer afternoon in 1980, I was driving through the town of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Rudy Van Gelder was my passenger. I popped in a cassette of Ike. After a tune, Rudy said, "That's lovely, who is that?" I replied, "Well you recorded it, it's Ike Quebec." Rudy looked out his window in silence, then finally said in a soft tone, Ike always played beautifully, even at the end when he was dying...I mean literally dying. |
I would say that Ike always made the organ and the guitar, which he always had either one or the other or both in his recording sessions, compliment the songs he payed perfectly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFuPpsc5q-w and as alec said https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL3lJITPb8U&list=PLBZmD4G_qXo7L5uVFpP9ZBnu4t1R8WU9D |
And another excellent sax man who also incorporated the organ and guitar perfectly into his "juke joint in the swamp" sound the one and only Illinois Jacquet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NFNkUkUNFU |
Great stuff, pjw. Thanks. Let us not forget the funkiest sax man of them all; and he was married to the excellent organ woman (😊), Shirley Scott. With Kenny Burrell: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvxWibFr0wiKO7JIkDSpL6WPt2XcrENX- A little more modern. One of my favorite guitarists and one who doesn’t get nearly enough attention here, Pat Martino. With Eric Alexander: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m2wkf1wB9DhvoSVAgxWxGWArBjQLm6Qoc Back to funkiness and speaking of getting little attention. Not as a leader here, but playing with organist Jack McDuff and a very young George Benson, tenor man Red Holloway: https://youtu.be/SvFuh-o2w7E |
Some of Stanley's best work appears on "Midnight Blue" with Kenny Burrell; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGxsCCuZtr8 |
It is almost nine o’clock in the evening. My old friend often tells me stories about the time when he was young soldier in now ex - YU army. (When a guy starts to talk about the time serving, that can last.) Anyway, one of his fond memories was the sound of trumpet they had on all occasions. One of these was trumpet announcing the bed time. They called it ’Povecerje’ (term close to Evening time). After Povecerje was played, you could not hear a single soul anywhere. The army discipline. :--) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LWw9-4-VV0E It’s still early to go to sleep but after the prelude, my earphones are eager to hear the music from my jazz friends. Good night boys. |
Here are few albums of Illinois Jacquet, with Kenny Burrell from the album 'The message' from 1963. https://youtu.be/jLPfexWiyi8 https://youtu.be/Z1PR557t64g https://youtu.be/2lSiWgXF6wc Than, 'Desert winds' album from 1964. https://youtu.be/wlM4kqKI--w https://youtu.be/XTdqwADOLqc Orpheus, you might like this one... 'The Blues, thats me' album from1969. Illinois Jacquet with Wynton Kelly and Tiny Grimes..... https://youtu.be/FE3NM__LIIg https://youtu.be/Ixc2BNuTURM https://youtu.be/XuSitPieFDE Frogman, few years back had an opportunity to see Pat Martino live, in this line up, he is great https://youtu.be/EW3ow-K6xBU |
Great Illinois Jacquet selections alec I don't have "The Message" but I do have the last two albums. I have seen Pat Martino multiple times. He is a tiny frail looking man that probably weighs 110 pounds soaking wet but he sure can play that guitar. When Pat was starting out he played with another great funky saxman by the name of Willis "Gator" Jackson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUzWaTTrqnA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-GlVn2_pXk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65YLpkN8_r8 Gator and Pat went together like peanut butter and jelly. |
frogman I agree Turrentine can "funk out" with the best of them. And I have seen Eric Alexander a half dozen times at our local NYC Jazz venues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6AZ2AiHpk |
Good morning boys! Wake up call (Buđenje) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQGaNZHnUbA (You are) In the army now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIxsPBbZ_b8 Morning exercise... 1, 2, 1, 2 and again...1, 2, 1, 2 O-10, don't cheat, I see you...1, 2, 1... |
For once, this thread is in perfect harmony; that's when everyone is submitting music that I like and wish to add to my collection. Some might consider that a narrow point of view; as Miles would say "So What". While the music and the albums are new to me, none of the artists have been new to me, and therein lies the crux. It has been suggested that I should expand my horizons, I believe my horizons are quite wide enough; this ton of records I have that can go elsewhere were acquired in an attempt to "expand my horizons"; no thank you to the horizon expansion. I'll try to get around to commenting on everything that's been submitted, but I want you to know that anything I don't have will be added to my collection, and that's as high of an endorsement as you can get. |
Thanks for the Pat Martino clip, Alex. Fabulous player with one of the most poignant stories in Jazz: https://www.mtpr.org/post/pat-martinos-jazz-legend-who-had-master-guitar-twice https://www.patmartino.com |
O10 I have another great Illinois Jacquet album called "The Kid And Brute" Its Jacquet with Ben Webster. Illinois is "The Kid" and Ben is "The Brute" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFYq_Nkz38Y |
Just dawned on me that most would not know that it’s his monsters saxophone man Joey "G-clef "Casaseno playing "Willow Weep for Me " .My mind was on would he could get from his players.. https://youtu.be/IS9lnNP6xtg?t=2 |
I just pulled into a parking lot in Margaretville, NY. Margaretville is one of the few places where a satellite connection is available for many miles. I made a quick check on you guys while listening to SiriusXM- Real Jazz. I read Schubert’s mention of Sonny Stitt while listening to Sonny Stitt’s fabulous tenor solo on this cut and thought “I wonder how Schubert’s doing?” https://youtu.be/4Dhc-GAU1Po |
Paul, Jacquet-Webster album is knew for me, will try ro listen it. Frogman, I know the story of Martino, its fascinating, also never heard that Blakey album, will have to check it Regarding 'new horizons' few days ago watched documentary on tv about Jaco Pastorius, it was on ytube as well, looks like it was removed. Here is the trailer https://youtu.be/xYE-tm8UBSM Anyway, I was never a fan of fusion and in fact I always wondered how such transition (from 'classic' jazz) ever happened. Shame on me, but after I watched the documentary, I understood. Meaning, heard what the protagonists had to say about their thougts and feelings towards the music, about social circumstances and about that moment in time in general. Its just one foreigner's opinion, by looking America from distance, but its only natural that with all that social and other changes, the music took new turns as well. In fact, it would be strange if it did not. I still do not like that music,ha,ha, but I understand where it comes from and it finally made sense (to me,at least) |
**** but after I watched the documentary, I understood. Meaning, heard what the protagonists had to say about their thougts and feelings towards the music, about social circumstances and about that moment in time in general. Its just one foreigner’s opinion, by looking America from distance, but its only natural that with all that social and other changes, the music took new turns as well. In fact, it would be strange if it did not. **** Exactly! A basic truth about any good art; always a reflection of the times. Same thing happened with European Classical music and other genres. Jaco was a revolutionary. When I was in college in the late 70’s in Miami, Fla., Jaco would come in and bring big band charts that he had written for us to play. He would play drums. Rough as hell as a drummer, but simply amazing sense of rhythm. Very interesting guy who is missed by many. |
Thanks frogman for sharing that Jaco story. alec I like fusion. Believe me that "Kid and Brute" album is a must have for any fan of Ben Webster and/or Illinois Jacquet. Strange no one commented on Willis "Gator" Jackson. He is sort of like Eddie "Clean head" Vinson on this thread. I have mentioned the 2 of them and posted some tunes various times and never a response. Am I missing something? Are they considered sub par saxmen? If that's the case or the general regard for them by jazz aficionado's I still like a lot of their music. Here are 3 good ones from Clean Head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnQHVxcjuY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvEI3v4-bA8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqBASHEyuHo |
There must be something special with star alignment on Sept. 23. Just a few of the great players that were born today. Happy Birthday to all! Albert Ammons Frank Foster George Garzone Jeremy Steig Les McCann Ray Charles Roy Buchanan ....and, of course, the one and only John Coltrane. Seems appropriate to post something from an album celebrating his music...and speaking of fusion (of a kind). Great record! Check out Robert Hardt on soprano. Had never heard of this guy and goes to show how great new players just keep coming up. https://youtu.be/4yJK70nRj-w |
Thanks Mary Jo. I had no intention to look on here today, some force made me (really)I had to do something with Ike. He and Horace Silver were first 2 jazz LP’s I ever bought for 99 cents in U of MN bookstore .Loved him first time out ! Had posted him before , as I recall not much interest at that time . |
Alex, I was extremely impressed with Herbie Hancock's "Sextant" the first time I heard it in 1972. The fact that I was smoking many exotic blends of Turkish tobacco at that time might have influenced my impression of the music. If you stare at the native dancers on the cover of this album, they will begin to move. The mystery and fascination for me was how they moved in perfect harmony to that outer galactic music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2hK6_o5Pdw |