Pjw, I had a few of those silky looking shirts like Sonny Stitt is wearing on that album cover. The album was made in 57 when I bought them for high school. I always notice when jazz musicians have on the some apparel I wore at one time because they got jazzy taste.
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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Charlie Persip is a drummer that I haven't been paying enough attention to. He did a long stint (1953-’58) with the bandleader and composer Dizzy Gillespie recording over 12 albums with the master trumpeter. Persip appeared on the “Eternal Triangle” recording, Sonny Side Up (Verve Records) that featured Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt. “I was setting up my drums for the date when Sonny Stitt walked in; we said a few words and then Sonny Rollins walks in and breaks out his horn and I’m like damn, ‘These guys the jazz titans are on this date?’ and Dizzy says, ‘Yeah, man,’” Persip describing this date on YouTube. “Man I was nervous playing with those cats, but once the music started all my nervousness just went away and the music was so great. The music will set you free.” |
Charlie Persip just died recently and I didn't even know it. He died August 23, 2020. It's sad to say, but our jazz musicians are leaving us so fast I can't keep up. It was only on my last post that I decided to spotlight his music, which I will continue to do, beginning with his discography; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Persip This is Charlie at Birdland; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHstQFhohMs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzP3UjaEsTE Naturally his largest body of works is as a sideman, and I'm sure I have him on many albums with other people that I'll listen to tonight in his honor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vuI0W9d28 |
Eddie Van Halen just died as well. I know this is a jazz thread but I grew up listening to Van Halen and Eddie R.I.P. was one helluva guitarist. My friends here just please take a look and listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLsEvZgmRVA |
pjw, “Sonny Side Up” is one of the ten or so Jazz records I would save if my house were burning down. Love that record; amazing swing feel and really interesting contrast between the two Sonny’s. Stitt, right out of Bird‘s bebop. Rollins, looking ahead. Great stuff. Thanks for that. That amazing swing feel is in no small part due to Charlie Persip’s drumming. Also known as great big band drummer (not all good drummers are good big band drummers), one of the most important parts of Charlie Persip’s legacy is the big band which he led for many years since the 80’s. He called it “Superband” (later, “Supersound”) and it became a NYC institution. Bands such as Persip’s are a very important and under appreciated part of the Jazz scene in cities like NYC. They offer young or new to the city players a chance to play and be heard by other Jazz players; an opportunity to make their mark. A couple more great records with Persip: https://youtu.be/WiQfOKMBaKU As sideman: https://youtu.be/d2yQAfOqTf4 https://youtu.be/u_Glr2mcICE Another one that I would grab as I’m running out the door 😱: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnKUsyUYbuBvpvdXiWDk9OkloRI6FJKNn |
Frogman, to my ears Lee Morgan's "Whisper Not" was perfection in jazz; no musician played too many notes, and each musician played his part perfectly; that made the tune a work of art. I'm sure they made Benny Golson proud. Maybe you could point out what the drummer does when his part is "low key", to help make such a wonderful tune. |
I'm moved to feature a few other Benny Golson tunes; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJeothOwCU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa-xKZqQ42k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOES7AZ-d60 |
O-10, I agree; beautiful balance of all the contributions to the performance. “No musician played too many notes” and no hotdogging. One can clearly hear how Persip is listening intently to what the soloists are saying without overwhelming. Some drummers “demand“ that they be followed. Others like Persip add to and enhance what the soloist is doing. Subtle little accents and snare rolls to frame the soloist’s phrases and to signal the beginning of a chorus or entrance of a new soloist. Very tasteful playing. |
Thanks O10 and Frogman for pointing out Mr. Persip’s contributions. I am going to have to pay more attention to his work. Led me to this record. Not much on YouTube but great record. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkeNRzl6VXA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMy9pDAfi7c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9zMwTzf_k |
This is pretty interesting, as we seem to think no one is listening to any type of Jazz. Dafnis Prieto has over 8,000 views in 3 day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxEX04FnTGg |
I have a lot of Chico Hamilton that's not on "you tube". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW9ZvqdLlUE |
Although I'm in search of ancient African music that was transported to Brazil and Cuba which no longer exists in Africa, it goes with the religion that was transported with the music, and I can't find one without the other; consequently, I have to accept that fact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oapiog1Nltc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24lHSU35Aqs |
O-10, I hope that there can be disagreement without things turning sour. That is a premise that you have expressed many times here. I don’t understand why you make such an assertion. While it is true that African musical traditions were transported by slaves to the countries you mention (and others), it is highly unlikely that those traditions would then simply be erased from native African culture. While millions of Africans were removed from their homeland, many millions more remained behind to continue those musical traditions. It defies logic that those traditions would disappear. I hear the impact of those traditions in current African music; and I am no expert on African music, nor have I been to Africa to walk around the villages on a Saturday night. We can disagree about that, but consider the fact that there is no reason that the music in Africa would not have evolved just as Jazz, America’s ethnic music, did; incorporating those old traditions into a more modern sound. This is the way it always is with any ethnic music. Moreover, just as there are “retro” Jazz artists still playing Ragtime and Dixieland, I have no doubt that there are drummers in Africa that can still play in the style of those centuries old drumming traditions. Interesting stuff. |
Frogman, it is more "logical" that you are right. "Moreover, just as there are “retro” Jazz artists still playing Ragtime and Dixieland, I have no doubt that there are drummers in Africa that can still play in the style of those centuries old drumming traditions." This is probably true, but I only see and hear what is current in Africa, plus they seem to want to get closer to what's popular, while I hear ancient rhythms from Brazil and Cuba as well. |
Acman, that Congo drumming sounded like an old Tarzan movie; maybe Tarzan's drumming was authentic. The beginning Native American was comical, but towards the end it was fantastic with that flute. In addition to jazz, how about pursuing some Native American? I've gone about as far as I can go with ancient African rhythms, they're getting redundant. |
Always think of Jim Pepper when thinking Native American. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2YeEUlyhQw |
Speaking of interesting: 1966, Jim Pepper, Larry Coryell, Bob Moses. British Invasion vibe meets early roots of fusion. Interesting to hear a Brecker(ish) saxophone sound before there was a Brecker. https://youtu.be/cSijFDnYnfg https://youtu.be/Zf95lF1Nb5Y |
Back in 58, Grant Green was on the stand every weekend at a local club where me and my two compadres hung out. This was before he recorded his first record. Grant was lean and had the physique of a cowboy in his jeans, with a full head of thick black hair. The reason I mentioned that is because I saw him many years later and failed to recognize him; he was bald and not so lean. Since that time I have bought his records and enjoyed his music; however, just recently, his music has taken on a different dimension. You know that warm feeling you experience when you hear a dear and valued friends voice, that's how I feel when I hear Grants music. Again, when you are talking to an old and dear friend, you understand clearly everything he's saying because you two think alike, and so it is with Grant's music; every note seems to be the right one. Lately, I can even feel his presence in my listening room. Here is a tune that is a re-creation of a regular weekend experience of mine. The late night weekend warriors of the good times (people who partied all night Friday and Saturday) met up at Maud's flat on Sunday morning. Tired, broke and sleepy, but not wanting to go home, they knew where people just like them congregated. "Blues In Maud's Flat"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAmaTzHYjM |
Fabulous! Absolutely killing. So, what makes great falafel? For the foodie that I am, always trying to learn to be a better cook, learning that the secret to great falafel is cilantro was not only a revelation, but it was something strange and unexpected. Cilantro is a flavor prominent in Latin cuisine. It’s like going home. Falafel? It’s in there, but you don’t recognize it as such. There are possible historical reasons for all this. What does this have to do with “Blues In Maud’s Flat“? Jack McDuff. It’s the secret to why that cut feels so good. It’s in there, but you don’t recognize it as such, even when it’s supposed to be about the soloist. Amazing groove from McDuff. Great cut. Btw, O-10, re the topic of a different thread, that is the blues; by any standard. |
Jimmy Smith is synonymous with "wild organ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdsdZdOdruo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWFItGF2aHY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3X5J_wGHrw&list=PLLZP_hJrquxMcJVSgh_KWSMCvyLuYpdLT |
I was listening to an album by Aretha Franklin titled "Aretha Sings The Blues" and she was singing these very mature lyrics of a woman who had been around and seen the world, but after I got engrossed in these worldly blues songs, I happened to notice how young her voice sounded; it had the youth of the same voice I heard in 65. Sure enough, that was when these songs were recorded; at about the same time I saw a young Aretha perform in Detroit. That brought back such wonderful memories, and it's for sure I could use some good memories about now. That was when Detroit Michigan was a fantastic city; it was the most prosperous city I had ever been to, before or since; it seemed that everyone had a brand new car and dressed elegant. I almost stayed in Detroit, but I didn't like the weather. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKtAOQWmYk&list=PLvxWibFr0wiLw0a4PVZ14izW2OVyJqSwI |
Frogman, this link is very important to the music in "Salvador Bahia". It's impossible to separate the specific music I'm speaking of from "Capoeira", neither exist without the "Berimbau". The music I'm speaking of exists independent of "Capoeira" but not independent of the "Berimbau". Brazilian musicians who are not into "Capoeira" utilize the Berimbau. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3xDH40f_jk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CjhkCFA7hI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnFZqji8OiY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ZSBw5kKmY You certainly won't find this on the continent of Africa, yet it is very African. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ZSBw5kKmY |
Capoeira is analogous to Santeria in the Caribbean Islands; both were developed by slaves transplanted to other countries in order to disguise the true purpose of the practices. Capoeira was developed in Brazil, ostensibly as a dance, to disguise the fact that it was a fighting technique; not something that slave owners would condone for obvious reasons. In the Caribbean, Santeria was a way for the slaves to practice their outlawed native religions by giving the native deity the names of Roman Catholic saints. The reason that it is not found in Africa is simple; it was never there. |
Frogman, I'm basing my thesis on a Brazilian film festival that lasted two weeks where they had movies from all parts of Brazil, not just what we see in Rio, and Bahia, but the interior of Brazil as well. These movies were about getting to know the entire country, and the music was incidental to the movies, not all of the music was even Afro Brazil, although I heard some Afro Brazilian music that was very unique, but I can't find it. Africa is a continent, not a country; those countries are European boundaries that put tribes who hate each other together, and to add to the confusion; before slavery, Africa was divided into "villages", and tribal areas, not cities. Each village had it's own rhythms and dances, which are presented by different dance troops based in New York. When they present these dances, they specify what "village" the dance is from, and from what part of Africa that village could be found, and last, what country that part of Africa is now called. I am basing my statements on nothing but my musical ear, and what I've heard that was Afro in Brazil which is so different from anything I've heard from Africa. I stated that some of Africa was transported to the America's and no longer exists on that continent. I still believe this but it is impossible to prove. |
Beautiful Baden Powell, O-10. Thanks for that. **** what I’ve heard that was Afro in Brazil which is so different from anything I’ve heard from Africa. I stated that some of Africa was transported to the America’s and no longer exists on that continent. I still believe this but it is impossible to prove.**** O-10, its impossible to prove because it isn’t so. With respect, this is along the same lines as your assertions that there is no link between Delta Blues and Jazz because the two are so different......on the surface. Or, that there is no link or lineage between Swing and Bebop. The link lies below the surface. The Baden Powell clip shows a clear African rhythm component while still sounding very different than anything native to Africa due to the equally clear melodic and harmonic component which is NOT African in origin, but European and indigenous Brazilian instead. Any “African” music heard in the America’s during our time would have been, just like Baden Powell’s music was in Brazil, a mixture of the influences of African culture and all the other ethnic cultures that were (are) found in the New Orleans area. That is why it sounds different. As you may know I like food analogies when discussing music. They are very applicable to music. With Thanksgiving coming up my wife and I are already discussing the dinner menu. All bias aside, my mashed potatoes are always loved by all. 😋 How exciting can the lowly mashed potatoes be? The secret to why my mashed potatoes taste so good? Horse radish! Just enough and no more; so that one can’t taste it as such. In all the years that I’ve been making the mashed potatoes, no one has been able to identify the secret ingredient. However, if you remove it from the mix the dish becomes just plain old boring mashed potatoes. It’s in there....below the surface. |