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

Mary_jo, it's always good to hear from you, that's because you have such a refreshing point of view.

I'm glad you like Bobby Gentry; I've been in love with her since the first time I heard her voice when I was crossing that bridge. She's so authentic, "here I am", if you like me that's fine, if you don't, that's fine too, because it won't change a thing.

Here's another tune that I like, and I'm going to post it for us;


                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORfoK5Ap0FA

We were discussing the Blues before my trolley jumped it's tracks. I wonder how many people woke up with the Blues this morning. They woke up with the Tokyo Blues in Tokyo;


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvsdNDOdpbc


And they woke up with the Baghdad Blues in Baghdad;


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvsdNDOdpbc


While in Saigon they just woke up in a "deep phunk";


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0GwWi_VfUg
O-10, thank you for the song. The way she sings...going high and all of a sudden lowering the voice like she wants to tell you something very important but do not want anybody else to hear. Theatrical but not over dramatical. 

Each one of her songs is a short story unto itself.  "Fancy" is deep when you read it as survival and success.  Morality will not put food on the table, nor a roof over anyone's head. 
Isn’t this interesting? An otherwise fantastic singer; an icon who some rightfully consider one of the best, maybe THE best ever. Yet, this is not the song for her. What were they thinking?!
She sucks here...if I may say so about her. :--) I am used to the top performance when it comes to Ella.

I wonder about the way actors act. When they act well, is it because they act in a role that is very close if not totally similar to their nature (probably this) or they would perform well, if they are good in what they do, regardless of the role type...Same with the singers...
In that movie "Round Midnight" Dexter Gordon wasn't acting, he just walked on the set and continued his daily role in life as "Dexter Gordon", jazz musician.
Today's Listen:

Jimmy Heath  --  LOVE LETTER
with / Kenny Barron(piano), David Wong(bass), Lewis Nash(drums),
Monte Croft(Vibes), Russell Malone(guitar), Wynton Marsalis(trumpet), Gregory Porter(vocals), Cecile McLorin  Salvant(vocals)

Very well done.  I would have liked a few up-tempo tunes, but, I listened to it three times upon receipt,  it's very good.  Excellent booklet with great photos and notes.  Verve Label.  Heath's last recording.  Seems as if everyone is dying.

left alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuEvYE5KEUk   

la mesha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvYFkYirHjQ   

don't misunderstand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYH7J0zY7E8  

fashion or passion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSqHqQhqORk  

Cheers


She sucks here...if I may say so about her

What's that noise I hear?   Does anyone else hear it?   Really irritating.   Seems to be emanating from Eastern Europe.

Cheers
I knew you would say that...I just knew. The noise you hear is empty cup of tea coming to your direction....

In regard to Ella; there she is, just clowning around with Frank Sinatra, and she probably didn't even choose the song. Something like that would hardly stand up to scrutiny; I wonder what she sounds like in the shower?
The noise you hear is empty cup of tea coming to your direction....


Why must there always be violence.   Can't we all just get along?

Cheers
I’m sure she sounds a lot better in the shower; although I’d rather not think about it 😊. Actually, she “sounds” great, like Ella always does. Problem is as Mary_jo describes: she is totally out of her element. Even some of the greats have limitations dealing with certain styles. I don’t think they were clowning around at all. Having fun singing the song? Sure. Isn’t that the problem ‘though? It’s not a “fun” song.  Quite the opposite, and that fact totally escaped them.

https://youtu.be/K4XPginLEtU

Why must there always be violence.  Can't we all just get along?

Yes, we are even now.
You know, depending who said it and how it was said, a word can also be violent.
Coming CNN news blurb:

"Audio forum member charged with threatening violence after telling another: '...empty cup of tea coming your way.'"  ;-)

I submit some of the best music in my collection, and this bunch wants to talk about Ella clowning around with Frank for one minute and eight seconds, singing off key and not even getting the words right. I don't know the context to that episode, but she was most certainly not trying to win any contest.

I think I'll paint a wall and watch it dry.


Post removed 
Get over yourself, O-10 and chill; and look in the mirror as concerns posting bs. “This bunch” could say a lot more, but best left alone. The point was valid and you missed the point. 
Edit:

Oh, I get it .....kind of cute, actually 😊
"Audio forum member charged with threatening violence after telling another: '...empty cup of tea coming your way.'" ;-)
:---) I am curious to know, what was the verdict? Lifetime membership to Audiogon? :--)


Frogman, you submitted that one minute eight seconds of nothing, and then you made a big deal out of it being "nothing".
Hah! I just watched this; probably while you were posting. Must be something in the air. Nice live performance by a very classy group: 

https://youtu.be/cytUz9KkK9M
Nice!

Ray Brown Trio / Soular Energy

There's something about this record I really, really like.  I know Gene Harris is supposed to be the star of the show, but there's something about Ray's playing on it that really speaks to me.  The swing, maybe?  I don't know.
If, at 93, I were still able to melt hearts with beautiful tone and playing sensitivity the way Heath does on "Fashion or Passion," I'd reach ecstatic contentment (if that makes any sense).

Thank you Jimmy Heath, RIP.   (And thanks Rok.)
Good news: we get to watch Monk playing circa 1960.

Bad news: a mini documentary interspersed with commentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gL9acMqlwE
Nice Monk, Keegiam.  I actually enjoyed the commentary.  Always interesting to hear what colleagues have to say.  
When Alex at first was sending me jazz, he was "afraid" that I might stuck on Koltrejn and Majls only. It seemed as it would be terrible mistake to know jazz only through the magic of these two. 

Perhaps such think would not be that bad at all, meaning, one could listen this and only this, on and on...

Lonnie's Lament
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxaitDDXRw
Soldier, are you still mad at me? I have just put all the cups in the box, we shall drink from the plastic ones, from now and on...


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uwE0WkM7Y
Soldier, are you still mad at me?

Mad about you?  Yes.   Mad at you? Never.

Cheers
https://youtu.be/ZWQUircvaho

Marija, just in case he doesn’t show up (you did say you like R&R):

https://youtu.be/mkpIsv7XHLE

Btw, kids, please make sure to fill the tank before returning the car; it needs to make it all the way to St. Louis 😊



Today’s Listen:


Hank Mobley -- NO ROOM FOR SQUARES

Notes: The program here was the first to appear under Mobley’s name after leaving Miles’ Band. Also marked Morgan’s return to Blue Note after a two year absence. Blue Note Label. Rudy van Gelder Edition.

three way split
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdY_T_TEFF8

up a step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cypfeCIthQ

no room for squares
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLWQkjcLC8Y

old world,  new imports
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kS_3UHxso


Cheers
Rok's Mobley pieces had me wondering about Rudy van Gelder.  Seems Rudy's last recording session was in 2016 with Jimmy Cobb's current trio, about 2 months before Rudy passed.  We lost Jimmy last May, and it seems the 2016 van Gelder session became Jimmy's final release as well: "Remembering U," in 2019.

JC's AC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZxzsNAomok&list=OLAK5uy_kzZoB-YmUJBLB2L94Pz-zUCgv1GlRdltQ&i...
Today's Listen:

Jimmy Smith  --  HOUSE PARTY

As you can see, with a brilliant supporting cast.  Tina Brooks' first appearance on Blue Note.  Rudy van Gelder Edition.  Nice booklet and notes.

Whenever I hear Jimmy Smith, it takes me to some dark, smoke filled lounge.  I guess From my days at Gentleman Joe's in Binghamton, NY.

blues after all
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuSLKFaPk04   

lover man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj45HAYOClE    

just friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWHOYT6j4F4   

confirmation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMIn2IVXJYE  

Cheers
It seems like those were quite good days. Jimmy Smith is great, like it very much.
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra / ...And His Mother Called Him Bill

Duke's fairwell to his recently deceased friend and collaborator, Billy Strayhorn.  I don't listen to a ton of big band, but this is good stuff.
Jimmy & Wes:

Very nice,  I am just becoming aware of how much Jimmy Smith I don't have.  Have to remedy that.

Cheers