O10, I know you had a slight grin as you wrote that last post. "Letdown" may have been too harsh, but it was just that that first piece had been so fabulous.
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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Have you ever been in a field of the almond trees in the blossom? It brings smile on the face, as if you breath in and breath out an air full of joy and life. One cannot but smile. I said last goodbye to my dear old friend, today. Old in heart but so young in age. I stood there, watched the almond trees, I could swear everything was more vivid than usual, bursting with color. Greener. Life. Few of us gathered there, to remember life. But one of us was not there any more. Somebody said: We should treasure life. We always remember to say that in the moments like these. So will not moan, although there is even a proper jazz song for moaning. Will remember the almond tree and me smiling with a friend because that was the most important thing we had. It says everything about our lives. It says who we are. |
O10 What you said about knowing when to tell the truth or when to lie is the truth (no pun intended). Thanks for sharing the Grant Green story and the one about the "back door man" Those 2 Duke Pearson cuts are excellent. Bobby Hutcherson on the vibes is a nice touch. I think I'll be getting that album. Enjoy your LP. |
Hello Marija enjoy your night of music. Its still 3pm afternoon here in NY and I'm already listening to music. John Scofield at the moment. (2) John Scofield / Medeski, Martin & Wood - 'Hottentot' - North Sea Jazz 2007 - YouTube |
Alec thanks for sharing the Don Patterson Sonny Stitt Booker Ervin albums. Patterson was a great organ player influenced by the Hammond B3 master Jimmy Smith. A couple of those LP's were never released on CD. (2) Don Patterson - Boppin' & Burnin' - YouTube |
I'm having trouble finding this LP. What makes this so special is the fact that it's the ultimate "Tina Brooks" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-HKq9eNLzE |
Veeeeryyy nice, that is THE sound. Similar to this one you posted recently https://youtu.be/aR1xWY1bP1E which I also like. |
I'm having trouble finding this LP. What makes this so special is the fact that it's the ultimate "Tina Brooks"O10 I have that album on CD. Its a good one for sure. You could take a chance on a 40 year old used LP here Jimmy Smith - Cool Blues: LP, Album, Mono For Sale | Discogs I don't think they re - issued the LP since 1980 and 1981(a Japanese pressing) |
pjw, almost 23 h in the evening here. Perfect time for music.Enjoy here is one I think you will like: (2) Al Di Meola - Broken Heart - YouTube |
O10, this album is on its way to me. Ex+ and ultrasonically cleaned. Oscar Pettiford Memorial album "Prestige Historical Series" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTu7i3oK75c Do you have that one? I've only heard a couple of tracks so far. |
Willie Dixon's classic "I Can't Quit You Baby" has been widely covered. Tonight for some inexplicable reason I chased a bunch down. Pick your favorite. Willie Dixon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaNIKwA4UfY Otis Rush (1956 studio): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2tEP3I3DM Otis Rush (live in Greece 1976): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwYAbT8wXRo Little Milton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFs1XuCyTrI John Lee Hooker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTNJ_5IDX4 Michael Powers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrioNe9AB7s Led Zeppelin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d_wxEz1Cbg James Cotton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blhUdd6du3M John Mayall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsGaTcmxGG8 Mighty Joe Young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_d0oaq0m_w Buddy Guy/B.B. King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39W46dLA8BI Gary Moore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wj6slLXicY Jo Ann Kelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk-dNjfuucQ Dirty Blues Band (1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zetbuK618sg |
Gary Moore. Great player despite playing a lot of BS. This is simple but nice melody. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ZxrgEWtnE&list=FLHAEL8Iwz684WaGFx1rQchA&index=24&ab_ch... |
A connoisseur of jazz is someone who has excellent taste in jazz. An aficionado is someone that is passionate (that's it). ... Passion like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but a connoisseur is something very different. A connoisseur is an expert judge in matters of taste. There is a difference between having passion (aficionado) and being an expert judge (connoisseur). After many many years as a dedicated aficionado of jazz, one finally becomes a "Connoisseur" of jazz. That is the title I have bestowed on myself, but it's not quite that simple. Only after years of selecting what I consider to be the best jazz, and having confirmation of this from many other sources, do I feel comfortable with the title of "Connoisseur". This connoisseur has a symbiosis with the musicians who have created the very best jazz; we were raised in the same environment; we have resonance. "Modern jazz" came from our once great cities. The artist might have been born in a cotton field, but at a very early age, his family migrated to the city. While it is stated that modern jazz is a "Black creation", I maintain that it's a sociological creation that happens to be predominately Black. Two of the artists that prove my point are Zoot Sims and Pepper Adams. Of course there are others, but those two came to mind. Pepper Adams was born in 1930, that seems to be the general time period for many of the best "modern jazz" artists. More important is where he was raised, "Detroit Michigan" one of the great cities in this country that has fallen on hard times. I was fortunate to spend time in that city when it was one of the greatest. At the time I was there, it seemed that everyone owned a brand new car, dressed elegantly, and lived in a nice home; not to mention that you could be entertained every night by live music of a different genre. Back to my stated title of "Connoisseur of modern jazz", it is one that requires confirmation from other aficionados, without that confirmation, the title is not legitimate. Enjoy the music. |
**** can somebody tell me what specifically they heard on the "jazz at the pawnshop" CD that made it such a collector’s item? **** Trentmemphis nailed it: **** Fun music performed in a fun atmosphere, and well recorded **** Sonically great. I would expound a bit on Trent’s description by saying that it is unlikely to be considered a collector’s item by lovers of Jazz from the Swing era who are not also audiophiles....if you catch my drift. |
Alex, you identified "Skeeter Best’s" important role on that Ray Charles, Milt Jackson album. I’m trying to find more of his music that rises to that high level, maybe you can help? Skeeter Best, a jazz guitarist who played in Earl Hines’s orchestra and recorded with Ray Charles and Milt Jackson, died Tuesday at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx after a long illness. He was 70 years old and lived in the Bronx. Mr. Best, whose given name was Clifton, was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on Nov. 20, 1914, and played in Philadelphia for five years before joining Mr. Hines in 1940. After World War II he made tours of Japan and Korea with the bassist Oscar Pettiford and later led his own trio, accompanied the singer Nellie Lutcher and freelanced in recording studios. For many years he taught at Manna House on East 106 Street. He is survived by three sons, Clifford J. of Boston and Wheatley Heights, L.I., Gregory of San Francisco and Gerald of Memphis; a sister, Regina Best Lombard of Kansas City, and eight grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 7:30 P.M. at St. Peter’s Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street. The Modern Jazz Sextet Featuring Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, John Lewis (2), Skeeter Best, Percy Heath & Charlie Persip - The Modern Jazz Sextet 14 versions Verve Records 1958 As side man Aretha Franklin, Aretha (Columbia, 1961) Bennie Green & Paul Quinichette, Blow Your Horn (Decca, 1956) Lionel Hampton, Silver Vibes (Columbia, 1960) Erskine Hawkins, 1938/1940 (EPM Musique, 1991) Earl Hines & Marva Josie, Jazz Is His Old Lady... and My Old Man (Catalyst, 1977) Mahalia Jackson, Gospels, Spirituals & Hymns (Columbia, 1991) Milt Jackson, Ballads & Blues (Atlantic, 1956) Milt Jackson & Ray Charles, Soul Brothers (Atlantic, 1958) Etta Jones, The Jones Girl.... Etta... Sings, Sings, Sings (King, 1958) Etta Jones, Don’t Go to Strangers (Prestige, 1960) Frankie Laine & Buck Clayton, Jazz Spectacular (Columbia, 1956) Ellis Larkins, Blue and Sentimental (Decca, 1956) Howard McGhee, Maggie (Savoy, 1977) The Modern Jazz Sextet, The Modern Jazz Sextet (Norgran, 1956) Mel Powell, Out On a Limb (Vanguard, 1955) Ike Quebec, The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions (Mosaic, 1987) Freddie Roach, The Freddie Roach Soul Book (Prestige, 1967) Jimmy Rushing, Rushing Lullabies (Columbia, 1959) Jimmy Rushing, The Jazz Odyssey of James Rushing Esq. (Columbia, 1957) Jimmy Rushing, Mr. Five by Five (Columbia, 1980) Charles Thompson, Sir Charles Thompson Trio (Vanguard, 1958) Charles Thompson, Rockin’ Rhythm (Columbia, 1961) Lucky Thompson, Lucky Thompson Featuring Oscar Pettiford Vol. 1 (ABC-Paramount, 1956) Lucky Thompson, Vol. II (ABC-Paramount, 1957) Cootie Williams, Cootie Williams in Hi-Fi (RCA Victor, 1958) References |
After one becomes a "Connoisseur" the pursuit of music becomes quite serious and methodical; it is no longer casual. To give you an example, it has been determined by consensus that "The Phantom" is one heck of a jam; therefore we dissect it and pursue all of the reasons why this is so. All compositions by Duke Pearson except as indicated "The Phantom" - 10:21 "Blues for Alvina" (Willie Wilson) - 3:09 "Bunda Amerela (Little Yellow Streetcar)" - 5:46 "Los Ojos Alegres (The Happy Eyes)" - 6:17 "Say You're Mine" - 5:40 "The Moana Surf" (Jerry Dodgion) - 7:23 Personnel Duke Pearson - piano Jerry Dodgion - flute, alto flute Bobby Hutcherson - vibes Sam Brown, Al Gafa - guitar Bob Cranshaw - bass Mickey Roker - drums Victor Pantoja - congas Carlos 'Patato' Valdés - conga, güiro The best known sideman by me is "Bobby Hutcherson". While I know nothing of "Jerry Dodgion", he made an outstanding contribution. Our next step in this endeavor is to audition the remaining cuts that we didn't hear the first time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovxZ9UhdbfM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ0eMapONMA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DbBULytpe4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyPUMNV8tMA I would like for those who are following me in this endeavor to give their evaluation of those four cuts before I go to the next step. |
I like all of these tracks. What's obvious is that Pearson sets out to create "happy" music; "upbeat," free of pain - even the blues number. "Blues for Alvina" - My favorite of the four "Bunda Amerela (Little Yellow Streetcar)" - fun tune, almost geared to children; while listening I was reminded of the sound of Spyro Gyra from years ago, which one audio reviewer referred to as "incessantly happy music" or something to that effect "Los Ojos Alegres (The Happy Eyes)" - well done, I like it "Say You're Mine" - Really liked Pearson's piano work in this; he plays with a very light touch but some really nice sections in this one |
We're in "sync" Keegiam, "Say you're mine" was my favorite as well. I have some nice tunes by "Spyro Gyra" on my play list. From here we've got three avenues of pursuit; we can track the unknown "Jerry Dodgion" and see where that takes us, plus we know we're going to hit more pay dirt with "Bobby Hutcherson", and of course we're going to find more of "Duke Pearson". Our objective is to find something as good as "Phantom". I've been listening to this music a long time, and I can tell you, that won't be easy. Happy hunting. |
Not being a fan of big bands, O-10, it’s understandable why Jerry Dodgion is unknown to you; but he is hardly unknown, not even on this thread. Jerry has been a fixture of the NY Jazz scene (and others) since the 60s and is considered one of the premier lead alto players in Jazz. He is also a fine composer. He was lead alto with the great Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra for many years. I have posted his best known composition here at least twice (probably more). The original recording of the piece features Jerry on alto and a blistering solo by Pepper Adams: https://youtu.be/7YyA7NXSpps Partial discography: With Louis Armstrong
With Randy Brecker
With Ron Carter
With Al Cohn
With Benny Green
With Quincy Jones
With Jimmy Owens
With Jack Sheldon
With Dakota Staton
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I forgot I had "Black Widow" on vinyl. It features Jerry Dodgion on flute. Say you guys who were impressed with "Phantom", what do you think about "Black Widow"? https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lalo+schifrin+black+widow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8T0HwL5Jxc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ8CRmy2QZo Not quite as impressive as the "Phantom", but I liked every cut on "Black Widow", give it a listen. |
Perfect example of the part of the CTI catalog that I can’t stand. Sorry. Overproduced quasi-funky saccharine. The good news: this kind of thing kept a whole lot of musicians working in the studios; something that is a thing of the past. Jerry made a fortune playing dates like this; and still getting residual checks. |
Rok, it’s worse than that. IMO. It is very formulaic music geared for the TV and movie soundtracks of the 70’s. Those strings 😱! (And I like strings). Remember, Q’s soundtracks and other similar music of his was funkier and did have improvisation. “Killer Joe” had a classic flute solo by Jerome Richardson. Q is a great producer; his soundtracks were funkier and seldom crossed the line into excess....for the time. A favorite Q TV theme: https://youtu.be/T5DnqW3F57E |
O-10, very nice on “Phantom”. I like “Phantom”; very funky. Jerry’s alto flute is great; understated and very tasty like his playing always is. Jerry on flute (regular, C flute): https://youtu.be/_c1fRgQtbQM |
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Can I get an evaluation on this one; This pretty much sums it up. They would have to try hard to mess this up. Excellent. Producer: Bob Thiele Associated Performer, Tenor Saxophone: Charles Lloyd Associated Performer, Guitar: Gabor Szabo Associated Performer, Upright Bass: Albert Stinson Composer: Charles Lloyd Cheers |