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
Exactly!  That’s the genius.  Kind of like sprinkling a little salt on an orange.  You wouldn’t think it possible, but it makes it sweeter. 
Notice how incredibly together and tight Monk and Rouse are playing this typically Monkish disjointed and obtuse melody.  Very hard to do and not heard too often:

https://youtu.be/qweSlfP6BtI
Amazing...
Today's Listen:

Thelonious Monk  --  THE LONDON COLLECTION VOLUME THREE
minimum packaging, no notes.  1201 music label, originally on Black Lion

Solo Monk.

the man I love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqjChhKAXcg

nutty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQbKfKuyor0

something in blue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJY5yjOxpQA

Cheers

Notice how incredibly together and tight Monk and Rouse are playing this typically Monkish disjointed and obtuse melody.  Very hard to do and not heard too often:
frogman that is a great Monk video. I noticed that Rouse was playing the same emphasis on "the one" and is also playing practically note for note with Monk until the 1 minute mark.

At this point Rouse's solo from approximately the 1 minute to 4 minute mark is a 3 minute improvised solo that still seems to follow Monk's direction.

After Frankie Dunlop's drum solo ends at the 8 minute mark, Rouse and Monk play the same way they did throughout the first minute until the songs end.

Really cool tune.
Exactly!  That’s the genius.  Kind of like sprinkling a little salt on an orange.  You wouldn’t think it possible, but it makes it sweeter.
My wife does this with pineapple as well but you have to watch out because too much salt and to me its unedible.

More Monk with Rouse live and at the beginning of the song playing almost note for note again.

(30) Thelonious Monk Cuarteto en Dinamarca-1966 - YouTube


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nLmiMbD93KA

I had a dream last night that I was in USA. Ok, that is not entirely impossible but the song title was appropriate.

Anyway, I wandered around, without having any clue where I was exactly, what state, what city, meaning I was completely lost. Met some very strange people when trying to find the airport but they all looked very awkward so figured would be better to keep low profile.

And then I remembered that I knew Rok from the forum.

I said to myself: I will call Rok and he will help me find my way home.

Then a neighbour started to work in his garden, right next to my window, making so much noise that I woke up. And I missed my chance to have a tea with Rok.


Today's Listen:

Hampton Hawes  --  ALL NIGHT SESSION  VOLUME ONE
with / Jim Hall(guitar), Red Mitchell(bass), Bruz Freeman(drums)

Notes require electron microscope.  Recorded 1956

groovin' high
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHXDPqKi0bY

broadway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwmYB_Va7Y

takin' care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r41J8Z0oZQ

jordu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-tCXuA__go

Cheers
I am not sure has this been posted (maybe as part of Rok's 'diva series') but lately I ve been listening this album...nice sonics too

A Jazz date with Chris Connor

https://youtu.be/4f0xpPiEtso

https://youtu.be/hnZUIp8ewaA

https://youtu.be/WVx6eOL-59Y
Acman, very nice. Ashamed to say, never heard of her, until now.
Well, one for the good morning...

https://youtu.be/e21Nd58LrNQ

...and for those ones who need little boost early on...

https://youtu.be/kyJu2-NV5wY


frogman, thank you, "Evidence" in Japan is the best Monk clip I've seen yet.  Lots of great observations on the playing by Monk and Rouse.  I'll add:

Rouse never looked at Monk - no need - and he may not have realized Monk had stood up and was walking around grooving to the tune.

I appreciate the camera angles; they had one in position to focus on both Rouse and Monk during their duets and Monk's little dance.
I just realized that I posted the wrong “Oleo” clip; its incomplete.  Here’s the complete:

https://youtu.be/O4csj7s1uOI
Happy International Jazz Day guys (at this moment you are still in Friday, 30.04.)

Here is one past midnight now, 01.05. International Labour Day. 

Two reasons to celebrate. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsz3mrnIBd0
Q:  Can anyone share any knowledge of Bobby Hebb (classic pop hit "Sunny," 1966)?  Today, a conversation led me this surprising duet with bassist Ron Carter.  Yes, that Ron Carter.  55 years have passed, and I never knew anything about Bobby Hebb.

Video of Ron Carter/Bobby Hebb duet, 1972:

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

This isn't jazz, it's soul.  But check out Hebb's guitar intro.  Obvious influences, and I remain shocked he could play like that.  Everything's relative I guess.



Keegiam, that is one of my wife’s favorite songs (for reasons a little personal). Great song!  The song was written by Hebb for the memory of his brother who died tragically.  Hebb was born in Nashville to musician parents.  My wife is a big country music fan and she follows most things Nashville.  The Nashville music scene is much more than just Country music.  During a visit there a few years ago to see a friend, she was scouring some bins in a record store and she came across this record.  It was Hebb’s last recording after a 30+ year hiatus from recording.  I was surprised to find it on the Tube.  Great clip, btw; thanks.  Ron Carter on electric bass!  And yes, very nice guitar playing by Hebb.

https://youtu.be/MbphsUWC7rw

https://youtu.be/qvTMDN3MdPc
Today's Listen:

Harry Belafonte  --  BELAFONTE SINGS THE BLUES
RCA Victor   1958

"I've always had a feeling for the basic blues, but it took several years of removing myself from that predominantly Modern Jazz environment and finding myself and my own set of values before I had the courage to attempt an album like this.  Here I can just step out and sing wholly the way I feel." -- Harry Belafonte

Did he pull it off?  Not really. First, I think he needed a real blues band, although Eldridge and Webster can't help but be great.  He also seems to try too hard to display knowledge of the Blues vernacular, that he does not have or understand.
Nice tune selection.   We just need brother Ray to perform them.

Losing Hand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QE-yW3dFL0

A Fool for You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAa_hXWLaAE

Sinner's Prayer   (ouch!!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWLm0stRxcA

Mary Ann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5pGM31r7bw

In the Evening Mama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd1wZN8jg0w

Cheers


Very good Lovano Pjw.  Do you know Mulgrew Miller?
Yes of course. Although I have none of his albums with him as the leader I have too many discs to count that he plays piano on. His discography is massive.

I have been looking to buy a a few discs released with Mulgrew as the leader. Any suggestions?
Thanks acman for the Mulgrew Miller links. I also like the New Jersey/Russian duet links. Kikoski gets around a bit. Great pianist as well. I think I have some Mingus Big Band discs with Kikoski on piano.

Gunslinging Bird - YouTube
Kikoski is a terrific player and he keeps getting better and better. Thanks for the clips, acman3. I liked them very much. His playing has a very “up” quality; reminiscent of Chick Corea in that regard. Check out his solo on this. Wonderful! And with a 94(!) year old Roy Haynes. I hope I can still pick my nose at 94. Incredible!

https://youtu.be/2PNScpLmlgI

With the great Eddie Gomez:

https://youtu.be/1T8EChcqU1Q

As pjw says, he gets around a bit:

https://youtu.be/LBdqreqH4mQ
Frogman, really enjoyed the Bobby Hebb links, not only for their musicality, but also for his apparent pursuit of different genres.

Folks, I haven't lost interest in JFA, I've temporarily lost free time.  Hope to frequent this haunt again soon.
Something a little different that might be of interest to participants here...

Not the same old same old.  For me, puts "fresh" back into classic jazz. "Classic" given the date of the original sessions: Nov 1969. Over 50 years ago!  Not released until Oct 2003 (as per Wikipedia).   

Andrew Hill strikes me as somewhat the keyboard counterpart to Eric Dolphy on reeds (but maybe a little more accessible!).  Thanks to Frogman for pointing me to AH some time ago.


Andrew Hill - Passing Ships; Track 6, Cascade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETGGEYVA2Q8&list=PLEyxWPyoryRKh7uJWexso-JADvtpJ3Ioj&index=6
Something a little different that might be of interest to participants here...
I like Andrew Hill. Two of his "classic" albums get a lot of repeated play time here 


andrew hill black fire full album - YouTube


andrew hill point of departure full album - YouTube


@pjw81563 

Hello - I have Point of Departure but not Black Fire.  Will have to check it out.  I enjoy PofD quite a bit.  Hope you enjoy Ships Passing.

@whipsaw  Thanks for the link. I have seen a bunch of video's with Marcus Miller playing with, Talking with, and talking about Miles but I never saw that one.

It really sheds some new light, at least for me, on Miles. Having read 2 Miles Davis biographies I still appreciate good new info on the legend.

Marcus Miller w/ Miles Davis "Fat Time" Live 1982 - YouTube


@pjw81563

Y
ou're most welcome. I have not read any of biographies of Miles, but very much enjoy hearing these kind of thoughtful, first person accounts.
As any Mile Davis fan knows, Miles stayed locked up in his house in NYC from 1976 through 1980 before starting to create music again in the 80's.

I would like to know what all of the members/contributors here on JFA feel about Miles 80's output. Favorite album? Favorite song? Or anything else. I like a young guitarist Mike Stern and his solo in the song FAT TIME from the album MAN WITH THE HORN. I also think its a pretty good song and Miles plays very good as well.

Fat Time - YouTube


Miles Davis? Marcus Miller? 1980s?

How about Tutu?  (3 birds with one stone)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutu_(album)

Not trying to say it's my favorite '80s album by MD.  I don't know his work in sufficient depth to legitimately claim a favorite.  But Tutu is one I have spent a little time with.  Will say it has one of the best album covers.  Genius B&W photo portrait.    
Working from home so listened to Tutu for the first time in ages. Actually sounds good "Loud" on the Volti's with Atma-sphere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5aVbbnmkrY
@acman3
Yes. Tutu has its moments music-wise. Overall, the sonics/recording quality seem very good to me.

@whipsaw
Another, "thank you" for the Marcus Miller interview. Very interesting. For all his other faults, Miles was a generous musician/leader. Mentored many.

@pjw81563
If you’ve not yet watched it, PBS’s American Masters: Miles Davis Birth of the Cool is worth watching. He was royalty back in the day. Still is, I suppose....