Yep, "Speak Low" is a great Jazz standard covered by many.
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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Sorry, ran across this looking for west coast. Had to post. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHicOTweC5o |
"Speak Low" 1943 is a popular song composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Ogden Nash. It was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker in the Broadway musical One Touch of Venus 1943. The 1944 hit single was by Guy Lombardo and his orchestra, with vocal by Billy Leach. Barbra Streisand recorded a David Foster arrangement of "Speak Low" for her album Back to Broadway 1993 The tune is a jazz standard that has been widely recorded, both by vocal artists from Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett to The Miracles and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and such instrumentalists as Bill Evans, Sonny Clark with John Coltrane, Roy Hargrove, Woody Shaw, and Brian Bromberg. Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass recorded this in 1983 (on CD Speak Love). Al Caiola's 1961 version reached #105 on Cashbox magazine's "Looking Ahead" survey. The opening line "Speak low when you speak, love" is a play of words on a line in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (1600), in which Don Pedro says "Speak low if you speak love." "Speak Low" is featured in the German film Phoenix 2014 film. This has been one of my favorite tunes for ages, and I just learned this today. We're all going to get smart together. Enjoy the music. |
Shelly Manne, you got him. How about "Speak Low". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOokrsEAJ6Q Enjoy the music. |
Orpheus, about that surf movie,with west coast jazz,was it this one? [url]https://youtu.be/u6AlNXW9IcU[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/Yn58HLNbyaE[/url] Music from Bud Shank |
Alex there's no way I can get enough West Coast. Since this thread began "West Coast" is the only genre we haven't explored. My West Coast records went with the wind, or something like that, because they mysteriously disappeared. Back when West Coast was hot, I recall me and a friend going to movies just for the soundtrack. Some of the very best jazz of that genre was attached to movies; if only I could remember the movie; I think there's a surfer movie that has a good soundtrack. You're doing fine, keep up the good work. |
This tune takes me back to Chicago. The name of the tune is "Harlem Nocturne". For the sake of my scenario, let's call it "Chicago Nocturne", or "Chicago Night". Picture this; I'm in the back seat of a sky blue, and white two tone, 56 Bel Aire chevy convertible, with an arm full of beautiful young girl (teenagers in love), and we're gazing up at the Chicago Skyline, (one of the most fantastic in the world) while cruising Lake Shore Drive in mid summer, with a cool breeze blowing off of Lake Michigan; that's about as close to heaven as I ever have been or ever will be. Pick your favorite version of "Harlem Nocturne", or take all three. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6J2hSOq31k[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ziYBiMiq0[/url] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfWbRWTfKFg[/url] Enjoy the music. |
Jazz, it's truly amazing how we have so many memories attached to the same record, from about the same time. My girl friends friend, Loretta, used to give lawn parties where she bar b qued, prepared fine side dishes, and invited some of the most interesting people. At that time we were all drinking "Cold Duck" wine, and our favorite record was "Cold Duck Time". This record puts those times into vivid focus. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ago8dP4fFA[/url] Enjoy the music. |
Alex, great posts! That Lee Konitz record is a classic. And Teddy Edwards sounds fantastic. Love his tone and reminds me of Hank Mobley in his sense of swing. As far as I'm concerned you decide when there's enough West Coast. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uDAvmIyW2VI btw, I just discovered that we no longer have to frame the link with [URL]'[/URL] |
Frogman,some people in audience might say something like this.... [url]https://youtu.be/NpYEJx7PkWE[/url] I am posting 'obscure' music because I see that people who are already involved here, know very much about jazz in general, and I guess they are familiar with furthter exploring of music of some author that they like. So, I thought, there is no point in posting the more obvius ones. However, it seems that West Coast jazz is perhaps an unsearched area, so my next posts will go in that direction, untill somebody says enough... Will start with this two links, certainly very well known names First, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, album is simpy called by their names, together with B. Bauer and O.Pettiford [url]https://youtu.be/AQRgEj3AWPU[/url] Second one, few years later, from 1961.Teddy Edwards Quartet. Album is called 'Good Gravy' [url]https://youtu.be/qnyWftdb3DY[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/SBc1nm3JIko[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/Y8lNm8fO204[/url] |
Alex, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-6XwSWjwbvM Glad I'm not the only one here ☺️. No "pulling back" intended; and, I certainly hope you are not "done" with your posts about obscure players. Sometimes the simplest things have much truth in them: "there are only two kinds of music, good music and the other kind". If you go back to the early days of the thread you'll see how often I posted music that was pre-50/60s and met a lot of resistance and lack of interest. I have often thought the most interesting way to approach these discussions would be from a historical point of view and look at great examples of ALL time periods in the music. I hope that your comment "you of all people" was said in jest since it couldn't be more obvious by now that I don't think any time period is inherently "better" than another. As you will notice I followed with a clip of 'Steps Ahead". As far as I am concerned the clip of Benny Goodman/Lionel Hampton is every bit as "hip" as the "Steps Ahead"; if the quality of the music, not the genre, is the criterion for judging. Some of the most interesting jazz from the 60's was recorded by Lennie Tristano and his disciples Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh and others. Compositions and improvisation that were harmonically very interesting with unexpected twists and turns. Much of it had a West Coast vibe to my ear, but it was very much a product of the New York scene. Again, Billy Bauer can be heard on this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RK4U0Q3LbWE |
Frogman's Steps Ahead post reminded me of this Mike Nock's recording with Mike Brecker, Al Foster and George Mraz . Not the music I would post off the record, but….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQeiZvxEZkQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrcmn1bwknw |
Frogman, this next clip says it all... [url]https://youtu.be/UPw-3e_pzqU[/url] ...already I suspect that with so much music from 50's and 60's man can find time to explore more modern sounds of jazz, and now, you of all people, are pointing in opposite direction... |
Alexatpos, here's one that was forgotten and one who was considered to be in line to be a star ahead of Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and even Stan Getz (Lester Young disciples). He was one of the first swing tenor players to go the bebop route and was a very colorful character who led a very interesting and varied life. He disappeared from the scene to pursue, among other interests, race car driving (!). I will never forget, in 1979, while I was a student at the U of Miami, this old hippie in a pony tail who enrolled in music classes at the Frost School; he caused quite a sensation among the young students. Eager had spent the last several years as a truck driver in Florida and had decided to make a comeback after many years of not touching the saxophone. In the third clip we can hear Billy Bauer who you brought to our attention: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4JAUyaBvuEI https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXCfB6bJNA https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQxKMHM3Ps |
Alexatpos, very nice posts recently; thank you. I particularly enjoyed the Billy Bean posts. As you point out, Bean is a little known guitarists to most jazz lovers, but a local legend in the Northeast USA area. Wonderful player with a beautifully fluid style who was part of the Philadelphia scene where he served to be one of the great and fellow Philadelphian Pat Martino's influences. To Learfool's post: most major cities or major metropolitan areas in the USA have always had a local jazz guru who many of the famous players have gone to in order to study with them. In Philadelphia it was Dennis Sandole, a guitarist who players like Bean and even John Coltrane went to. The great Pat Martino: [URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cyqJwJzGB0g[/URL] One of the most interesting stories in all of jazz lore. Pat Martino suffered a brain aneurysm late in his careerand lost much of his memory and actually had to relearn to play the guitar by listening to his own recordings and studying with the students that he had taught.. Amazing individual and considered one of the very greatest by guitar players. Also enjoyed the Curtis Amy clips, very good player, but I don't consider him, or Dupree, have been (Bean? 😉) top tier players. I agree with Alex that many of these players deserve more recognition and its a shame that they are forgotten, but I will stick to my contention that with a few notable exceptions (Bean) most of the "forgotten" players are forgotten for a reason. Alex's Hot Club Jazz clips take me back to moto_man's recent post re Lionel Hampton. He was discussed early in this thread. One of my very favorite clips from that era on all of YouTube and one that brings a little humor to several of the "Hot" topics of the thread: [URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YsJScuVa_HI[URL] Jafant, haven't heard them yet, but I would be on the lookout for Peter Erskine's "Dr Um"; new for 2016. |
Every time brings new forms. Jazz as it once was was specific in many ways, and its hard to expect that things will remain the same.Without many words, the perspective on music is probably different in Europe than in States. It goes without saying that now education is considered as a plus. If you dont mind I will share two short live clips, gigs were held in my home country. First one is Gypsy jazz... [url]https://youtu.be/8SxBP3-F7PY?list=PL24C479249F261AEA[/url] Just to mention, violin player Florin Nicolescu attended Conservatorie de Paris, the accordian player Marjan Krajna gradueted on Russsian state music Academy, and the bass player Jurica Stelma is member of national filharmonic orchestra. Of course,all of that does not make them necessarily good jazz musicians, or does not prove anything, but imho it certainly helps. [url]https://youtu.be/bPook3wafBc?list=PL3R0km4nxthXF4r_uKUvg_5FHMfwkeFW3[/url] The young guy on vibrahone Simun Matisic, has also classical education, bass player is mentioned above. Somehow that seems to be pattern, in this present time, classicly trained musicians are playing jazz for their own pleasure. Orpheus, on first album vibrahone is played by B.H. on second its Roy Ayers. You can find all mentined albums and more on Amazon |
O-10, I really don't see anything negative in my comments, other than the fact that they are responding to the negativity from Rok and yourself. I certainly did not intend for them to be negative - I was merely trying to say what frogman was saying in his excellent post shortly afterwards. We are merely trying to help you understand more about the art form you love, and to understand why some of the arguments presented here make no real sense, because of this fundamental lack of knowledge. He also makes a great point that we cannot let certain outright untruths stand, if this thread is to be taken at all seriously. A very important point - anyone who knows about music can have a conversation with anyone else who does. If your jazz friends did not have conversations about music with you, that says much more about you than them. I have learned a great deal from this thread, personally, and am very happy that you started it. I am truly sorry if you see me as nothing but a negative influence, and will withdraw if you are serious about it. If indeed this is to be my last post on this thread, I will add two more general comments. You seem to have this bizarre idea that the worlds of classical and jazz do not and cannot mix. Nothing could be further from the truth. One of my good friends in my orchestra is a bass player, who also happens to be nationally known and respected as one of the best jazz bassists. Frogman himself is another example - what is unique about he and my friend is the extremely high professional level they have attained in both genres - not that they play both genres. Many, many musicians play both genres. One last thing - your comment that you either have "it", or you don't. While this is basically true, there are a great many people out there who had "it", but did not put in the work and study they needed to, and fell by the wayside. Merely having "it" is not anywhere near enough. Miles put in some serious study, and some serious work, all of his life, both before and after he was in school - as does any musician of any kind who is any damn good at all. Do you have to go to school? No - but you do have to put in the work and the study. |
Alex, you're bringing some fantastic musicians to my attention that I never heard of. West Coast musicians can make a living without leaving LA, but they discover late in life when they're broke, that wasn't a good idea. A musician has to make all the money he can when he's hot, and going to New York seems to be a necessity. I liked all three records. Was Bobby Hutcherson on vibes on two of the records? Dupree Bolton was original, and he blew as well as any trumpet I've heard; that's why so many people took an interest in him. He was a mysterious person. I've witnessed "Dupree Boltens"; incredible musicians with short musical lives as a result of drugs. There is an uninformed rumor that drugs help jazz musicians play better; it helps jazz musicians not to show up. It's amazing how lies about jazz musicians can become truth as a result of repetition. Although most of the musicians were unknown to me, I still liked the music. Are those records available on CD? Keep up the good work. Enjoy the music. |
Its been said that it in early 60's,' West Coast jazz scene took a more groovy, soulful and harder swinging approach, in a delibrate effort to escape some of the previous cooler, more mellow and polished sounds'. New names came on the scene, one of them was a tenor sax Curtis Amy, who made six albums from 1960-1963 for a Pacific jazz label. Here are some links, from 'Groovin Blue' and 'Way Down', recorded 1961. and 1962. [url]https://youtu.be/McwAoqvvyXk[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/48YVLMsoPkg[/url] If someone decides to listen more his work, there is also his album called 'Katanga' that I have already posted, with 'mysterious' trumpet player Dupree Bolton, and Ray Crawford (played with Ahmad Jamal, J.Smith, etc.) Here is the link again, as I am already mentioning him. [url]https://youtu.be/wLxxeBRqqKw[/url] [url]http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2009/4/14/in-search-of-dupree-bolton-part-1[/url] Hope you will like it |
Alex, some of your links aren't coming up, but what does is good. The Trio, Gaylor, Bean, Norris is good; they're new to me, I'll have to get them. Johnny Pisano & Billy Bean Quintet, with Chico Hamilton "Indian Summer" had a definite West Coast sound; I liked it; I developed an appetite for the West Coast. I think it's an acquired taste. Although Chico Hamilton and Bud Shank are the only names I recognized, they were all good. Enjoy the music. |
I try to post albums from musicians who are not well known, who either were forgotten, or even worse, never made it in first place. This album is from trio that cut only one album, from 1961. Here are the links. The Trio, Gaylor, Bean, Norris. Hope you will like it . [/url]https://youtu.be/vI7FdzzVnKA[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/oyF6tpViecs[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/g46GoV9wIhU[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/6TJfpD4--Fo[/url] Walter Norris, piano player, continued to make more music, but Bean, guitar player and Gaylor eventually left the scene and stopped playing. Billy Bean recorded few albums,as well as leader and as sideman, mostly on west coast. Apperently he left some mark on some famous players too. Here are some links [url]https://youtu.be/Fr_iLB6t2MU[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/rApGoZQEINg[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/TSAqki6qSWM[/url] [url]https://youtu.be/68109PNAcW4[/url] |
@frogman, rules to live by! Now, on to the music. First, thanks for the Les McCann suggestion, @jzzmusician! Never heard it before, at least, not that I can recall! Just gave it a listen and it definitely rocks -- not my "favorite," but great listening! Thanks. This thread is pretty long, but I haven't seen mention of Lionel Hampton. I was just listening to Gold Vibes/Silver Vibes last night, and marveled at how great it was and has stood the test of time. I love the sound of the vibes, and Milt Jackson's work is some of my favorite as well. As for "new" jazz, one of my favorites is Patricia Barber's Companion. Small club recording, extremely high quality recording, and features some great stuff. It is one of my test CD's for testing stereo equipment. Definitely worth a listen! I'll just note that despite some amusing banter and sometimes opinionated comments, I have either discovered or re-discovered some phenomenal music through the recommendations on this thread, so thanks, @orpheus10 ! |
Chazro, I agree that Lew Tabackin is a fantastic player. He is a great tenor player with a distinctive sound; very robust and, to my ear, an obvious Sonny Rollins influence. He is also perhaps the greatest current jazz flutist; with the possible exception of Hubert Laws who plays with a very different style. I've been a fan for a long time. Also a fan of Toshiko's band, but I think you may have gotten the band's timeline backwards. I used to go hear them at Birdland in the early '80s after they moved to NY from LA where the band was started. But I do agree that the NY band was more exciting with more fire in the belly. Loved the Hidalgo Duran clips; thanks! Maestro D'Rivera is unique in that, not only can he move between jazz and classical easily, when he improvises in a Latin bag he plays with an amazingly convincing blend of the Jazz language and authentic Latin feel; not all that common. O-10, some of my favorite tenor playing by Tabackin is not on one of his records as a leader, but on Freddie Hubbard's album "Sweet Return". Highly recommended. [URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EhDqaS4L2eE[/URL] |
Jazz here's one of my old favorites "Last Train From Overbrook". I was catching the last train from my hometown, going to San Antonio, Texas, Lackland AFB for basic training when I heard this, that was not a happy ride; but as I was to find out, it could have been worse. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=028UoUkO7zc[/url] The nice thing about James Moody's albums is the fact that every cut is a winner. Just before I posted, I was listening to "Happy Blues" by Gene Ammons. His albums are consistent winners, as everybody already knows. [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdvienyK758&list=RDBdvienyK758[/url] Enjoy the music |
I love this thread. Read a lot, learned a lot and have learned about players I knew nothing about. Thank you all. Back in 1969 I was in high school, and had a crush on Margo. Margo's older brother was a senior and probably the coolest human on earth. Not into sports, nor the debate team. He had long hair and a smokin' hot girlfriend. He was also brilliant. His name was Rex. I was deeply into Frank Zappa at the time. Also the Moody Blues, Jeff Beck and of course, the Beatles. I was at their house during the Christmas holiday and as always, hitting unsuccessfully on Margo. Rex brought out a record, put it on and blew my mind. I'd never heard anything that moved me as much as what was playing. The conversation went something like this; "Who IS THIS!!!" "I NEED THIS RECORD!!" Rex, in his very cool way said, "This is jazz man. This is jazz." I never looked back. 40+ years I've collected, played and taught about this music we call jazz. I can never have enough. Here it is, Les McCann and Eddie Harris. Swiss Movement. The record Rx played in 1969. I still like it. A lot. -- Bob https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UrjQSVbIkk&list=PLvMh7Ixx-tsf6FSEncG6bBvGy9M-V6KJv |
O10 - I own Desert Lady, actually I'm pretty sure I own every Big Band/Orchestra release by Toshiko Akiyoshi. I think the way the story goes is that the band used to be based in NYC and recorded for RCA. They (husband & wife; Akiyoshi & Tabakin) decided to move to California, where they started to record for the JAM label and they used West Coast musicians (and Lew took up residence for a long time with Johnny Carson's/Doc Severinson's Tonight Show Orchestra). Even though the west coast records are excellent, I strongly prefer the RCA/NYC recordings, they were younger and it seems to me that the fire and the brilliance was stronger somehow. Tabakin is such an amazing player, I seriously can't think of a single time I've heard him play and not come away impressed! |