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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I realize we may upset the purest, but this is as pure as it gets! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk0_PDhuguc |
*****The 70's was a tough decade for pure jazz, ****** Very true. I noticed that if you google 70's Jazz, seems as if every link comes up with the word 'Fusion' in it. I also notice a lot of artist just didn't seem to record in the 70's. Sad era. BTW, the correct term for pure, or real Jazz, is 'Jazz-Jazz.' Hey, you gotta go with the flow, so the current hipsters can understand what we are talking about. Cheers |
O-10: Jutta Hipp. I remember her from back in the day. I have her Blue Note LP, "At the Hickory House". If I recall correctly, she eventually pulled a 'Miles' on us, and left Jazz and went into working as a seamtress. That was a nice Clip, thanks mostly to Zoot. Had he had a proper first name, he might have gone all the way. Trumpet players and Sax players are the gunslingers of Jazz, so you gotta have a name befitting that image. Cheers |
Rok, here's a cool groove with Jutta Hipp and Zoot Sims; with a name like that, she had to be "Hip". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE6UiQ_z4jM Enjoy the music. |
The 70's was a tough decade for pure jazz, Bobby Hutcherson was one of the few artists who was still trying; here he is with Woody Shaw. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia08GLq4Fmg Enjoy the music. |
Well, while I have not been innocent myself, I think that infrequent comments on a thread (out of context) should be kept a impersonal as possible. Having said that, there is truth to what Chazro says; there IS a misunderstanding about modern jazz. I and others have, one way or another, tried to point this out. That is the reason that the most productive and interesting approach to discussion should be more from the standpoint that I tried to outline a few posts earlier: more from an attempt to uplift the standard of awareness of what makes good music and good musicianship, and less from the "if it feels good, it must be good" mentality; and, PLEASE, before the barbs start flying, notice I said LESS of, not devoid of. As Schubert correctly pointed out (and to paraphrase), excellence is reached through a marriage of emotion and intellect. Chazro, if you're still out there, I would like it if you would stick around and contribute. I do feel that this thread could use more diverse input to make it less of what is, at times, mostly the type of discussion that is no more than a conversation between two people. I mentioned previously that it seemed to me the thread was at a milestone of sorts; I hope I am not mistaken. |
I warned you people. You can't say I didn't warn you!! I said, "if we keep going on like we're going, we will sooner or later, piss off Chazro":. Now, look what you have done! There will be hell to pay for this!! Acman3: You didn't miss much. The clip we discussed had Hitler on Piano, Himmler on Bass and Goering on drums. They played 'OstFront Blues'. But I did learn something from the diatribe. Three more Jazz types to add to my list. 1. European Jazz 2. Modern Jazz 3. Nazi Jazz I think European-Jazz and Nazi-Jazz, are one and the same. Cheers |
Frogman, I have this LP titled "Silver and Percussion", I like it, but since we've engaged in this conversation about "Fusion", I don't know whether or not we can call it "Fusion". Since on one side it fuses elements of Native American with jazz, is this fusion; and on the other side it combines elements of African music. Although this was done many times in the past, we never called it "Fusion", and that's why I was reluctant to get into this decade; because of all the con-fusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGivttfAGlU&list=PL872DDBDD38965152 Enjoy the music. |
I must have missed the Nazi jazz discussion, so here is my contribution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luSb491kmg4 |
Frogman, according to some, "Fusion" is not jazz. Since I'm not in the defining business, I'll leave that to you, and anyone else who's posting on this thread; but, the 70's most certainly was the decade of "Fusion". When almost all of the "high profile" artists in jazz were engaged in some form of fusion, even Horace Silver, just not the same kind as Herbie, how can you call it any other way? Enjoy the music. |
Review of Donald Byrd's "Places and Spaces" "This is not an album designed for people who want to hear ONLY hard bop, post-bop, or other styles of "JAZZ jazz". It's not designed to showcase stunning, transcendent horn playing. It's for fans of sophisticated, plush, funky R&B." --Amazon Reviewer. Well said. Check out the Jazz jazz comment. Gotta love it. You have Fusion-Jazz, Rock-Jazz, Funk-Jazz, Soul-Jazz, Free-Jazz, Avant-Grade-jazz, and now we have Jazz-Jazz., Brilliant!! Thats the kind we all know and love. I will use this from now on. BTW, the clip was nice. Cheers |
Duke Ellington -- THE AFRO-EURASIAN ECLIPSE - 1971 Gong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M86dxZcuPhU Acht O'Clock Rock: Et Tu Duke?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_W0a_wPSgM I think everyone was affected / infected by the scourge. I like "Gong". Both actually. Hell, I like the entire CD. WTF, It's The Duke!! I guess he had been recording for around 45 years when he did this. The Band sounds more 'modern'. Cheers |
O-10, liked the Jean Luc clip. I have always liked some of his stuff. It's always well crafted from a compositional standpoint and very good playing WITHIN THAT FUSION STYLE. I disagree with Rok's take on the improvisation. Very atmospheric and pleasant. The disco clips? Well, I'm tempted to say you're joking, and I won't bother commenting on the bane of 70s music. Leads me to something that I think happens often. There is some blurring between liking something because one likes the style, regardless of the level of the execution, and liking something, even if it's not ones favorite style, because the level of execution is extremely high. If the playing is on an extremely high level, I always find much to like; regardless of style. If the playing is poor or average, I don't care if it's my favorite style; no thanks. Alex, I really liked the Buster Williams clip. Beautiful play ing on a very high level all the way around from pedigreed jazz players; and a wonderful composition. Thanks for that. The Sudao Wada clips may be blues which is, style wise, as we all like it, but the playing is simply not very good by the standards of the great jazz players. There is usually (not always) a reason that one can't find much info on certain players. The playing simply doesn't swing on the level that the music demands and the improvisation is no better than is heard in many a practice room in jazz schools. The interaction between the bass player and drummer is almost a mess at times. I guess I didn't like it; and I like the blues. Rok, Blues In The Closet has been recorded by many jazz greats; I guess one could say it's a "standard", although the term is usually reserved for a more developed composition not simply a jazz "head". |
Rok, in order to understand that music, you have to first go to the "Misty mid region of wier", then it will all come clear; that's where the picture on the album cover is. Since the jazz as in Nica's book is right down here on the ground, there is no way the two can connect. You couldn't get into his music because you didn't have an adequate mode of transportation to get to the "Misty mid region of Wier"; if you understand what I just said, you might be able to understand Jean Luc ponty's music. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, I'm glad you wanted to go through this decade in detail; while I wasn't satisfied with the music at that time, since then I've had a change of heart, I'll give you an example; I was so in the habit of buying "Donald Byrd" that I just picked up any new album he had out. After I bought "Places and Spaces", I wanted my money back; not because the music was so bad, but because it was so different from what I expected. Can you imagine turning up a bottle of wine and tasting whisky, or vice versa; WTF would be your reaction in either case. Now I find that same music interesting because I accept it for what it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vr-E7asw2c Donald Byrd can most certainly go into the category of one of the most creative musicians when you examine his whole body of works. Here's another one he did when he was in that mood; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbToIgl6dnU Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I never could dance, but I like to go to a "juke joint", put some quarters in the box and watch em git down, There was a guy that could do some moves to this one you would not believe; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO91BtMIciU&list=PL5364D1FBFE077590 Enjoy the music. |
Alex: Blues Blues Blues Nothing but the Tonic: Enjoyed it. The guitar player was good, but the Piano player was the class of this group. They stayed true to the genre. Blues in the Closet: To my ear, not as good as the first clip. The organ, combined with the bass, sort of overpowered the tune. Things got sort of jumbled. Should have stayed with the piano. Is that a standard? If not, the whole thing sounded derivative. Thanks for the clips. Cheers |
O-10: Jean Luc Ponty: I think most Jazz musicians try to play what they feel inside of them. Like in Nica's book, many just wished they could play what was in their head. That makes for good Jazz. Original and creative Jazz. MY IMPRESSION is that music like this, is made up as they play it. It's not inside anyone's head. It's like they are saying, "let's try this and see how it sounds". One critic once said about Sergei Rachmaninoff, "All his music sounds like Movie Theme Music". I stopped buying his stuff after I read that. :) Some things just stick The Ponty music comes across to my ear as Mood music. It's meant to put a person in a certain modd, or to sound interesting and unique, but you cannot remember it after the performance is over. You can't walk around with this stuff in your head, or sing/hum it. It's for the moment only. But, it was not bad. I just couldn't get into it. And that could be MY problem, and not Ponty's music. Cheers |
O-10: Don't get me started on Disco. They could have been the only folks in the 70's that knew what they were doing. It was as big or bigger in Europe as anywhere, and I was right there. Oh, the memories!! I'll call your 5th of Beethoven, and raise you this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7EfnYwpmOE Cheers |
Sunao Wada, japanese selfthought guitar player, I guess you will not find many info about him, but never the less, you should take a listen. The album is from 1977.and aldo the title says 'Blues, blues, blues' its jazz, jazz. No fusion, no noise makers, if there is any concerne... http://youtu.be/PjpWi3WdPto http://youtu.be/myoGF3QYElE |
With the addition of "Fusion", musical genres had gotten so blurred, that I left it to others for definition; is it rock fused with jazz, or jazz fused with rock; at the end of the day, what do you call it? I quit trying to define the music, and simplified everything with one of two categories, "Like, and don't like". These cuts sounded all right to me. I wonder if "Learsfool" can boogie to this one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MFbn8EbB4k I kind of like the beat on this one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgiS0Pr3BX8 I just might catch this train; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2It6_FGJXw Enjoy the music. |
Rok, how about a little hip 70's violin? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_s7P11NHRk Enjoy the music. |
Rok, the best way for me is allmusic. You can look at the titles of the artist recordings as they put them out. There is a short review on some and may have customer reviews, if your into that sort of thing. If not, don't read it. Btw, I was looking at the gentleman's reviews on Amazon. If that is not you, you should get together. |
Today's Listen from the 1970: Freddie Hubbard -- RED CLAY A little funky tinge, but surely within the bop camp. Hubbard / Henderson / Hancock / Carter / Lenny White. I guess no one totally escaped the prevaling winds of the times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OjuCA-SsJM Cheers |
Aficionados: Since I was not familiar with Buster Williams, I checked him out on Amazon. Only one entry. "Something More". Not the clip Alex submitted. The one CD listed had two reviews. This one caught my eye. "Much of this album is sheer pain. Wayne Shorter has apparently gone into the never-never land of pop rock and spends much of his time screeching. The last cut is at least bearable. It makes one weep to see what the current culture has done to jazz giants of the past. The Japanese trumpet player is copying early Miles. The others are all too often making noise. As an antidote, check out Buster Williams, Herbie Hancock, and Al Foster at Montreaux on YouTube. They could still play beautifully and powerfully in 1987." -- Amazon Reviewer See, I am not alone. Notice the last word of the first paragraph. Many people agree with this atitude. Cheers |
The Frogman: Buster Williams Clip: Sobresaliente!!! So nice to hear what is possible to do with Violin in Jazz. Different from the usual French / Gypsy stuff. And Williams played REAL notes on Bass. Sort of reminded me of my recent CD of Dave Holland and Kenny Barron,. "The Art Of Conversation". Holland played real notes also. I would think that would be very difficult to do. The music was engaging and they played so well together. None of that everyone off doing his own thing. And you could tell the bass was the leader even if you didn't know Williams. And his playing was so subtle and delicate. I wish I could have played it on my main rig. My computer speakers did not do it justice. Out of print also.:( I really enjoyed it. I played it twice. Alex: Thanks for the Clip Cheers |
Alexatpos, I don't mind at all, and I appreciate your comments; I always appreciate honest and well thought out discourse. However, in my opinion there is a world of difference between saying what you said about liking and not liking some art (which I mostly agree with) and the reasons why, and calling it noise and by noise makers. As far as Rok' s style goes, well we all have a style, no? |
Mapman, no need to qualify your comments, they are well thought out and mostly true. But, it must be remembered that at some point the Standards of an era are supplanted by those of a new era; a new era with a new crop of players with different sensibilities, many of who are carving out new styles and establishing new "standards"; not of specific songs , but standards of the WAY to play the new style. IOW, there are many jazz aficionados who feel that Coltrane playing "In A Sentimental Mood" (one of the greatest "standards") doesn't hold a candle to Paul Gonsalves (Ellington) playing it. Does that make Coltrane "less" of a player? A noise maker? |