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.
In just under 24 hours from now, this thread will celebrate its 10 year anniversary.
Its creator, Orpheus10, has not posted in a very long time. We all know he had a serious health problem and I fear the worst has occurred.
That said, this thread has been a great resource for me since I started contributing almost 6 years ago. I have been posting often the last couple of months and in that time have noticed that many of the "regulars" have not been contributing for a couple months. Especially missed is the frogman- our resident professional musician, as well as pryso, alexatpos, mary_jo, mahgister and many more.
roc2id, the 2nd poster after the OP ten years ago, is still carrying the torch- have you called o10 recently?- and I think this thread can last another 10 years and more. Thats all I have to say for now and will post a song fitting the occasion.
Today. Just got, as always, answering machine with woman’s(wife??) voice.
On one of those people locator sites he is listed as ’deceased’. But only on that one site. The reliability of that info is open to question. But, I fear it’s accurate. No way he could stay away from Jazz and all the posts that he would consider ’provocations’, for this length of time.
On one of those people locator sites he is listed as ’deceased’. But only on that one site. The reliability of that info is open to question. But, I fear it’s accurate.
I suppose we should all accept that he is gone but his spirit will live on with his thread. I for one hope its still active when I pass on.
I hope you are wrong about O-10, but I guess we all sign off one day. Perhaps some of the missing posters have signed off . Shubert hasn't posted in a long time.
It is a relatively new thing in Jazz for bass players to rise, as improvisers, to the level of the great piano or horn players. Not a criticism, bass players’ role in Jazz is primarily as time keepers and so the players necessarily focus on that aspect of Jazz playing. Even as that stereotype changed over time and bass players got more feature time to solo, there often could be (and can still be) a sense of disappointment in comparison to piano or horn. A few have been able to be on truly equal footing (IMO, of course) This guy was one of the first and probably the first to do more than keep time even when he wasn’t soloing. To keep time, but to do it as a conversation with the piano player. I don’t think he gets mentioned and remembered enough. Incredible player, Scott LaFaro.
Another of the OP’s faves. Just don’t tell him Miles was the leader of the date ☺️. I’m not prepared to assume he is gone. I hope he’s not and would prefer to think that, no matter what and where, he’s lurking about.
Bass players, like drummers, get into trouble when they go solo. The instruments are just too limited. The Gershwin tune was wonderful. They complimented each other brilliantly. SOLAR would have been better without the bass solo.
Brubeck's TAKE FIVE is a rare exception, but there, the Bass and piano kept playing during Morello's solo.
Well, have not posted long enough to forget my password...nice to see you all guys here on the same page again...
Rock, if that is not too much to ask, is it okay if you tell us the op's name?Perhaps a link to that obituary? I would just like to connect the words with a face...
On a perhaps brighter note...an album I've been listening the most few recent mornings and some nights too...Zoot Sims 'Nirvana'
I love the interplay between all the members of Bill Evans Trio's. I may be one of the few who like a bass solo. Seems to always be a big complaint that the bass player solos to much .
Alex, I have that on vinyl and it is great. I spent years trying to get my Digital better and lately have been listening almost exclusively to vinyl again. Still better at my house.
Needless to say, I don’t agree about the bass solo in Solar; I would not have posted it otherwise. That’s cool, we all have different sensibilities as concerns musical matters. Now….
The bass has roughly the same range as the piano. Same notes. It’s even possible to play chords on it. So, just what limits it? I think a big part of it all is the listener’s expectation of and reaction to the presence or absence of melody and harmony in the case of drum solos. None of that has to be a limiting factor for creativity. Also, some listeners simply don’t like to the sound of certain instruments. I’ve always been a little mystified by why some dismiss, for instance, ALL soprano saxophone players simply because they “don’t like the sound of the soprano saxophone”. Would we dismiss a great story teller simply because we do t like the sound of the voice? Hopefully not.
Joe Morello’s famous solo is deservedly famous. However, it’s still a very “inside” solo. He never really abandons obvious time keeping, there is always a drum or cymbal hit on the beat. It’s like the way that Swing players always stayed inside the harmony, as opposed to post-Swing players who have played in a much more harmonically extended, or abstract way. Listen to a Max Roach solo for instance. The “beat” is often simply implied. More abstract. That is the trend with modern drummers and a reflection of a general trend in the music.
I don’t think that great bass or drum solos are THAT rare…..anymore.
So, just what limits it? I think a big part of it all is the listener’s expectation of and reaction to the presence or absence of melody and harmony in the case of drum solos
The sounds produced by drums and bass limit them.. Try to visualize the Take Five drum solo without the bass and piano playing along with the drummer. They kept the tune alive and moving along while Morello just punctuated it with his drum play. Almost like tap dancing to music.
None of that has to be a limiting factor for creativity.
That is exactly what is wrong with most bass solos. Very creative, but with no relationship with the tune being played. Just an irritating break in the action.
Would we dismiss a great story teller simply because we do t like the sound of the voice? Hopefully not.
Yes indeed. Remember all the great actors of the silent screen era that could not make the cut to talking pictures?
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