Sorry to hear the news, Acman3. Nice clip. Very West Coast and reminiscent of some of the "Peter Gunn" Mancini charts. Thanks.
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.
31,719 responses Add your response
Just found out Gerald Wilson died on Oct. 12. Someone who's music I could always count on. Always Awesome! RIP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g63idAii3lw |
O-10: Some soul Jazz(?) that I own. Great music. The CD IS: BLUESIANA TRIANGLE Art Blakey / DR. John / David "Fathead" Newman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLkmbvlMPAo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kReO5STblg Cheers |
O-10: There is some very good "Soul Jazz" tunes by some big time players. There was a time when it seemed as if every player had to have a "HIT" that was popular with the non-Jazz public. Mainly 'singles', on 45rpm.. I just didn't think this particular tune was that good. Esp considering the line up. If Morgan had been Leader, things might have been different. Remember when you could go into a bar and play Jazz on the juke box? A lot of that was what I would call Soul Jazz. I did not take your comments as a criticism of me. First of all, you never criticize people. Secondly, I am beyond criticism! :) The singing on 'Carol of the Bells' is awesome. Esp the tenors. There is nothing better than good singing. Cheers |
O-10: *****Grant Green, and Lee Morgan impart nothing less than their best, which as always is good jazz; they did more than lend their names.******* I must confess, I didn't even remember hearing Morgan during my first listen. I played it again, and now, I understand why I didn't hear him the first time. He soloed for about a Minute and 20 seconds. Very, very, low key, and in the background. He came back in about a minute or so before the end. He played those few seconds in unison with the sax player. I think overall he did just lend his name. Or as they say, he just dailed it in. Helping a friend out? Some contract obligation? I would not consider this a Standard Lee Morgan performance. Just too much organ. Maybe he played more, on other tracks of the CD. This was a strange period for Blue Note. Trying to cash in on the soul-Jazz thingy, instead of staying the course. Cheers |
Though I like jazz, I don't listen to it much because at my age I'm concentrating on spiritualy uplifting music in hopes I can stay out of hell . That said, since I moved to the Twin Cities I've been keeping my car radio on the local Jazz station ,Jazz 88. Yesterday I heard Kurt Elling singing "Higer Vibe" off his "Man in The Air " CD. I damn near had to pull over, it is a towering masterpiece worthy of a standing by J.S. Bach, something I NEVER thought would come out of my mouth. I have 4 other Elling CD's as IMO he is a force of nature, someone like Johnny Cash, who you just have to listen too even if you're not into his genre. But "Higher Vibe" is on a whole other level. |
Rok, I understand where you're coming from in regard to "soul jazz", and while it may not be worthy of you're collection, it's still good music. Although I may or may not decide it's worthy of my collection at this stage, I'll refrain from criticism. This is the holiday season, and I think we should lighten up on the "jest". BTW, "Carol of the Bells" hit my "holiday sweet spot". Enjoy the music. |
Alexatpos: Love Bug -- typical "soul Jazz' of a certain era. I am sort of surprised to see Lee Morgan involved. Of course I know of Grant Green, but not his son. Blue mode -- rather simplistic. There was a time when I doubt this could have been recorded at Blue Note. Godfathers of Groove -- same stuff. Bernard Purdie is a name that lives in Infamy with me, for the stuff he did in Europe with the Westdeutscher Rundfunk Big Band. BTW, great examples of what's wrong with European Jazz. Thanks for the post. Nice enough music, but nothing that grabbed me. For this type music I prefer guys like Houston Person, Joey DeFrancesco and Charles Earland. Cheers |
****I consider myself as individual, so I cant answer your generalizations about European feelings toward jazz.Like I said, that might be an interesting topic, but I guess for that is required more than an opinion**** Alexatpos, I find your style and approach to discussing music (and, I suspect, any subject) refreshing and even-keeled. Actually, it goes hand in hand with what you pointed out about jazz audiences in Europe vs America. I think your observations are correct. I have always felt that the reason that those differences exist have mainly to do with the fact that the US is a very young country compared to most countries in Europe which have had rich cultural and art traditions for many hundreds of years longer than the US. Europeans have histories going back to a time when great artists and artistry were revered and, as you said, to have knowledge in this area was a sign of education. Thanks for the links. |
Rok, Than this is a great oportunity for you to learn something new. Here is Reuben Wilson's 2nd album that was cut for Blue Note,called 'Love Bug' featuring Grant Green, Lee Morgan and George Coleman. http://youtu.be/-p6b-o2CsEc This is his 3rd album for Blue Note, called 'Blue Mode' featuring Melvin Sparks, great guitar player http://youtu.be/KkyP7nVMQc0 Finaly, this is the line up that I saw in NYC. Recognising anyone? http://youtu.be/cDQbVVG_VKA I consider myself as individual, so I cant answer your generalizations about European feelings toward jazz.Like I said, that might be an interesting topic, but I guess for that is required more than an opinion |
*****What danger? And why "danger***** The danger is that people will forget the people that created this wonderful music. That people will make the noise makers the standard by which Jazz is played and judged. This is esp true since the most critical Jazz was performed either before TV or when TV was in it's infancy. You have to search it out. So you have to know who to search for. I.E. if you wanna hear Tunisia, you look for Dizzy, not some Russian. That represents a DANGER in my universe. This music has been under attack since it was created. I said this, 2000 posts ago. :) And stop using all those big words like 'Dogmatism' and 'Fascism'. I have to get a dictionary to decipher your posts. Cheers |
*****Well, at least you have a sense of humor about it all.**** Of course I do. The whole thing was done in Jest. But you are the one that should be showing a little humor or humility for your comments about the BBC. :) I just googled to get some names to put up against Ellington. Ellington was on the BBC list, but if he had not been, I would have added his name. That was the point of the whole thing. Just having fun. You should try it. One word to you Frogman - CHILL !! Lightened up!! This is Jazz for Aficionados, not finals at Berklee. Still waiting on your choice of composer based on my scenario. :) Cheers |
Alexatpos: Interesting comments about Europe and Jazz. The guys you saw in NYC, I have never heard of them. Could explain the half empty club. The old saying,"if you can make it in NYC, you can make it anywhere", is true. You have to be REALLY good to pack the clubs. Maybe in Europe, Jazz just seems new /exotic, and a break from Oom Pah bands and Mahler. One Frenchman's opinion. Cheers |
****The question I have is this: Does this audience in Switzerland know who wrote this tune?? Do they think it's an original of this so-called big band? That's the danger of this type of thing. Young folks will think Jazz started the day they first heard Jazz. They might even think wow, what a tune, and have never heard Dizzy play it. Food for thought.**** What danger? And why "danger"? While I disagree with the mindset that anyone would think that it all started when they first heard it, why is it not simply a good thing that they hear it at all? That would be the beginning of the education. It has to start somewhere; no? I think that as much of a "danger" is dogmatism and the kind of musical fascism that dictates that the music cannot be an extension of the past, with new relevance and new relevant players (not simply "noise makers") and composers. BTW, while I was not there (obviously) I would bet my Columbia 6Eye KOB, that before Ponomarev counted off the tune that night in Switzerland, the audience heard something like this: "And now, a tune by one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time: "ANIT", by the great Dizzy Gillespie; arranged by Benny Golson" Maybe we shouldn't worry so much about the young folks. |
****How else do you expect us Unwashed to learn anything?? :)**** Well, at least you have a sense of humor about it all. Seriously, all this demonstrates the futility of trying to establish a "best". Wether it's a player, composer, recording etc., there will be always be a handful that stand above the rest as pillars of excellence. In the arts, by it's very definition, individuality is a key ingredient of excellence. So, how does one designate a "best" when there is so much individuality as part of the mix? Not possible. One can streamline the list based on level of excellence along with level of influence and then really separate the men from the boys. Re the BBC list: First if all, I thought it was a pretty good, if incomplete, list. Sorry to hear that you had appropriated it as your own; tsk, tsk, tsk! I was impressed that you had included Gershwin. But, you copied it and left out Britten! That name alone makes the list much more authoritative; he was a true giant. The inclusion of Boulez is probably a good one. Cage and Glass? As two of the greatest? No way! Influential? Certainly; and, very. But, what is "great"? Is great someone who is highly individualistic but who's grasp of so much of what constitutes composition pales in comparison to other composers? Like orchestration skill at the highest level with a thorough grasp of, not only modern techniques, but those of the great composers from the past; while having an individualistic vision. Seems to me that the title "great" should be reserved for the very few that had it all. "If you feel empathy for his personal outlook, you naturally feel him musically more than some other environ-mental and musical opposite who is, in a way. beyond you." - Charles Mingus   |
I admit it.....I got sucked into a political discussion which i regret. I do not know if I contributed to political truth or not (probably not!) so you all have my apologies for kicking the tires on a subject that should not be on Audiogon! Guess we should practice 'dinner table rules',...no politics, no religion, etc...... Have a great holiday season everyone! Now, back to the music! Heard that new jazz vocalist (Lyn Stanley) live in Atlanta a couple weeks ago and picked up the 2 latest discs (1 SACD, 1 CD); they were definitely recorded and cut for us audio-nuts. Take a listen, I was very impressed! |
...'The question I have is this: Does this audience in Switzerland know who wrote this tune?? Do they think it's an original of this so-called big band'?... As I am European I guees I should share some of my experiences. In swiss town of Montreux there is a Jazz Festival, one, if not the one, of the greatest in the world,that lasts two weeks, than not so far away in Italian town of Perugia there is Umbria Jazz festival, that lasts around 10 days, and both are full of the people, from all over the Europe and world,of course.That may not mean anything per se, but in all major towns in Europe you can find excellent jazz clubs and usually they are packed with people when ever there is a good show. Than again, I was in Nyc couple of years ago, in Jazz Standard club, Reuben Wilson,Grant Green J.R. and Godfathers of Groove were playing two nights, and the place was half empty, I even had the privilege to introduce my self with Mr.Wilson after the gig. What I want to point is that for us, people from Europe, those artists are trully greats, and the music itself is an art form, and maybe, just maybe, for americans they are only entertainers. For this reason and because of various political and race issues maybe lots of them felt better overseas since the 60's of last century. So, I would not think that 'swiss' or any other take the music for granted, and without any pre knowledge. Even more, because 'knowing' Jazz is considered to be a part of life style of 'educated' people. I am not saying that is the right way, but it might be a fact. That is certainly subject for another discussion. Take a look at this clip. Future generations of artists and fans? http://youtu.be/g121gvj_4aE |
**** here's nice clip of Valery and big band;****** The question I have is this: Does this audience in Switzerland know who wrote this tune?? Do they think it's an original of this so-called big band? That's the danger of this type of thing. Young folks will think Jazz started the day they first heard Jazz. They might even think wow, what a tune, and have never heard Dizzy play it. Food for thought. Cheers |
****while including Glass belies a limited understanding of the subject; sorry****** Don't be sorry for me, be sorry for the BBC. I just copied a few of the ones they named. You pros need to get on the same sheet of music. How else do you expect us Unwashed to learn anything?? :) http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20141015-20th-centurys-10-best-composers Cheers |
****No one would choose the noise makers. So, If Ellington is not the best, it's between the last three on the list. And it's close!**** Rok, we are all entitled to our opinions and to have favorites; but, to proclaim a "best" as a truth outside the scope of personal preference without being truly comprehensive is pointless. To omit Bejamin Britten, Richard Strauss (one of Mingus' faces), Bela Bartok, Maurice Ravel, Sergei Rachmaninov, Aaron Copland, Francis Poulenc and others while including Glass belies a limited understanding of the subject; sorry. Glad to see Gershwin on your list, 'though. Very underrated as a serious composer; perhaps due to the wonderful accessibility and tunefulness of his music. |
Frogman, here's nice clip of Valery and big band; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gHgrMU_Ijo Enjoy the music. |
My political statements are sorta like these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCrXZgpanck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbkcWo5I_A8 Cheers |
****Ellington is the best composer of the 20th century**** Jazz? Probably. Any genre? Doubtful. Well when in doubt, turn to the great unwashed. You are locked in a room with headphones clamped on your head. You cannot remove them. The music is constant. You can choose what you listen to. The list you can choose from: Schoenberg Stravinsky Glass Shostakovich Bernstein Gershwin Ellington Some would choose Gershwin. Some Bernstein. Most would be jamming to: "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing"!!!!! hahahahhahaha No one would choose the noise makers. So, If Ellington is not the best, it's between the last three on the list. And it's close! Cheers |
Lord, Lord, My Burden is great. If Concentration and Internment are the same thing, then we can say, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Buchenwald, Sobibor, and all the rest, were Internment Camps. And that don't even sound right!! Sounds as silly and stupid as what Mingus said. Mingus went to France, and said, in the introduction to a tune of his, that the US Government was building concentration camps to house black folks. This was in 1964. LBJ was President. He gave no indication this was said in jest. The French, having operated at least one camp for Jews in Paris, must have been a little nervous, at the least. A person can say somethinmg and change your entire perception of that person. A former hero of mine once said, speaking of some "plot" by the US Government, that there were B-52 bombers orbiting the planet Jupiter. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I have a different set of heroes now. None of them well known or famous. Just regular courageous folks. BTW, the estimates are that about 20 million died in the European "Internment Camps". Anyone know the figures for the Japanese/German/Italian camps in this country? Cheers |
I am all for "political truth". Some would correctly say that discussion of politics in an audio forum is inappropriate and not wise. The role and impact of politics in music is undeniable and well documented; so, to discuss politics in this sub-forum about music seems perfectly appropriate to me. Having said that, I think it would be wise to be careful about moral relativism re this subject. IMO, to compare the Japanese internment, as horrible and inexcusable as it was, to the concentration camps that other countries instituted is not reasonable. |
In looking more carefully at the definitions, FEMA/similar camps would NOT fit the definition as people are not deprived of their rights in those camps for any reason by the government. My apologies for this mistake. With respect to the camps in WWII in the US, over 110,000 Japanese Americans and over 31,000 German Americans were sent to internment camps starting in 1942. Over 3,000 Italian Americans were also interned. |
If you look up the definition of concentration camp, they run the gamut from basic internment camps run by FEMA after natural disasters, to the harsh extremes run by the Nazis and other governments over the course of history. This includes the internment (a.k.a concentration) camps run after December 7th, 1941 into which our US Government forcibly moved over 100,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese/others. Not wanting to start a political war here but the US and alot of other governments over the course of history have, in point of fact, operated "concentration" / "internment "camps. |
****Mingus the person; he held his tongue for no one, and if he had gone south, everyone knew that he would have come back in a pinebox.******** Spare me, Please. And listen to the spoken intro to the tune I referenced. He sounded like an idiot!! Talking about concentration camps in the USA, while in Europe!!!! Give me a break!! I wondered what the Europeans thought as they heard him. He needed to bone up on his history. I said once before, that he is very political correct. I have a couple of his interviews on CD. He always says the right(correct) thing. Emmett Till was a Kid. Mingus was a grown man. There were millions of black folks, living just fine in this place that he was so afraid of. Including me. And you got the Till story wrong. Other than that, we are in complete agreement. :) Cheers |
