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.
you're welcome! Thanks for the tenor suggestions. Speaking of Belgian guitarists, here's a lovely trio including Philip Catherine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZlasiIvcjU
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On my way into NYC and the hallowed grounds (basement) of the Village Vanguard. My first time seeing any of the 3 musicians tonight has me more enthusiastic than I usually am before a show. Here are the artists for tonight's show. Bill Stewart on drums ( with Peter Bernstein and Larry Goldings respectively on guitar and Hammond B3). Bill Stewart Drum Solo Pizza Express 15:7:19 - YouTube Larry Grenadier on bass (solo) Larry Grenadier - Vineland (live) - YouTube Walter Smith III on saxophone's (duo with pianist Michael Ragonese) rikemind1 /// "Day to Day" - Michael Ragonese + Walter Smith III - YouTube And all 3 together BIMHUIS TV Presents: Bill Stewart Trio feat Larry Grenadier and Walter Smith III - YouTube I have a friend who has been playing drums 40 years and he introduced me to Bill Hamilton. Here is another drummer, Quincy Davis (no slouch himself), breaking down/transcribing Bill Stewart's drum techniques. CRAZY BILL STEWART LANGUAGE | MODERN JAZZ LANGUAGE AT ITS FINEST🔥🔥 - YouTube
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I’m so envious of your access to live NYC Jazz! Love Rene Thomas! Have you heard "Dynasty" by Stan Getz? I enjoy Bernstein’s playing -- just wished he played with more dynamics. Interesting look at Wayne Shorter’s Harmonies for those familiar with music theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siHfCV6vuSc
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Then check out "In Search of a Dream", next! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmq_xQ54xBc&list=OLAK5uy_loUe-ayWVGGeCPqxGF5ONiH9ttLzHHUgk |
Oups! I just realized that i already have this Eddy Louiss album with Rene thomas but i never listen to it before you mention it to me...😊😁 And really Thomas shine on it... I have many Eddy Louiss albums already loving Hammond organ... The one with Thomas i never listened to before your youtube post ...I listen my file instead now... 😁 Sound is better... It takes one hour to listening an album.... if you own thousands it is thousand hours... Impossible to listen to them all in one year... And there is albums i listened repeatedly as the "formidable" album with Pat Martino and hammond organ for example.... Then it is less time for discovering a new one... I am less in search for novelties anyway than for an album that will put me in a trance so to speak.... Novelties it is easy to find... Trance like album less easy... Then i know way less about jazz than many here... I listen too much the albums i like too much... 😁 When i love some album and i love many i ask myself if i will listen to it more than 10 times before dying... For this Martino album i am already near 50 ....And i know i will listen at least few times each year...
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@curiousjim and the rest of the "JFA crew" the concert was great. It was raining and chilly last night in NYC but once inside the cozy confines of the Village Vanguard surrounded by the ghosts of jazz legends I was HAPPY! Framed photo's on the wall included John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and of course, the still living legend Mr. Sonny Rollins. @stuartk You should have stayed in NY.... |
Well, I didn't have a choice at the time. My dad retired while I was about to enter 9th grade and my parents decided to move the family to Guadalajara at that point. Later on, I did return to the East Coast -- my wife and I lived in Maine for 9 wonderful years. I always miss the East come fall but I have no desire to deal with those winters, although the last two have been marked by more snow than I like here in the rural Sierra Foothills. |
I like this album a lot... I even used it as a test for my acoustic soundstaging test...I like all others Martino albums but this one is special on many counts... The Hammond of Pat Bianchi goes so well with Martino guitar... And the soundfield is very well done by the recording engineer, the way the players are distributed... It is not an audiophile recording for sure but only a good one... All the pieces on this album integrated into ONE larger musical whole that lift the soul by his rythmic pulse felt trough all players here...Martino know how to implicate all the players around him...I think that he hypnotized them... 😊 His playing is pulse driven...Always melodic... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU_1MROrl9g&list=OLAK5uy_nEmiZ7GXG-7yCU9_MZERlnWxg47HD5-FI
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I think you are right! His sense of rhythm was indeed impeccable and an aspect of his playing not so often mentioned. You've heard this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBi29nU-S-I&list=OLAK5uy_lrwp53TVjMLccwjjVqQH041aeOeDUu7B8
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I was fortunate to see Pat Martino live at Birdland NYC about 8 years ago. I am also a big fan of Martino. You have to check out his earlier recording sessions as a guitarist on Willis "Gatortail" Jackson sessions. I have purchased many of their collaborations on CDs over the years and they are rare. Martino is in his teens and early 20s on a lot of these recordings and of course it was way before the near fatal car accident before Pat had to "re-learn" the guitar. I like to compare his playing pre and post accident. Anyway here is a Spotify playlist I made for you. Willis Jackson Mahgister - playlist by Paul Irishman | Spotify |
Yes , 😁 own most important Martino albums... It begin with frogman recommendation almost 2 years ago... And i listened to the documentary about him relearning to play... There is something in his personality that moves me... His playings too for sure...
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Wow! thanks for your attention and kindness... I will listen to it .... I dont have this album.... 😁 😊😊😊😎😊😊😊😋😊😊😊
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You moved around a lot. I was born 60 years ago in Babylon, Long Island NY. I have lived here my entire life. Always a 1 hour drive to NYC. I have been to Mexico many times (I have a sister living in San Diego since 1980). I like tequila and I know the history of Jalisco province in Mexico of making the best mezcal's and tequila's. How long did you call Guadalajara home? Speaking of Mexico Charles Mingus - Tijuana Moods ( Full Album ) - YouTube
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I’ve lived in NY, Mexico, So Cal, Maine, Oregon and since 1998, Nor Cal. I’ve always wondered what it would like to stay in one place one’s entire life and whether that might impart a certain sense of rooted stability. I’ve known folks for which this seemed to be the case but no doubt, it depends upon the individual. We were in Guadalajara one year only, as I was viewed as a "problem student’ at The American School and was told not to return after 9th grade. My parents moved us to San Miguel de Allende, which at that time (1971) was much smaller and much less popular than it eventually became. I enjoyed living in both locales, although my school issues continued and I was sent to a private school in Sedona, during which time my family were victims of a home invasion, which prompted a return to the States. Upon graduating HS, I worked in restaurants, where my Spanish proved a valuable asset. I’ve only been back to Mexico once and on that trip was much more aware of the poverty than when I’d been an adolescent, which significantly affected my experience as a tourist. I still have opportunities to speak Spanish from time to time, although my fluency has greatly deteriorated. I never developed a taste for Tequila -- when I was a teenager down there I was more into drugs than alcohol. Sorry for the long-winded response! Yeah -- Tijuana Moods" is a good one! |
@stuartk Upon graduating high school I started working in the construction field in Long Island NY and eventually started a framing business. I was a framing contractor and sub contractor for 30 years. 4 years ago I decided to retire from the construction industry (comfortably) as I was no longer physically able to climb around all over a house for 8 - 10 hours a day. I went and got me CDL at age 57 and drive a tractor trailer now and I am very happy. I could not just sit at home and driving the semi gives me hours of listening sessions undisturbed while making money as well. Currently pulling a 53 foot flatbed loaded with construction materials to Home Depot, Lowes and many other businesses. Last night while on route I listened to Willis Gatortail Jackson and Pat Martino as well as Pat Matino's own albums as a leader. The Gator Tail sessions are really soulful combining elements R&B, funk, soul and gospel music while the Martino sessions are more straight ahead jazz but some songs harken back to his younger days "making his bones" with "Gator Tail" Rare live footage of Gator Tail on the Ed Sullivan Show. Willis 'Gator Tail' Jackson live on Ed Sullivan - YouTube Gator Tail with Pat Martino Willis Jackson with Pat Martino - "Gator Tail" - YouTube A few of my favorite live Martino albums. I believe they have all been recently posted. Oleo (Live From Yoshi's, Oakland, U.S.A./2001) - YouTube Goin' to a Meeting (Live at Blues Alley) - YouTube Pat Martino - El Niño - YouTube Studio Martino |
@pjw81563 , great stuff! I just discovered Gator last week from the all knowing YouTube algorithm. Found his album on Qobuz with Pat Martino and was off to the races. Thanks for the links. I’m constantly amazed at all the great stuff that is out there that I’ve never heard - amazed and grateful for each new discovery.
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Sounds good and I have it cued up for later this evening. <<I found this recording inadvertently, by Kyle Eastwood: https://youtu.be/ApnMxGkF2TQ>> Good find |
Sounds to me like you’ve made a wise career move. I was a bread baker for many years, which was very satisfying but like construction, hard on the body. I’m familiar with "Gatemouth" but not "Gator Tail".I will check out the links you've posted.
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My goal in jazz and in music explorations in general is to reach a CORE of 280 musicians, so great for me that i will listen to them once a month on average till my death...
I suppose i can at max listen 10 musicians or composers by day, for 7 days x 4 weeks=280...
Why?
It is because for me intense repeated listenings of a piece from a musician and composer that move me emotionnally, intellectually and spiritually is more powerful than novelty by itself.... it is necessary to discover new musicians but i must balance it by my devotional sacred temple altar choices.... Many new musicians interest me for leisure only one time but not enough to really move me for various reason....
For sure my numbers are not exact, i only used them to describe what i look for and who i want to put on a new altar in front of with i wanted to pray...
i do not differentiate anymore, musicians, composers or cultural styles... only matter music be it this or this :
Perhaps some people are like me too ?😁😊
My post do not negate specifics of any style as jazz , they are all interesting as unique language and discourses...I love jazz especially and it reflect in my hours ratio listenings a bit ...
But i look for the best for my hearing soul and it is IMPREVISIBLE...
I dont know why a jazz album will impact me so much at the end and why...I can know some objective reason but the impact weight is not reductible to reason or musical knowledge at the end ... Because Bach matter as much as Miles Davis or Ali Akbar khan...
Then listening music is also to embark in a journey to investigate our own ocean soul variable levels ...
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I got my CDL in 1980, drove mostly straight trucks until about 15 years ago when I changed jobs for a company that everything from pick ‘‘em ups to drill rigs. I gave up my CDL 3 years ago because my neck was so bad I couldn’t take hours of bouncing.😟. But the three things I miss are driving at night, listening to music and podcasts and stopping in the middle of nowhere and seeing the Milky Way! |
I listened to “The View From Here” and liked it. Also listened and liked “Candid Kyle” https://youtu.be/7zmi2LJqfrQ?si=ZoR_kSRdKl2lOrWq Live version of the first song. |
Thanks @ho249 I have to run some errands, but I’ll definitely check him out later. |
@curiousjim I drive at night and I love it. Nothing but other trucks/trailers with some cars mixed in. No A hole lost/on phone/speeding/driving to slow idiots to deal with and no traffic. Just me, the music and the road..... Last night I listened to more Oliver Nelson. Have not heard one bad song from his repertoire, small ensemble or big band. Oliver Nelson Orchestra |
Plus 1 Russel Malone on these 2 sessions. Check out the personnel on both! Jimmy Cobb Jazz In The Key Of Blue - YouTube
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Now here’s a potential treasure-trove -- a bunch of Bobby Hutcherson’s Blue Notes, all in one place on YouTube! It’s claimed to be "complete" but there are clearly titles missing. Still, there’s a lot to explore for anyone who hasn’t already had the pleasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcsTckW6BnI&list=PLOhBqh2oUOMFLf3kOhj-ckr1oDszZJBPP |
I have tickets for Al Di Meola for Friday, October 27. I just saw that he had a heart attack at one of his European performances. I assume he will be taking a sabbatical while he is recovering. I think the date I have tickets for will be postponed/cancelled I have not received any notice yet. |