****Computers don't go on the fritz these days. ****
Tell that to Lois Lerner.
Tell that to Lois Lerner.
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.
31,780 responses Add your response
O-10: Computers don't go on the fritz these days. Don't you think it's time to 'upgrade' from that Commodore 64? Could not click away from this. Just goes to show that you guys don't have to run all over asia to find new stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAVEuYk5qiw Better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGDEhgu-7E Mo' Better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FReGLY2lLuY Even mo' mo' better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAU5QSYmUsk Cheers |
It's unfortunate that any success he had came so late. http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/14/jimmy-scott-five-great-performances-jazz-legend Enjoy the music. |
****it's more important that the reviewer's taste and musical sensibilities coincide with those of the reader and are demonstrated to be consistent over time.**** Exactly right. Re Korea: When in Asia recently, Korea was one of the stops. It was absolutely amazing how modernized Korea was. There was a sense that the country was running on all cylinders and going full speed ahead; a force to be reckoned with and very impressive. Re jazz and Asia: soloist on part of the tour was the very impressive Makoto Ozone. Fantastic jazz pianist also at home in the Classical arena: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G22GY6JhZQI&list=PLj0AGSl1lDjNTsQlpKBfkh7v7FPw2SDLc This is part of a repeat of one of the Asia tour programs back in NYC (hint: there is a frog in the orchestra :-) : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BxowOVIdnR0&list=PLj0AGSl1lDjNTsQlpKBfkh7v7FPw2SDLc |
Youn Sun Nah. Amazing ability with her voice. I found Koreans to be very passionate and soulful people. They love to sing. In 1976 during my first tour there, a then current hit song, sung by a Korean woman, is the most beautiful song I have heard to this day. Have no idea who she was, or what the song was about. I listened to it several times, almost daily, for 15 months. If Jazz ever comes out of Asia, it will be Korean! Cheers |
****what distinguishes a good reviewer from a bad one is not wether he reviews music that we happen to like, but wether he is able to express in words how the music touches him/her; and, to do it in a credible and eloquent way***** This is true, but from a personal point of view, it's more important that the reviewer's taste and musical sensibilities coincide with those of the reader and are demonstrated to be consistent over time. Cheers |
Frogman, your musical observations are most astute. As you pointed out, she did many takes before she selected the one that's on CD, which was the best one; although the alternate takes were quite interesting as well. My PC is on the fritz, but I'll try to post on a friend's machine. Enjoy the music. |
The theme of what is good or not keeps coming up in different guises; as expected and as it should. Just as with the music itself, what distinguishes a good reviewer from a bad one is not wether he reviews music that we happen to like, but wether he is able to express in words how the music touches him/her; and, to do it in a credible and eloquent way. It's never fair to discredit a reviewer without first making and understanding that distinction; imo. O-10, loved the a Youn Son Nah clip. What a voice! Luscious and very sexy in some very unusual ways; and technically excellent. She straddles a fine line just short of affectation with a nice combination of credibility (when singing in English) and some obviously Asian influences in her vocal inflections and overall sensibility. When I first listened to the clip one of the things that came to mind was "her intonation and accuracy are so good that she probably did many different takes and used some editing to get a good complete version". Nope, she can really do it!: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Kki-mx7uw Anyone familiar with the folk music of that part of the world will hear that influence in this performance. I think it's amazing, if perhaps an acquired taste for some: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dVehcCuwZeA "Alternate groove" indeed; and a good one. Thanks for sharing. |
The theme of what is good or not keeps coming up in different guises; as expected and as it should. Just as with the music itself, what distinguishes a good reviewer from a bad one is not wether he reviews music that we happen to like, but wether he is able to express in words how the music touches him/her; and, to do it in a credible and eloquent way. It's never fair to discredit a reviewer without first making and understanding that distinction; imo. O-10, loved the a Youn Son Nah clip. What a voice! Luscious and very sexy in some very unusual ways; and technically excellent. She straddles a fine line just short of affectation with a nice combination of credibility (when singing in English) and some obviously Asian influences in her vocal inflections and overall sensibility. When I first listened to the clip one of the things that came to mind was "her intonation and accuracy are so good that she probably did many different takes and used some editing to get a good complete version". Nope, she can really do it!: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Kki-mx7uw Anyone familiar with the folk music of that part of the world will hear that influence in this performance. I think it's amazing, if perhaps an acquired taste for some: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dVehcCuwZeA "Alternate groove" indeed; and a good one. Thanks for sharing. |
O-10: Good reviewers are hard to find. The best source I know of these days in 'The All Music Guide to Jazz'. It's out of print, but there is an internet site. I prefer the book. They can still be had at Amazon or other book sellers online. My favorite reviewer there is Scott Yanow. We seem to be on the same wavelength. I assume all Jazz fans have this book, if not, get it! The most important thing about AMG reviews, is that they state the type of Jazz the artist plays. So a 5-Star rating for a free Jazz album, would not interest me. Also nice short synopsis of each artist. Back in the day I trusted a few guys at 'Stereo Review'. The Amazon reviews can be helpful, if there are enough so that you can seperate the serious from the idiots and the fans. Listened to MJQ last night. "Fontessa" and "Django". Is there better Jazz for late night? They define sophistication! Listening to Wes Montgomery now. "Full House" Live from a small club in Berkeley. With Miles' rhythm section. I have never heard Wes this way. They, the rhythm section, seem to bring out the best in everyone they play with. Remember Art Pepper? Johnny Griffin almost stole the show. Begs the question, was it Miles or his Rhythm Section? :) Cheers |
Here are some more alternate grooves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6i7Sfza2c4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ebLK-l0jc Enjoy the music. |
Wynton Marsalis -- At The Octoroon Balls-String Quartet No.1 I am surprised none of you 'progressive' folks have mentioned this one. I am not sure what this is, but I like it. All the music was composed by Wynton Marsalis. This just adds to Wynton's reputation. The man can do anything musical. Played by the Orion String Quartet. Also included is "A Fiddler's Tale Suite". Sort of Marsalis' version, or his take on Stravinsky's "Soldiers Tale". Wynton plays trumpet on this piece, he does not play on "Octoroon Balls". The complete Fiddler's Tale with narration is available on another Sony Disc. Played by Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Not for everyone, but how can a Jazz / Classical Aficionado be without it? I feel it's historic. I loved it. Outstanding Sound Quality. Interesting Notes. Check it out. Cheers |
I had a similar experience in Korea. Our Commander was also the adventurous type, and liked to take all the Officers on these 'tours' to experience real Korean life. Nothing as upscale as your experience. We started with the street vendors. We began with squid, clams and octopus, then on to fried insects and dog. But the best was yet to come. On another occasion, we went to a sitdown restaurant and we all had soup. That's when I formulated the first law of eating in Asia. Never, never, never, order the soup!!! Still thinking about if you analogy applies to music. :) Cheers |
I was in China about three months ago. I sat down to a meal with a very food-adventurous colleague at a very interesting restaurant and ordered, at his recommendation, a crazy dish with jellyfish as it's centerpiece. The strange combination of exotic and new-to-me flavors and strange textures were definitely not to my liking. However, there was no question that the chef was a master. The presentation was incredible and the weird flavors had an unmistakably perfect balance, right down to the partnering soup (?) that, as weird as IT tasted, was perfect for the dish. It all screamed: "Only a great chef could do this and there are foodies out there that love this stuff". Not for me 'though. |
*****Rok, I have 80/81 and Full Circle; didn't think too much of either one. We must have depended on the same reviewer. I noticed we have a lot of the same records that might as well be in the dumpster. ****** Whenever I say "I have that on LP", that means it didn't make the cut to CD. I agree about 80/81 and first circle. But mistakes are to be expected as a person finds his way into his proper lane. And understanding reviews, and reviewers is part of the process. Today we make far fewer mistakes. There is so much information and technology available. You can now hear it before you buy, and you can read reviews from real people. And a person just knows more. I look at a list of my LPs and wonder, WTF was I thinking!! Whenever I saw the word JAZZ on a LP, I thought it meant Jazz was being played. Silly me!! LPs for Sale Cheap. Played once!! Crusaders, Claude Bolling, George Duke, Howland Ensemble, Al Di Meola, NY-LA Dream Band, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Lee Ritenour, Stanley Jordan, Gabor Szabo, Weather Report. Some of these were ok at the time. I just moved on. I think I recall reading that James Booker had a mental problem. He was classically trained on piano. He often lapses into the classical world on his albums. Cheers |
I believe that a really good and worthy goal for any discerning music lover is to be able to truly understand the difference between not liking a particular artist's music and feeling that he "doesn't have it in him"; they are two very different things. It's a tricky thing: how does one acknowledge good artistry while at the same time not liking it? Pat Metheny is a brilliant musician. Clearly, his soft-toned and not-obviously-blues-based concept with its sound-pastiche vibe is not to everyone's liking, but the guy is amazing with his very subtle improvisational ideas and unique sound; even if he doesn't wear a suit :-) I agree with the comments about James Booker. I knew of him and the fact that he had mentored players like Dr. John, but had not heard his recordings. Rok, thanks for the introduction and I am pretty much amazed by what I have heard so far; definitely someone to become more acquainted with. The Yellow Jackets are still going strong and I recommend you give the band another shot. "Samurai Samba" is from an early iteration of the band. Personally, Marc Russo's alto sound with its relentless and almost hyper vibe drives me crazy. The band of the last several years has featured Bob Mintzer on reeds with a very welcome and much more sophisticated and insightful playing style; he is also a wonderful composer and arranger. O-10, you ask a poignant question: "Why?". I suppose it's simply because musicians are people just like anyone else in any walk of life, with personal demons and different capacities to deal with them. Now, add genius to the mix. We would like to think that the type of insight that is a hallmark of genius would help them deal with those demons; but, ironically, it seems that the insight sometimes only serves to give a better look into the whatever torment they must be feeling and not necessarily help them find a way out. Thanks for the clip Acman3; nice. |
Rok, I have 80/81 and Full Circle; didn't think too much of either one. We must have depended on the same reviewer. I noticed we have a lot of the same records that might as well be in the dumpster. I knew a musical genius, who like James Booker was hooked just as bad; that's when no shows get to be a constant thing, and unreliability is not tolerated in the entertainment industry. "Why"? That was a question I never got an answer to. I heard his last live sets and although he'd found what he was striving for musically, it never got recorded. As good as Mr. Booker was, I don't think he quite discovered his "inner self"; that's the one I hear in between the lines. If only he had lived a little longer. Enjoy the music. |
O-10: Both clips were very good. The Yellowjackets are a blast from the past. I have them on the LP, "Samuria Samba". That clip has an African tinge for sure. Pat Metheny clip was good also. I also listened to this one so I could see the band playing. Done in Poland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUAK02_o9cI The girl is a Fox. The tune seemed unbalanced. It opened with the vocal stuff, then Metheny did his solo, and it ended. Should not the Vocals have come back to close it out? The audience looked like a meeting of the communist central committee. The seating, the hall, and EVERYONE clapping. :) But both were well done. I didn't think Metheny had it in him. I have his LPs of "80/81" and "First Circle". The women were dressed, I guess the guys couldn't get to the cleaners in time to get their suits. :) Thanks Cheers |
John Coltrane -- EVOLUTION:THE ROAD TO GIANT STEPS Four CD box set from the same folks that gave us 'The 100 Best Jazz Tunes of the 1950's' and 'The Best of 1960/61' sets. Excellent packaging. Nice booklet with very interesting info on trane and his career. Good pictures. Excellent info on each tune on the CDs, including player lineup and the album the tune was taken from. The only downside is that, CD #4, is the Coltrane CD, 'Giant Steps'. I would assume EVERY Coltrane fan has that CD. The CD #4 does substitute the alternate takes found on the original 'Giant Steps' CD, with interviews given by Coltrane. Four of them. I guess that's an ok trade. The other three CDs have Trane as leader, and as sideman with a bunch of folks. Miles, Monk, Adderley, Garland, and many more. The sound quality is the same as the previous sets. Which is very good. A must have? A lot of us, including me, have a lot of this music contained in our current Jazz collections. But it's worth it to me to get the nice packaging and the informative notes. Besides, I love well done Jazz complilations, esp box sets. Cheers |
Now that everyone else has submitted their alternate groove, it's my turn. Not only do I like the music, but this goes deep into that "audiophile" thang; my tweeters are tweetin, and my woofer is woofin, all in high definition. Anna Maria sounds like she's humpin to please on Pat Metheney's "Are You Going With Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJLN7_FaN04 On "Wildlife" we run with the gazelles and other fleet footed hoofed animals across the African veldt. (close your eyes and use your imagination on both tunes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiVk-SDy8cA Enjoy the music. |
This Louisiana gumbo is catching. Dr. John is Mr."Nawlins"; I like this. Unfortunately, New Orleans is so sad now, in regard to the people who live in the "Jects", that every time I think about New Orleans, I want to break my own rule and and go off on that subject; but let's stick to music, as hard as it is some time. Enjoy the music. |
Three tenors! Haven't seen that since Woody Herman's band. Distinctive horn section sound due to no alto and tenor heavy. I don't think there is a singer that has more "Nawlins" vibe than this man: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N4OVqVXvg_Q |
It wouldn't jazz but it sure swung. I like that Louisiana gumbo, check out Marcia Ball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx8k15FtnXY Enjoy the music. |
May not be jazz, but it sure swings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fHokM-ITfc |
Temporary storage: Not Jazz. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFIOu2sYxoc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu9RVPTpDyA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNj9bXKGOiI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlLsbL2LJKw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oab4ZCfTbOI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO0Q3192Jrs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJX_MHeMm5g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRctq68MGxM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOPYn1l1pvw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43QMfiXMCeo |
These are not being presented as input to the Jazz thread. Just a convenient place to store them for easy retrieval. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4C4NiVKrXk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZyCPhVvvM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en6kmiX0SDc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6pnzyfFi9w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XMn0U9b2Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmvT7B3u7II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EdmHSTwmWY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIt3dx4an9c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqBtS6BIP1E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIGu6-r67Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0oFadjx-is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IEJlSGRX1Y |
O-10: The people that contribute to this thread can define Jazz anyway they please. No need to 'appease' me. Some celeb, I forget who, once said, "I know my lane, and I stay in it". I do the same when it comes to music. There is plenty of choice for everyone. I am just glad I lived in the heyday of recorded Jazz. The young crowd can take it on in from here. On the thread 'SET Bliss', Charles1dad recommended Monk's 'Live at the IT Club -- Complete.' I have it, so of course I listened to it. Great stuff. I have a question / Comment. Monk, along among all the greatest Jazz players I am aware of, seemed to play quite a few of his 'Hits' on almost all of his recordings. Why is that? Silver only played 'song for my father' once. Trane, 'Giant Steps' only once. I am not counting compliations or live recording dates. But all of Monk's records seem to always contain a lot of his "hits". Am I wrong in this? Any explanation? The link you sent: Most negative social situations can be traced to one basic problem. There are too many people on this planet!! Think about it. Cheers |
Rok, in my last post I stated that I stayed within the narrow definition of jazz to appease you. While that was the downside, the upside more than made up for it. Had it not been for you, I never would have discovered Nica, and those two very well recorded decades of jazz. In regard to factors surrounding jazz, they are the same factors surrounding everything; every body except the very rich have a lot less money or are unemployed. If you want to know what I'm talking about, go to this website http://wp.me/p2vRlu-4 Enjoy the music. |
Schubert, and also Rok, Herman Baumann's recording of the Mozart Horn Concerti on natural horn, conducted by Nicolas Harnoncourt, with the Concentus Musicus Wien, on the Telefunken label, is the finest natural horn playing I know of. Truly astounding. There are a few other good ones out there, but none of them better that one, which was I believe the first time they had been recorded on natural horn, in 1974. |
Nice clip, Acman3; nothing like a good tenor battle. A couple of thoughts that relate to recently discussed subjects: Completely unimportant period instrument trivia: Craig Handy is playing a Selmer MK6 tenor and Joshua Redman a Selmer "Balanced Action". Redman's is the historically "correct" horn and is like what a player would have played in Kansas City at the time. The model Handy is playing was not made until almost twenty years later. Both great players and Redman actually captures the style of that era better than Handy who hints at a more modern harmonic sensibility. Great stuff! Error in personnel listing: the baritone player is James Carter not Don Byron; Carter is the one with the "I am better than both those guys put together" expression on his face. The suit thing: I agree that it's important; but, let's remember that most men wore suits and hats to walk to the drugstore. That's the way men dressed back then. Thanks for sharing! |
Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith gets a mixed review from me. When It's good, it great. Unfortunately it only feels good for me 1/2 the time. Probably a killa band to see live! If you're feeling in a swingin' 'Nawlins mood, I highly recommend a record I just picked up yesterday; Henry Butler & Steve Bernstein (& the Hot 9!)- Viper's Drag. Now this is the shit!;). Bernstein's a good trumpet player with excellent credentials, one of them being that he co-produced the soundtrack for 'Kansas City'! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxbPKLHl_A0&feature=player_embedded |