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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One of the guys in my music group told me about this last night. ECM has gone back to the original tapes and is reissuing the material that put them on the map. 180 gram vinyl albums, as CDs, and as high-resolution download files I ordered four 180 G LPs last night via Amazon where they are offered at discount and free two day shipping with Prime membership. I'll post opinion once I hear a couple of these but I expect the Keith Jarrett will absolutely make me happy. |
O-10: I have added the following to my cart: 25 Best Jazz Tunes of 1960 2CD 25 Best Jazz Tunes of 1961 2CD Birth of Soul Jazz 2CD Evolution: The Road To Giant Steps 4CD Playing It Cool: Classic West Coast Jazz 2CD Beat Generation Jazz 2CD They are all from the same label that produced the 100 best of the 1950's. Not much info concerning sound quality. I will try the 1960 & 1961, plus the Coltrane set first. Will report after I have listened to them. The Coltrane set is him as leader and with other groups as band member. Seems to be a good selection. Most of this music I have, it's like paying someone to make complilations of the best. And as you said, they do sound better than the original album. I am sort of nervous about the BEAT Jazz thingy. I remember trying to read "Naked Lunch". Sort of put me off the BEAT generation. Cheers |
Well fellows, in regard to my dilemma, I've done all I can do, now it's in the hands of a higher power. Rachell seems to have stirred up a lot of controversy, and that's a good thing. I find it amazing how aficionados can disagree, and at the same time agree. While Frogman's post was, as usual, very accurate; especially when you compare Rachell to great jazz vocalists of the past; however, I attribute her over the top expressions to originality, and that's a good thing, but she sounded best, "sight unseen". Rok, nothing has changed in regard to which tunes on that compilation we like best; however, just the other day, I was thinking about how they're better than my original LP's, and I'm eagerly awaiting your post on this latest compilation. Enjoy the music. |
O-10: Revisited the "100 best from the 1950's" box set today. Listened to CD5 and CD6. On CD5, thru the miracle of science, Paul Gonsalves' solo has been restored to it's rightful place on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" The last six tracks are just an embarrassment of riches. CD6 includes the tunes that started this thread, "Moanin'" and "Along Came Betty". Great stuff, but I think Johnny Griffin's "Cherokee" and Bill Evans' "Peace Piece" may have taken top honors. Can't get enough of this box set. Wonderful sound quality. I have found a few more box sets by the same folks,'Chrome Dreams'. Will try to determine if they are as good. Cheers |
Learsfool: What struck be about the Armstrong CDs was that they start off playing as an ensemble. Almost dixieland, and as more instruments are added, gradually Louis begins to stand out from the ensemble. The Jazz solo? The female vocals from that era are wonderful also. If I were into LPs today, I would be afraid to play them. Even back in the day, I only played them once, and that was as I taped them to RTR. Cheers |
The Frogman: I agree with all your commentary on Ferrell. I still love the clip, but I felt she was just passing thru. Her vocal fireworks sort of reminded me of Patti LaBelle. But I always feel a sense of awe and admiration when people put on performances like that. It takes guts, because there is always the chance it will fall flat and on deaf ears. She kept going untill she had them! The scatting struck me as being a spontaneous outbrust. With Ella, you would have assumed the composer wrote it into the tune. LULU: There is always a chance I will like it simply because Julia Migenes-Johnson is still in it. I have her doing CARMEN on DVD with Domingo. The cover art comes close to being for 'adults only'. Love it! Cheers |
****Amazing how musical taste can evolve.**** Yup! Sometimes, without even realizing it. I think it happens when we are open to the idea that our own musical taste is simply that, our own and nothing more; a certain amount of musical humility is a good thing. Then, before one knows it, music that sounded unbearable previously can sometimes become beautiful. It's about personal growth in our understanding of music in general. The process snowballs; before you know it, even "Lulu" will make sense and it's strange beauty can be understood. The trick, however, is knowing when the music is simply not very good. That's part of the process too; after a while one just knows it and the judgment becomes more than simply an expression of our own taste (which, of course, will always be part of the equation; but, it will be in a better place). Jutta Hipp is, I think, a great example of this. I agree with you assessment of Hipp. Yeah, she can sort of get around the piano and she has a decent grasp of the language; but, with a definite (musical) accent. But, compared to the playing of the standard bearers, it's just not up to par. Hipp, in spite of her name, ain't too. Finally had a chance to listen to the Ferrell clip; it can't be downloaded using an IPad and my wife and kids rule the computer :-). I did listen to a few other clips of hers that I could download. She is a phenomenal singer with amazing range and stylistic control. I had not heard her work, but had read a lot about her and, frankly, was suspicious of all the raves. She really is an amazing talent who can also write and plays the piano very well. Thanks for turning me on to her. I will say, however, that she strikes me as being at her best in a r&b or soul bag. Of all the clips that I heard of hers the one you posted, while really good, was not my favorite. This will sound as more critical than is intended, but I just don't think she is grounded in jazz the way that the great jazz singers are. To me, she is (in spite of her formidable vocal prowess) an r&b singer stretching out into jazz; the way Aretha does. The scatting (if one can call it that in this case) does not have the shape and structure of classic jazz improvisation. Not that it has to, but not only does it strike me as a little "over the top" as you suggest, but it just doesn't ring coherent for me. I think she has a tendency to overuse her amazing repertory of vocal calisthenics. Less would definitely be more in this case. Personally, I think she is at her best singing things like this: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uD_MUu55U |
Recent Acquisitions: Louis Armstrong -- HOT FIVES AND SEVENS Like being in the delivery room when Jazz, as we now know it, was being born. 4-CD box set. Extremely good sound quality, all things considered. This is the JSP issue. While looking thru old paperwork came across a printout of all my Jazz recordings on LP. These records were purchased starting in the late 60's. Amazing how musical taste can evolve. Back then I was heavy into Cannonball, MJQ, Quincy Jones, Herbie Mann, Maynard Ferquson, Oscar Peterson Jimmy Smith. I guess you could call them 'accessible'. First 'deep' guy was Miles. A few that stood out: Ken Nordine -- CLASSIC COLLECTION OF WORD JAZZ vol 3. I remember I filed this one under W, as in WTF!?! I you-tubed it this morning, and it is as silly now as it was then. Jutta Hipp -- AT THE HICKORY HOUSE German female pianist. I got this one because I was in Germany at the time and could not image Germans playing Jazz. Still can't. Wiki says she played Jazz in Germany during the war, and after the war, went to NYC and there, she lost her nerve. Could not handle the big leagues. I would have thought that if she could play under the noses of the gestapo, she could handle anything NYC could throw at her. Guess not. A lot of Jazz talent in NYC during that period. Also had a few by IRAKERE. One titled "Chekere Son". I assumed that was the English word 'Son'. You learn something everyday. Cheers |
O-10, I started to post on several occasions to ask if you were alright, but knew that you would let us know when ready. Glad you are back and that you are able to prevail over whatever it is that life has thrown your way. One thing is certain, music always helps a great deal; it feeds the spirit. Welcome back. This one's for you: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-xGPHseCQrI |
O-10, I could not believe my eyes when I saw your post!! Welcome back!! You have been greatly missed. I hope you will be able to post more often in the future. Since I now know you will reading, I will now have to choose my words more carefully. Of course I am happy you agree about the Ferrell clip. I received one of her CDs yesterday titled "Rachelle Ferrell". Along with one by Kenny Burrell, "Bluesy Burrell". I will report when I have listened to them both. Again, welcome back! Cheers!! |
Rok, I'm still alive. Although life's changes put me up against a wall, I had to respond to that Rachell Farrell clip. It's what jazz is all about; she put every ounce of her heart into it, making the statement, "This is who I am". Every second of that clip was outstanding; all of the artists were allowed to speak, and each spoke quite eloquently. Frogman, I admire your in depth explanations of things most jazz aficionados don't know, but are eager to learn. I want Leersfool and Acman3 to know I appreciate their input as well. Although I won't be posting, I'll continue to read everyone's posts religiously. Keep up the good work Rok. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I resisted giving you a hard time re Phil Woods in my previous post, but now that you brought the subject of your unforgivable transgression and oversight up again....:-) Phil Woods is indeed one of the greats. Has been for a long time and I am glad that you have discovered him and that "he is everywhere" now (on your radar). I will check out Ferrell and report back. Thanks. |
Chazro, thanks for the comments. Your point is well taken, but classic son predates what we now know as salsa. As usual when trying to establish timelines re the evolution of a music form the lines get blurred. As you point out, son is a key ingredient in salsa, but before the brassy, big-band like salsa bands came to be (with their complex arrangements, perhaps in part due to the influence of the American dance bands), son was performed with much simpler instrumentation and had a much "folksier" vibe. The guitar was at the forefront and would be replaced later by the piano and the percussion used a generally lighter touch. The overall rhythmic feeling, structure and other elements such as call and response and vocal improvisation is like and became the heart of salsa, as you point out. Classic son: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YDp3l-syaWc One thing is undeniable, it swings like crazy, as you say. This is a classic "guajira (-son)". "Lamento Guajiro". Trans. "Countryboy's Lament". Cuban blues? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_5bY6WM3-W4 Beautiful stuff! |
The Frogman: Thanks for the informative answer. I suspected it would be Country or Blues. Now I know. Apparently, when I was dissing Woods, I didn't know who I was messing with! He ranks with the best. All of you completely ignored my link of Rachelle Ferrell doing 'Autumn Leaves'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34fj0fdFDM I can't get enough of it. At 4:24, check out Petrucciani. Seems as if his expression is saying, " I hope this babe ain't going postal on us" I love it!! Seems like Shorter also shares our OP's tailor. Just love this clip. You can love it, or think it's over the top, but you cannot ignore it!! Cheers |
****What American genre would be comparable to Son? Not in style, but place in the society's musical history.**** Great and fascinating question! First of all, yes, some (not all; strictly speaking) of the music on BVSC is "son"; one of the big hits from that record "Chan Chan" is definitely a "son". I think the answer to your question is found in the name of another Cuban music style, "Guajira". The two are similar and sometimes a song may be described as "Guajira-Son". The well known song "Guantanamera" is a guajira ("Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera....."). The non-musical, literary definition of "guajira/o" is: a person from the countryside. The lyrics of these songs often speak about the beauty of the a Cuban countryside. "Son" is basically Cuba's country music; a kind of hill-billy music. However, when one considers that son, guajira, and other forms morphed into what would later be known as salsa, the genre probably most representative of and recognizable as Cuba's musical identity, it is not too much of a stretch to look at son as Cuba's blues. The blues, as we all know, is a key ingredient of jazz, the genre generally considered America's most important musical contribution. From this standpoint, the two are very similar. |
I've always felt a valid comparison can be made to Son/Salsa (latin dance music) and the time when Big Band Jazz + vocalists was the Pop music of America. Those big bands had complex charts, mighty brass sections, tremendous vocalists that very often got into vocal improv (scatting), but most importantly, they swung like mofos and people actually danced their asses off. The exact same thing can be said about the Son/Salsa bands! I've owned 'Salsa Meets Jazz' since it 1st came out 25 yrs ago! Yesterday was Tito's birthday (4/20)! Nice to see some appreciation for the great Phil Woods. |
Today I listened to: Tito Puente and His Latin Ensemble -- SALSA MEETS JAZZ featuring Phil Woods. Seems like over night this guy is everywhere! I eventually ended up doing some reading on Cuban 'Son' music and Salsa. Is the music played by The Buena Vista Social Club on their huge hit, 'Son'? What American genre would be comparable to Son? Not in style, but place in the society's musical history. Cheers |
Nice. Getting old indeed; didn't recognize the great George Cables at first. Used to go hear him at the Vanguard in Dexter's qt. back in the eighties; great player. David Weiss sounds very good on trpt. When Cables started to play I thought they were going to go into a slightly slower version of this classic (same chord voicing) : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hwmRQ0PBtXU |
Acman3: Nice tune. I would have liked it more (the video), if all the players had parts to play during the entire tune. The brass guys walking off while the sax soloed was sort of unseemly. IMHO!!!!! These guys are getting old. I thought all my Jazz favorites just stopped aging as I have. Thanks for sharing. Cheers |
. Frogman....If you have Rhapsody, check out some of Herbie's late '50's early 60's stuff. He was all bop and bossa nova. The '70's came and he had to make a living...pop and disco tinged albums paid very handsomely. While the puurists scoffed at his output during this time... Herbie laughed all the way to the bank with his new fan base. Rok2id....Looks interesting. I put it in my queue. . |
Nice record! I listened to a couple of things from it on Youtube. It's a new to me as is Bobby Jaspar who I had heard about but never heard any of his recordings; nice tenor player. I have never been a huge Herbie Mann fan but this could change that. Thanks for sharing. If you like jazz flute this is a classic: "Flute Talk" with Sam Most and Joe Farrell (my favorite jazz flute player). On this cut they play alto flutes. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lybF3333Abo |
. I saw Monty Alexander about 30 years ago at the Vine Street Bar & Grill in Hollywood. Up until that time, I had never heard of him. It was a great show. Today while listening to Pandora, this swinging piano came on...I went over to my stereo to see who it was. It was Monty Alexander playing 'Call Me Irresponsible' from his Echoes of Jilly's album. I had forgotten how good this cat is. . |
Today's Playlist: Keith Jarrett -- AT THE DEER HEAD INN with/Peacock and Motian The Inn is in his hometown of Allentown,PA and site of his first Jazz gig. This is 30 years later. Not his usual quasi-classical recital type thing. Just Jazz. Great tunes and playing. The crowd adds to the ambiance. Jarrett hums along as he plays, but it is not obtrusive at all. I think it's a positive. It's amazing how no matter how far out his solos get, the melody is still there. I love that. "Basin Street Blues" was my favorite. Rachelle Ferrell -- FIRST INSTRUMENT AWESOME!! Another 'discovery' that has been on my shelf forever. This is one you have to hear. The usual adjectives don't do it justice. Good tune selection and outstanding support. Not a weak track or filler in sight. On the last tune, 'Autumn Leaves', she is joined by Wayne Shorter, Michel Petrucciani and Stanely Clarke. On CD it was spellbinding, so I looked for a possible youtube of the performance. Here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34fj0fdFDM The CDs share two tunes. "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "You don't know what Love is". Comparing the two performances / interpretations just demostrates the unlimited potential of Jazz Improvisation. Cheers |
I, too, feel lukewarm about Chano's flamenco/jazz marriage; interesting, but it doesn't grab me. Extremely accomplished player, but aside from the heavier dose of flamenco, I don't hear anything in his piano playing that Chick Corea wasn't doing thirty+ years ago; and it is, well, not quite as good. He has clearly studied Chick Corea's playing. I have a soft spot for flamenco and always appreciate an honest attempt to bring the music of various cultures together, but in this case...... A couple of things don't work for me: in the "jazzier" tunes there is a rhythmic conflict when the flamenco hand claps are part of the musical picture. In jazz, the emphasis on beats two and four is key and an important part of what gives it it's swagger; in flamenco, there is an emphasis on beat one that creates an odd rhythmic feeling in jazz and makes it sound a little messy to my ears. In addition to that, and at the risk of making politically incorrect generalizations, many (if not most) Latin jazz musicians bring a particular rhythmic feeling to jazz that is unique. This should not be surprising and is as it should be; the same can probably be said, to some degree, about any nationality. If you have ever ordered spaghetti and meatballs while visiting Mexico you know that it tends to taste a little, well, Mexican :-). In the Monk tune Chano plays great, but it doesn't have that unique and kind of quirky rhythmic feeling that Monk's music likes: more emphasis on two and four and further behind the beat as if each beat is being stretched. Chano plays it with that typical Latin feel that is more on top of the beat, and sometimes has a "ball rolling down the stairs" sensation; probably an exaggeration, but gives an idea (I hope). http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7cR-nHNPROU http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl8jSzwvtsw This one is for you Rok. You can skip to 23:00; very nice playing by Wynton with that impossibly beautiful trumpet tone of his: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJmn0041dg |
Today's Playlist: Chano Dominguez -- HECHO a MANO Interesting. Well played and the recording quality is awesome. Apparently this is an effort to merge Jazz and Flamenco. Things are real Jazzy on two tunes. Bill Evans' "Turn off The Stars" and Monk's "Bemsha Swing". The other 10 tunes are composed by Chano Dominguez. Excellent piano, Spanish guitar and percussion. The liner notes are of such detail, that only The Frogman could understand or appreciate them. The writer 'explains' what is going on. The music is enjoyable, but it did not grab me. Not a must have. Randy Crawford -- BEST OF RANDY CRAWFORD I have a few lps by her that include a lot of these tunes. This is Pop music at it's best. Great selection of tunes. Includes, Street Life, Imagine, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Give me the Night, and Your Precious Love. All done in an outstanding manner. This woman has an outstanding voice. Brings back a particular time in my musical journey. She should be singing Jazz!! Check it out. Cheers |
****You have the memory of an elephant!!**** http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b1z4JfxFb6c You gotta love it! |
Listened to Stravinky's 'Rite of Spring'. A person has to have seen, and know the ballet, to really appreicate this music. It's interesting that the music tells you that you should be seeing something. You just know it. Sort of like the Nutcracker / Swan Lake stuff. You listen to the music and you can recall the images. I will have to get the Ballet on DVD. Stravinsky was murder on Trumpet / Brass players. Cheers |
****well, I am really glad you liked it; let's leave it at that**** What? ******GRRRRRRRRR***** That comes under the heading of MESSING WITH THE FROGMAN :) You have the memory of an elephant!! I wasn't dissing Woods, just was never aware of him. Never came on my radar. Same as with Navarro. Hearing Woods on' MJQ with Friends' opened my eyes and ears. Just one of those moments. I wonder who my next 'discovery' will be. Cheers |
Glad you have come around to appreciating Phil Woods. In the spirit of lively debate (as always): I am curious as to why you ever doubted his "stature in jazz"; his playing has always been proof of that stature. In previous posts you seemed to be critical or somewhat dismissive of him (I am still curious about your "Grrrrrrr" comment re Phil). Not trying to be provocative, but genuinely curious as to what it was that turned your opinion around for you? If one could only have one of the many great Phil Woods records, "Live From The Showboat" would have to be it. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rMe6YO2Sp10 |
Today's Playlist: Herbie Mann / Phil Woods -- BEYOND BROOKLYN I have had this one for years. Never realized woods was on it, or more to the point, I did not reazlize his stature in Jazz. Very enjoyable well played CD. Mann never seems to stray too far from Brazil even when it's not Brazilian music. This set was recorded a few weeks before Mann died. The last tune, "Time After Time", was done for his wife. There is a nice photo of the two in the liner notes, taken immediately after the recording of "Time After Time". "Blood Count" is among the tunes. Knowing the time of Mann's passing, and the story behind "Blood Count", gives the record a somber mood. I have a lot of Mann on LP. From back in his 'Memphis Underground' days. I will have to get more on CD. This is my only one. Woods is awesome as always. Beautiful playing. Esp on "Blood Count". Plays some Clarinet. Walter Davis Jr. -- IN WALKED THELONIOUS All of Monk's 'greatest hits' are here. Solo piano. A Mapleshade Production. Davis' playing can be summed up in one word, EMPHATIC!! Sounded as if he was striking the keys with hammers. He wanted to make sure we heard him. Performance was good, but I prefer the real Monk, with a group. Otherwise I can't imagine Monk scaring the hell outta everyone in the group as they solo. Cheers |
Agree about Etta James; fabulous! Re Stravinsky: .......well, I am really glad you liked it; let's leave it at that. BTW, you might be interested to know that the trumpet part is written for and meant to be played on cornet; and, in fact, it is on your recording. Often played on trumpet 'though. The clarinetist on that recording is one of my idols, the late great Harold Wright. |
