Rok, that's one of the most interesting CD's you've reviewed, it's on order.
Enjoy the music.
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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Today's Pick: Randy Weston / Melba Liston -- VOLCANO BLUES Randy Weston is a Jazz pianist who has had a long collaboration with Trombonist and Jazz Arranger, Melba Liston. She (Liston) arranged all the tunes on this set. Weston is very much into African and Caribbean music. He has tried to merge that music with Jazz / Blues. Of all the atempts of this sort of thing, Weston actually gets it right. This entire CD is just great. Even Johnny Copeland appears to sing a little Blues. He is also into merging african rhythms with American Blues. Weston gets the mix correct. Jazz and Blues fans will be happy as well as unapologetic 'progressive internationalists', like O-10 and The Frogman. If you don't have this CD, better get it now! Some of his stuff is offered for $100 from 'these sellers'. for you youtubies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjg9S1BUNkw A Must Have! Cheers |
Frogman, you brought up a very interesting point; as long as that LP has been in my collection, I didn't know who was on sax. While each time I heard it, I was quite impressed by the sax, I never bothered to find out who he was. Now that my entire vinyl collection has been transposed to computer, and I can never find an LP in order to discover the personnel, I'm really lost; but that tenor sax belonged to Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, so "Google" told me. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, that one along with this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRi273CRTdg That "deuce" could be identified as the car with a "rooster tail" of dust behind it as it cruised from one "juke joint" to the next on them dusty Mississippi gravel roads. Enjoy the music. |
Today's Listen: Hampton Hawes -- THIS IS HAMPTON HAWES VOL.2 THE TRIO hawes(piano), Red Mitchell(bass), Chuck Thompson(drums) Hawes is one of my favorite Jazz pianist. According to the liner notes, he says he was most influenced by Charlie Parker. Good guy to be influenced by. Hawes' fingers are like Fred Astaire's feet, fast and light. 9 tunes. Mostly standards, but, because he puts his own unique spin on them, you are not aware you have heard the tunes before. Excellent sound quality. In a word, this performance is 'delightful'. Recorded 1955/56. Cheers |
When I clicked on the 'midnight sun' by Carmen, off to the side were links to the same song performed by Ella and Nancy. I listened to all three, with the intention of ranking them. I gave up. I'm just thankful we have these treasures to treasure! If someone said I had to choose, or all my Kenny G CDs would be confiscated, It's Ella in a squeaker! Great singing by all. Cheers |
Acman3, thanks for the Kurt Elling clip. He is fabulous and the best male jazz singer on the scene today as far as I am concerned. Ernie Watts is a wonderful player, but while I admit this is strictly a personal bias, he always sounds to me like Michael Brecker with a cold. Because of this I find his alto playing more to my liking. Since we are talking about singers (especially female), this is from one of my favorite Sarah Vaughn records with one of my favorite Ernie Watts solos. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TW1Vcd5uXYg |
"Nancy Wilson with Cannonball" is an absolute gem. I am biased since she is probably my favorite female vocalist (non-classical) and Cannonball is (was) one of my very favorite alto players. Her repertoire is unusual for a jazz singer since it covers many "torch" songs and songs from the musical-theater and cabaret genres; but, it's so great to hear that material sung with a jazz singer's sensibility and sophistication instead of the "over the top" approach of many cabaret singers. While I disagree with Rok's lack of enthusiasm for the record, I get where he is coming from. As he points out that was probably Cannonball's best band and it's in top form. Nat was probably one of Jazz's most inconsistent players and he is killing on this record. Rok, give it another listen :-) This clip of Nancy Wilson kills me every time. As far as I am concerned, it doesn't get much better than this for sheer class and emotion by a singer; not to mention flawless vocal skill. And if I write what this clip does to the male in me, this post would probably be deleted by the Agon censors. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QBmrDS2Zhaw |
I ran across this music while looking for some Kurt Elling to post. Not great Elling , but Ernie Watts is awesome!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTu05Iys48 |
Rok, I THINK I disagree with your take on the Cannonball/Nancy Wilson, but cannot, after an hour of searching, find it on LP or CD. What color is the end of the CD? I remember talking with my daughter about her talent on this recording compared to American Idol talents. I'm sure my daughter enjoyed me "Helping" her. LOL. |
Now I'm going "deep in the pocket", this is for aficionados only. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_kCtoidtmA Enjoy the music. |
Today's diaappointment: Nancy Wilson / Cannonball Adderley -- NANCY WILSON & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY 12 Songs. 7 Vocals and 5 instrumentals. Wilson does a good job on 'Save Your Love for Me' and 'The Masquerade is Over'. The others are very forgettable. I am not sure this is even a Jazz recording. Her voice is superb, but the songs don't say anything. I can't even imagine when or where a person would have to go to hear this type of music live. Surely not a Jazz night club or concert hall. Sometimes music can be a little too uptown, hip, cool, New York-ish and sophisticated. This is one of those times. Cannonball and the quintet are great as usual. This is considered his best group. Only Lateef is absent. I would take, over the hill Carmen McRae, any day over the music on this CD. Recorded in 1960. This is the only Nancy Wilson I have on CD. I remember her from the song, 'Guess Who I Saw Today'. I think that was one of her best efforts. It's not on this CD. Too bad. Cheers |
If Rok wants Carmen McRae, Rok gets Carmen; a sexier, more alluring Carmen with the seductive voice I have on many LP's in my collection. To me she's one of the most attractive, of not only female vocalists, but females period; and she will always look the same as she looks on one of my favorite LP's. Carmen Mcrae the midninight sun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVzPqyAW4N0 Carmen McRae "Yesterdays" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYRrcCjLiGA Carmen "Skylark" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41uQvy1mO94 Carmen "I'll be seeing you" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrBDRaRG1ME Enjoy the music. |
Dissing an artist because of her age!?!?!?! As 'Fats' Waller might say "Why, I never heard of such a thing!!" hahahahahha I was so upset I had to reach for Wynton and Clapton and a little 'layla' and some 'a closer walk with thee' to regain my composure. sine you be the OP, I guess we can't fire you! hahahhaah How about some prime Nancy Wilson? Coming up. Cheers |
If this is Thursday, it must be change of pace night. Enjoy! You know you like them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0oFadjx-is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFIOu2sYxoc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCTN0cmFTQo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XMn0U9b2Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu9RVPTpDyA Cheers |
Rok, although Carmen is one of my most favorite female vocalists, the years were not as kind to her voice, as they were to Ella's. If you could find a song at the time when Carmen looked as seductive as she sounded, I can chime in. Just as athletes peak, so it is with female vocalists, and what you've chosen is past her "peak". When you find a song where she looks as seductive as she sounded, I will chime in. Enjoy the music. |
Todays's Dose: Carmen McRae & Betty Carter -- THE CARMEN MCRAE - BETTY CARTER DUETS Recorded before a live audience in San Franciso. Very enjoyable set. A lot of 'carryin' on' between Carmen and Betty. The audience loves it. 9 tracks. All very good. My favorites were the Ellington tunes 'Sophisticated Lady' and It don't mean a Thing'. Also, 'But Beautiful' and 'Sometimes I'm Happy. Great scatting duel on the latter. Great recording. DDD. No tape hiss!! Thank the Lord for Digital. Everyone had a good time on this one, and it showed. Wish I had been there. Try it. I guarantee you will love it.. Cheers |
Rok, the very first time I heard "Ode To Billy Joe", I was crossing a bridge going into Hattiesburg, MS, in my brand new "deuce and a quarter", and I wrongly assumed it was the "Talahatchie Bridge" in Chickasaw county. That song also spoke of towns I had just passed through coming from St. Louis, consequently, I identified with it immediately; it was an instant hit with me. I never stopped liking the song, and I have the CD. Bobby Gentry is one of the most authentic singer songwriters to come along. Her songs brought Mississippi to life, although they left out the ugliest aspects of that culture, which was most certainly best. After I entered the state, I had the feeling I was in "The Twilight Zone", and had gone back in time without knowing it. Everything looked the same as it had in some long ago past; filling stations, farm houses, country stores, you name it. Enjoy the music. |
****Charley Parker had many better recordings than strings!**** True; no one is arguing that point. Still, great to hear Bird in that setting. This brings up an issue that has always been interesting to me. Obviously, a listener's personal taste has to be respected, but when a great artist says, unequivocally, that he/she likes a particular work of theirs (Bird said BWS was his favorite) or a particular sideman, IMO the most productive attitude is that even if we don't agree at first (or ever!), an attempt should be made to understand why it is that the artist himself that we so admire feels that way. Seems to me that is the best way to fully understand the artist or a particular work and grow as a listener. In this case Bird was saying: "Look, I can be more than just the relentless bebopper that I am known to be; I can play with more delicacy than what most of my records demonstrate". Who am I to argue with that. |
O-10: ****How about the real deal?****** *** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY *** When this record was released, it created quite a stir in the state of Mississippi. First of all, people assumed she threw a baby off the bridge. This was back in a time when there was such a thing as shame. Secondly, and most importantly, for a spell, people did not know if she was black or white. So they didn't know whether they could show that they liked the song or not. In public that is. Lest you think this is silly, when I worked in the movie theater, the Rock & Roll movie 'Rock Around the Clock', was shown at a special showing at midnight on a saturday night, "Adults Only"!!!! I was the only young person in town that got to see it. hahahhahahah I think back and can't believe it. It is a great song. Mississippi has always punched above it's weight when it comes to musicians and writers. Cheers |
Hi Orpheus - I am back online now, and I have heard the Bennie Green clip you posted, from Glidin Along. I do like the music, however it unfortunately brings up one of my pet peeves in the recording of the brass instruments on many of these jazz albums. For some reason, they are very often recorded with the mike WAY too close - often they are playing with it just a few inches from the bell of the horn. This creates obnoxious feedback, and pretty much destroys their sound, as much of the extraneous noise that is made while playing is audible, when it would normally not be, even up quite close to them live. There are some Miles Davis albums I have where he is recorded this way, but the rest of the group sounds great. I just don't get it - it really makes no sense at all, either from a musical or a technical standpoint. It's not like these guys can't make a decent sound and NEED the help of the mike, like so many pop singers do. OK, rant over. |
Today's Listen The Three Sounds -- EIGHT CLASSIC ALBUMS Gene Harris(piano), Andrew Simpkins(bass), Bill Dowdy(drums) Nat Adderley and Stanley Turrentine appear on some of the CDs. Four Cds containing eight albums. One of the great bargins in Jazz. Great sound quality, flat piano on one track notwithstanding. Check it out. I think I paid 10 dollars on Amazon. Cheers |
****The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting***** Exactly. Now the question becomes, how much aggression can you take away, and how much can he defer, and still be Bird? I guess that was what I was trying to say. I knew that if I read your post enough times, you would state my point better than I could. Cheers |
et tu, Frogman? :) I listened again and I will agree it's beautiful music. And great sax playing. Must have been the reason I purchased it. I just think there are many(several?) competent professional reedmen, like the Frogman perhaps, who could have played Bird's part. It's a great CD, just not what I expected. I will say, that from a technical standpoint, it's the best recorded music I have of Bird. It's just not on my 'goto' list when I want to hear Jazz. And lastly, my mama didn't raise no fools. When I am opposed by The Frogman, a pro, and O-10, a man who has seen Trane himself, it's time to throw in the towel. :) Cheers |
I am with Orpheus re "Bird With Strings". I love the record. It was possibly the first recording of a major jazz star with a string section. At one point, Bird considered it his favorite recording. Kinda hard to argue with that, when it comes to judging its worth. The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting. As Rok points out Mitch Miller appears on the record, and I have an interesting (for me) story about that. Back in the mid 90's I played a classical/pops concert with Mitch Miller conducting the orchestra, and of course used the opportunity to ask him about the Bird WS recording. He had many stories to tell, and of special note was the fact that the addition of the oboe to the arrangements was a last minute decision made right in the recording studio and the oboe parts were entirely improvised by him; pretty impressive for a "legit" dude. Rok, re Horace Silver and the "Eastern tinge". No, you are not hearing things; you are exactly right. Here is an interesting article that speaks to the general subject: http://sessionville.com/articles/the-influence-of-indian-music-on-jazz |
Rok, that "Summertime" was so awesome I played it twice, and I'm still sweating, no AC at that time. "Song For My Father" is one of my favorites by Horace. In regard to the east, here's something that leaves no doubt. "Calcutta Cutie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LM9opF6kOw Enjoy the music. |
O-10: I thought you might like to hear 'Summertime' for real. I found myself wiping my brow from the heat!! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lA Other listens today: Horace Silver -- SONG FOR MY FATHER Horace Silver -- BLOWIN' THE BLUES AWAY We are all very familiar with them. I was neither asleep nor fully awake. WOW!! I love to be in that place when listening to great music. Clark Terry -- COLOR CHANGES featuring Yusef Lateef on tenor, flute, english horn and oboe!! There is also a guy on French Horn and trombone. What a line-up. 7 tunes. 'Nahstye Blues' is my favorite. All are very good. I do not believe this man, Clark Terry, has ever done anything less than a stellar recorded performance. Try ANYTHING by Clark Terry, you cannot go wrong! Recorded NYC 1960 Cheers |
The Bad Plus are very interesting. Add Joshua Redman. :>)) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iouAsXwCpM |
Here's where jazz meets the Mississippi cotton fields. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZnCuMn1hA How about the real deal? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY Enjoy the music. |
Having been born in the state with the worlds hottest cotton fields, maybe you would know a little bit, like "There ain't no shade in a cotton field". After this "Bird" fiasco, I hate to admit it was your fault that I'm back into this "old" jazz in the first place; but since there's no new jazz that suits my taste, I might as well be here as any place else. Just keep on reviewing, eventually we'll strike a "harmonic chord". Enjoy the music. |
We will agree to disagree about the 'strings'. Consider this, if he had been backed by a top notch be-bop crew, you would have heard a different summertime. You won't maneuver me into being critical of Bird. :) You do realize that Mitch Miller was in this group. I used to watch 'sing-a-long with mitch' on tv back in the day. Not your typical be-bopper! ******I could feel the intense heat of a cotton field; "Bet you don't know nothing about that".****** Having been born and raised in the 'sovereign' state of Mississippi, I have seen and been in a few. :) Cheers |
I decided to put this CD "Bird With Strings" on before waging war; but the most beautiful alto sax riff I've ever heard, or ever will hear on "Just Friends" took me out of the fightin mode. Bird is somewhere riffing on a cloud as I'm listening to his most beautiful music. "Summertime" just took my breath away, I could feel the intense heat of a cotton field; "Bet you don't know nothing about that". How he can riff and still maintain the beautiful melodies of these standards is one of the wonders of the music world. "Laura", hauntingly beautiful Laura; was a lady so fascinating that men fell madly in love with her portrait. Only "Bird" could capture the mystique of her beauty in his music. Although I've heard the lyrics to these standards many times, no one can capture the romance that is the essence of this music like Bird; his music can tell the stories behind this music better than any words ever could. This music never gets old "Long live the Bird". Enjoy the music. |
O-10, Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes Verve 314 523 984-2 The liner notes on this CD are much more interesting than the music. Read them. Good insight on the cultural war that raged within Jazz. Does not sound like one of the the creators of Be-Bop. As the notes imply, he needed someone to push him. This is what happens when non-musicians try to 'direct' or 'improve' genuis. How do you 'improve' Bird? Norman Granz was the 'Typhoid Mary' of Jazz. Of all the great players that I have on CD, Bird is the most disappointing / frustrating. Either he is playing a toy sax, or the recording is technically bad, or some stuff like this (with strings!!) Really! I seldom play Bird, and never this one. Cheers |
Rok, now I know why that's been one of my favorite tunes since I can remember. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlmMzUMCIIg Enjoy the music. |
Today my local PBS station played: Duke Ellington and his Orch with HERB JEFFERIES singing 'FLAMINGO'. WOW! I didn't recognize the performers when I heard it, but it only took a few minutes to find it online. I understand he is still alive. Youtube is just toooooooooo much. An abundance of magic. Where would we be without it! Hell, how could we live without the internet period! Thanks Al Gore. :) Cheers |
I was listening to bird with strings and it sounds just as new and fresh as it did the day he recorded it. I have a story to tell you about that music. This was at a time before everyone had AC, and the screen door was the only thing that separated them from the outside world when it was hot. Every time I passed this one house, I heard music that I had never heard before, "anywhere". That house was between our house and the candy store. On my way to get candy (I was nine at the time) I "accidentally" dropped a dime in grass in front of that house; this meant I had to get down on my hands and knees to look for it, that gave me more time to hear this beautiful music coming through that screen door. Over 10 years later, I bought "Bird With Strings", and I had the feeling that I'd heard this music before. Each time I played "Bird With Strings" I was certain I heard it before, but I couldn't place where. Many years later, in a conversation about the people who lived in that house, did I put Birds music, and dropping that dime together. They liked jazz, and it was rumored, they even smoked pot. Enjoy the music. |