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.
orpheus10

And let’s not forget Milt’s recording’s with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Interesting mix of swinging Jazz and Baroque style canons and fugues.

https://youtu.be/7qOTELKw6p0?si=echcV-cbkwvxG97-

@stuarti 

I’m listening to Plus 4 now and have never heard The Bridge, so I’ll put it on next.

As always,  Thank you for your suggestions.

Oh, sorry.  I have heard the rest of the albums on your list and I listened to Sonny and Hawk,  Frredom Suite, Moving Out and Newk’s Time yesterday.

@alexatpos 

I listened to Sonny & The Modern Jazz and didn’t get through the first song. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood or maybe it just sounded like more of the Modern Jazz Quartet, I don’t remember, but I’ll give it another try later.

Thanks.

@frogman

Thanks.

Somehow, I’ve never warmed to the MJQ.

 

@curiousjim

You’re welcome.

More:

Work Time

Tenor Madness

Sonny Rollins Plays for Bird

Tour De Force

 

I get it.  The MJQ’s style is of a particular aesthetic.  A particular sense of swing and emphasis on a compositional style evoking Baroque Classical music.  For me it pushes some of the same buttons as some West Coast Jazz does, Brubeck, Mulligan, for example.  Not for every listener.  But…..I like to try and not be too dismissive of any music when the musicians making it are of the caliber of those of MJQ.  I try and give their effort the benefit of the doubt when I don’t quite get it….yet and give it at least a couple of listens  “There must be something I’m missing”.  Just me.  Tough crowd!  😊

@frogman

That's an admirable attitude!

I tend to be fairly impatient. No doubt I’d have more success finding new music to enjoy were this not the case. ;o)

 

 

 

 

 

Bopin’ around the house listening to Rollin’ With Leo, Leo Parker. (1979)

Thanks @stuartk, but I got rid of two turntables and probably 90% of my vinyl maybe fifteen years ago.  I do still have two other turntables, but I haven’t spun a disk in more than a decade.
 

It’s so sad how much talent is lost to hard drugs every day.😢

@curiousjim 

Ah, OK.  No vinyl?  I guess you're not a "serious" audiophile, then!  ;o) 

Yes; my best friend was a very talented artist who eventually OD'd on meth. He'd started out smoking pot, like so many of us in the early 70's for whom experimenting with drugs was just a passing phase.

The list of Jazz musicians affected by drug use is quite long. 

 

 

 

@stuartk 

Yep, I’m a posser. 😇

And sadly the list is huge and some of the names makes me really scratch my head. Ray Charles might be on he top that list for me.

@curiousjim

From what I’ve read, the idea that heroin could improve one’s playing was largely based upon a seemingly "mythological" interpretation of the life of Charlie Parker.

By the way, "Celebrating Bird" by Gary Giddins is an excellent biography of Parker.

I can’t imagine being blind and trying to shoot up... maybe Brother Ray had help...

 

 

 

 

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