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

Just stumbled upon a Christian McBride album I’ve never heard before.

The Q Sessions. Really enjoying it so far.

Just saw an ad for Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers, Hard Drive. I’ve never heard it before, so I’m happily streaming it now. If you like A.B. & The Jazz Messengers, you’ll like this!

Jan Harbeck Quartet - Balanced

This album has some throwback to Louis Armstrong’s entrancing, flowing, and gentle musicality.

Driving home a short while ago I heard this on the car radio.  It reminded me of hearing it at a live performance.

In college in the early '60s we were fortunate to be within driving distance of The Minor Key in Detroit.  Fortunate because they continuously booked top level performers and since they didn't have a liquor license those of us under 21 could be admitted.  That night my best buddy and I took our dates to see the Cannonball Adderly Sextet, which included Yusef Lateef.  At intermission my friend went to the men's room, which was in the lower level.  He said coming back upstairs he ran into Yusef in the stairwell, "Maybe the biggest guy I've ever seen.  I had to back down as there wasn't room for us to pass".  

 

@acman3 

This is what I really like about this thread, finding new to me music! Thanks and I’ll have Charles Lloyd on my playlist today.

Hadn’t planned on mentioning the cover art, but now that you mention the topic… Great cover art.  Like that of your post, with a vibe very in keeping with the vibe of the music.

I love this record. I post it a fraction of the times I listen to it. Outrageously good. Yes, that’s his feet playing bass (pedals)!

 

Great example of Blue Note Album Cover Art.  The music ain't too shabby either.

 

Cheers

The saxophone was invented in 1846.  Pretty primitive.  Appropriate media 😊

Is this it?

That be it.  Of course I have it on modern, not primitive media.

Cheers

Soprano trombone, sometimes called slide trumpet. Nice tenor player!

Is this it?

No wonder it sounds like Sanborn! The tenor player on the live version you posted plays Sanborn’s solo in the intro of this studio album version literally note for note. Probably Crawford’s request. Sometimes when an artist goes on tour they only take rhythm section and hire the rest of the band/orchestra in each city. They don’t always know what they’re going to get, so why mess with a good thing?

 

I have a CD  'Best of Randy Crawford' on the Warner Bros label.  Sanborn plays alto on that version, and it's a killer.  Eric Clapton on guitar.  Can't find it on youtube.  Maybe Dylan got Jealous.  The song belongs to Crawford now.

Didn't know he played with Wonder.

Thanks

Cheers

David Sanborn played in Mr. Wonder's band in 1971/72.  He has very nice things to say about that time.

**** Is that Sanborn? ****

 

I can see why you may have thought so, but you’re right, no it’s not.  First, it’s a tenor, not alto; Sanborn never plays tenor.  However, its all Sanborn in style.  Sanborn developed a style that gave birth to countless “Sanborn clones”.  Mostly alto players, but many Pop/Funk tenor players also copped his style.  A style that is not notey at all, even minimalist, but very soulful.  He credits Hank Crawford and, are you ready?, Stevie Wonder’s harmonica playing for a lot of his vibe.  Early Sanborn is my favorite.  Very raw sound…..would never work for Bolero 😊