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.
Exactly! It evolves. It builds on what came before and the lineage is always there to be heard.
(Given the topic at hand (Rock/Jazz), I can hear coming the footsteps of our contributor with the appropriate handle š)
@acman3 describes the Jazz/Rock divide well. Not a put down of Rock music or musicians, but very very few have been able to play Jazz at anywhere near the level of good Jazz players; even when they wanted to. Even the mentioned Ginger Baker was not on the level of good Jazz drummers. Obviously, two very different disciplines.
I donāt think that Shorter āsold outā . If one follows his career it is easy to hear how his involvement with Weather Report was a logical step in his evolution as an artist. While WRās music was not always my cup of tea it certainly was innovative and influential and a logical step toward what Shorter did in more recent years as a solo artist.
For me, Shorter is on the short(ish) list of true giants of the music. Fantastic composer as well as player and adherent to one of tenets of Jazz: āsay what you have to say without unnecessary notesā. His playing became more and more economical as his career progressed. One of those players who could express so much with few notes.
Re Sonny Rollins and the āhoofbeatsā on āIām An Old Cowhandā. Not really that surprising. There was always a certain element of humor in Sonnyās playing.
Speaking of humor and Jazz. Cannonball Adderly was another player that could bring an element of humor to his playing. He certainly had a sense of humor as exemplified by this clip that I recently sent a friend who didnāt believe me it existed when I told him about it. Just for chuckles:
You actually asked how many rock musicians played Jazz and then the last question implies the question was about Jazz players playing Rock?
Very few rock musicians wanted to change to jazz, nor were most capable of the change if they did want to. Ginger Baker comes to mind as a rock player who actually wanted to play Jazz.
Jazz players played rock because it was the current trend. Maybe about money though, as nobody wants to go hungry. Did Shorter sell his soul with Weather Report? As the different trends go by young players who grew up listening to that trend will pick it up in their music. Lots of hip hop and Rap beats in the current Jazz. Classical always has an effect on the musicians. I remember Parker picking up on Stravinsky.
Iām curious, how many rock musicians actually converted to attempt to play jazz? Itās only a question. I understand that thereās much more money in r&r. But really, is it about the money, or remaining true to a calling?
So far today has been a good day. Ā David Murray, In a sentimental mood. Bill Charlap, Street of dreams. Hampton Hawes, For real. Ā Billy Cobham, Drumānvoice vol. 1-4. Ā Jane Monheit, The songbook sessions. Ā Paolo Fresu, Songlines. Ā The best of The Three Sounds. Ā Thereās three tracks left on the Dave Murray album and then Iāll let things cool down a bit.
I didn't mean for my remarks to sound so combative. Sorry about that. Dunno why the thought of a simple sound effect triggered such a strong reaction.Ā
I find Gonzalo Rubalcaba's more recent recordings much easier to listen to.Ā In his younger days, he was overbearing.Ā He has mellowed in his advancing years.
Just bought couple albums of Al Haig, 'one of the finest pianists of the bop era'Ā but unfortunately was pretty obscure for decades. These 2 albums are from his later phase, 'when he was finally recognized as a bop giant' and recorded more music
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