The Good Stuff



There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ... the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds. If it sounds good it's successful; if it doesn't it has failed. --  Duke Ellington

This purpose of this thread is to provide a place to post outstanding examples of the Good Music. 
Genre Immaterial.

On the Old Kentucky Shore // Joan Osborne & Ricky Skaggs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liTdpTz7g5A

My CD has a different cover art, but it is the same album.

Cheers
128x128rok2id

Wycliffe Gordon

DREAMS OF NEW ORLEANS

Chesky Records     2012

Notes:  A world-class trombonist-composer and longstanding member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, under the direction of Jazz Maestro Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon has cut a wide stylistic swath on his 20 albums to date.  From Gospel and Southern Blues to J.J. Johnson-inspired hard bop, along with faithful interpretations of Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk classics.  He was recognized by the Jazz Journalist Association as Trombonist of the year for 2012, his seventh time winning that accolade.

 

When Saints Go Marching In : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icKhmYxDL8s

St Louis Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UfNDHZJjuU

Tiger Rag : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHF_xCU5zns

Come Home Bill Bailey : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leKMJzwFhTg

Down by the Riverside : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsgnQzDczss

 

Cheers

 

 

Duke Ellington

THE BLANTON-WEBSTER BAND

RCA / Bluebird    1939-1942 / 1986      3CD Set

Excellent Booklet with a synopsis of each song.  A few pictures.

K0-Ko : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwBfqCsW1k

Flamingo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_zl2EIiy0

Cottontail : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq5LRQIJx3k

Concerto for Cootie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chqPqj8CQUM

Jack the Bear : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTbXap_H22E

Hayfoot Strawfoot : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jq9O_GsK7U

C Jam Blues :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq2zDGRgTz4

And 59 more!!   Everything he recorded during 1939 thru 1942.

 

Cheers

Various  Artists

THE YOUNG LIONS

Vee Jay / Suite Beat Records       1960 / 1986

Excellent notes by Cannonball Adderley, where he blasts everyone from wealthy teenage rockers, to Dick Clark and country music performers.  He calls it the "Glorification of Mediocrity".  I call it "firing for effect".

Notes: "Modern Jazz obviously cannot and will not stand still.  Modern Jazz traditionalists must realize that the music of Bird is only a logical step wise development of that which had gone on before.  Conversely, the avant-garde cannot expect basic stylistic changes to develop among mature players through artificial stimuli; for the hysterical cry for change tends to give sanctuary to charlatans."  ---- Julian "Cannonball" Adderley

All written in 1960.

 

Seeds of Sin : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3eR2TJQ0pc

Scourn' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpTkehgVEgE

That's Right : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZXgx0q1IxI

 

Cheers

 

Benny Carter

FURTHER DEFINITIONS

MCA / Impulse         1961 / 1986

Fairly decent Saxophone section.  Notes require Microscope.

Alto Saxophone: Benny Carter, Phil Woods

Tenor Saxophone: Charlie Rouse, Coleman Hawkins

Bass: Jimmy Garrison - Guitar: John Collins - Piano: Dick Katz

 

Body and Soul : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwtb91WzXBY

Honeysuckle Rose : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9xRN-ohKl4

Doozy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FyezhZjHRU

Blue Star : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzfQ8X0IiXU

Crazy Rhythm : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN0qroqTjqU

Seems like the word Saxophone should have been in the title.

 

Cheers

 

 

Ludwig van Beethoven

GEORGE SZELL CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN

Cleveland Orchestra --  George Szell

Sony Classics      1966 / 2013    5CD Box

 

Symphony No. 7 in A major op. 92

1. Poco sostenuto - Vivace : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y5OTQ7OELg

2. Allegretto : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx6jYCPgTeU

3. Presto : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKn7jvFJLzo

4. Allegro con brio : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arDTp5btnKM

 

Cheers

 

Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington

THE GREAT SUMMIT / THE MASTER TAKES

Roulette Jazz / Parlophone     1961 / 2000

 

Clarinet: Barney Bigard,  Drums: Danny Barcelona, Vocals: Duke Ellington, Piano: Duke Ellington, Trumpet, Vocals: Louis Armstrong, Bass: Mort Herbert, Trombone: Trummy Young

 

Dukes Place : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNkbEYV2Qfk

Lucky so and so : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDIkQVgtShw

Don't mean a thing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I32ft4Sse4

See the Light : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFxWWyTa7CM

The Mooche : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyTfgNY0kVM

Don't get Around : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eJVqsEK8s8

and 11 more!

 

Cheers

 

 

Eric Dolphy

LAST DATE

EmArcy      1964 / 1991

Eric Dolphy(flute, bass clarinet and alto sax), Misja mengelberg(piano), Jacques Schols(bass), Han Bennink(drums).  Recorded in Holland.

Dolphy died 27 days after this recording.  Age 36.

 

Epistrophy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-9kFCNbQzo

South Street Exit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDECa7GlTFc

You don't know what love is : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxb5G2I69tQ

 

Cheers

 

Count Basie

COUNT BASIE AT NEWPORT

Verve     1957 / 2007

As Pops once said, "Now we has Jazz."

 

Swingin' at Newport : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coCbbTdoHeY

Sent for you Yesterday : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJfGGTlJUg

Boogie Woogie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEWE8lsZ8nw

One O'Clock Jump : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFhq7eBiQCY

Blee Blop Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTZAH7vE__Q

Lester Leaps In : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKO_FUKbaDw

and 7 more!!

 

Cheers

The Manhattan Transfer

SWING

Atlantic    1997

with Stephane Grappelli and Asleep At The Wheel

 

Stomp of King Porter : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrhbipzohRY

Sing Moten's Swing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kDy6OnPS2k

A-Tisket, A-Tasket : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSrzAwQ-I2g

Down South Camp Meetin' : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TNeTd59omo

Choo Choo Ch'Boogie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9hFOT8hLVw

and 8 more!

 

Cheers

Heritage Blues Orchestra

AND STILL I RISE

Raisin' Music   2011

Wiki: True to the heritage part of its name, the New York City-based Heritage Blues Orchestra sticks mostly to traditional blues material....

NYC!!!!    The end of days is nearer than we think!

 

Don't let nobody drag your spirit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAsWKlV2KEg

Clarksdale Moan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPe_pbMxyqA

Catfish Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ov0-XmddxA

Get Right Church : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysylEeu18Lo

 

Cheers

 

@frogman 

Nice, but different, if memory serves, Boat to NY.

When you get the time, talk about The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra vs Wynton's group at Lincoln Center.

I just got the CD of NOJO with Cyrille Aimee.

Thanks

Cheers

Ella Fitzgerald

ELLA IN ROME : THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT

Verve     1958 / 1988

It was her 40th Birthday.  The greatest ever!

 

St Louis Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si89VbSNNz4

Carvan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcoK4oUIMeA

Can't Give Anything but Love : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg1Jwi0fCLA

Old Black Magic : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caChgIvYWN0

It's all right with me : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSPaQYTCsGg

Stompin' at the Savoy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtIAzZVBSVw

 

Cheers

Wes Montgomery

SMOKIN' AT THE HALF NOTE

Verve    1965 / 2005

Wynton Kelly(piano), Wes Montgomery(guitar), Paul Chambers(bass), Jimmy Cobb(drums)

Notes: A legendary session recorded live at a New York nightclub, Smokin' at the Half Note captures Wes Montgomery at the height of his improvisational powers....Many consider it the best performance on record by one of the most inventive guitarists in Jazz history.

 

No Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiWXHq_xvjg&t=246s

Willow Weep for Me : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGZ5WJDsUmE

Four on Six : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvMM3LZyYuU

Misty : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvG4LAZpYGw

 

Cheers

Art Farmer

SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR : THE MUSIC OF BILLY STRAYHORN

Comtemporary    1987

Flugelhorn: Art Farmer, Saxophone: Clifford Jordan, Piano: James Williams, Bass (vocal): Rufus Reid, Drums: Marvin Smith

Art Farmer appeared quite often on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show.

Billy Strayhorn, Ellington collaborator, died of cancer, and he wrote several tunes based on his ordeal, such as, Blood Count, Unit 7, and Upper Manhattan Medical Group.

Creepy.

 

 

Isfahan : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWYygx5Ng8A

Johnny Come Lately : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSYYY_UfoXE

Raincheck : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j9UTAOEsF8

Something to Live For : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiqhOBDfo8U

 

Cheers

Modern Jazz Quartet

DEDICATED TO CONNIE

Atlantic Records    2CD Set     1960 / 1995

Notes: Last December our friend and drummer of 40 years, Connie Kay, passed away.  In an effort to re-live some of the marvelous moments we had been fortunate to share with him, I began going through some of our concert tapes recorded all over the world during our long career.  In doing so I stumbled upon this 1960 Live Recording that we made in Slovenia.  In my opinion, never before or since has the Modern Jazz Quartet played better, whether on stage or in the recording studio. -- John Lewis, February, 1995

 

Bag's Groove : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PDLN8VQc9M

It Don't Mean a Thing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naPJczAG-9s

Django : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68EXSmRjfFw

How High the Moon : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPUxIYrH9I

Skating in Central park : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKyrJIFNUCo

'Round Midnight : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04VajFTTpTY

 

Cheers

 

Ike Quebec 

BLUE & SENTIMENTAL

Ike Quebec(tenor sax), Grant Green(guitar), Paul Chambers(bass), Philly Joe Jones(drums), Sam Jones(bass), Louis Hayes(drums)

Blue Note     1961 / 2007   (Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Notes: Over the years Blue Note has developed a well-deserved reputation as a label which continually fosters new talent.  It has not, as of 1962, slackened its activity in this direction.  Newcomers Freddie Hubbard, Grant Green, and Stanley Turrentine are testimony to this. 

Hard to think these guys were once 'newcomers'.

 

Blue and Sentimental : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwf9NnOQ03k

Blues for Charlie : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q2vwVpI39I

Don't Take your love from me : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zi44c2403w

That Old Black Magic : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzOHwfPLIpw

 

Cheers

Art Tatum

BEST OF THE COMPLETE PABLO GROUP MASTERPIECES

Pablo            1954, 55, 56 / 2003

Excellent notes by Scott Yanow.

During the last three years of his life, Art Tatum was extensively recorded by producer Norman Granz for his Clef and Verve labels, including 125 solo performances contained in the seven-CD Complete Pablo Solo Masterpieces (Pablo 4404). Granz knew that Tatum also excelled when teamed with stimulating players, so 80 selections were recorded with all-star groups and collected in the six-CD Complete Pablo Group Masterpieces (Pablo 4401). It is from the latter that the dozen selections on this "best of" set are drawn.

 

Perdido : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl0hQ1l2Xjs

Body and Soul : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5b_hFXRZWc

Deep Night : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNhzhwgZUd0

Just One of Those Things : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRnKQUyNIcE

All the Things You Are : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2YMl5o8sck

 

Cheers

 

Dexter Gordon

BITING THE APPLE

Dexter Gordon(tenor sax), Barry Harris(piano), Sam Jones(bass), Al Foster(drums)

Steeple Chase      1988

One of a series of  excellent albums recorded by Dexter while living in Denmark.

 

I'll Remember April : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIXfqLV3iA

Apple Jump : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onR-StJhYis

Skylark : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QndQ3Fgf_pA

A La Modal : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NKte347zMU

 

Cheers

 

Roland Kirk

DOMINO

Roland Kirk(tenor sax, manzello, stritch, flute, nose flute, siren whistle, voice), Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Wynton Kelly(piano), Vernon Martin(bass), Henry Duncan, Roy Haynes(piano)

Mercury Records   1962 / 2000

 

Domino : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI_WGANl9s0

I Believe in You : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E1V9_xC9KY

Meeting on Termini's Corner : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zIIIXazivQ

Rolando : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTPChCy4XPE

 

Cheers

D.D. Jackson

PAIRED DOWN, VOLUME ONE

D.D. Jackson(piano), James Carter(tenor sax), Hugh Ragin(trumpet), David Murray(tenor sax), Billy Bang(violin)

Justin Time Records    1997

 

Rhythm and Things : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG1Y5LYXs48

Reflections : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roNLSGxubAw

Bang's Dream : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0vxXnhL50A

Fanfare and Fiesta : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6hyT2baQI4

Easy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDRLBVUhXP8

 

Cheers

Milt Jackson and The Jazz Giants

BEAN BAGS + BAG'S OPUS

Blue Note, Koch Jazz / Phoenix Records      1958 / 2011

 

Bag's Opus (Blue Note)

Afternoon in Paris : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgdpqvp-YHc

I Remember Clifford : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOmGDcYfpPk

Whisper Not : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XcFCKBNwVY

 

Bean Bags (Koch Jazz)

Stuffy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEgq2OrTNE8

Get Happy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH5xxA7vkaw

Don't Take Your Love : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ax7CQ86u4Q

 

Cheers

 

 

Joe Henderson

PAGE ONE

Kenny Dorham(trumpet), Joe Henderson(tenor sax), McCoy Tyner(piano), Butch Warren(bass), Pete LaRoca(drums)

Blue Note     1963 / 1999    (Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Notes: "One aspect of the Dorham/Henderson discography that is especially fascinating is the way in which they assembled distinctive rhythm sections for each album."

 

Blue Bossa : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxv3AAaK_Y

Recorda Me : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c9zSAVWKEs

La Mesha : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns4p9lVGYjc

 

Cheers

 

Speaking of good things rok2id , I could have told Putin that people fighting on their own land fight like hell .

From what I have seen on TV last night logistics have got the Ukraines those self-tracking shoulder missiles "cus it alone could blow up the 2 Russian air strikes I saw blow up!

 

No joke , If I was there I would grab an AK ., I’m still strong and a great shot .

Cheers

 

 

 

@jim5559 

Putin may have made the mother of all miscalculations.  If we can get the Ukrainians ammunition and the anti-armor and anti aircraft missiles / weapons in time, I am sure the Ukrainians can deal with the Russian Infantry.  Remember STINGER got the Soviets out of Afghanistan.

In any event, I think this will open the eyes of the world, and esp NATO countries, to the threat which did not go away with the fall of the wall, if anything, it became more dangerous.  It will also expose the Russian military.

Speed is of the essence.  Mach Schnell !!!

Cheers

Germans sent a load of anti-tank missiles to day , Briits have send all kinds of stuff, Canada ammo and believe it or not Canadians have great cybor which has been there. Almost all NATO boys are doing what they must .

The best news is Sweden and Finland are coming on board . Russians know what the bad-ass fins are like.

True but not much known , Sweden has the best plane for plane air force there is,

a hundred Swedish Grippens would end it all .

A fantastic thing took place, ,engineers put out TNT for a bridge the Russians were using for tanks , which was using set off by radio , but radio did not work.

One soldier just stood up and went down and set it off with his hand and himself . How brave can a man be !

God Bless the Ukrainians .

P..S . I don’t see them given up any time soon . The President saying "I need ammo, not a ride " did much for moral . Country is a big as Texas Lots of forests to strike from.

Lester Young

THE JAZZ GIANTS

Verve  1956

Another Great Musician from Mississippi.

 

I'll have to Change my Mind : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KEa2lxUdjU

Gigantic Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXydBEpxOSc

You can Depend on Me : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcFHAYENlMc

 

Cheers

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS

European Brandenburg Ensemble -- Trevor Pinnock

Avie Records  2007

 

Concerto No.1 in F major  BMV 1046

I -- Allegro : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMcisA2Opi0

II -- Adagio : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWqrHZfs42k

III -- Allegro : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_OqUSv-TeI

IV -- Menuetto : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsBNftYXRM

 

Cheers

 

Oscar Peterson Trio

OSCAR PETERSON TRIO + ONE CLARK TERRY

Mercury / Verve     1964 / 2007

 

Brotherhood of Man : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTWenY_4-fg

Squeaky's Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubcWIOK0e1Q

Incoherent Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i0WMFJ6mcI

Mack the Knife : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBu56eMC7k

 

Cheers

 

Post removed 

@jim5559 

I agree the Germans are beginning to pull their heads out of their rear ends.  About time.  This does seem like 1938 all over again.  People NEVER learn anything from history. 

When the Soviet Union broke up, they left a lot of nukes in Ukraine.  That made Ukraine the world's third largest nuclear power at that time.  I think they gave them all to the U.S. for disposal.  I know they wish they had them now. 

I fear a lot the military aid being sent might arrive just in time for the Russians to get it.  ☹

Cheers

 

 

Post removed 

Jimmy Smith

COOL BLUES

Blue Note    1958 / 1990

Notes: "Jimmy Smith's story is an unusual one because he single-handedly introduced an instrument into the modern Jazz mainstream and created a sound and a style to go with it.  What is most unusual is that he did not even approach the instrument until he was 28 years old, and he did not play a gig under his own leadership or record an album of his own until he was 29."

 

Cool Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qY7D5d3ss4

Groovin' at Small's : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyjGXW3yyC8

A Night In Tunisia : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-HKq9eNLzE

Small's Minor : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYbHWzEf5SM

 

Cheers

 

 

Stanley Turrentine

SUGAR

CTI     1970-1971 / 2002

Notes: "While never an innovator, Turrentine (1934-200) was surely one of Blue Note's key players in the field of "soul Jazz", the strongly Blues-based, Gospel-influenced branch of hard bop, which itself was a simplified take on the vertiginously complex bebop form..... CTI, like Blue Note, had a "look" as well....CTI's covers featured color compositions of gallery quality by some of America's leading photographers."

 

Sugar : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLaIrVB1av4

Sunshine Alley : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqQbt51xf8

Impressions : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YquE-4sWPU

 

Cheers

 

Various Artists

THE SOUND OF JAZZ

Columbia / Sony       1957 / 2000

Notes: "The best thing that ever happened to television happened on CBS between five and six in the afternoon on Sunday, December 8.  At least that was where and when it happened first; the program may have been run at a different hour and date in your part of the country, and -- if there is any justice -- it will be repeated, the more often the better.  It was an installment in *The Seven Lively Arts* series called *The Sound of Jazz,* and as far as I'm concerned, you can throw away all previous standards of comparison.  This is where television began to amount to something."

 

Fine and Mellow : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4cj5-23_I

I Left my Baby : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84535R-lrB8

Wild Man Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijjIoIWMFcM

Dickie's Dream : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxT2ZQmwYY

Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH2D0xM_NDo

 

Cheers

 

Marcus Roberts

IF I COULD BE WITH YOU

Novus / BMG    1993

Notes: "The most important point that I can see is that the Jazz musician of the future will have to be able to play all different kinds of Jazz-in all its treatments-just like the classical musician who, in one concert range from Bach to Copeland." -- James P. Johnson, 1947.

 

Carolina Shout : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YYpfsD71Mo

Preach, Reverend, Preach : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eBzd31BrFE

Just a Closer Walk : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAwmwM9WMew

What is this thing called love : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx4dLJsHZVo

Moonlight in Vermont : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJS0D8a0hSg

Country Blues : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk9BNPtD5kM

Mood Indigo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5i7yyjv_j8

and 13 more!!

 

Cheers

Great player!  He is about to be featured in a concert at Carnegie with the American Symphony that recreates some of Ellington’s large scale works.  On drums, Wynton’s ‘s little brother Jason.