Rok, you were right about Anita. She went through phases in her long career, and some of it was pop, "A gal had to make a living". My philosophy is "select the best and leave the rest". She's wasn't the same kind of artist like the other jazz vocalists you have in your collection.
I'm going to start a new thread "Jazz for aficionados" in which I'll play a record and review each individual cut. This will begin with the records I consider "must haves". If I find a record that's not on CD, I won't review it. If I find a CD that's clearly inferior to the record, I wont review it. So far I've only found one CD that's clearly inferior to the record. I mention this to let you know, I don't consider not having analog a loss; going halfway is a waste of money, and going all the way is tedious and very expensive.
I'll look for you on "jazz for aficionados"
Enjoy the music.
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O-10:
A Tale of Two Divas!
I got the Anita O'Day Cds today. I was did not think they lived up to the hype. Her voice is just fine. I would place her in the same voice group as someone like Nancy Wilson, which is not bad at all. Not up there with the heavyweights, but very good.
The problem, was the band backing her, and the arrangements. Some of this music is not Jazz. And even the standards were not sung or played as Jazz.
The best of the ones I received was the 'Anita Sings The Most' disc. On this one, she was backed by Oscar Peterson. This backing made all the difference in the world. They pushed her hard. She stayed with them!
On 'Anita Sings The Winners' There are 19 tracks, but only 12 came off the LP. Some of this filler was just a waste.
Same with the 'Pick Yourself Up' cd. 21 tracks, only 12 off the LP. Just filler. 'Rock and Roll Waltz' was a joke. It killed the entire CD for me.
When she sang 'Body and Soul' on the 'winners' cd, that was enough. I went to my collection and got a disc of Billie Holiday singing Body and Soul. Like, it was not even the same song! Of course Billie had Ben Webster and 'Sweets' edison backing her. I also compared the two on two other songs. 'We'll be together again' & 'They can't take that away from me'. No contest!
I don't think her voice is ideally suited for Jazz. More supper club singer. BUT, I did listen to the two Cds. She is not bad at all. She just needed a real Jazz band (Basie?) to back her, and someone to do proper Jazz arrangements. Or even a smaller Jazz group. The big band she had was not a Jazz band.
I could hear some 'billie' in her phrasing and at times I am sure she was trying to imitate billie to some degree. And that didn't sound bad. She has a good voice.
But, all in all they are keepers. I will just have to hit eject once the real stuff is over and before the filler starts.
Cheers
You need to start a new thread. I just realized this one is not yours. |
Rok, jazz aficionado that I am, I never heard of the bass player either. I discovered that he played with "Basie". I bought that record ages ago, and as long as it's been in my collection, I never knew that I didn't know the bass player. Learn something new every day, even when it's old. |
Orpheus10:
No snippets on amazon, so I went to youtube. Am I glad I did. Started with Sandra's Blues and stayed for the complet CD. As you said it is great. Seems like every time you post, it costs me money.:)
My favorites were Sandra's blues, Stuffy and Indian blues.
I was very impressed with the bass player. He was awesome. And this was on my computer speakers! And Hawkins and Jackson were their usual brilliant selves. Something about vibes. They always make a CD sound better than it normally would. Great sound effect. That's one of the great things about Jazz, not only the headliner or leader, but the guys in the group. Stars in their own right, and they change all the time. This is unique to Jazz.
Now I have seen a few other ones on youtube I must check out. I get Miss O'Day tomorrow along with a Jon Hendrick CD. Will report my thoughts later.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers |
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Schubert:
A lot of Jazz has a beginning, a middle and an end. Normally the 'theme' is stated then the members take turns soloing (sort of like a variation on a theme), and then they all come together for the end.
I have an imbalance in my classical collection. I need to branch out more. I have too much of the well known composers. I find myself buying the latest recording of stuff I already own. When I read BBC music magazine, I see more and more composers that I am not familiar with. I guess I will have to take the plunge.
Cheers |
Rok, on a ratings from 1 to 5 stars, this is a 6. "Milt Jackson and Coleman Hawkins, Bean Bags", with Tommy Flanagan piano; Kenny Burrell, guitar; Eddie Jones, bass; Connie Kay, drums.
Sandra's Blues is my favorite on this CD.
Enjoy the music. |
Mapman, re Ella, hard to argue,she is the icon allright.
However, great as she is, I can never shake the feeling she would rather be somewhere else , doing something else. |
Rok, upon reflection I do have a serious imbalance in my collection, only about 10% is Bach !
Seriously I never cared for Jazz much, not an active dislike like rock, but until I was in my 60's I didn't realize there is a place for things without a beginning, middle and end. Jazz can be very relaxing and soothing. |
Rok, she sings better than she looks.Voice reminds me of a clear mountain brook. |
I'll second Dee Dee Bridgewater. She did a fantastic job of putting Horace Silver's music to words and song.
Enjoy the music. |
Schbert:
Song for My Father would be on just about everyone's short list. I am not familiar with Karrin Allyson, but if she sings anywhere as good as she looks, she's a winner. I will have to youtube her. But Schbert, you have a very serious imbalance in your music collection. :) The guys on this thread recommend some good stuff. Check it out. I know they are about to bankrupt me! In any event, this site needs all the music guys it can get.
Cheers
BTW, if you like Horace Silver, check out Dee Dee Bridgewater's 'Love and Peace, A Tribute to Horace Silver'. She puts words to almost all his biggest hits. Very, Very good. |
I'm primarily a Clasical listener, of the 4k CD's and albums I own about 200 hundred are jazz, the rest classical.
That said, If I had to cut down to 20 titles, one would be by Horace Silver(songs of my father) and one(any one) by Karrin Allyson |
You are correct. My guru reviewer thinks the Duets CD is even better thsn Sonny Side Up, though I think it was all recorded during the same session. It's on my amazon list. Thanks. I get my O'Day CDs by the end of the week. Like a kid at Christmas!
Cheers |
Rok, close but no cigar. This is the 5 star edition with the same cast.
1."Wheatleigh Hall" - 8:48
2."Sumphin'" - 10:26
3."Con Alma" [alternate take] - 9:08 Bonus track on CD reissue
4."Con Alma" - 9:26
5."Anythin'" - 10:29 Bonus track on CD reissue
6."Haute Mon'" - 10:38 Personnel Dizzy Gillespie - trumpet
Sonny Stitt - alto saxophone (tracks 3, 4 & 6)
Sonny Rollins - tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 2 & 5)
Ray Bryant - piano
Tommy Bryant - bass
Charlie Persip - drums
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"We have the good, the great and then there is Ella."
Would tend to agree. |
Sonny Side Up? -- Have It! I need to listen Dizzy a little bit more.
Cheers |
Rok, I was just listening to one of my CD's that would fit in your collection. "Dizzy Gillespie duets with Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt". It's from an LP that was on verve. If you don't got it, get it.
Enjoy the music. |
The latest playlist.
We have the good, the great and then there is Ella.
The Good: 3-4 Stars
Jay McShann & John Hicks -- The Missouri Connection
Danilo Perez -- PanaMonk
Freddie Redd Quartet -- Shades of Redd
Lou Rawls & les McCann -- Stormy Monday
Stanley Turrentine with the Three Sounds (2 cd set)
Ben Webster & Oscar Peterson -- Ben Meets Oscar
Sonny Clark -- Cool Struttin'
all of the above had their moments, but a lot of, run of the mill stuff also.
The Great: 5 stars
Thelonious Monk -- Monk in Paris (live at the olympia)
includes DVD.
Charlie Rouse -- Epistrophy (his last recording)
Clark terry -- The Second Set (live at the village gate)
Harry 'sweets' Edison & Eddie 'lockjaw' Davis -- Sweets & Lockjaw live in Copenhagen
I just love all those old timers. They play Jazz. if you don't like the above, you don't like jazz.
Now,Words are not enough, you must hear this!: not enough stars in the milky way!
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie -- A Perfect Match (live in montreux, switzerland)
There will never be another. She is so effortless. You will smile all the way thru the CD. Unique among all jazz singers I have heard, she has FUN! And you can feel, hear and sense it throughout the set. Enjoys her work. Esp on the tune 'Basella' The playful interplay between her and band is just wonderful!!
Ain't got it? Git it!
Cheers |
Right!! Young holt unlimited. Let me amazon them now.
Thanks
Cheers |
Rok, "Soulful Strut" came from Young Holt/ Unlimited, which was a break off group from Ramsey Lewis. Drummer Isaac "Red" Holt and bassist Eldee Young, formerly members of Ramsey Lewis' jazz trio, formed a new outfit called the Young-Holt Trio with pianist Don Walker in 1966. In 1968, the group renamed itself Young-Holt Unlimited, and replaced Walker with Ken Chaney. Under their new name, the group scored a number three Hot 100 hit with "Soulful Strut".
"Those were the days my friend, I thought they would never end".
Enjoy the music. |
Orpheus10:
I have Grover on 'Then & Now' and 'Mister Magic'. I amazoned 'Prime Cuts' and liked the playlist. I put it in my cart. I'll listen to the ones I have and write a 'review'. :)
I remember back in the day, when heart transplants were new and in the news, a doctor performed the operation while listening to Grover's 'Inside Moves' thru the PA system. I love little musical tid-bits like that. I guess the patient can be thankful he was not an Sun Ra fan. :)
Soulful Strut is a Three Sounds tune isn't it? That takes me back to the very beginning of my interest in Jazz.
Cheers |
Rok, not all records, or CD's are created equal. This CD will give you everything the "analogers" rave about, and I'm sure you'll like the music. Grover Washington, Jr. Prime Cuts The Columbia Years 1987 -1999. |
Rok, I picked "Summertime" by Gene Harris with Ray Brown on bass. Gene is a musician, as opposed to someone who plays music. His version digs deeper into the emotion of the tune, than most.
"House Party" by Jimmy Smith is when he was in his prime, I liked every last note. I especially like the way he makes the organ "squeel". "Baby Face Willette" could make an organ squeel like no other player I've ever heard. He was a friend of mine and I drove him to a lot of his sets. I told another organ player how great "Face" was, but couldn't find any recordings to back it up. So when you have the recorded talents of the artists, such as those on "House Party", enjoy them. All of "Face's" best sounds are in my head, and nowhere else.
There's more jazz talent on "House Party" than there is in many people's entire collection.
Enjoy the music.
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Rokadanny, on that DVD "Jazz On A Summer's Day", you are witnessing some historic music. Jimmy Guiffre and Bob Brookmeyer are playing "West Coast" jazz. It's a genre that I thought was boss, and it's hard to find. Unfortunately, the very best examples of this music could be heard on movie soundtracks at that time. The movies were forgettable, but the soundtracks were boss. I remember me and another "jazz aficionado" going to the movies at Lackland AFB and grooving to the soundtrack without even knowing what the movie was about. All of my best "West Coast" jazz is on LP's that are too scratched and noisy, but that's the genre I'm trying to presently acquire.
Enjoy the music. |
Orpheus10:
Excellent explanation. Even I could understand it. Sure makes a body appreciate CDs even more. :)
Cheers |
Rok, the explanation is rather long and convoluted. It only applies if you have TT and phono pre that can do those tricks.
RIAA equalization is a form of pre-emphasis on recording and de-emphasis on playback. A recording is made with the low frequencies reduced and the high frequencies boosted, and on playback the opposite occurs. The net result is a flat frequency response, but with attenuation of high frequency noise such as hiss and clicks that arise from the recording medium. Reducing the low frequencies also limits the excursions the cutter needs to make when cutting a groove. Groove width is thus reduced, allowing more grooves to fit into a given surface area, permitting longer recording times. This also reduces physical stresses on the stylus which might otherwise cause distortion or groove damage during playback.
A potential drawback of the system is that rumble from the playback turntable's drive mechanism is amplified by the low frequency boost that occurs on playback. Players must therefore be designed to limit rumble, more so than if RIAA equalization did not occur.
RIAA equalization is not a simple low-pass filter. It defines transition points in three places: 75 µs, 318 µs and 3180 µs, which correspond to 2122 Hz, 500 Hz and 50 Hz.[2] Implementing this characteristic is not especially difficult, but is more involved than a simple amplifier. In the past almost all hi-fi preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and receivers had a built-in phono preamplifier with the RIAA characteristic, but it is often omitted in modern designs, due to the gradual obsolescence of vinyl records. Add-on phono preamplifiers with the RIAA equalization curve are available; these adapt a magnetic phono cartridge to an unbalanced −10 dB consumer line-level RCA input. Some modern turntables feature built-in preamplification to the RIAA standard. Special preamplifiers are also available for the various equalization curves used on pre-1954 records.
Digital audio editors often feature the ability to equalize audio samples using standard and custom equalization curves, removing the need for a dedicated hardware preamplifier when capturing audio with a computer. However, this can add an extra step in processing a sample, and may amplify audio quality deficiencies of the sound card being used to capture the signal. |
"This is a high fidelity recording. For best results observe the R.I.A.A. high frequency roll-off characteristic with a 500 cycle crossover."
This was printed on the fold out of a Max Roach CD. The CD fold out was a copy of the liner notes from the LP. Does anyone know what this means?
Thanks in advance
Cheers |
Today's playlist:
Sir Roland Hanna - Duke Ellington Piano Solos.
Good recording and good piano playing, but a little too much interpertation of Duke's music. It can't get any better than Duke wrote it. Didn't grab me.
Gene Harris -- In His Hands
Not Jazz but Jazzy. Gospel numbers are the stand-outs. Battle Hymn of the Republic / Will the Circle be Unbroken and The Whole World in His Hands, make the CD. Harris' Daughter sings.
The Max Roach Trio -- featuring the legendary Hasaan
Roach is a great drumer. He plays just like another instrument in the group. Let's the bass keep time. very nice set. Good recording. This is Hasaan's (piano) only recording. A shame.
Jimmy Smith -- House Party
Not as fond of the organ as I used to be. Seemed to sound better on JBL! BUT, with Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson,Tinas Brooks,Kenny Burrell, Donald Bailey and Art Blakey on board, I'll suffer thru it! Five tunes in over 53 minutes. They had a lot to say. :)
Sonny Rollins -- East Broadway Run Down
Indescribable!! This is improvised music of the highest order. Exceptional bass playing by Jimmy Garrison. Freddie Hubbard on the title tune. This is a great CD. This is as 'out there' as Jazz ever needed to go. There is no tone like Rollin's.
Happy Listening
Cheers |
On almost all her lp/cd covers, she looks as if she is undergoing torture. Heroin will do that to you. She should have fired her drummer (drug provider) instead. If you haven't seen it yet, get the DVD "Jazz on a Summer's Day". It covers the '58 Newport Festival, where she sings Sweet Georgia Brown. IMO, the greatest jazz vocal performance of all time. Other great performers as well (although not Miles Davis - he refused to be recorded on film that day). |
I'm glad you saw her at Newport, that's when she was at her peak. "Early Autumn" is my favorite, for sentimental reasons. I saw Coltrane do "My Favorite Things" live with that same group, it was unforgettable.
Although I don't have CAT WALK, you certainly won't go wrong there. I'm familiar with everyone except the bass player, but the rest of that cast are stars in their own right.
Enjoy the music. |
Orpheus10:
She should have fired the guy in charge of Photos / cover art. On almost all her lp/cd covers, she looks as if she is undergoing torture. Also ordered Donald Byrd: CAT WALK. Will report. Today's playlist included Coltrane - My Favorite Things. What a player!! He was awesome before he went over the event horizon. You can hear the genesis of the music that was coming, on this CD. Also listened to The Sidewinder. Sidewinder gets the hype, but I am partial to 'boy, what a night'.
Cheers |
If there was ever a "jazz singer" it's Anita O' Day. Not only does she sing jazzy, but every move she makes is jazzy. I know you both have checked her out at Newport. Her name should be preceded by "Cool and jazzy" Anita O' Day. |
Orpheus10 & Rockadanny:
I Just clicked 'Place Order' on:
The Winners -- If Orpheus swears by it, that's good enough for me.
The Most -- I didn't know OP was on board.
Pick Yourself Up -- includes Sweet Georgia Brown, with 'sweets' on board, how could I not get it!!
The music on Amazon was good as were the reviews. Thanks for the tips.
Cheers |
Orpheus10 - Certainly. That gal can swing! Of hers I have:
This Is Anita
Pick Yourself Up
Sings the Most
Sings the Winners
Swings Cole Porter
Cool Heat
Swings Rodgers and Hart
Waiter Make Mine Blues
Trav'lin' Light
Time for Two
The Life of a Jazz Singer (DVD) |
Rok, I'm sure you and Rockadanny have "Anita O'Day Sings The Winners"? |
Rockadanny:
Thanks for the reply. I thought it would be too good to be true. I'll take them off my save for later list.
Cheers |
Has anyone purchased any of the '8 classic albums' sets being offered on amazon? I did. I got the set of Anita O'Day CDs. Some of the CDs had poor sound quality compared to single CD releases. Some sounded fine. I'll not purchase these again for other artists. |
Jafant, I think there should be a big 4. That would include "Something Else" led by Cannonball Adderly and Miles. |
The big 3;
Kind of Blue.
Time Out.
Ah Um. |
JAnyway for those who want to listen, there are a few recommendations:
JOE HENDERSON : STATE OF THE TENOR LIVE IN THE VILLAGE VANGUARD VOL 1&2 (ridiculously indescribable work)
COUNT BASIE ON PABLO RECORDS produced by Norman Granz, especially BASIE JAM, BASIE JAM #2, 88 BASIE STREET, KANSAS CITY 7, all SATCH AND JOSH piano duets with Oscar Peterson (this is not controversial - do not miss this)
Anyway, for thosen who want to listen
JAN GARBAREK w/TERJE RYPDAHL : ESOTERIC CIRCLE (1969, before George Russell lost Jan to NewAge conflict-free "musical" mystics).
JOHN McLAUGHLIN : EXTRAPOLATION (this was mentioned just once in the 12 years, amazingly, the amazing symbiosis of John Mc.. and John Surman makes it a sleeper of the century). |
I did not see any mentions of Ornette Coleman, Joe Henderson, Paul Motian, Anita O'Day, Benny Goodman, Charlie Haden - no one likes them here ? |
I'm late to the game but I didn't notice any mention of:
Gerry Mulligan
Chet Baker
Monk
I did see a vote for Oscar Peterson
Bill Evans
I could go on and on but I think the OP asked for 5 |
In regard to the Horace Silver video, you just proved your inability to appreciate something special and Oscar Pettiford is still the "best bassist ever" as far as I am concerned.
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I have been listening to Horace Silver for a hundred years. It was a nice video, but nothing I have not seen or heard before. I just don't know how one determines that a certain Jazz player is 'The Best.' With all the different styles and differnt eras and different types of Jazz, how do you do that? Take Miles for instance: Is he 'better' than Buddy Bolden, Harry 'sweets' Edison, Louis Armstrong, Lee Morgan, or Roy Eldridge? I could name many more. The point is, they were / are all GREAT. If you have a formula for doing this, let the rest of us in on it. And this is my last comment. I swore not to fight this year. " *&&^^%^$#@ " That means 'I surrender.' :) |
Rok2id, there you go again. You didn't even make a comment on that Horace Silver post, and now you're telling me what I should post. Since what I'm thinking would be inappropriate to post *&&^^%^$#@, I'll refrain from any comment. |
Maybe you should go a little easy on the 'he is the best' stuff. They all made magic and gave a lot of people pleasure, and just let it go at that. |
Jazzerdave, any album you see him on as a sideman, when you like the leader. His LP's are used and expensive. He's a sideman on a few Chris Connor CD's, I like her. My favorite LP is the one shown with those cuts on it.
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Thanks for getting me to listen to more Pettiford. Any albums I should try to find? Lynn Seaton is still my favorite, but once again, I know the man and wouldn't trade the years I spent studying with him for the world. Needless to say, I'm nowhere near impartial. |
Has anyone purchased any of the '8 classic albums' sets being offered on amazon? |
