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
The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz

CBS Records 1987

Great 5CD Box Set. Best Booklet ever! These are the actual recordings that are in the Smithsonian set. The Recorded dates match.

CD #1

Jelly Roll Morton, piano solo: (JOPLIN) "Maple Leaf Rag" (1938)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz9AMJ5f2yM
recorded 6/38 Washington D.C.

Dead Man Blues -- Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqgqK3DYLa8
recorded 9/21/26 Chicago

Potato Head Blues -- Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ccXJ0Y-CI
recorded 5/10/27 Chicago

West End Blues -- Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2anSPJAg3uw
recorded 6/28/28 Chicago

Black Bottom Stomp -- Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJtG9VXU4_0
recorded 9/15/26 Chicago

St. Louis Blues -- Bessie Smith ( Armstrong on Coronet )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MldyhUapKFs
recorded 1/14/25

Dippermouth Blues -- King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQTNO_WQ3ck
recorded 4/6/23 Richmond, IN

Cheers

👍 rok.  Prompted me to pull out original vinyl set of the Smithsonian Collection.  Still in pristine condition.  Stuff like this is good reason for keeping a “quality” TT system if your own vintage leaves you with a good collection of vinyl e.g. “Jazz and the Abstract Truth” and so many of the titles that have popped up on this string.
thx
Another great Art Farmer concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODZA7WSA3xk

Gotta wonder why the flugelhorn didn't figure more prominently in the jazz world, as did the tenor sax among the woodwinds.  Richer, deeper tone - sexier than the trumpet and cornet.  I guess there just weren't many flugelhorns laying around back in the day?

Stuff like this is good reason for keeping a “quality” TT system if your own vintage leaves you with a good collection of vinyl


My Jazz collection on LP does not justify me getting back into vinyl.  I have a lot of nice Classical stuff on LP, but I have already obtained the CD versions.  I guess I'm just lazy.  CD was a fantasy of mine before they ever appeared.  Glad I lived to see it happen.

Cheers