Happy New Year Frogman. I'm glad you're back to continue our musical journey to wherever it leads us.
Enjoy the music.
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.
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.
Showing 50 responses by orpheus10
Rok, here's another Classical piece that I like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ip64cG7gK4 Enjoy the music. |
Rok, now that we got our Gurus back, all is right in "Jazz Aficionado Land". Frogman, When I bought "Mingus Ah Um" in 59, I was the only person I knew with an album by Mingus, and I simply bought the LP because I liked the cover. Once my group heard it, they were hooked on Mingus. Even noise was music to Mingus; tugboat horns on the river, bird calls, and all sorts of other sounds. "A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry" is an album that reminded my mother of me, "Why don't yall just let me be cool"! Here's the Wiki low down on the album. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modern_Jazz_Symposium_of_Music_and_Poetry Here's "New York Sketchbook" from that album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZTR60YlDtg&feature=c4-overview&list=UUERycULxw1_NJ4ux2nh-qgQ Enjoy the music. |
I was walking past the "Pershing Lounge" in Chicago, when I saw a bunch of people gawking at a car parked out front. Although it was an automobile we hadn't seen before, they were gawking because it was Dinah Washington's car, she was performing at the Pershing; this was in the summer of 56, and the Continental Mark II was so new, no one had seen one in the flesh. While I never saw Dinah Washington in the flesh, I still remember her car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Mark_II I'm treasuring that memory, as I listen to Dinah; she could sing it all, and do it like no one else. While most of the other Diva's are best known for: gospel, pop, blues, or jazz; Dinah could do it all. "What a Difference a Day Makes", was her pop contribution. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhaBIlWPxfo Her voice had a quality of deep longing, "Saudade" is the word in Portuguese. It has no direct translation in English, but suggests a deep melancholic longing for an absent something, or someone that one loves. It also carries the repressed knowledge that the object of longing will never return. While no matter what genre your preference is, you'll probably find something you like by Dinah; my favorite is "Invitation". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyp1yvSBq5I Picture this, you're at a bar you come to and listen to music to unwind. About four stools down there is an intriguing lady that attracts your attention. In order to be unobtrusive, you look in the mirror behind the bar at her reflection, and your eyes meet; that's when you smile. This intriguing lady finds you equally so ..... "Stardust", is one of the most popular songs I can think of, but when Dinah sings the song, it takes on a new persona; here's "Stardust" by Dinah. What are you're favorite tunes by Dinah Washington? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sopS-c1ca4E Enjoy the music. |
Learsfool, this sounded quite interesting when I heard it in the movie theater where "Shutter Island" was playing, but I most certainly could live without it after listening on my rig. My point is this, classical music sounds better on mega buck rigs, like at a movie theater, although it's possible that the brooding nature of the movie and the music matched. What do you think in regard to classical music and the quality of the rig? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iczj8-a7VMg Enjoy the music. |
Rok, here is the most classic "Begin The Beguine". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzjXB4knxqM Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I have "Stardust" on "Jazz Round Round Midnight"; she's accompanied by many of the artists we've already discussed, not a hint of R&B on this CD. It captures the essence of the person; she had a deep longing for something that could never be, her 8 marriages might be an indication of that. "Honey, if I told you, you'd faint" was one of her responses to the "Three Wishes". This CD captures the person inside the entertainer more than any other. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, for my entire life I thought this was Latin American in origin. Music to me is what it convey's; When they begin the beguine it brings back the sound of music so tender it brings back a night of tropical splendor it brings back a memory of green I'm with you once more under the stars and down by the shore an orchestras playing and even the palms seem to be swaying when they begin the beguine to live it again is past all endeavor except when that tune clutches my heart and there we are swearing to love forever and promising never never to part a moments divine what rapture serene to clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted I know but too well what they mean so dont let them begin the beguine let the love that was once a fire remain an ember let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember when they begin the beguine oh yes let them begin the beguine make them play til the stars that were there before return above you till you whisper to me once more darling I love you and we suddenly know what heaven we're in when they begin the beguine These lyrics, plus the music convey Latin America. According to the creole of the Caribbean, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe, the term "Beguine" applied to a style of music and dance, and in particular a slow, close couples' dance. This combination of French ballroom dance and Latin folk dance became popular in Paris. Xavier Cougat's version convey's this better than Artie Shaw's version. Technically, you are right because Artie Shaw popularized it. My point beyond determining who's right or wrong, is to establish what music convey's to individuals; this is why music is always "subjective". Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, for my entire life I thought this was Latin American in origin. Music to me is what it convey's; When they begin the beguine it brings back the sound of music so tender it brings back a night of tropical splendor it brings back a memory of green I'm with you once more under the stars and down by the shore an orchestras playing and even the palms seem to be swaying when they begin the beguine to live it again is past all endeavor except when that tune clutches my heart and there we are swearing to love forever and promising never never to part a moments divine what rapture serene to clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted and now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted I know but too well what they mean so dont let them begin the beguine let the love that was once a fire remain an ember let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember when they begin the beguine oh yes let them begin the beguine make them play til the stars that were there before return above you till you whisper to me once more darling I love you and we suddenly know what heaven we're in when they begin the beguine These lyrics, plus the music convey Latin America. According to the creole of the Caribbean, especially in Martinique and Guadeloupe, the term "Beguine" applied to a style of music and dance, and in particular a slow, close couples' dance. This combination of French ballroom dance and Latin folk dance became popular in Paris. Xavier Cougat's version convey's this better than Artie Shaw's version. Technically, you are right because Artie Shaw popularized it. My point beyond determining who's right or wrong, is to establish what music convey's to individuals; this is why music is always "subjective". Enjoy the music. |
Frogmen, that was a very good summation. Here's an artist we haven't covered, "Eumir Deodato", he was born in Brazil, but his music is all over the place. These are the tunes that I liked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJKsp9_L24Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBZY6urezxQ Enjoy the music. |
Rok, when Dinah died, she was married to "Night Train" Lane, a professional football player. I'm just putting the pieces together: "Her deep longing for something she had not obtained", "Honey if I told you, you'd faint", and her last marriage to an athlete who broke records for interceptions, which means he was long winded, and had a strong heart; maybe she fulfilled her last wish, but didn't live long enough to enjoy it; just speculating, what do you think? Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I don't have Mingus at the Bohemia, but I do have "Jump Monk" from that album on a compilation. Mingus tried to simulate Monk's dance movements on his bass, which was impossible because if you ever saw Monk dance, you would know that he was moving to a beat that's never been heard. Although Monk's dancing could stand a lot of room for improvement, I liked Mingus's bass. That was a highly significant album. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, you are participating in, and enjoying the best possible way to add to your collection; for example, I never even heard of "Niel Larsen", but now he will get added to my collection, thanks to Frogman. The very worst records and CD's I have are the result of "Stereophile"; they definitely know good equipment, but good music is a horse of another color. When I told a record store owner I was an "Audiophile", he said "Oh yea, you're one of those guys who plays the same record over and over". Little did I know how true that was in regard to some Audiophiles. The better the equipment, the worse the collection. Although this certainly doesn't hold true for all Audiophiles, you get my drift. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, this is my concept when I want to go to a "corroboree", or just hang with the boys in the bush; I wonder if Monk ever tried any of them steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZpXPwmbQvc This is when I want to go into the 6th dimension. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE500PSe0BM Enjoy the music. |
Well Rok, since you started a conversation about someone who's worthy of a serious conversation, I'll continue. When I bought the LP "Pithecanthropus Erectus", I had no idea what the title meant or anything, other than the fact that it was a "Mingus" album. At that time, I was working side by side with an anthropologist, we both were employed as aircraft electricians. (he took this temporary job while waiting for a dig). You can google "Pithecanthropus Erectus" if you would like to go into the detail my anthropologist co-worker took me through that afternoon. I mention this to give you an indication of just how deep a thinker Charles Mingus was. If you want to hear Jackie McLean like you've never heard him before, this album is a must have. Mingus's creativity brings out things in other musicians they didn't even know they had. I bought every album I saw by Mingus, and I was never disappointed; each one was so unique, that they were simply different facets of the diamond we all know as "Charles Mingus". Enjoy the music. |
Now that we have thoroughly covered the 50's and 60's, it's time to move into the 70's. Miles ushered in the 70's with "Bitches Brew". I saw him live with that same group before the album came out, and fortunately I was with some guys from New York (they seem to know everything about new music) because the experience was the same as turning up a bottle of whiskey, and tasting wine; this was not the Miles I expected to hear. Head Hunters, and Weather Report were two groups that impressed me with this new music. Although we try to communicate music with words, it's impossible; the only thing that can be communicated is how this music affected or impressed "you", and that's the only person you can speak with any authority for. "Sextant" was the Herbie Hancock album that impressed me, it really blew me away; I even liked the cover art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk0L3RXYxS0 Weather Report, "I Sing The Body Electric" was the first album I acquired by that group, it took me to another world; the music was not of this universe, it took me someplace I've never been before, and I liked it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBMLhDw1xOw Frogman, both "Oregon" and Chick Corea are well represented in my collection. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, "Slow Freight", by Ray Bryant has become one of my favorite tunes. I grew up a half block away from a railroad track where slow freights miles long crossed, I know what it's like to have to wait for a slow freight. This isn't music, it's a portrait; you have a wino whose route to his appointed destination, has been blocked by a slow freight. (slow freights don't cross in the swanky parts of town) Ray Bryant's music is going through his head while he's waiting for this "slow Freight" to cross, which has a slow blues beat, and while he's waiting, he just happens to have a bottle of "joy" to swig on. Music that can paint a picture is a rare thing, and it seems the only tunes that have that quality, came out in the 50's and 60's. Enjoy the music. |
Ackman3, I try and go back in time to when I was collecting and listening to that particular music. When "Return To Forever" was hot everybody in my group had at least one LP by them, my favorite's were when they featured "Flora Purim". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN9ZsDIasZU&list=PLF9EB768062B89F7B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gXz9RndzzY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-AOjCT5-NA Her voice seemed to add so much to that groups particular kind of music. Enjoy the music. |
Acman3, you are an "Audiophile", this hobby is an important part of your life, and the music being discussed is also important to you. This might be the only thread where people who like the same music as you, are discussing it. When you go to the record store, who do you go there to please? Eliminate the negative, and accentuate the positive. Enjoy the music. |
Acman3, try this music for size, and tell me what you think; it's guaranteed to pump your woofers. Lets walk on the wild side, and do the Bombay boogie. [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vE2lYOzqYE>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnrH-7URvpc&list=PLB51B9F03730BB557[\url] Lets walk on the wild side, and do the Bombay boogie. [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vE2lYOzqYE Enjoy the music. |
Something went wrong with my last post, this is "The Bombay Boogie", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFuRz6uDpI |
I was listening to "Star Eyes" from my computer play list, and thinking that's got to be the best version of that tune I've ever heard. (I'm not even close to the computer when I listen; consequently, I can't read who's playing) Try as I might, I couldn't place who was playing. Although it was led by the tenor man, (I've got a lot of them), "OK, I'll just listen and enjoy the music." The more I heard this tune, the better I liked it; when a tenor sax man can make the words and meaning of a song come out as well as a vocalist, that's saying something. I once knew a "Star Eyes" with the most astounding, sparkling eyes I've ever seen, and her image flashed before me. The piano that followed the tenor fit so perfectly, then the trumpet; "That sounds like Lee Morgan", now back to that singing sax which brings out this tune as well as any vocalist. I discovered this was "Star Eyes" off my Mosaic LP compilation, Mosaic MR4-106, The Complete Blue Note Recordings of The Tina Brooks Quintets; Lee Morgan, trumpet; Sonny Clark, piano; Doug Watkins, bass; Art Blakey, drums, and it was recorded on March 16, 1958. That was the congregation on "Star Eyes"; these various groups Tina assembled consist of the very best jazz musicians of that time between 58 and 61. This compilation of records contains 4 well recorded LP's and two booklets. Rok, while this compilation isn't available on CD, "Star Eyes" is available on "Tina Brooks - Minor Move" CD. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, who would believe two guitars could make so much music. To be honest, I can't tell whether or not Paco or John is playing when I'm listening to CD or LP. I have this LP with Paco, John, and Al Di Meola, and I try to determine who is playing; but since I can't, in the end I give up and just enjoy the incredible music these three masters of the guitar can create. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlaCZ106b5w Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I'm still alive. Although life's changes put me up against a wall, I had to respond to that Rachell Farrell clip. It's what jazz is all about; she put every ounce of her heart into it, making the statement, "This is who I am". Every second of that clip was outstanding; all of the artists were allowed to speak, and each spoke quite eloquently. Frogman, I admire your in depth explanations of things most jazz aficionados don't know, but are eager to learn. I want Leersfool and Acman3 to know I appreciate their input as well. Although I won't be posting, I'll continue to read everyone's posts religiously. Keep up the good work Rok. Enjoy the music. |
Well fellows, in regard to my dilemma, I've done all I can do, now it's in the hands of a higher power. Rachell seems to have stirred up a lot of controversy, and that's a good thing. I find it amazing how aficionados can disagree, and at the same time agree. While Frogman's post was, as usual, very accurate; especially when you compare Rachell to great jazz vocalists of the past; however, I attribute her over the top expressions to originality, and that's a good thing, but she sounded best, "sight unseen". Rok, nothing has changed in regard to which tunes on that compilation we like best; however, just the other day, I was thinking about how they're better than my original LP's, and I'm eagerly awaiting your post on this latest compilation. Enjoy the music. |
I find it absolutely astonishing how tastes change over the years. Mine have gone full circle, now I'm back to where I began with "Blue Note". Keith Jarret, Terje Rypdal, "Cadona", the group, John Abercrombie, Ralph Towner, Jan Gabarek, and Gary Burton, are just some of the musicians represented by my ECM phase as a music lover. I classify that phase and those musicians as quite introspective at that time. Pat Metheny and Chic Corea were also with ECM, they've changed, and so have I; especially Pat Metheny, I can't get enough of his outing with Anna Maria Jopek on "Upojenie". Not only is the music outstanding, but so is the recording quality. Enjoy the music. |
Jazz groups are the one category we've only lightly touched on. While everyone is familiar with Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross; how about Lambert, Hendricks, and Bavan, with Clark Terry, and Coleman Hawkins. Here is "Sack Of Woe" by them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=--dBgh8Y52Y New York Voices is another group I like; here's "Stolen Moments", an Oliver Nelson tune, they do very well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP6mX_HtgGI Manhattan Transfer is another fine group; lets take a trip on "Route 66" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQwb4SpNuKo There are many new groups that I'm not familiar with. Tell us about your favorite groups, or other tunes by these groups. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, since you like vocals of the religious persuasion, here's one especially for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0yNKroigk Enjoy the music. |
Although presently I'm focusing on jazz vocal groups, I'm also deeply moved by vocals of a religious persuasion, such as "Motherless Child" by Afro Blue. It seems that all of us were moved by that group. Never before have I been moved by vocals, minus musical instruments, but they did it; they plumbed the emotional depths of "Motherless Child". While it's not easy finding new vocal groups of this caliber, I'm sure you guys can do it. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, it would take a volume of books to answer the questions you ask in regard to music and the generations. Everything, including economics and social structure has to be taken into account; music is not created in a vacuum. When I attempt to answer your questions, after going around like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, and finding myself in a tunnel that leads to a tunnel of it's own, I quit; that's when I throw the four sheets of paper in the can. Frogman, it feels good to be back. On "Take 6", that's really different; religious lyrics in a jazzy groove, I like that. When I requested new groups of "Afro Blue's" caliber, I didn't realize how difficult that is, now I'm changing it to any time frame. Rok, Anne Akiko Meyers is new to me, now I'm going to have to get everything she's put out; plus DVD's to gaze upon her foxy face, she's a treat for the eyes as well as the ears. Enjoy the music. |
Learsfool, that was a very thought provoking article. Most people prefer words with their music, we're the ones who are different; however, in the case of jazz, musicians feed off of other musicians, there were many more jazz musicians in the 50's and 60's than now. I'll give you an example; I just picked out two of my favorite albums: Benny Green, "Soul Stirring", consisting of highly prominent sidemen who are stars in their own right: Gene Ammons, Sonny Clark, and Alvin Jones were jazz stars who also led groups. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers consisted of so many stars down through the years to even include Wynton Marsalis, that the jazz had to be top quality. The album "Moanin", consisted of Lee Morgan, trumpet; Benny Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; and of course Art Blakey on drums. When just two LP's are loaded with so many greats, the music couldn't go wrong. Back then, people who were into popular vocal music, had a few jazz LP's because they liked the music. Although these tunes came into my collection without vocals, here are some with vocals on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA81pRYtEXc Here's the same tune by Andre Previn; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZKzTMr1M5E Now for Horace Silver, "Senor Blues"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRdlvzIEz-g This is a vocal version; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPXgjsjgAw While I enjoy both versions of my favorite jazz tunes, the bottom line is the original as it was first composed. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, my previous post was in regard to vocal VS none vocal, and the quality of jazz in the 50's and 60's, as opposed to now; nothing about who is, or is not studying jazz. Nor do I pine for that sound by current musicians; that would be imitation, and not original; which is something I detest. I'm sure there are vibrant jazz scenes in other parts of the world, because my purchases of "current" jazz are from: Korea, Poland, and India; while my latest purchases of jazz from here consist of the 50's and 60's jazz. This is one time I definitely agree with Rok. Enjoy the music. |
Enough already! It seems that Acman3 is the only person still on the music, as opposed to factors surrounding the music that none of us know for sure. Let's get back on the track that will lead to new discoveries of jazz. But before we leave, I think we should all agree to broaden the definition, or not. In order to appease Rok, I've stayed within the narrow definition of the word, while my definition is quite broad. What ever the mutual definition is, is fine with me. Enjoy the music. |
Rok, in my last post I stated that I stayed within the narrow definition of jazz to appease you. While that was the downside, the upside more than made up for it. Had it not been for you, I never would have discovered Nica, and those two very well recorded decades of jazz. In regard to factors surrounding jazz, they are the same factors surrounding everything; every body except the very rich have a lot less money or are unemployed. If you want to know what I'm talking about, go to this website http://wp.me/p2vRlu-4 Enjoy the music. |
It wouldn't jazz but it sure swung. I like that Louisiana gumbo, check out Marcia Ball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx8k15FtnXY Enjoy the music. |
This Louisiana gumbo is catching. Dr. John is Mr."Nawlins"; I like this. Unfortunately, New Orleans is so sad now, in regard to the people who live in the "Jects", that every time I think about New Orleans, I want to break my own rule and and go off on that subject; but let's stick to music, as hard as it is some time. Enjoy the music. |