Jazz for aficionados

Rok, since yours didn't show up I substituted "Kush" by Diz for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbVRM5-bcJo

Enjoy the music.

Rok, the sound quality is good, but that's more music than you would want by almost any artist; however, that's the only way you'll get some of the music. Take the bitter with the sweet.

Enjoy the music.

While no one associates "Ray Charles" with jazz, I have two jazz albums by Ray that are on par with some of my best.

"Soul Brothers" with Ray and Milt Jackson, has already been reviewed, so I'll go to Ray Charles, "My Kind of Jazz". He gives us his unique interpretations of jazz standards. There is a reason they call the man "genius", and it can be heard on this album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiZg5pvRT8k

Enjoy the music.

Rok, Frogman, Leersfool; here's music we can all agree on. It has the best elements of several genres of music, and I get carried away every time I hear it. Maybe Frogman, our musical encyclopedia will give us the history of this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhFC7LB5OXs

Enjoy the music.

I'll have to add Jimmy Smith "Angel Eyes" to my collection, I really liked it. Music like that sounds best very late at night.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I don't know why, but classical music instantly causes flash-backs of the movie "Clockwork Orange".

Good music is just that "Good Music", no matter what the genre. I've been hearing the name "Conway Twitty" since I can remember, but he has never been on my "playlist"; now, thanks to you, he's on my "A" playlist. Find the best and leave the rest.

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, here's a favorite of mine by Charles Lloyd, "Forest Flower".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqCkodrBZZo

Enjoy the music.

Rok, very few people realize what RAP is. It's not music, it's a social statement about The United States of America, made by a "Sub Culture" created by "The United States of America". 100 plus years of social and economic deprivation has resulted in a culture that's reflected by RAP; just listen to the lyrics and you'll see what I mean.

Back to the music. This is some of the world's most beautiful music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ksNyyuViQ

Enjoy the music.

"Aficionados", you're conflating "RAP" with social commentary. "The Last Poets" was social commentary, Gil Scott-Heron would turn over in his grave if you called him a "Rapper". Is poetry "RAP"? Not all words spoken in rhyme and rythm are "RAP".

It's the intellectual content of the "Rap" that distinguishes one rap from another. "RAP" is almost exclusively about bitches, ho's and the low life style of pimps and thugs in as vulgar a language as possible.

Get real, we're talking gang life culture that's exploited for what it's worth, that's "RAP"; however, when we blame the people caught up in that culture, we're blaming the victim for the crime.

Once upon a time, there were people called "sociologist" who worked hard to explain, and prevent thug culture from spreading; but it was much cheaper not to hire people who worked to remedy the cause of the problem, and let the people deal with it as best they could.

Although this culture is closely related to poverty, the culture remains even after the artists have become millionaires, as we have witnessed; but to understand how people caught up in that culture are the victims as opposed to the criminals is beyond current thinking in this society. "Rap" goes far beyond music or social commentary.

Now you see how easy it is to "just enjoy the music".

Frogman was the last person to submit music on this "music" forum, he submitted "Chucho Valdes". Now I know why that name confuses me; his father was Bebo Valdes, jazz ran in the blood of the Valdes family.

Before that, I posted "Ernesto Lecuona", who was a prolific composer of songs for music and films. Ruben Gonzalez performs "Siboney" by Lecuona.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3F7SCs3Utw

Here is more of Lecuona's music by Catrena Valente.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_N4wfVdw-8

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, I found a clip that you will find very interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH17-x_bQEQ

Enjoy the music.

Sensuality is such a rare quality I couldn't even find an adequate definition. Although we know it when we see, hear, or feel that state of being, words can't quite express it; music, however is much better at expressing "sensuality". "She is Michelle" by Gato Barbieri is a good example for me. What music expresses this quality for you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0SZ4rE-QJo

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, although I didn't remember Abbe Lane as a movie star, you jogged my memory as to where I remember the name; here are some songs she sang that I remember, they're all dripping with "sensuality".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA_1Roa_MkA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0O7d5C1-T8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkKNLw0jE9k

Enjoy the music.

What a coincident, I was listening to Nancy in the car on my way home; yes, she's very sensual.

You and Leersfool have given me a new perspective on the same music I've been listening to for all of my life. Take "On Green Dolphin Street" for example; I never gave any thought as to who composed it, now I'm listening to solo piano by Bronislaw Kaper, the composer of this beautiful tune.

When played by him, the music takes on a lighter than air quality, the notes just float. While this music tells a story that I'm unaware of, that's just as well because it allows me to invent my story for the music. One thing is certain, I get a glorious feeling when I'm "On Green Dolphin Street".

Now I'm going to give you Miles Davis's "On Green Dolphin Street". First, we have the lush beautiful intro by Bill Evans on piano, followed by Miles trumpet, and Trane's improvisation. All of these musicians show great respect for the composer. That lets me know the depth of their musical knowledge.

Once again, I get that glorious feeling from being "On Green Dolphin Street".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrVnm66joQk

Enjoy the music.

That was fantastic, and I liked the interpretation, also I will get her album "Heavy Falls The Night". Where is everybody? I was asking the same question. I left something "On Green Dolphin Street" for you and Leersfool that neither one of you picked up on, so I figured everyone was on vacation.

Glad to see you back Rok.

Enjoy the music.

For me, there's nothing more fascinating than the combination of jazz and dance. Garth Fagans's Bucket Dance Theatre is a good example of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y32mOnYzOkk

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, that came out in 58, and from that time forward I collected many LP's with Bill Evans as a sideman. My young life was fast and frenetic, consequently I only noticed the most famous players I recognized on an LP. Not too long ago, I was wandering "Who is Bill Evans"? Not realizing how many LP's I owned with him as a sideman. My point in mentioning this is that Bill never called attention to himself, he simply made everyone else's music sound better.

Beyond any shadow of a doubt, Miles greatest talent, was recognizing talent in new musicians.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, initially, Miles played with Monk. Coltrane was unknown when he began with Miles. Mulligan and Miles were equals, while Miles was before Adderly, it's for sure Garland had been around when he played with Miles, but Paul Chambers was young and new. Although this is in regard to what you mentioned, I was referring to groups much later in his career, like with young Tony Williams, and even later when he had very talented musicians who were unknown to me; but at the time you are referring to, all the names you mentioned were jazz giants.

Enjoy the music.

Although I got into this because it was impossible not to, the music was hypnotic, I don't think it would be on my playlist. I would love to have been on that set. That's the difference between live and recorded, when you're on the set, it's out of sight, but not so hot recorded in your listening room.

I saw Miles live when he was into his "fringed vest" attire in the late 60's, at the time he was in his "Bitches Brew" thing, before he had recorded it, and to be honest; although I was a Miles fan, when he came out with this music, I said "What the hell......?"

This reminds me of the contrast between Coltrane live and recorded; you heard the recorded, but the live was different music, almost similar to this when he was playing that straight soprano sax.

Enjoy the music.

When I saw Miles it was right after he had made drastic changes, not only in his music, but in his personal life as well. Betty Mabry, who was more or less "a hippy", was a big influence in his personal life and his music; hence Miles in a fringed raw hide vest.

This was in Chicago, but fortunately I was at that set with a guy from New York (New Yorker's are always hip to everything). He explained that this was Miles new music, but that didn't make it any easier on my ears; of course that would not have mattered to Miles, he knew what he was doing; this was the music of "Bitches Brew" before it was recorded.

That's what happens when you pour wine from a bottle of whiskey. If you taste wine when you expect whiskey, you spit it out. If you taste whiskey when you expect wine, you spit it out. I expected to see the Miles I had come to know and love, not some hippy playing this very different music.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, with a lineup like that, not only are we talking about beautiful vocals, but beautiful music to accompany a lovely lady with a seductive voice; I can just hear Toots harmonica on "Besame Mucho"; that's such an alluring song.

Rok, she's from St. Louis. Although she was born in Mississippi, St. Louis is where she became famous, and her star is on the St. Louis walk of fame. I recall seeing the video on PBS with her and Thomas Dorsey; that was when St. Louis was an entirely different city, it was a good place to live then; but the same thing can be said for most of the cities in this country.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, Frogman, Leersfool;

I had a setback, and things have gone terribly wrong. Just wanted to let you guys know why I havent been posting. I've got a lot of questions and no answers yet.

Enjoy the music.

I'm back! I think. Although I was restricted to the bed attached to a machine, my favorite pastime, enjoying good music was not restricted; that's because the play list on my computer runs non-stop, and the bedroom system is decent.

Since I didn't have a choice as far as what to hear next, I decided to review what ever came up. If you will get in your time machine and set the dial for 1970, provided yours goes back that far, we'll enjoy the hits of O. C. Smith.

"Little Green Apples", takes me back to good times with fun loving people.

http://youtu.be/i5J_FyLg7tc

"Help Me Make It Through The Night". I was in a hotel room on Peach Tree Street in Atlanta, all alone gazing out the window at neon lights, and didn't know a single solitary soul in Atlanta, when this song came on the radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYwf3_EqbY

Our next artist is Eddie Harris. He had the effect of making people get up on a dance floor and shake their "boody's" when they couldn't even dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsHtO_i4qzM

"Theme In Search of A Movie" is one of the most beautiful tunes I can think of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgNum6bqX0I

( While I had a good support team that would get me anything I wanted, I was still in bed hooked up to a machine with my music as the only solace.)

Bean Bags is the CD "Sandra's Blues" is the tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMgwWAaxQQ4

(Remember, I wasn't looking at the CD or LP when I heard these tunes, I had to identify them from memory, and what you're reading, is what I wrote while in bed. These "You tubes" were added after I was able to move around)

Coleman Hawkins is the sax man with "Bags" on vibes, and Kenny Burrel on guitar.

It's absolutely astounding how well a person can hear the music when they no longer have to consider things like, "where will I go, and what shall I do today"?

The first record I ever bought by this next artist just came up on the play list. Right now, I'm listening to her piano; this was when she still had aspirations of becoming a concert pianist. Leersfool, I'm sure that no one can appreciate classical piano more than you, and this aspect of her piano, along with jazz, blues and gospel, can be heard here.

When you get "Nina Simone/ Little Girl Blue", you will be delighted by a young lady who can sing and loves to demonstrate her virtuosity as a musician. On "Love Me Or Leave Me", her piano is reminiscent of Brubeck, but all "Nina Simone".

Now that I'm back, all I have to say about my journey to hell, is that it never should have happened, and that's all I got to say about that.

Rok, Frogman, Leersfool, and Acman3; I hope I've still got the same support team I had when I left; I missed communicating with you guys about the music I love.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, "Besame Mucho" has special meaning for me, it brings back memories of Victoria Gomez in the 6th grade. I sat at the desk behind her, and those long braids that sometimes flowed across my desk. When I heard that song, it caused me to fantasize kissing Victoria Gomez. Although I had never kissed a girl at that time, the lady who wrote the song had never been kissed either when she wrote it; little did I know, we had a lot in common.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, here's a real kicker by Gerry Mulligan's concert jazz band, these cats can blow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLaRvL1wEeQ

Here's Peggy Lee singing that same tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djXwNOrO5zg

Annie Ross is one jazzy chick, this is when "hip" was an everyday way of life; I'm so glad that I lived it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYnmSAtZuB0

Enjoy the music.

Rok, we agree on all counts. Although I have Mulligan on LP, I was wondering if it was the same one, and as far as I can tell it is. I hope the one I have is on CD, because the sonics are excellent. Since Amazon only gives "used" LP, I don't know; but there are also "down loads". Since that's the best cut on the LP, and none of the rest of them quite come up to "I'm Gonna Go Fishin", "down load" isn't a bad idea.

Enjoy the music.

"Paris Texas" is the most depressing music I've ever heard. When, and if I feel like hanging myself, I'll be sure and play "Paris Texas" to make sure I don't change my mind. That's no reflection on Ry Cooder who's all over the map in music; I mean that literally, from Rangoon to Cancun, you'll find "Ry Cooder", he's even all over Africa, Ry get's around. He's even been to E. St. Louis, that Ry guy gets around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=050TIMlpmL0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUTqnmVIHk

Enjoy the music.

Rok, with all of the other jazz musicians I've followed, all of them changed, but in ways I could relate to. Miles was an "enigma", although staying relevant/ popular with the current generation was important to him. While I didn't know Miles personally, I knew his brother, and we both thought the same things about Miles new music; of course this had nothing to do with how much he loved Miles, or how much Miles loved him.

I've got Miles CD's that get played when I can't remember what they sounded like, and they come out of the player as fast as they went in. The last time I saw a live performance of Miles, he looked like Sinbad out of "Arabian Nights". There was an unknown sax player I don't remember but he really sounded good. I was deep into the sax man's solo when Miles blurted in sounding like an ardvark fart. It's for sure he never lost his ability to select the best new talent, but his ego got in the way of the music. He never would have done that when him and Trane were together, although he said Trane played too long.

In regard to his changes, while he lost old audiences, he always gained even bigger new one's, which certainly helped his bottom line; that's what I call "upwards failure". I call em like I see em.

By the way, nobody has mentioned "Quincy Jones"; he's a musician that was always changing, but each change brought about a new and interesting sound, I'm going to get into Quincy next.

Enjoy the music.

Chazro, while we agree that members of his band were the best of the best, Miles and I did not hear music in the same fashion. "All" music is subjective, and Miles new audiences heard what Miles heard with his "new music", but I didn't.

No one would ever attribute Miles career and legendary success to his sidemen, only that his talent for selecting the best sidemen helped his success.

In reality, this debate is more about the subjectivity of music than it is about "Miles Davis"; apparently he realized that and went were those "subjective" dollars were flowing.

Enjoy the music.

Here's "Mission Impossible", I really liked that series. "Bullit" is another cool tune, that guy couldn't miss.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HFakjigeFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WQMZFFkx6Y

Rok, here's Quincy in 1962 on "Soul Bossa Nova". I liked it then and I still like it now. You can follow Quincy from then till now, and his trolley never jumped the tracks of what I call good music, or according to "my taste" in music.

Maybe you can chime in on Quincy's progression through the years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDRBbuDG5a0

Enjoy the music.

Miles old music will never get old, I will enjoy it forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K6spNGZsik

Enjoy the music.

Thank you Frogman, no one could have said it better.

Since Quincy Jones is far too important a musician in so many genres for me to exclusively dominate this thread with his jazz contributions to music, I'm going to let "yall" have it and hope Leersfool comes back and chimes in.

Enjoy the music.

Frogman to the rescue! There is nothing Like cool jazz I haven't heard before. That sax on evening in Paris was too cool. In regard to film scores by Quincy, I forgot about them; keep it up.

Enjoy the music.

"Body Heat" is my favorite CD by Quincy, and since every last cut on this CD is my favorite, I was forced to pick one. "Along Came Betty" was the one I picked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ9Il20bfWI

Enjoy the music.

Leersfool, I remember Julius Watkins on numerous albums as a sideman. Jazz on a French horn was kind of unusual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sy0NcSvSaM

I remember him as a sideman on albums that I can't quite remember; now there's an oxymoron for you.

This is the Star Trek theme song, is that martha flowers?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHhePr0TKfc

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, "Bengal And Beyond", including the sax works for me. Afro Cuban is just another one of the many fusions that work with jazz. On this tune I like the jazzy vocalizing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUFqUur7bZg

Now let us compare "Bengal And Beyond" to the Dave Brubeck Quartet from the album "Jazz Impressions of Eurasia" doing Calcutta Blues. I'm comparing the fusion of jazz with Indian music and how well it works. At the same time I'm illustrating what was done by a master, long before "Bengal And Beyond"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNlHh4FiZo

Enjoy the music.

Rok, you asked me what kind of music I liked besides jazz, well occasionally I get religion and want to go to Saturday Night Church; this is what it's all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9W3PcsjFBo

Enjoy the music.

Rok, how about this religion; it's the same in Africa, Brazil, Haiti, or New Orleans, we talking about drums on fire, this is Babatunde Olatunji.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWeDev0QWLc

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I like crispy fried chicken, and I also like the same kind of classic jazz as you, but I don't want either one of them every day. Here is an artist that rarely tread well worn paths in regard to her jazz, even her instrument of choice, jazz harp was a bit unusual.

Along with Alice Coltrane, Dorothy Ashby extended the popularization of jazz harp past a novelty, showing how the instrument can be utilized seamlessly as much a bebop instrument as the saxophone. Her albums were of the jazz genre, but often moved into R&B, world and other musics, especially on her 1970 album The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby, where she demonstrates her talents on another instrument, the Japanese koto, successfully integrating it into jazz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY8k9sFZNwA

Enjoy the music.

Frogman, I can get in the mood for that, there a time and place for most music; although I'm not going to comment on the time and place for Lisa Fischer's music. This old man has a fantastic imagination Rok.

Enjoy the music.

I've got to go in for minor surgery, but I should be back Monday.

Enjoy the music.

I'm back! Almost anyway; there is no such thing as "minor" surgery, hernia surgery is what I had done, I'm still in pain, but they gave me some good dope, uh pain pills that is.

My son is helping, I write on a note pad and he takes it down types and posts it. Today I'm listening to music that has no genre or category, it's kind of like I feel after taking pain pills, in betwixt and between here and there.

"The Dead Can Dance", and "Enigma" are two groups that move to a different drummers beat. First I'll cover "Enigma"; their music has an incessant beat that draws you into it's world of universal truths, in regard to the sensual aspects of man. Since it's global in nature, maybe you could call it "world music"; but it would certainly be a very sensual and surrealistic world. This page gives you many choices, try them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC_VQ_aXmd0&playnext=1&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CYbse9vUf1vJMdBN78bAl9

Now we go to "Dead Can Dance"; this music is primeval, they use drums that were some of the first ever used, and the sound can take you back to a time before time. Some of this music might still be played by the indigenous people in remote corners of the planet such as South America, or the remotest parts of Africa maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZpXPwmbQvc

Although "Dead Can Dance" had very interesting music, they weren't as consistent as "Enigma" in regard to a signature sound, I liked the primeval best.

As you can see I'm making the best of this time, although pain and recuperating from surgery go together, the good dope they gave me makes the pain go away. (I'm keeping it real).

Since I won't be responding to everybody's posts, you take over Rok.

Enjoy the music.

Today I'm listening to "Dave Pike", Pike's Peak; he's a vibraphonist. Presently I'm enjoying "In a Sentimental Mood". Dave likes to "scat" while he's jammin. Some people find that distracting, but I like it; "Ooh shooby doo bop swello", I can't scat like Dave or Ella, but I have fun.

Each note from Dave's vibes hangs in the air ringing in my ear; now, "give the drummer some", his name is Walter Perkins. Sorry, I never heard of a Walter Perkins, but he can jam. Right now he's doing his thing on "Vierd Blues" by M. Davis. Him and Herbie Lewis on bass are "rompin and stompin". (never heard of a Herbie Lewis either) These cats can jam, that just shows you how many top notch jazz musicians this aficionado has never heard of.

Recuperating from surgery ain't all bad, I'm forced to do what I love to do and nobody can nag me about what I should be doing. Did I tell you about the feel good pills they gave me? "Nope, not for another 4 hours".

"Besame Mucho", that means "Kiss me much", was written by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velazquez, who wrote this before she had ever been kissed, and I fell in love with this song before I ever did any kissing. Me and her got a lot in common. Miles Davis was kissin on Velma Brooks at his birthday party, when his big sister told on him. "As long as he ain't kissin on Junior Quinn" was his father's response. That's the kind of kissing this song is about, and if you stop and think; that's even more romantic than adult kissing. (Frogman and Leersfool created a monster, when they started this "aficionado" going deep into the music)

Herbie Lewis's boss bass intro on this tune, followed by Dave's "vibrasonic" vibes, get into the soul of this music like I've never heard it before; and now Bill Evans melodic piano responds to the rhythm. Bill sounds like he was born playing jazz piano.

Although I've had this CD in my collection for over 15 years, I just discovered Bill Evans was on it. There are several reasons for this; a sale was on at the record store, and I told the sales girl to select the best jazz CD's, and I would pick them up later; consequently I only know how good the music is, and I'm just discovering all of the musicians. When you hear Miles, Monk, or Trane, you know who you're listening to, but Bill is like a cameleon who takes on the color of the music he's playing, and he does it so well that all you can hear is the beautiful music emanating from the key's of his piano everytime he strikes one. I imagine Consuelo Velazquez is looking down from a cloud smiling, and enjoying listening to her music sounding exactly as she intended for it to souund

"Wild Is The Wind" is the last cut on this CD, and the music captures the romantic intensity of the lyrics as sung by Johnny Mathis or Randy Crawford. All of these musicians are so into each song they play, that I feel this is the first time I've heard each one of those old standards. Anytime musicians can make old music sound brand new, that's the highest compliment that I can give them. This is a must have CD in your collection.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I like those parades, can't we have a parade anyway, I can even join the second line; I always wanted to do that.

Rok, I had more fun in Atlanta than in any town I can remember. This is a follow up to my last post about "Nina". These tunes illustrate how great a jazz pianist she was; they give you another aspect of her talents to focus on. Nina gives you two for one, a great vocalist and pianist.

Nina Simone "Good Bait".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPw9YiBXtM

Nina simone "African Mailman".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz0VOq9UuyQ

Nina Simone "Central Park Blues".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne8XQRBm_Gw

Nina Simone "Flo me La".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWX0beegGA0

Enjoy the music.

Rok, I checked Rodrick Dixon singing "This Song For You"; the "soul" was palpable. That word should be reserved exclusively for vocalists like him; I can believe he's really singing this song for the lady he wishes he had back.

Enjoy the music.