Frogman, this is your cup of tea, you could go back and forth on something like this for days on end. I can certainly see how others would get discouraged in watching this "bruha" that is not a productive, or enjoyable discussion about the music. That sounds like a very good reason not to participate in this thread.
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
Frogman, this is your cup of tea, you could go back and forth on something like this for days on end. I can certainly see how others would get discouraged in watching this "bruha" that is not a productive, or enjoyable discussion about the music. That sounds like a very good reason not to participate in this thread. |
The purpose of this thread is to share our best musical experiences, so that we may increase our collections. While it states for "jazz aficionados", meaning those who have spent their entire adult lives listening to, and collecting jazz records, jazz is so ambiguous now, that sharing your best musical experiences is good enough. Acman submitted some reggae by Bob Marley, who was at the top of his game when he left us; since he died doing what he enjoyed most, it wasn't all bad; there are worse ways to go. This is not a thread for debating (arguing about who's the best) Since all music is "subjective", I can say who's the best, but if it doesn't qualify according to your musical ears and taste, it's moot. However, since I have listened to and acquired jazz records all my adult life, I do hope that I have been instrumental in helping you to acquire records (CD's) that increase your enjoyment of the music. I posted some "Bird" that might be too old, or not in the same groove as some tastes, and I'm sincerely curious about that; what did you think of those "Bird" posts? Enjoy the music. |
"Rasta Man Vibrations" and "Natty Dread" were my first two reggae albums, that led me to other artists; it was a real blast. I even went to "Mo Bay"; that's what the islanders call "Montego Bay". It's the second largest city in Jamaica. Believe it or not, Jamaicans are more into jazz than reggae; that's for the tourists. On the radio, you will hear jazz so hip, that you'll think you're in New York; that was a welcome relief because reggae is best in small doses; you don't want to OD. "Natty Dread" gives you a feel for the island, and how most Jamaicans live. Let's hear a couple of songs from that album; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIM-tkNBK-0&list=PLEMVZmX54bvdRnDAOo4ofi4XP48b6SdOF Enjoy the music. |
The tune "I Want To Be a Sideman" submitted by Frogman 09-05-2016 11:23am, caused me to think how a major jazz musician coming through St. Louis wanting to do a gig would pick up sidemen. At that time, there were so many good jazz musicians in St. Louis, that it wasn't a major problem to pick up good sidemen. A good musician who didn't want to leave home, and find his lady done took up with "Jody" and gone when he gets back home, would definitely want to be a "sideman". He would belong to the local, have a book, and have fun in between gigs, without any responsibility; that sounds like my kind of life when I was young, and my only goal in life was to have fun. This is the song I liked; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdOav-Gt6mI Enjoy the music. |
When you buy music from the islands; this is what you hear, the people in the islands like this kind of jazz, they don't care for "stereotypical" music, meaning reggae Jamaica, or the "stereotypical" steel drum Trinidad music, they seem to like what I call Island music, which is a mixture of all the Islands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndcyncj0hMc This is super hip Island music; it's what the people prefer, not what's presented to the tourists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Sk8xdJBUQ Enjoy the music. |
Rok, I'm so glad you asked that question. I went to "Mo Bay" by my lonesome and hooked up with a beautiful Jamaican Lady. That's a No NO, but nobody told me; they chased me and the lady all over the island. I went from one place to the other, but the Jamaicans must have been beating the talking drums on us because no matter where we went, they seemed to be expecting us. I took my lady (not the one I'm married to) to Haiti, but I still managed to talk to one of the locals, she was very skittish about talking to me. (not because of that male female thing but because of the crazy government in Haiti, see "The Comedians") At any rate we talked about music (she was a sales lady at the music store) and I still have the records she recommended; they were similar to what I posted. There is no way I was going to fool around in Haiti, they can do bad things to you, and you wont even know they done done em. Regina Carter just came on the box with that Mississippi violin thing we bought. I didn't play the records until I got home; they're similar to what's posted. Are you sure Pops said that; it seems to me I read that in one of Flannery O' Connor's short stories; she's the best thing to come out of Mississippi; MI crooked letter crooked letter I humpback humpback I; just kidding. Don't stay gone so long. Enjoy the music. |
Moreover, music is not subjective; our reaction to it is (sometimes). For anyone interested in some facts: That sentence is total 100% BS; you are claiming to have some OBJECTIVE handle on music. Even if you had a doctorate in music and a professional musician to boot, you still would not have any kind of objective handle on music. You have proven over the years, that our sense of "aesthetics" is different. Whatever I see as beautiful, you will find fault with it. That's not wrong, nor is it right; it just is. When people's sense of aesthetics are different, especially since you have been to music school; or maybe even teach music sometime, you seem to believe that you have some kind of "objective" handle on music; that's your illusion. Enjoy the music. |
"Cold Duck Time" and "Compared To What" are universally loved in the jazz community, and they were hits from day one. I'm not certain if the tune "Cold Duck Time" refers to a popular wine we were drinking at that time, but I recall guys coming to parties with bottles of it and announcing "It's cold duck time", let the celebration begin. Those were the days my friend, I thought they would never end. The very ground that I partied and had so much fun on, is now the Ghetto, and nobody I know lives there any longer. Since I consider myself a sociologist, that's very important. I'm not changing the subject, music relates to everything, it comes from the people at the time of it's origination. Those were some good times, and you can feel it in the music, they even danced to it. Those changes have occurred in every major city in this country; if you are a concerned citizen of this country, you should be concerned about that. Changes that take a minimum of 30 years, occurred overnight. Now compared to then (1969), should be the title of a song. Enjoy the music. |
Ghosthouse, your links were right on; there was a "Cold Duck Wine" that was popular at that time. I'll go back through that Les McCann link, and do some shopping. Those crowded wet city streets looked like any city around Christmas time. We were having fun big time when "The In Crowd" came out; I even tried to dance. I've got a ton of Ramsey Lewis records; now compared to then makes you want to cry. Enjoy the music. |
Frogman, when I went to find something by Red Garland, this came up. While I'm sure its of interest to you, I just wanted to hear the music. Your comments on this would be appreciated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqc9gsDCJSU Enjoy the music. |
Red Garland did some of his bast work with Miles; here are some of my favorites; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMW3RloxEyA Milestones is another favorite with Red Garland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k94zDsJ-JMU Here is one of my favorite versions of one of my favorite tunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIgLt7LAZF0 Enjoy the music. |
Alex, Red's piano really sparkles in this group. Pepper Adams must be the best sideman in the business; every body seems to want him, I have him playing with more different artists than anyone I can think of. Red is really in a good groove on this album, and I wish they had made more music in this lineup Most important for my collection, is the fact that I am still adding "new" old music thanks to you guys. Enjoy the music. |
As an old aficionado, I appreciate the music so much more now; that's because I hear what each individual artist is contributing to the whole. For example: "A Night In Tunisia" by Lee Morgan; "Moanin" by Mingus; Donald Byrd, "Here Am I"; What do those three boss jams have in common? It's that driving baritone of Pepper Adams, he's one of the best in the business. |
Pryso, I've had so much trouble trying to straighten anything out, that I find it easier to find another way to solve the problem. Type audiogon into google and go to forums, that will get you in every time. When I try to communicate with people about issues, I must be speaking in some unknown tongue, because we never seem to communicate; consequently, I try to find a way around the problem as opposed to solving it. |
Ghosthouse, here's a very good description; A jazz fusion supergroup comprising bassist John Pattatucci, keyboardist T Lavitz, drummer Dave Weckl, electric violinist Jerry Goodman, and guitarists Frank Gambale and Steve Morse. School of the Arts throws everything into the pot: jazz, rock, blues, country, Latin, and classical, but this wide-ranging eclecticism works remarkably well. This is due primarily to the staggering technical expertise of the musicians involved. While there's no shortage of chops (as amply demonstrated on the solo passages on the tunes "On Fire" and "Fairweather Green," for example), there's also an impressive interplay and sympathy, making SCHOOL OF THE ARTS a fusion lover's dream come true. They remind me of Jean Luc Ponty's group in a super groove. Enjoy the music. |
In regard to the bigger questions that have consistently been raised on this thread, such as old jazz VS new jazz, I think each individual will have to answer that question for themselves. With me, it's all music, and the "old stuff" that's locked in a vault, shall remain there; any new music does not necessarily have to fall into a "genre", but can fall into one of two categories; "like", and "don't like". Enjoy the music. |
Most of those 100 albums that shook the world are in my collection; it's a collection that goes back to just before Clifford Brown was killed in an automobile accident, meaning that's when I began to collect jazz LP's. You could not find a better place to start a jazz collection than selecting from that list. Enjoy the music. |
I reviewed some new "new" music, and I bought some of it; now I don't remember what it was, do you? We have been enjoying a stroll down memory lane with Nancy Wilson, and I have no trouble remembering this music, but I can't remember the music I bought not long ago. That tells me something, but what it tells me I'll keep to my self. Now I know I shared this music with you guys, can anyone remember what it was without going back over old posts? Did anyone buy any of the music? |
Nothing is more welcome here than a new aficionado, and you came bringing gifts. Kenny Burrell is one of everybody's favorite guitarists. I will have to get that album, but first I'll have to see if it can be had in vinyl. Your friend Alex always submits fantastic albums that I don't have in my collection, I'm going broke trying to keep up. We will be looking forward to your future submissions. |
This is the perfect late night album; Julie London "Julie is Her Name". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdynmsMomw&list=PLIYC6ekPW5P8QTm_-whNIQV4FVDlQD9be Ages ago when I was having trouble sleeping, for the usual reasons young people had trouble sleeping, I put Julie on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx977XZjtc4&index=2&list=PLIYC6ekPW5P8QTm_-whNIQV4FVDlQD9be This album reminds me of my youth, and if ever I needed that reminder, it's now. |
It's a funny thing that we both have getting stranded stories about the same time in our lives; you didn't take a chance on getting stranded in Detroit (Don't blame you) I got stranded in a small town in Indiana because I stayed too long at a nightclub with a good band. But fortunately for me, there were kind hearted people who let me spend the night at their house. You were trying to get back to college, and I needed to get back to the Air Force Base. Coming that close to seeing a goddess, (absolutely at that time) and just missing her is a very sad story. "June Christy" was another vocalist I liked at about that time; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn8EtaxGJP0 I like the story that song tells; here's another one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENEroxUE7Fc |
Something Cool is a studio album recorded by June Christy in 1953, 1954, and 1955, and featuring Christy singing 11 (in the original release, seven) jazz songs backed by the orchestra of Pete Rugolo. First issued in 1954 as a 10" mono LP, an expanded 12" mono LP was released the following year, with four newly recorded selections added to the track listing. In 1960, Christy and Rugolo re-recorded all 11 selections in stereo, so that a stereo version of Something Cool could be issued. For many years, this re-recorded version of the LP was the only one commercially available. Christy had been associated with "cool" jazz since her vocal work with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the 1940s and early 1950s. As well as launching her career as a solo artist, Something Cool, according to jazz writer John Bush, was responsible for launching a whole cool movement in jazz singing. It was the first of 18 June Christy albums, most of them recorded with the backing of Pete Rugolo. This debut turned out extremely successful, the album reaching the Top 20 album charts in America. I posted this for you to get the time frame for this song. It was a time when people went to the neighborhood lounge, or a movie to cool off in the hot summer; nobody had AC. She was a young lady who just stepped out of her hot apartment to cool off. He was a guy who just dropped in her neighborhood lounge for a drink, and she was sitting next to him. (it was customary to offer a lady a drink if she didn't have one sitting in front of her, and she sat next to you) She was blabbing her dreams to a perfect stranger who just stopped and bought her "Something Cool". This is a very sad song when you perceive it in it's entirety. |
Enough talk, how about some music, how about the smoothest sax ever; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiEAlW8Ry4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NJGx0W0Kt8 |
This song tells a fascinating story; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwFJwvZ_57E I recall as a teenager, walking past the Pershing lounge in Chicago, and seeing Dinah's black Lincoln Continental with the spare on the trunk parked out front. It was the first of a kind; that was in 56, look it up. There were other people admiring the car as well, it was the first one we had ever seen, plus we were hoping to see it's owner, the fabulous "Dinah Washington." |
This guy is the most impressive "new" musician I've heard. Like Lou Rawls, I only needed to hear him one time, and I was sold. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJMY8vbkrEM If only he would get rid of that hat (humor). Everything he does seems so natural. Since I'm more into female vocalists, I don't know when my budget will allow his artistry, but when it does, he will be added to the collection. |
Mary_J0, I'm so glad you're back. What you have selected is an indication of your exquisite taste. A person who is "Jazzy" is synonymous with jazzy music; the way they walk, talk, and dress with a "jazzy" style makes that person jazzy. Strange as it may sound, people who "try" to be jazzy won't succeed; that's because it comes from a feeling within that flows out. I had a friend, who happened to be a professional musician, and he fit the description of a jazzy person. He woke up that way, he went to sleep that way, he dressed, walked and talked that way without even knowing it. I guess it comes from being around jazzy people all the time. I think one can evolve into being a jazzy person, but it doesn't come overnight. Too much effort at being jazzy would come off as phony. Being jazzy must come from within. I've been listening to Gregory Porter while writing this, and there's a good chance I'll buy that album, "Gregory Porter Greatest Hits". |
Mary_jo, you selected my number one "lost love song" sang by anybody. Rok is speaking of a voice that's not "aesthetically" beautiful; like Nancy Wilson's voice for example is aesthetically beautiful. No, my friend was not distant, he enjoyed people; but he was uniquely original with a mind of his own. "Bohemian" might be a better word for you to comprehend "jazzy" as referred to a person. I give you "Bohemia After Dark", which is one of my favorite tunes that depicts "jazzy" people after dark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EwGijmqKc ' |
Well guys, now that we have made a distinction in jazz, called "jazz-jazz", can we make some distinctions in "Blues". I'm not partial to "Delta Blues"; the reason I mention that is because I think we should have a vague definition of everyone's likes and dislikes. While the blues in jazz is often spoke of, it's not well defined; there seems to be some ambiguity when talking about "The Blues"; would anyone care to chime in on that? |
It's too bad Rok is not still around, I considered him the authority in our circle on "The Blues". Ghosthouse, with the Blues, you have to go by what you hear, instead of what you read. Roc said almost all singing Blues is Delta Blues, and he was right, because if you listen, so much of it is the same music with different words. I imagine what you have posted is from some "authority" who probably knows less about the Blues than you. The people most responsible for "Guitar Blues", yelling, howling, screaming, crying blues, could, neither read nor write, and they go way back. If we're going to talk about the blues, we should have a better definition of what we're talking about. Enjoy the music, and I guess that includes, "Da Blues". |
Blues, Jazz, Fusion; what shall it be? You guys decide. Here's a CD by Jean Luc Ponty that vaguely reminded me of "School of the Arts" but this is fusion all the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTC-OjgwLxg&list=PLcsnGklehnTt-jtFIpbkieC60qy9PuSkB I suppose when it came to fusion, "The Mahavishnu Orchestra" was my favorite; https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lila%27s+dance |
Ghosthouse, I go back to the time when I bought the album, and I'm surrounded by the memories of that time when "Mahavishnu" was hot. No, I don't have it on my "playlist"; that's reserved for some of the cuts off the best 100 jazz LP's or similar. Fusion sounds good once in a blue moon but not on a consistent basis. The title "Cosmic Messenger" says it all; we're in outer stellar space or someplace only your imagination can take you. Most good "jazz" is about human beings and things you can relate to; while good fusion is for exercising your tweeters, and imagination. Personally I prefer to get into one zone at a time. Rok, knew cotton fields, juke joints, and the people who made the blues, while others wrote and observed from afar; especially when you're talking about the "Delta Blues". I could always read between the lines of what Rok wrote and that's where the foundation of the blues lies. That's why I proposed a work shop of sorts, to define what the "Blues" is to us individually; otherwise it's quite ambiguous. |