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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
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Acman3, Brecker! Probably the greatest virtuoso on the tenor saxophone ever; bar none. Love his playing. Fabulous! Interesting take on "Nothing Personal", my favorite tune from one of his best records. High intensity compared to the lighter approach on the record which features Jack DeJohnette and Pat Metheny.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FnZc-wekyFc

Thanks for the Zappa clips. What can one say? Genius use of humor with virtuosity. He was one of a kind. Speaking of rock guitar players:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TEnzdp71U78

The infamous Senate testimony; very interesting and shows the depth of the man’s mind:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hgAF8Vu8G0w

Great Jerry Bergonzi and Bob Mintzer clips too; thanks for those.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hmc6CovMj0


Post removed 
frogman
4,637 posts
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9sn1NidtGU

Check out Christian McBride; incredible! Those guys Metheny and Brecker aren’t too shabby either ☺️ For anyone who hasn’t heard Metheny in a more straight ahead setting this may be a revelation.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Frogman, pleased someone else is liking Jazz Pistols.  I could hear the time signatures were complex/unconventional and appreciate getting the technical details from you.  The interaction between the three musicians is "tightly woven".  

Am not up to speed on all the latest links but did see Acman's mention of Michael Brecker.  It just happens that another recent Spotify Browse/Discover recommendation was for "Steps Ahead" which as it turns out was a '70s fusion project by Mike Mainieri (vibes) that included Michael Brecker and Steve Gadd as well as Eddie Gomez and Don Grolnick.  (Thank you Wikipedia)  Here's a link to the  track "Islands" from the eponymous release.  After it, You Tube brought up another Steps Ahead track, "Safari", from an album called Modern Times.  That sounds pretty good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh1aSZF23mo&ab_channel=TheRealTobobias
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Be sure to check out the last link before your post for some amazing Metheny/Brecker.  Great "Steps Ahead" clip; thanks.  Probably my favorite Jazz-fusion band with an amazing ability to play in different styles, "Steps Ahead" began as simply "Steps" in the late 70's and as the rather informal project for Mike Manieri to feature his compositions.  They had a regular gig at the, now gone,  NYC jazz club "Seventh Ave. South".  After several months of sold out gigs they released their debut live album which is perhaps my favorite of their records:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtcApAVo7q1KfNaC2BrUh2EkCkHwHWwkN

In (I believe) 1980 Peter Erskine replaced Steve Gadd and Elian Elias replaced Don Grolnick.  I posted this at least once before and features a nice version of the tune "Islands" in your clip:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PN8SAAMG8_o

The band has reformed and is currently playing a Steps Ahead Reunion Tour.  Donny McCaslin is a good young tenor player with the impossible job of stepping (😉) into Mike Brecker's shoes (what a sad loss!).  The band sounds good but doesn't have the amazing tightness of the old "Steps Ahead".  On the other hand, Elian Alias sounds fantastic:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjk3pm8g2x0

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