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

Rok, here's a funny story that wasn't at all funny at the time. I wanted to hear some Tibetan music, and there was a festival going on at the art museum in Forest Park that night. I couldn't get the wife to go, so I had to go by myself; it was halfway across the city of St. Louis.

I was just cruising along with some good music in the tape deck, when I noticed that I had been behind the same car for quite awhile. He turned left at the next street, I turned left at the next street. The first thought that came to my mind was "I sure hope he's not one of those paranoid dope dealers".

We both went about 5 miles down this street with me behind him, he turned right, and I breathed a sigh of relief, because I kept straight. The next corner I made a right, and a quick left, only to wind up behind the same car, but now we are going into this huge black dark park, and me and him are the only two souls in the park; that's when giant beads of sweat began to form on my forehead.

These guys shoot first, talk and think later; every time I made a turn in this inky dark park to avoid being behind this guy, he would accidentally make the wrong turn apparently trying to avoid me, and I would still wind up behind him. By now, I'm scared stiff, and hoping he doesn't stop, jump out and start spraying me, and I don't mean with insect repellent. Fortunately, he was as scared as I was, and he floored his car to get out of the park on the next straightaway.

It was all real funny after that, but it certainly wasn't a few minutes before. (that was life in the city a long time ago)
Very good new recording with some names you may recognize. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGImDig88sU

Last years record was on most peoples top 10 list, and quite a few had it number one of 2016. Not very commercial, but truly a great band! I wish I could see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Zd5a5Ink8


I see Acman heard the call, and has risen to the occasion; I'm listen to "Serpine Fire", it has an ECM flavor. (do not compare this to "Jazz Jazz")

I'm listening to this music for what it's worth on it's ground. Since the artists in new jazz are not as well known as those in "old jazz" lets get acquainted; Jack DeJohnette (born August 9, 1942)[1] is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer; jazz fusion, and new-age are the additional genres he favors.

If you listen carefully you will hear "Miles" in this "Serpentine Fire"; that's because he played with Miles for awhile, which means they liked one another's music.

My criticism is that it does not have a clear cut beginning, middle and end.


"Made in Chicago", got a rating of 4 1/2 stars out of 5, which is very high. As I stated previously, Frogman is far more qualified to review "New Jazz" than I am. (where is Frogman) For some reason, music of this nature sounded better in the 80's, when I listened to similar music and artists on this very same label.


Enjoy the music.

Salt water and fresh water are quite different, and few creatures can survive in both; my mind can be either be "Salt water" or "Fresh water", but not both at the same time; "new jazz" is fresh water, and "Old Jazz" or Jazz Jazz, is Salt water.

"I think", that abstract jazz, would be a better term for "new jazz"; that's judging from the two that Acman posted. "Old and New", are far to ambiguous, but here again, we have to call it something. As long as we know what we're talking about, no one will get fined for wrongful terminology.