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.
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Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges -- SIDE BY SIDE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NgvXbwi4lI The liner notes in the booklet are just as fascinating as the music itself. Gives good insight into the workings of the Ellington Band. Clark Terry who was a band member for 8 years, said the only rehearsals he could recall were for new material prior to recording sessions. Stop smiling O-10. The reason for this was the gifted players in the Band, and the many years they had played together. *****A lot of the music was never committed fully and accurately to score paper. A case in point was the experience of saxophonist bill Perkins, who was booked to take part in an Ellington Tribute concert at which he would play the baritone. "I looked forward to playing those marvelous Harry Carney parts", remarked Perkins prior to the first rehearsal, only to find out later that they did not exist. At best, Ellington's musicians would be provided with just skeletal scores, little more than a melody line.......*** I don't quite understand all that, but it seems like you had to be ready to play with Ellington. Listen to the entire LP. Great stuff. Cheers |
How about a change of pace with some swinging female vocals; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-QpUr-A_BA Karrin Allyson, "No Moon At All"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWdgG7TJl7Y |
Another favorite recording of Ellingtons, Soul Call. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgdQO-o5Ykw Pryso, How about you play some favorite Basie? Also, I am thinking, not very well, about your question from last night. I will respond if my brain is able to pull something up. |
Part of the genius of Duke Ellington was the way his music was able to paint a picture or tell a story; not unlike the idea behind the “tone poems” of some of the great Classical composers. Very evocative music which demanded listening in a way that was different from that for the more visceral music of other jazz composers/leaders. Great quote, Alex; pretty funny. **** However prior to discovering this post I never would have called myself an "aficionado" anyway. ;^) **** pryso, for some reason for me the word “aficionado” has always conjured up an image of Hugh Heffner smoking a pipe and wearing a silk robe while saying “Yeah, baby” 😎 Very interesting topic, “rediscovered” records. Oliver Nelson’s “BATAT” was the very first recording that I mentioned in my very first post on this thread. Wonderful and classic record. Great and very interesting choice of personnel on the record which was discussed a couple of times subsequently in the context of a discussion about arrangers. Nelson was, of course, one of the best. On that record’s title cut is quite possibly my favorite Freddie Hubbard solo on record; great example of thematic development in a solo and swinging like mad. However, I am not sure that this record would qualify for “rediscovered” as I think is what you mean and was certainly never forgotten by jazz fans in general. This record has consistently placed on “must have” lists pretty much since its release. In more direct answer to your question I think that the difference is that records like KOB and Time Out (to a lesser extent) were records that influenced the direction of jazz whereas BATAT, excellent as it was, was not a “milestone” recording. KOB and TO set a pretty high bar in that regard. Again, a very interesting topic worth exploring. Here’s my first nominee for classic “rediscovered” recording. This record created quite a stir when first released and seemed to be forgotten for a while and then got a lot of renewed attention over the last few years. One of my favorites: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IwOIVQVVhwg https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQNsuzMXiQ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_vVHT-wSLik |
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