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
Acman, thanks, glad you like it. 
When it comes to music sources, I am kind of old fashioned, like to hold my albums in the hand. Not using pc audio of any kind, but I am aware that due to limited size of market for jazz, there is possibility that some music will never again be reissued on physical medium, which is pity.

One more from west coast, available on cd...(I might posted it before)

Bud Shank and Bob Cooper 'Blowin Country' from 1958.

https://youtu.be/FHq5XfHzEmo

https://youtu.be/yTk6NRSEQRw



Another one bites the dust.

Another American institution slides into vulgar mediocrity.

This prize has been awarded since 1943.  Most have been won by Classical artist.   A few Jazz notables would be Ornette Coleman, Wynton Marsalis and Henry Threadgill.    There may be a few others.

None of them my cup of tea, save Wynton.   But tea has nothing to do with it.

Now take a moment and think.  Of all  the Pop artist that have come and gone since 1943, that did not win this prize, why this guy?

Any great albums produced since 1943? 

KOB?  Thriller?  Ray Charles' Modern sounds of Country and Western Music.  Ellington?   Monk?   Armstrong?   Parker / Gillespie?  all the great Rock groups, Motown,   the list goes on and on.

Game changers.

So now we have a Pulitzer  winner with a Parental Advisory on the cover.

They said it represents the 'complexity' of African-American life.  I wonder how many Black people were on the panel that made this decision.

Ain't progress grand?

Cheers

alex, thanks for your posts with links to that classic west coast jazz.  How apropos, or at least coincidental.  My favored local jazz station I've mentioned before, KSDS FM, is currently running a pledge drive.  As usual they are offering some premium gifts to subscribers.  One of those was a boxed set of 16 west coast albums (on 10 CDs) which included Perkins, Shank, Cooper, Shorty Rodgers, etc.  To generate interest they played several numbers featuring those artists.  I sort of remember Perkins from my entry into jazz but honestly had forgotten about him over the ensuing decades.  I love his tone so great to hear more of that.

@rok2id - Yup, no different than white  Oscar winners of movies for Mature Audiences. Dude what is your point? Art is art, let the world enjoy all genres of music and most importantly all artist should have the right to paint their expressions of life the way they see fit. I'm so glad I live in a world that I get more than 31 flavors of music. My aunt is a famous jazz singer and I'm so glad that she can travel across the world and feel the love and admiration from all. Further-more that she has had the opportunity to work with great artist across all music genres.

Cheers

frogman
I agree with you on H Hancoc k.  I give him the nod over C Corea due to his body of wor k on Blue Note, his tenure withMile's groundbreaking sixties quintet and his contribution to jazz fusion in seventies.I was introduced to RTF'S music first by a friend, bought one  lp but after hearing "Thrust" & "Headhunters" I bought everything of Hanc ock's 70's output. I remember his music getting a lot of radio airplay at the time.Chick brings a very distinctive , instantly recognizable sound to both acoustic and electric piano. I prefer Hanc ock's lighter touch. 
Both are top jazz musicians and bandleaders .
I think it's a crime that Herb ie did not win a grammy until 1983 and his first was for "Rockit" , a song that sold well with mass appeal.He should have received his 1st for something he di d in jazz but since jazz do esn't appeal to the mass public it didn't happen.