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
Today's Listen:
Thelonious Monk -- LIVE AT THE JAZZ WORKSHOP (complete)

Monk is in fine form. This could just as easy have been, Charlie Rouse at the Jazz Workshop. A very under recognized player. I think that's often true when a player plays with a legend. Sort of like McCoy with Coltrane.

2-CD set with two problems. First there are 7 tunes that appear on both CD. 'Epistrophy' is played three times. That seems always to be a problem with Monk. Listening to either of the CDs is fine, but if you listen to both at the same session, the sense of sameness prevails..

The second problem is the noise, chatter, from the audience. It's not in support of, or in reaction to the music, it's just people talking as if the man is not even playing. Another great performance 'wasted' on idiots.
Happens a lot in Jazz.

Other than the chatter, the sound is fine. Closely miked. The playing is great. All his 'Hits' are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrDLxJWKcZk&list=PLrR6QlNIqj5m3bTtyAp8gnaKxjmkdE_Bs

Listen to this today also. Sounded so awesome had to post it. Was it Peabo or my Polks?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XMn0U9b2Y

Cheers
A ' LOL ' moment.

Watched an episode of "Foyle's War" on Netflix last night. The plot revolved around Soviet defectors and spies, being tortured by an out of control section of the British Intelligence Service. Late 1940's and Early 1950's England.

Foyle sends an agent to infiltrate the compound and to investigate. He finds one Russian being water-boarded. Another undergoes a mock execution, (pistol not loaded). In the hallway of the cell block is a record player. The music is being piped into all the cells. The camera zooms on the turntable and the subtitle reads "atonal music being played".

Sounded a lot like 'Free' and/or 'Modern' Jazz to me. Wiki confirmed it. I really did laugh out loud.

If water-boarding and mock executions don't work, there is always 'free-Jazz'. No Soviet spy could withstand it.

Cheers
And I would be smiling and wondering; what are they going to try next sex with pretty girls ?