The subject of slow tempos and playing slowly came up recently in conversation with a friend. Tends to separate the great from the simply good:
https://youtu.be/wsVsUkwvWco
https://youtu.be/wsVsUkwvWco
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.
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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Cant help but wonder what Paul Motion would be doing in this. I do miss him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZascMOE42Tw |
listening to the Paul Motian Band on the ECM label it sounds terrific on my system. Compared to the Stanley Turrentine Cherry recording I mentioned last week. Like night and day. same system same adjustments. This one I really dig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBKk67G5F-8 |
I owe it to this thread, and Andre Previn to post my thoughts on him and his musical abilities. He's clearly not given the credit he deserves as a jazz musician, but many jazz musicians are not given any credit at all, so maybe that's just the disparity in regard to the two different genres; Classical and jazz. I first became acquainted with Mr. Previn's music in the form of "My Fair Lady"; it was "West Coast" cool and hip in a different kind of way. This is as hip as it gets, that cat could jam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCSQlmUnMFs You talking about style; you had to have been there on the set at that time, and seen some slinky long legged chick in black leotards looking like a slinky black cat and moving to this music; those were the days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZKzTMr1M5E Linda Lawson put this into words that fit those times; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA81pRYtEXc May he rest in peace, somewhere as hip and cool as his music. |
And here is a heavenly melody with his beloved London Symphony Orchestra.Perhaps enough have gone before him to play him home .https://youtu.be/tsusR4RTcNU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffcPtDtddgM |
I know there is because I heard him say so .https://youtu.be/l-JX6gtxMwMThis is my favorite Jazz recording of Previn and no. there never be one like him again . |
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https://youtu.be/2BfQUx0OKjY https://youtu.be/J2bCQMj3D9w If only there were a better word than eminent. |
frogman you misread my post above on Redman. His residence at the Bluenote ends on Sunday April 7. Here is the schedule: http://www.bluenotejazz.com/newyork/schedule/index.shtml I plan on going to the Friday April 5 show for Redman at the Bluenote and the Thursday April 11 show for Carter at Birdland as my friend and I have already chosen that date. However, if I can swing it, I will also go to the Tuesday April 9 Carter show at Birdland. |
frogman here are the dates: http://jamescarterlive.com/performances 8:30 pm at Birdland Here is another of my favorite 21st century saxophone players: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X4rkhvvfwc |
pjw, I’m a little confused. You wrote he is at Birdland 4/8-4/12. The date I can make is Mon 4/8. I might be able to make Tues 4/9 depending on the time. The rest of the week is no good for me. What time is the set on Tues? I saw Carter at the Village Vanguard several years ago when he was first causing a bit of commotion on the scene. Played a lot of sopranino and baritone saxophones that night. Very exuberant player. I like him although I can’t say he is a favorite. I haven’t followed his career too closely and would like to catch up and hear where he’s at currently. Please let me know about the dates. Thanks! |
Here is James Carter's version of "Lester Leaps In" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRZminMPYkU And songs 1 and 2 from "Chasin' The Gypsy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_f2xtNtq8I&list=PLnM5osY--pknRn748BD3flsT-I3E_tKls |
frogman The 9 April date is on a Tuesday. I’m definitely going to the Thursday 11 April show as I have prior engagements for that weekend but I may just see him 2x and go on the Tuesday. IMHO, James Carter is someone that every jazz aficionado should see at least once in their lifetime. He was an exceptional player at age 16 when he toured Europe with the International Jazz Band in 1985. 34 years later, having just turned 50 this past January, you could make a strong case that no saxophone player alive can match him on a technical level. My only wish is that he would put out more albums. At the least once every year like modern trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has been doing. I plan on asking him about this and taking more photo's of him and I together at the show. Here is a JC clinic in Mariachi Sax Boutique, Moscow, Russia. His statement about the "timeless jazz standards" was not surprising to me as he has the deepest respect for the musical composition arrangements of the great writers from the 1920’s - 1960’s and the players that made these songs masterpieces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7bcVdgHgcI I have seen Carter play alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone and he has mastered them all. His 1996 album "Conversing with the Elders" is his testament to the standards of the past and the musicians who played them. His 2000 album "Chasin’ The Gypsy pays homage to the great Django Reinhardt. nsp I urge you not to miss out!! |
I must confess that I was so astounded that I looked for clues that they weren’t actually playing, but “playing”along to prerecorded music. Nope, they are playing. Amazing! Better intonation than most college bands. Even more astounding is the well developed tones. Extremely rare for players that young to have that kind of fullness of tone. Those kids have had exceptional training. Disciplined with relaxed and correct posture and embouchure; hallmarks of great training. Pretty incredible. Bet you none take their smartphones to band practice. |
This so TOOOO precious to let go bye .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntwxS9IJp0 Notice any music stands ? |
Haven't been following the thread but saw it in my inbox, more of reading first two pages and last two pages. Main question unrelated to the subject of the thread is how do I find higher quality pressings made for original masters which I can buy new? I have a budget of ~ $100 a month on vinyl and have a small collection which is just now larger than a single storage box. Back on topic, the first I bought after "completing" (yeah, right) my turntable / phono stage around September. Miles Davis - In a Silent Way. Columbia Legacy reissue. I have several others but this is one I go back to often for the low noise floor with tolerable tape hiss while still having an open sound. I'll stop using descriptors regurgitated from memory. |
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frogman, pops plays just plain beautiful . see where Sonny got his elegance ! Think I’ll make a fool of myself again , in last 50 years I’ve heard a lot of pianists . The only one I would place above Gonzalo Rubalcaba is another Latin, Claudio Arrau .They both bring a heavy dose of spirituality to their playing and in a similar manner . And , for whatever reason , Arrau played better in person than on recordings and his recordings are often iconic . P.S all " Autumn Leaves" was originally a French song that Mercer worked over . "Les Feuilles Mortes " . ( The Dead Leaves ) . |
I just had a deep feeling these two are in some manner kindred souls I don’t drink but every Feb.23 I have a champagne in honor of the iconic voice of France. Last Sat.was the 50th anniversary of her death , there was no one like her and none that ever will be . Gonzalo Rubalcaba could comp for Pavorotti , he’d have no trouble lifting the "Little Sparrow" to God . |
Catching up here. Nice clips all. Thanks! pjw, thanks a lot for the invitation. Due to my work schedule the only date I can make is Mon, 4/8. Let me know if that works for you guys; would be great to meet you both. Thanks again. That “Autumn Leaves” by Rubalcaba is pretty amazing, nsp. Mind blowing technician! That was recorded almost twenty years ago and I think he has tamed that incredible exuberance a bit. Always a lot of depth however. Amazing player. I wonder what Chick Corea was thinking while in the audience listening to Rubalcaba. Not common knowledge, but Gonzalo is also a terrific drummer and percussionist. He is the son of pianist Guillermo Rubalcaba a legendary figure in Cuban music. Schubert, Piaf/Rubalcaba; interesting pairing to say the least. This might offer some clues as to what that might have been like. The old man himself accompanying singer Luis Frank; another Cuban music legend. Beautifully suave playing by the senior Rubalcaba: https://youtu.be/Z4MeEz-Q-Mc |
If Gonzalo could have make a recording of this with this soul those two souls together might well have made the rocks cry . https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-sz-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=sz&p=edith+... |
pjw Yes would like to meet for a show. Not sure about J Carter I am not on board with him with him still don't own any of his music. Maybe that live concert you posted will change my mind. Let me know what your plans are. I have a duo album by these two which is really good. This cut is not on it but representative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npayMQZ7Cos |
What’s the date in April, pjw? Re “Sugar”, I have on lp only. It’s been a while since I listened to it. Love Turrentine, but never been a big fan of Creed Taylor’s sonic aesthetic. I do remember that it was a fairly hot sounding recording with very prominent cymbal work. I have to listen to it again. Could be the remastering of your particular reissue. |
We have a winner!! Alto clarinet it is. Lovano is one very talented dude. I’ve posted this before, but worth revisiting: https://youtu.be/YaY1GVeHqKw |
frogman I've listened to the "Mr. Hyde" cut numerous times and always thought it was a BASS clarinet Lovano was playing. Ok maybe it's a cheat as I looked at my cd copy to confirm only to find out it's the ALTO clarinet. What's great about this song is he also plays drums and gongs . Never knew he had that talent!! |
