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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
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Charles1dad, and THAT is what it is all about. Well said! I would only add that complexity does not necessarily "better" make. There is great beauty in simplicity, subtlety and elegance:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd3AD5484U4&feature=related
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Thanks Frogman, I certainly didn't mean to suggest that complexity is inherently superior but was simply trying to make a distinction between the two styles.You could say Hamptom Hawes or Carl Perkins is simpler than Bud Powell but it doesn't mean less enjoyed.
Regards,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
"When Joanna Loved Me" I have a duet version of that by Frank Morgan and Kenny Burrell, it's just a beautiful song .Appreciate the video clip.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Thanks, Orpheus10, and thanks for the great thread.
pnmeyer
38 posts
 
I play the trumpet, was in my university's Jazz band in the '70s, and out of that experience began to love and explore Jazz. I love the West Coast cool sound. I also have to admit that I often prefer to listen to Paul Desmond over Charlie Parker and Chet Baker over Miles Davis, even though admittedly both Parker and Davis made larger contributions to the development of Jazz. I like Stan Getz's sound more than John Coltrane's. That is not to say that I don't like Coltrane, Davis and Parker (I do quite a bit), just that I like the sounds of the others more. As a trumpet player, I have always admired Chet Baker's sound, phrasing and improvisation. While hardly a technical virtuoso (e.g., he rarely approaches the top register), Chet Baker was able to create such a beautiful sound, almost flute-like, from his instrument. His ability to convey emotion with a sparsity of notes is amazing. His instincts when he improvized was exceptional. You can listen to 20 different recorded versions of one of his songs (e.g., My Funny Valentine) and each one is unique in a creative way. Was he the trailblazer that Miles was?--absolutely not--but both made contributions to Jazz and music in their own ways. I don't think we have to say they are on the same level in order to appreciate both.
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