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
Pnmeyer, what's most astounding about my assessments and recommendations, is the fact that they are making me aware of all the CD's not currently in my collection.

Enjoy the music.

"We", like the music and musicians we admire, are individualistic, and nobody's going to take that away from us. With this thought in mind, I sought a musician we could all agree on, and I think Mr. Gene Ammons meets that criteria. Here are two of my favorites by "Jug", as his friends called him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5E37pMaiw

"Hitting The Jug" and "The Happy Blues"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVu_g_9oFwU&list=AL94UKMTqg-9At3fTg1zCEz7G9SAWVsmO3

Enjoy the music.
Orpheus10, there are exceptions to every rule; as I am sure you would agree. Actually, Art Pepper was one, he seldom practiced. But, as a rule, jazz musicans practice, or practiced, a great deal. If your jazz musician friend is able to do what you describe, I am certain that at some point he put in the hours.

Thanks for the Bobby McFerrin links. Great stuff.
I tried to stop doing my 'reviews', but the public outcry was so great, that I was forced to continue. So, by popular demand, todays listen.

'The Quintet' -- Jazz At Massey Hall

The Quintet consisted of: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach. Therefore, the only comment to be made, is on the sound quality.

The concert was recorded by Gillespie and Roach on their personal tape recorder, so the sound is uneven. No hiss or noise, just not a professional job. Some players seem to fade in and out. Except Dizzy of course. After all, it was his tape machine. This is the concert where Bird played the plastic toy sax. Didn't seem to matter.

One of the highlights was when Bird referred to Dizzy as his 'worthy constituent' during the intro to 'salt peanuts'. There seemed to be bad blood between the two, which they expressed during their solos.

Took place in Toronto. May 1953. Same night as the Marciano / Walcott Championship fight. Affected the attendance.

A must have for any serious 'Real Jazz' fan.

Cheers