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 to the rescue! There is nothing Like cool jazz I haven't heard before. That sax on evening in Paris was too cool. In regard to film scores by Quincy, I forgot about them; keep it up.

Enjoy the music.
Apparently Q's having a huge birthday bash in Switzerland. A commemorative show is being prepared. I follow Take 6 on Facebook where they just posted this photo of the set list, looks like a good time!

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p320x320/13231_531178113597660_1469039516_n.jpg

Hope the link works!

"Body Heat" is my favorite CD by Quincy, and since every last cut on this CD is my favorite, I was forced to pick one. "Along Came Betty" was the one I picked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ9Il20bfWI

Enjoy the music.
Hi Orpheus - I was out of town for a few days there. I am actually not familiar with the soundtrack to On Green Dolphin Street. I know that's a Lana Turner film, but I have not actually seen it yet. Now that I know it has a good soundtrack, I will definitely check it out.

Quincy Jones did all kinds of different things. One of my personal favorites is a record on which he did some arrangements of a bunch of jazz standards for Julius Watkins, who was the greatest jazz hornist back in the day. Didn't do too many albums as the feature artist, but was a sideman on a great many albums, including some with Miles (Birth of the Cool being one). One of my friends is actually trying to put a group together to recreate that album in concert, but it hasn't happened yet. When it does, I will definitely participate.

Oops, got off on a tangent there - the album in question is one of those hilarious ones from the 60's, entitled French Horns For My Lady, complete with hilarious drawing of a 60's blonde holding a horn on the cover. Some of the most famous horn players in New York were in a back-up horn quartet on that album, including Gunther Schuller and John Barrows from the classical world. It was on the Philips label. Martha Flowers, of Star Trek theme song fame, does her vocal stylizing on a couple of the tunes. Hilarious arrangements.
Latest Listen:

Harold Land -- A Lazy Afternoon
orch arranged and conducted by Ray Ellis

Some wonderful Tenor Sax playing. No fireworks, just standards played in a very lyrical style.

Normally I think orch(with strings) + jazz soloist = disaster. Bird and Nat Cole come to mind. But this recordinmg is very well done.

Ellis has worked with some of the best jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne etc.... and he arranged for Land exactly as if he were a vocalist.

The orch compliments Land perfectly and never overpowers him.

Land has great tone and articulation. The Frogman and O-10 will love it. I think this is what is known as 'tasteful' playing. He stays true to the standard's melody mostly, but does get in a little improvisation.

You like melodic sax playing? Then you have to check this one out.
The tune lineup is first rate. All well known Jazz standards

Cheers