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, rules to live by!
Now, on to the music.  First, thanks for the Les McCann suggestion, @jzzmusician!  Never heard it before, at least, not that I can recall!  Just gave it a listen and it definitely rocks -- not my "favorite," but great listening!  Thanks.
This thread is pretty long, but I haven't seen mention of Lionel Hampton.  I was just listening to Gold Vibes/Silver Vibes last night, and marveled at how great it was and has stood the test of time.  I love the sound of the vibes, and Milt Jackson's work is some of my favorite as well.

As for "new" jazz, one of my favorites is Patricia Barber's Companion.  Small club recording, extremely high quality recording, and features some great stuff.  It is one of my test CD's for testing stereo equipment.  Definitely worth a listen!

I'll just note that despite some amusing banter and sometimes opinionated comments, I have either discovered or re-discovered some phenomenal music through the recommendations on this thread, so thanks, @orpheus10 !

I try to post albums from musicians who are not well known, who either were forgotten, or even worse, never made it in first place. This album is from trio that cut only one album, from 1961. Here are the links. The Trio, Gaylor, Bean, Norris. Hope you will like it .  

[/url]https://youtu.be/vI7FdzzVnKA[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/oyF6tpViecs[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/g46GoV9wIhU[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/6TJfpD4--Fo[/url]

Walter Norris, piano player, continued to make more music, but Bean, guitar player and Gaylor eventually left the scene and stopped playing.
 Billy Bean recorded few albums,as well as leader and as sideman, mostly on west coast. Apperently he left some mark on some famous players too. Here are some links

[url]https://youtu.be/Fr_iLB6t2MU[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/rApGoZQEINg[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/TSAqki6qSWM[/url]

[url]https://youtu.be/68109PNAcW4[/url]



Alex, some of your links aren't coming up, but what does is good. The Trio, Gaylor, Bean, Norris is good; they're new to me, I'll have to get them.

Johnny Pisano & Billy Bean Quintet, with Chico Hamilton "Indian Summer" had a definite West Coast sound; I liked it; I developed an appetite for the West Coast. I think it's an acquired taste.


Although Chico Hamilton and Bud Shank are the only names I recognized, they were all good.




Enjoy the music.
As I am too old to link I won’t, but one of you smarter people need to link up Brad Mehldau Trio, class personified .
Like Basie , Brad doesn’t play more notes than needed.

Renee Rosnes has a new CD dropping in February 2016.


Any other new Jazz releases slated for next month?