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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
alexatpos
500 posts
 
Speaking of french (now I read that he is Belgian, hope nobody will be offended) guitarists, Rene Thomas came to my mind. Here are couple of links of albums that I have, hope you will find it intersting. This one is with Stan Getz, its been said that was recorded as a one time meeting, from 1971.album 'Dynasty'.....here is the link
/youtu.be/MWcRtztr35A

One more album, this time Rene Thomas Quintet
https://youtu.be/O35l1eeWKmk

Another one, much earlier recorded, John Lewis with Sasha Distel on guitar,album is called 'Afternoon in Paris'
https://youtu.be/9yufrYCYJNc


rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Julius Watkins:

Learsfool, I like his albums, but I am not sure how much playing French Horn adds to the effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V208GIEE85Q

Seems like you would get a similar sound / effect from trombone, and it's a lot more nimble.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Alex, you're absolutely correct on that "Pike's Peak" album. Rok and I concurred that those other albums were real nice, just not outstanding. When you mentioned French and Belgium, that reminded me of Hercule Periot, the famous detective, who was always having to correct people that he was Belgium, and not French. It seems Rene Thomas is Belgium also. I really like that clip, I'll have to find and add it to my collection. I'm glad I can always come back to your post. That organ added a different touch that I liked.

"Bags Groove" had two musicians that are new to me; Sacha Distel on guitar, and Barney Wilen on tenor sax, they both sounded good, and Kenny Clark on drums kept it altogether. You have a very nice collection. Thanks for the fine posts.





Enjoy the music
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, I've been comparing "Mary Lou Williams" to "Bird". Not to "Bird" personally but to his era and beyond. One of the reasons I'm doing this is because I was so late in discovering Mary Lou. Since she came from the swing era, I assumed her music would reflect that fact; Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Earl 'Fatha' Hines, and Duke Ellington. As famous as those people are, they are not my cup of tea; more my parents cup of tea. That's why I define music "Before Bird", and After Bird; BB and AB. "Bird" revolutionized jazz, and that's an undeniable fact.

My point is that Mary Lou Williams was so advanced that her music is more akin to Birds music than to the swing era. Let's compare her "It ain't Necessarily So" with Miles take on the same tune.



                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4THBVc47ug



Although she came from the swing era, this is as hip as it gets. She's got just the right touch. Next the same tune by Miles


                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-EgyUcHSSQ



Before we discovered Mary Lou Williams, I thought Miles's was the hippest version of that tune, but now I'm not so sure.

Any way you look at it, she was incredibly advanced, and I still can't figure why I'm so late in discovering her.



Enjoy the music.
alexatpos
500 posts
 
Orpheous, check this Barney Wilen live album from 1959.Try to guess who is trumpet player, but before looking....

https://youtu.be/HQneEHGojKU

From later years, with Mal Waldron...
https://youtu.be/VSFCi4SGxl8
More to discover