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
I have no idea what a comparison between Weather Report and Wynton Marsalis' retro-jazz demonstrates or proves; but, anyway, re the notion that only music from the 50's and 60's painting a picture:

One of the great things about Wynton's LCO is some of the great individual talent in the band. One of the stars of the band is Ted Nash; one of the most talented individuals that I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with. This is his music; and it does precisely the above:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wftP__VvXig
*****I have no idea what a comparison between Weather Report and Wynton Marsalis' retro-jazz demonstrates or proves********

hahahahahhaha Frogman, you are incorrigible man!!

I bet you liked the Marsalis clip better!

Cheers
Rok, you are without a doubt (allowing for the vagaries of the printed word composed on line, of course) one of the most arrogant individuals that I have ever come across. Time and time again I show you the respect that you don't show others, by praising your passion for music while at the same time encouraging you ( and showing you how) to expand your horizons. You lash out, you insult and you posture about a subject about which you have, in the scheme of things, very limited and pedestrian knowledge and understanding; with nary even and occasional "hmmm, I don't quite see it that way, but let me think about it". One would think that offered the opinions of someone who has played music since age five, has spent years studying every aspect of it and has done nothing else professionally for forty years that a person would do at least that. Incredibly, you seem unaware of the path that you leave behind you at every turn, not just in this thread; while continuing to blame everyone except yourself for the garbage left behind. As far as this thread goes, you are, and have been looking at the proverbial gift horse in the face. Unfortunately, your admitted "blocks" apparently go well beyond the subjects of "fusion" and music in general. But, alas, musicians are born-teachers; psychologist is above my pay-grade, in spite of what O-10 may think :-) I may be "incorrigible" by your definition of the word, but man, you are out of your league and don't know it; or just like to keep stirring the pot (Mariah Carrey, Boys2men, seriously?)

Now the Wynton clip: "like it better than the WR". I am tempted to say:
"You're kidding, right?" Obviously, the last several posts have been a complete waste of time; too bad, for you, really. I will not repeat everything that I tried to share before about the pointlessness of that kind of comparison. Nonetheless, some comments about Wynton:

Wynton sounds fabulous; beautiful warm trumpet sound, nice rhythmic feel, and excellent command of the vocabulary of that kind of jazz. Notice I said "sounds"; that is key. Now, some insight about (to quote you) "the finer points of jazz" that may elude the "unwashed masses", and why, at the end of the day, I would much rather listen to others (Louis, Warren Vache) playing that style of music:

Notice how he plays phrases that are not tied together in a way that "tells a story from beginning to end", he doesn't have a "vision" (O-10) of the whole of his improvised composition. He says this, then this, then that. The great players always gave the listener a sense of the big picture of what they were saying; not in spurts. And when they did play "in spurts" they connected it all with the right SILENCE (this was one of miles' calling cards). Notice how little silence there is in his solo; he has to fill up very beat, and there is a sense that he doesn't know quite know to end his solo; when to stop (sound familiar? :-). Good command of vocabulary does not a great author make.
We had been going back and forth about Fusion and Wynton, so this unwashed brain thought, HEY, with the internet and youtube, we can hear them both, almost side by side, and then we can each say which we liked best. And why?

This is not a test, just fun. I thought others might want to weigh in. BTW, You expounded on all the faults of Wynton, but failed to enlighten us on the brilliance of Weather Report. Slight oversight I'm sure. I was hoping our OP and Acman3 and Learsfool would state their preferences. But, no guts no glory.

The first paragraph of your post falls under what the shrinks call 'Projection'. Unless you can provide some when, where and who, I expect a retraction.

***** why, at the end of the day, I would much rather listen to others (Louis, Warren Vache) playing that style of music:******

OK. I have no problem with your personal taste or preferences.

****I will not repeat everything that I tried to share before about the pointlessness of that kind of comparison. Nonetheless, some comments about Wynton:****

Well, how about some comments about Weather Report!!

***Wynton sounds fabulous; beautiful warm trumpet sound, nice rhythmic feel, and excellent command of the vocabulary of that kind of jazz. Notice I said "sounds"; that is key.*****

I agree with your description. Well, 'sound' is the reason for attending concerts. That's what people come to hear, the sounds.

*****Notice how little silence there is in his solo; he has to fill up very beat, and there is a sense that he doesn't know quite know to end his solo; when to stop (sound familiar? :-)*****

I have read a billion reviews in my day. From Stereo Review, All Music Guide, Penguim, Gramophone, Audio Critic, BBC Music, Jazz Times, Downbeat, Internet sites like Amazon and every thing else I can get my hands on, some now defunct. And I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER read where a player did not know how to end a solo. Maybe they blew a little long (coltrane) but this is a first!

And I wonder how many of the paying members of that audience left the hall saying, "he didn't seem to know how to end his solos" or "he didn't connect his dots very well"!! These things are important to YOU. The sound is important to most other people. And after all, it's HIS solo!

Several months ago, I was reading the reviews on Amazon of a piece of Music Composed by LvB, and played by Berlin / Karajan. One of his Symphonies I think.
Everyone ranting and raving. Five stars everywhere. The greatest thing since sliced bread.

EXCEPT, one reviewer. He said the recorded sound was great, the playing was great, BUT, "I am docking it one star, because I don't think Karajan really understands Beethoven"!!!! WTF!! I immediately looked at his name, thinking Furtwangler had arisen. Nope, just Joe Blow from Baltimore.

That is arrogance! Disagreeing with you, is not.

Cheers