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 can't find any place online that says Armstrong said, "if you can't dance to it, it ain't Jazz."   But I have read several times that he said it.   He did say, Bebop was Chinese Jazz.   hahahahahahhahah   This was before we were plagued with Political correctness.

Cheers

Ghosthouse, I take listening to music very seriously; especially when someone has presented some music, it's almost like a gift.

First, I have to get in the right mode; that means shifting out of "Blue Note" jazz to an almost Latin guitar mode. This is a very unusual guitar that refuses to be "pigeonholed", and 3:43 minutes isn't long enough to get a grip on where he's coming from. I liked the heavy bass intro, but after that he took off in a different direction; it was kind of choppy.

I'll have to hear more of Carles Benavent's quartet to make a judgment.


Enjoy the music.



Hello Rok - I wasn't challenging your statement about LA linking jazz and dance...was simply clarifying where my own idea about that had come from.  

O - Yup, the Carles Benavent "Quartet", though heavily flamenco-influenced, relates more to the Baden Powell music you shared than typical Blue Note jazz.  There are other tracks from Quartet on You Tube as you find time to listen.  It took me some time to work my way through the whole recording but I think it is worth the effort.   


Ghosthouse, I listened to Carles extensively, and came to the conclusion that his music was too choppy, it rarely flowed.

Acman is always speaking of making an effort to listen to a new artists music; that's good, but not too much of an effort; especially when there's so much music that's available, made just for you.

If the answer to the bottom line question "Would you buy it" comes up "No", then that's it, game over.


Enjoy the music.
Hello O - Pleased you spent some time with Benavent's Quartet.  Disappointed it did not work for you, never the less, NO PROBLEM.  Glad you gave it a try.  

Funny, I have a little different take on the "would you buy it" question.  There's plenty I don't feel compelled to buy but still enjoy listening to on Spotify (or YouTube).  The buy decision is about the must haves - things I feel are excellent all the way through (not just an isolated track) and keep coming back to; though that's not to say I haven't bought some dogs that a few months later I'm wondering what the heck I thought I was hearing!  :-).  The Benavent was a buy for me.  

You are absolutely right though, way too much great accessible music out there to spend time flagellating.