2. music
  3. 1361722327

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
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
261 posts
 
I kinda feel like I might be buttin in here, but hey do you guys think Spyro Gyra is jazz. I'm not sure myself and don't think it is to some. But I was just listening to Morning Dance and am pretty surprisingly impressed with the production, it's very very good. I don't think it it's because of that reason although it doesn't hurt, but I find myself really enjoying it, immensely in fact. Not having a broad base of their material, but prior to listening to it I lumped them with say Kenny G. and the smooth jazz you hear in the dentists office or something. 
Sooo, what do you jazz heads say. It won't make any diff. If it's not considered on par with other serious or real artists mentioned in this thread as its a killer listen musically as well ime. I almost listed this in another post as an artist I was surprised I like, mainly from the aforementioned smooth jazz connotation I had in my brain. Maybe I should give the G a half a chance. : ) so yeah I'm just curious is this jazz to the afficionados and what do musicians of you are one look at this. Thanks
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
fourwinds - I think rok, arbiter of all that is good and true jazz, is the one to look to for an authoritative answer about SpyroGyra.

rok - be gentle if you are able.

Me? I’m a jazz aficionado dilettante and not qualified to have an independent O-pinion as I’m sure the R man will confirm. I do think if you like ’em or even just that one piece, it’s all that really matters. FWIW - I had the same impression as you that they were purveyors of shallow, vacuous smooth jazz. A musical accompaniment for novocaine, if you will. I freely admit that might be unfair based solely on a subjective assessment derived from limited exposure, personal bias, prejudice, intolerance and bandwidth receptivity narrower than a keyhole. BUT - I think I might be in some good company here!! On the other hand, I will have to check out Morning Dance. Thanks for the recommendation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVDZ5UY_oDw&ab_channel=AmherstRecords

orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

"Spyro Gyra", Morning Dance has been in my collection since it came out; as a matter of fact, I only have it on record.

Whether or not it's jazz doesn't really matter; it's a lot better than some current music that is considered jazz.


Enjoy the music.
fourwnds's avatar
fourwnds
261 posts
 
Orpheus 10, I have the record as well and I'm pretty sure it's an original pressing. It was giving to me as a gift by a well intentioned family member who got it from a store I think is called Urban Outfitters selling "curated used vinyl" Good vinyl is where you find it I suppose but not my first consideration. But hey I shop at thrift stores. 

Ghost,
your funny, narrow bandwidth, guilty as well, but I try.  In my case it's the old router itself or modem or whichever it is that can't keep up. Thing is I'm okay with it. I'm not looking to impress nobody with my sophistication or lack there of. 

Im gonna go out on a limb and say it's a better record, or at least deserves the same cache, that two other records that bookended Morning Dance, and put out by another pop jazz group. Both of which get mentioned quite a bit for sonics and perfectly other legitimate reasons to my ears as well. I'm referring to Aja and Gaucho. 


frogman
4,637 posts
 
Alex, fantastic post featuring the clarinet!  That Tatum/DeFranco record has been one of my desert island records for a long time.  Incredible level of artistry and style with a kind of musical innosence and elegance that was partly lost as jazz became more "serious" and "edgy".  Love that style of playing.  The Tony Scott/Bill Evans was new to me.  Very nice.  Very appropriate to bring up Barney Bigard; a good chronological place to start when looking at jazz clarinet.  Classic Barney Bigard:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FS92-mCewJ4

The great Jimmy Hamilton replaced Bigard in Duke's band with a more developed clarinet tone.  My favorite of the clarinet players from that era:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL1gmh6xxFkfg63G__TZ8efK4CVpgeOc3r&v=_0OLAvrIOdI

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL1gmh6xxFkfg63G__TZ8efK4CVpgeOc3r&params=EAEYATgBSAFYJGILXzBPT...

If the clarinet is sadly not always considered the "hippest" instrument in jazz, how about clarinet with accordion 😊.  Love this record for its "fun" factor:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IEXqtpzQ9bk

My favorite current clarinetist playing in a more traditional style.  Fantastic clarinet player with a gorgeous clarinet tone:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Elafx3b6GK0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rnf14fuZ9L0







More to discover