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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
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Excellent observation re big bands and absolutely true. It's hard to imagine the sound of the Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis big band originating in LA; or that of the Terry Gibbs big band in NY.
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Every thing good in USA started either in New York or Minnesota.
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, besides the divas we know very well, here's somebody I like a lot, "Lorez Alexandria"; I can feel that she has lived the songs she sings. For example "The End of a Love Affair"; I've got a version she sang juxtaposed against a version by the Wes Montgomery Trio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdd2Byfr8gk

Now here's Wes Montgomery's instrumental;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF78KBsilXg

Does the vocal help you understand the instrumental, or does the instrumental go deeper into the emotions of the the vocal?

My favorite by Lorez is "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise";

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR17dx1GYC0

This is the MJQ doing the same tune;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crCxefHCLJA

When you juxtapose the vocal against the instrumental, you plumb the full meaning and emotional depth of the tune.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

"West Coast" jazz is a sub genre of "Cool Jazz", and so far has not been clearly defined. Although this is unimportant in the big scheme of things, it's important to me, because I was a fan of this genre. Since the records in my collection are "gone with the wind", I certainly can't find anything there.

I recall Chico Hamilton as being my favorite artist who consistently played west coast jazz at that time. I believe his "Blue Sands" is a good example of that genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW9ZvqdLlUE

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Very interesting question. I think the instrument players will win out in most cases. Ella being a possible exception.

Of the two tunes you posted, I preferred the instrumental versions in both cases. I didn't think Lorez brought the required amount of passion to her performances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softly,_as_in_a_Morning_Sunrise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPzi99xOCM

I also think Billie did a much better job on Love Affair. She captured the feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxSldEPISwo

The Wes clip was good, but I found it a little too long. They could have stopped long before they did. Didn't keep my attention.

The MJQ clip was, MJQ!! Have they ever been less than great??

Interesting comparison. Thanks.

Cheers
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