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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
schubert
4,867 posts
 
WOW, nothing like a big band !
For those who might not know SWR stands for South West Radio in German , English too come to think of it .One thing that puzzles me about Jazz recordings is they seldom list the arranger, who often is the major element in the recording .
Frogman , I’d be surprised if Kenny D had not played a bit of Bach in his time, what a great player ! I’m going to hit Amazon for him .
frogman
4,637 posts
 
I agree about arranger credits; common and unfortunate oversight (?). Case in point: the Blakey clip that pryso recently posted features a fantastic arrangement by Freddie Hubbard. I don’t think that this is credited on the LP at all. Another example: perhaps a result, in part, of a bygone era when the orchestra leader was often also the de facto arranger, but was credited on the album cover as simply and for example: "Frank Sinatra With Billy May And His Orchestra". As you say the arranger is a major element in the recording; sometimes the major element.

Very astute comment re Kenny Drew Jr. Son of the Kenny Drew he began as a Classical pianist and has indeed performed quite a bit of Bach.

Not exactly definitive but as you point out he certainly understands Bach:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28JU935pF7E
pryso
1,501 posts
 
o10, before you give up on your caravan fantasies, since your open to other than jazz -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bjzuSO27fA

And this one is for travels for the mind, if not the body -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acHvsBEUaH4

schubert and frogman, on the subject of little credited arrangers, I consider what Hall Overton did for Monk's big band remained true to the spirit of the compositions while adding unusual instrumentation to numbers which greatly expanded what was normally heard only in quartet or solo performance.  Great stuff, but then I'm a major Monk fan -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi1159vzI8A
frogman
4,637 posts
 
O-10, perhaps your camels just need a rest.  I know you are not a fan of "Classical", but do like evocative flute playing with an Eastern flavor.  This might get your caravan going again.  Sunrise on the Sahara? :

https://youtu.be/llulYG4OWDI
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Frogman, I just watched you link to Kenny D Jr playing Back and "Stella in Starlight " .
I was immediately shocked at how sick he was and that the venue was the School of Music at the U of MN .
You could tell where his heart was when he slid into "Stella" a most noble
effort by a great musician  just months away from his death.

The School has about 600 students who all have to give recitals , they all all free and 4.7 miles from me !
Even in Summer , in next 5 days there will be 3 major concerts , Brahms Requiem , Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante and a recital from the Baroque
Instrumental Group as part of the 2 week Mpls. Early Music Festival.
School has 2 big bands and 6-7 small jazz ensembles , all this is in
Ted Mann Hall, 1200 seat venue with world-class acoustics .

They don’t call Mpls. the "minni apple" for nothing !
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