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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
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Now that you mention it, Don Ellis hasn't been played; this is boss, I like that driving big band sound, reminds me of Gerry Mulligan's big band.


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-oHEPPiNjY


It's for sure I'm going to have to add Don Ellis, I don't have him. There is so much new (old) music that I want to add; the bottom line is which I like the best, new or old.

I have never heard either one of those tunes, and both are 5 star; live at Monterey is really smoking. The vibe that's surrounding the musicians can make a huge difference; when the crowd gets into the music, the musicians really get energized.
pryso
1,501 posts
 
Yes, good choice.

As I said, I'm not a big fan of big bands.  By necessity too much is written out which takes it further away from jazz in my (non-musician's) opinion.  Still, there are several I do enjoy so I may as well list them.

For the older bands, which for me means going back to the '40s even though what I listen to was recorded since then, I start with Basie and Woody Herman.

Moving forward I listen to Gil Evans, both scoring for Miles and with his own orchestra, Mulligan, Ellis, Monk (only three recordings that I'm aware of but those include arrangements by Hall Overton and really expand on Monk's music), Carla Bley, and George Russell.

Wikipedia defines big bands as those with 10 or more musicians and that's good enough for me.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Anyone know the kind of horn Hugh Masakela is holding?  Very clearly seen at 6:25 and 8:22.  A variant on trumpet?  

Thanks in advance.  

(Please pardon the interruption.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLdWKWu7HKw
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cleeds
2,065 posts
 
ghosthouse
Anyone know the kind of horn Hugh Masakela is holding?  Very clearly seen at 6:25 and 8:22.  A variant on trumpet?
  It's a mellophone.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
@cleeds 

Thanks for that tip, Cleeds.  It got me looking at some non-trumpet/trumpet-looking instruments.  I'm wondering if instead it might be a flugelhorn.  
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