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'm concerned about homelessness today;

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFcSVOU1CRM

I once worked (without pay) for the homeless in my city; that was in the 80's when the problem was no where near what it is today. The vast majority suffered from mental problems, or they were winos. Very few of what you would call average normal people were homeless.

One woman who had a degree that commanded a high salary wound up homeless as a result of health problems. There was no way she was ever going to get hired if she put on her application that she lived in a homeless shelter; we had to give her a new place to live.

We devised a plan (the head of this shelter was very influential); we gave this lady a phone number (thanks to the phone company) that would give her address as the ritzy suburbs. That number rang at the shelter; which means she also had an answering service.

Since she was healthy when we devised this plan, in no time at all she was back at work earning the high salary she was qualified for. Had we not devised that plan, the woman could still be homeless, and gone wacky in the head; the two go together.

When I think of Blue Mitchel, I think of Horace Silver; that might be the only Blue Mitchel, I have, but it's boss.

What you submitted sure sounds good, him and Junior Cook have been blowing together for so long they can read one another's musical mind.


Blue Mitchell - trumpet
Junior Cook - tenor saxophone
Chick Corea - piano
Gene Taylor - bass
Al Foster - drums


That's another album I'll have to put on my order list.
Something a bit newer (a 2006 release) and from Italy...so yeah, Italian Jazz (hope that don’t make anyone’s head explode; or maybe I do). A trio that does hold my interest.  Sonics on this recording are very good.  Love the "equal time" (i.e., prominence) given to the bass player.  

Track 2 from Meltemi by Alboran Trio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkcQWPdVQno

Review in All About Jazz
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/meltemi-alboran-trio-act-music-review-by-chris-may.php

@rok2id - John Mayall’s "Jazz Blues Fusion" might be of interest to you (in the unlikely event you don’t already know it) if only because of Blue Mitchell’s participation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW_5_RcPubY


My Blue Michell (as a leader) picks....

'Out of the Blue', from 1959. with Golson and Kelly

https://youtu.be/cPilE8TeGu4

'Blue's moods' from 1960.
https://youtu.be/6026xPnrl7I

Believe it or not, but the Italians 'dig' jazz and have great scene,together with some established artists. Maybe a new topic?