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
Definitely some Rollins and more than a little Joe Henderson; along with his own thing, of course.  I remember the first couple of times I heard Lovano.  It was back in the 80s when he was in the section in the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra (previously the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band and currently The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra).  You know, I wasn’t that impressed by his playing.  It was mostly me, and because I was too preoccupied with the post-Coltrane type tenor sound (think Liebman, Grossman and Berg...thanks, acman3) and I couldn’t get next to Joe’s warmer and less edgy sound which is partly a result of his preference for vintage Conn tenors as opposed to the ubiquitous Selmer horns of the Coltrane crowd.  His concept has developed a great deal and I am loving what he does.  

Been thinking about your question re tunes by current artists that should be standards.  Here’s a few that came to mind that I think could be candidates based on the criteria that I mentioned.  They at least lend themselves to be played in a jazz style.  Most tunes have been around for several years and a couple have been done that way already, so time will tell.  Tunes penned by current jazz players are harder to consider since not enough time has passed; although current players do borrow each other’s tunes; Again, time will tell.

NY State Of Mind (Billy Joel)
Black Cow (Steely Dan)
Maxine (Steely Dan)
I Love You Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Help Me (Joni Mitchell)

ghosthouse, very nice!!! Loved the “It’s One Big Party” clip. Thanks for that. Love Peter Erskine!!! What a nice and light feel he has; one of my favorite drummers. Really enjoyed Chuck Manning’s tenor playing. Knew the name but had not heard his playing. It’s interesting to me that while he has a much (!) more modern harmonic concept his tone immediately reminded of Harold Land who was from an entirely different era in jazz; a little dry with just a little edge and never sounding like the horn is about to split at the seams. Land hasn’t gotten much attention here although I think O-10 posted some clips a while back.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NT9LGsVmUnU
Thanks for checking it out, Frogman.  Appreciate the courtesy and always appreciate your thumbnail reviews.  I have a hard time tracking who plays what on that album.  All Music Guide lists multiple drummers, guitarists, etc. but no track by track personnel listing.  I'll take your word on that being Erskine.  The drumming on it is is nicely propulsive without being heavy handed (trademark style, maybe).  The album is worth finding on Spotify or Tidal. Actually, the full thing also available on YouTube. Quite a bit of variety track to track and good sonics from the Cryptogramophone label
I was wrong, ghosthouse, it is not Peter Erskine.  He plays on a different cut.  Still love that drummer though.  Here are the lineups:

https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Music-Of-Eric-Von-Essen-Volume-III/release/5414591
Frogman -
Checked out the Harold Land "Little Street" track you linked to. I do think I can hear the similarity in tone to that of the sax player on that One Big Party track. No screetch in Land’s playing there; not overblowing; nice rich tone.

By the way, is that something of a Coltrane/Giant Steps quote in the opening few measures of One Big Party (starting right at the 7/8 second mark)?
Sounds awfully "familiar".

re your drummer correction - The A. Cline listed is Alex Cline drummer/brother of guitarist Nels Cline. It might be him on that track. Either way, Erskine or Cline, good work.