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

This was the album everybody bought when it came out. Mr. PC is boss on this album.

To make a living, Eunice Waymon changed her name to "Nina Simone". The change related to her need to disguise herself from family members, having chosen to play "the devil's music" or "cocktail piano" at a nightclub in Atlantic City. She was told in the nightclub that she would have to sing to her own accompaniment, which effectively launched her career as a jazz vocalist.

Nina Simone's early albums gave us two for one; we are getting an accomplished jazz pianist plus a unique female vocalist. Since it was singing that payed the bills, I'm not sure she maintained her pianist skills to the end; Frogman, the professional musician will have to answer that question.

I recognized her skill as a jazz pianist from the beginning; while I have these works on CD, I'm not sure you can get them on vinyl because they're primarily the early albums.

"Nina at Newport" is one of them; besides the vocals like "Porgy", you get instrumentals like
"Flo Me La" and "Nina's Blues"


                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24XaKqEeGk4


                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeMfDflHM1E



Can you imagine, Milt Hinton, Herbie Mann, Kai winding & J. J. Johnson as side men backing up a female vocalist? That's when you can count on me to listen intently to the music;


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8eP6WG0aDY


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmj-856HCGU


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_karS6dakeA


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM30-bScuvA