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
pjw& frogman
I own 2 lps by Sonny Rollins recorded at the Vanguard "A Night at The Village Vanguard" , a single lp and "More From The Vanguard" a double lp.In the liner notes it states that "A Night In Tunisia " was recorded the same evening (nov.3 1957) with a different personnel than W Ware and E Jones. Hence maybe the evening set started with Ware and Jones and when personnel shifted he decided to introduce Bailey and La Roca to the audience.
The double lp (also issued by Blue Note) has one cut "I've Got You Under My Skin" with Bailey and LaRoca as sidemen and it states this cut was recorded at the MATINEE PERFORMANCE on Nov. 3 1957 sunday. The other cuts on the 2-fer with Jones and Ware were recorded at the evening performance.
I also own a cd set" Complete Live At the Village Vabguard " which may have more liner notes but I need to locate it.
Thanks for the info, nsp.  I love these mysteries.  From “Allmusic.com”:

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The recording that resulted documents two shows in the afternoon and evening of November 3, 1957. Rollins employed different bands for the two shows. The afternoon show sported Donald Bailey on bass and Pete (La Roca) Sims on drums and the only contribution to the whole by this band is the opening "Night in Tunisia." The remainder of the recording is all Wilbur Ware on Bass and Elvin Jones on Drums. the recently released rudy Van Gelder Edition is superior to all previous releases of this material. Included here is all of the pre-song banter showing a 27 year old Rollins wowing his crowd. Also, previously edited material is restored and situated in chronologic order
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This from Wiki corroborates the above. Check out the “Track Listing” page:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Night_at_the_Village_Vanguard


Acman, I can't thank you enough for introducing me to "Lisa Simone". The most fortunate thing about that link you presented, was the fact that it gave me the opportunity to see Lisa Simone several times without changing anything. What impressed me most was her "naturalness"; she made no effort to sound like anybody else but "Lisa Simone".

Her bio says she served in the United States Air Force as an engineering assistant; that's a most admiral beginning. After that she became an actress, she was in St. Louis at The Muny in the Summer of 2006 as "Aida". The opening of "The Muny" was an event I looked forward to when I lived in the city.

Lisa Simone is a natural vocalist with a unique individuality that will take her far; other than the name, there is no similarity between her style and her mothers; Lisa Simone is her own woman with a lot of spirit, her vocals was just what I needed to hear, and her inner confidence is just what she needs to succeed.

It takes a lot of confidence to sing with these three woman and hold your own;


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R_Qk1AN5S4


Lisa Simone, Lizz Wright, Dianne Reeves, and Angelique Kidjo; four woman not afraid to display their femininity. "Sweet Thang" was my favorite lady, as sung by Lisa Simone. I had to play that one twice.

The second time around I heard Lizz Wright like I had never heard her before; her voice is dripping with dark chocalate; I've got to get more.

In my last post about Nina Simone, I only focused on her piano; this song encompasses the raw power of "Nina Simone", I could feel her spirit as I listened.


nsp and frogman thank you both for the info on the Rollins Village Vanguard shows.

Pete La Roca is something of an enigma. I have his first solo disc Basra and he was no slouch behind the kit. According to Wiki he left the music business and went to law school:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_La_Roca

Review of Basra from All Music:

It is strange to realize that drummer Pete La Roca only led two albums during the prime years of his career, for this CD reissue of his initial date is a classic. La Roca's three originals ("Basra," which holds one's interest despite staying on one chord throughout, the blues "Candu," and the complex "Tears Come From Heaven") are stimulating but it is the other three songs that really bring out the best playing in the quartet (which is comprised of tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Steve Kuhn, and bassist Steve Swallow in addition to La Roca). "Malaguena" is given a great deal of passion, Swallow's "Eiderdown" (heard in its initial recording) receives definitive treatment, and the ballad "Lazy Afternoon" is both haunting and very memorable; Henderson's tone perfectly fits that piece. 

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pete-la-roca-mn0000840710/discography