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
There is often something indescribably right about the way that the composer him/her self delivers a song. Simple, direct and without any pretense nor concern about the listener judging the possibly limited vocal and/or self-accompanying ability. No attempt to jazzifize the song, but to simply let the essence of the song come through. Whether it’s the “best” rendition or not, I always find it very interesting and puts all others in a certain perspective. Beautiful song!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VgQJvNhuiAE

A favorite:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2CwPnp2VCYM
orpheus, I am not quite military type of the person but could not think of anything else that would be quite opposite to the flattering image of the elegant woman with a hat. ; )

However, this subject of women in army opens different subject of my interest. It is the case as rare as woman in army. Or I could be wrong?

Women in jazz.

Not women as singers but women as piano players, trombone players, guitar players, drummers...

You're all welcome to post the suggestion. Thank you.

Neither one of those versions are as good as this; even though Kurt Weill wrote it, he should never try to sing it in public; his version is totally out to lunch.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiIb0TZbLOg


let me post the words again;



Time is so old and love so brief
Love is pure gold and time a thief

Speak low when you speak love
Our summer's day withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low when you speak love
Our moment is swift like ships adrift
Swept apart too soon

Speak low, darling speak low
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon
I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near
Tomorrow is here and always too soon

Time is so old and love so brief
Love is pure gold and time a thief

We're late, darling, we're late
The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon
I wait, oh darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me,
Speak love to me
And soon

Time is so old and love so brief
Love is pure gold and time a thief

We're late, darling, we're late
The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon
I wait, darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me,
Speak love to me
And soon
And soon
Speak low, speak low
Speak low, speak low



That is life; "Love is pure gold and time is a thief"; no time to waste.

"The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon"; no matter how long it lasts, the curtain descends, and everything ends too soon.

The song itself speaks of "urgency"; the race against time. Carmen projects that urgency, while Ella's beautiful voice projects "romanticism"; this song is more about desperation to beat the clock; not a minute to waste, lets get it on and keep it going on until the curtain descends and everything ends.


This is the rare case where the instrumental wins; the urgency in the words are best projected by Sonny Clark and crew; plus the couple listening to the music who know the words and understand the urgency of the situation.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDd_0FuenDc

Orpheus,
 Cal Tjader is an excellent vibraphone player that is often overlooked. My favorite disc of his is the Cal Tjader Stan Getz Sextet. It is from a 1958 recording session and features one of the earliest record dates for bassist Scott La Faro and drummer Billy Higgins. Here are a couple of songs from the session:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALs8bfhB6B0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcI9pl17xm8