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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
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

There never has been, nor will there ever be, anyone to compare to "Nina Simone"; she is in a category of "One".

In the beginning, I heard her artistic merit, and her virtuoso on piano; in the end, she conquered with raw power; her voice grabbed, and held you in it's vice.


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow6fQbpUli4



        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PMriloy62o




A song has a life of it's own, the same as any human being; that is, if you can hear into the song and really know what it's about; this song is about; "It ain't over until I say it's over, cause I put a spell on you"

This is three different versions of the same song, and I can hear the essence of the song on all three different versions.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1AE_bCoPSI


In that second version by Nina, the guy on guitar nails the spirit of the song. Since it's "Screaming Jay Hawkins" song, he can do whatever he wants to.










orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

"Dr John memorably described James Booker as "the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced."

Why did so many jazz genius's have to be junkies; it didn't help them to play better, no junkie would ever tell you that lie, but it's common knowledge according to the public.

Even if they were not musicians, they would have still been junkies, but that's another conversation.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 

Nina Simone:

The first 'Spell' was brilliant.   The lush strings, normally a disaster, actually makes this recording.

Notice at 1:55, she sings / scats what the Sax just played.   She going Ella on us?

Great clip.

The other two, not so good.


Cheers

rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 

*****"Dr John memorably described James Booker as "the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced."*****


As we used to say in Mississippi:

It takes one to know one.    we were soooooooooooo cool.

Cheers

orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

I'm going to compare Nina Simone to the most beautiful and best jazz diva's of our time, and I want you to give your opinion.

I have a point to make, but not until after your evaluation.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Y11hwjMNs


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPovfFpX56k


I'm not going to make any comparison, I'll leave that to you. I just posted two versions of feeling good, for you to compare.

Try to pick two versions of the same song; one by Nina, and the other by your favorite diva.


I have a surprise valid point to be made after you have made comparisons and evaluations.


Nina was going downhill toward the end, so picking something at a bad time is a clear foul and wont count.

Lets give ourselves plenty of time for this; tomorrow afternoon sounds like a good time to conclude.
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