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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Latest Listen:

Nat Adderley Sextet -- AUTUMN LEAVES (live at sweet basil)
Sextet includes two(2) Alto Sax Players. Sonny Fortune and Vincent Herring. I guess it took that many to replace Cannonball.

Only four numbers. They are long, but do not get tiresome. They will hold your attention. The sextet is totally engaged on all the songs. No throwaways, filler or blowing just to be blowing. That is getting to be the highest compliment you can give these days.

All solos are excellent. Well constructed and played. Esp the Saxophones, but I am not so sure about their tone. Seems like they squeak and squawk a bit. But fine playing all around.

Nat does take the lead role (muted) on the title track.(autumn leaves)

Good, but brief, liner notes. Talks about the Adderely brother's Southern roots.(florida) How the church influenced their musical development. I didn't know that, but I always felt it in Cannonball's music.

Although they were Episcopalin, it seems as if they were most influenced by the Baptist church, as a result of just passing by it on sundays and hearing the music within. hahahahahahaha Now, that's INFLUENCE!

All in all an excellent effort. One of Nat's best.
Highly Recommended.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, I've been listening to a CD that I don't even know how it got into my collection, but I like it. Nowhere do I even remember purchasing "Mardra & Reggie Thomas"; but now, her soothing vocals take me places, and even her selection of songs are the one's I like best.

Mardra's vocals are not "seductive", like Nancy Wilson's, or sexy, like Carmen McRae's, or jazzy like Ella Fitzgerald's; her voice is soothing, like one I've heard before, like the girl next door who understood me, and she's singing to me for me. The more I hear Mardra, the more I like her.

Now that this CD has gotten my highest recommendation for a new vocalist, (new to me) it's time for the master reviewer to give it a listen, they have it on Amazon. Tell me what you think.

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
O-10,
Very nice singing. I listened to every snippet and they all were well done. The two songs written by her husband were good also. As you said very nice voice and a good song selection.

I youtubed and googled them. They do a lot of good stuff exposing and teaching young people to Jazz. This in itself is most important thing. He is also a faculty member in the Jazz Studies Dept at Michigan State. Also works with Lincoln Center projects. Impressive. We need more people like this at the grass roots level.

I noticed they are from the St Louis area. Same as Trio Tres Bien. Is St Louis your stomping grounds also?

http://music.msu.edu/faculty/profile/reginald

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Today's Listen:

The Timeless All-Stars -- ESSENCE
The all-stars are: Bobby Hutcherson,(vibes), Harold Land,(ts), Curtis Fuller,(tb), Cedar Walton,(p), Buster Williams (b) and Billy Higgins.(d)

I have had this one for decades. A great CD to use as an introduction to high quality Jazz playing.

Improvisation at it's best. All playing and songs are of the ideal degree of complexity. They grab your interest and hold it.

The Bass player, Buster Williams, is awesome throughout. Very intelligent playing as soloist and in support. I am sure his intonation would even meet the approval of The Frogman.

Most of the tracks were written by members of the group. 'Messina', by Hutcherson, is my favorite. Excellent sound. All digital. No Hiss.

Higly recommended. Check it out.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 
You got it.
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