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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
 
***** This is the third time I have posted this and don't know if anyone has watched it.******

Then I have watched it three times.   Funny guy.  He does give insight into the professional musicians life.  Esp when times are tough.

"I have his wife, not his damn horn!!  Priceless.

He should be given the "Courage In Jazz Award" for standing down Mingus.   That could have been a serious 'ruckus'.Mingus beat up a few of his band mates and was said to carry a gun.  Not a guy to mess with.   But I can picture the scene. :)

Thanks for the third time.

Cheers
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Agree about the album covers.  Funny how a producer's vision may be so different from the player's; but some artists don't want to be bothered with things like cover art.  But a cute white dog.....?!

One of the best things in that whole clip (besides the playing) is the comment he makes when talking about which pop records he agreed to play on, and is such a great testament to his integrity as an artist.  He could have taken every (very lucrative) solo recording gig offered or taken the attitude that he wouldn't play on ANY "pop" recordings; but instead chose to play on the ones that he "could contribute to".  

With Quincy's band in the 60's.  A little "inside" info:  in spite of how incredible he sounds, one can tell he's not happy with his reed (he talks about reeds in the masterclass clip).  Notice how he wipes the reed at one point during the solo and as he takes his bow.  He was a perfectionist and is pissed that the reed is "chirping".  But, still sounds amazing.  He improvised like the composer that he was.  He had an uncanny ability to take a little melodic nugget and develop it and alter it in a very logical way while fitting the harmony of the tune beautifully to create a solo that could stand on its own as a composition, not just a bunch of notes.  Beautiful stuff!

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PRyP5tIMR_E[/URL]

This one's for O-10:

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLyHn3f7-9IUKfAC42v36Z5j0Nfodfe-LX&v=Zp3Nv33IHZ0[/URL]




rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
The Samson theme was wonderful.  I remember seeing the movie a few centuries ago.  I was a little kid punching tickets in the theater.  Will never forget him bringing the Temple down!  

I hear a lot of talk about his Billy Joel  solo.  I will have to search it out.

The Quincy clip seemed sort of bland.  Not the playing, but the visual effect / body language.  Almost like it was a recital.   Is it possible that Jazz is sometimes better just heard and not seen?

Thanks for the clips and info. 

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Today's message from Jazz Heaven.

Eric Dolphy -- OUTWARD BOUND

  And to think,  at one time  I considered this awesome great, a semi-noise maker.  Stereo Review disagreed, so I bought him anyway.   Another one I grew into.   Looking back, I sometimes cringe at myself.   I put his LPs right next to Burroughs' book, "Naked Lunch", on a Shelf labeled, 'Try again in a few years'. :)

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y8b1HAYEdU[/url]

He died at 36, of a diabetic Coma, in Berlin.   Another reason to stay out of Europe.   People don't die of diabetes at 36.

What could be the possible significance of a title like '245' ?

Gotta mention Hubbard.  Another great loss.  This is as much his album as it is Eric's

Cheers
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Great post.  That's the whole idea; some music is challenging but very worthwhile and takes time to "get". 

****And to think, at one time I considered this awesome great, a semi-noise maker.****

Heh, heh, heh! ☺️

245:

Actually, 2,4,5; and, even more accurately, II, IV, V in music nomenclature.  It refers to a common chord progression in jazz.  For example, in the key of C major the scale consists of C, D, E, F, G, A, B.  C is 1, D is 2, E is 3, etc.  The chord progression 245 is a chord progression consisting of a D (2) chord, an F (4) chord and a G (5) chord.   Great record, btw.

Hubbard was a truly a great loss; as was Dolphy.  If I had to pick one trumpet solo as the greatest ever (a silly notion, but still...) it would have to be his solo on Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" from "The Blues And The Abstract Truth".  Coincidentally, (maybe not coincidentally) Dolphy is on this recording as well.

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLcJnGPHSdzd9HgCBYpZ7TAHQZg4v2Z9rX&v=I777BcgQL9o[/URL]

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