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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
 
James Carter -- JC ON THE SET

I only two CDs by Carter.   This one and ''The Real Quiet Storm'.  This is his debut recording.  It does not seem as if he has lived up to the initial hype, but who does.  I enjoyed it.  Everything seems to sound good to me lately.

But,  this is a very good performance.  The group is comprised of younger / modern players.   Carter has been known to leave the  reservation and venture off into that Free stuff.  The notes list him as playing 'Saxes'.  Modern day Roland Kirk?  

When he hits those very low notes, he reminds me of the sounds put out by the spaceship in 'close encounters of a third kind'.  Those aliens could Jam!!

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6m0N9ZHwqU[/url]

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz8cWbFNHUw[/url]

Cheers
frogman
4,637 posts
 
****It does not seem as if he has lived up to the initial hype****

That pretty much sums it up for me re Carter.  A VERY accomplished multireedist who, in spite of his forays "off the reservation" plays with a decidedly "retro" sensibility, especially on tenor.  A very exuberant player with tons of energy.  However, he is one of those players who's playing always makes me say "take it easy, take it easy", and leaves me feeling "so what?".  I respect his ability a great deal, but don't much care for the music.  But, that's just me.  
acman3
2,267 posts
 
Ran across some New York Jazz Quartet today. Sounded really good. Shows there was more than fusion in the 70's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwT3SU3a91g

James Carter; I think as you both said has great talent, but I have trouble following, and this strangely from a guy who is fine with free jazz, What he is doing, He has to much pyrotechnics all at once. 

Frogman, I have been thinking about your discussion of why most jazz is not  fun? What were the points and counter points of your previous discussion? It seems as most art matures it gets more serious. Do we through the discipline of practice, practice ,practice, beat the fun out of learning students? 
acman3
2,267 posts
 
Or is the complexity of the music itself, which I love, the reason for seriousness? Anyway, look forward to any thoughts from anybody on the subject.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Music can be fun and serious at the same time.   What music cannot be, is fun and boring at the same time.

According to my Webster, Boring is an antonym of Fun.  Modern Jazz is Boring.  Why?   Many reasons.   Some, in no particular order:

1) Musicians think that if they can play an instrument, they can play Jazz.   An extension of  "Jazz is anything I say it is". 

2) The idea that you can learn to play Jazz in Music school.  You may improve your skills as a player, may learn theory of improvised playing, but you can't learn the feel for the music.

3) The commonly held belief that art must change with time, and that change is synonymous with better / improvement.

4) The belief that all improvised music is Jazz by definition.  All Jazz may be improvised, but all improvised music is not Jazz.

5) The lack of an authority to define what is and what is not Jazz.  That would be considered politically incorrect.   If it's instrumental, and not R&R, then throw it in the Jazz bin.

BTW, I have been pushing this point of view since this thread began.  But who listens to me?

Good question though.

Cheers












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