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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
 
Senor Blues:

This has been posted before, but it's just so wonderful.  Love all the solos.  esp the Trumpet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4BC3vErvpc

Arranged by Carlos Henriquez.  Could he be the heir apparent at Lincoln Center?  His arrangements seem to be featured often.

Cheers
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Other versions of "Step Lightly"; great tune written by Joe Henderson.  This one is more uptempo than Hutcherson's and as a result has a little less of the very relaxed and introspective KOB vibe.  It too wasn't relesed for years after it was recorded (1963), it was nevertheless released much sooner (1980).  Blue Mitchell sounds fabulous!:  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WUmG-7G20eE

The composer himself leading his big band on an arrangement of the tune.  Notice that the tempo is more relaxed and closer to the tempo on the Hutcherson version, but still not quite as relaxed.  Right in between the tempos of the other two versions.  As is often said, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L6HfJLltdQg

For anyone interested, the Hutcherson version clocks in @ 114 bpm on the metronome, the Mitchell @ 118 and the Henderson @ 116 (right in the middle).  May seem like small differences, but they can completely change the vibe of a performance.
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Big Joe Henderson -he has many, many great albums.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
A little while ago, the question was asked whether the comments and facial expressions of approval by players directed at a soloist are sincere. In the case of JALC (and most others) they absolutely are. Even more so, there is no better sign of approval as when a soloist "picks up" where the previous soloist "left off". Notice how on "Señor Blues", Rampkin (trumpet) starts his solo (@ 4:17) with EXACTLY the same musical figure as the one that Goines (sop sax) ends his solo with, and then develops his solo with that melodic idea; classic motivic development improvisation. This may seem "academic", but is what great jazz players do; always listening and reacting to what goes on around them. Great band, great tune and nice arrangement (although I think Ted Nash is the best arranger in the band).

Heir apparent? Maybe. Can’t imagine JALC without Wynton who is not that much older than most of those guys ’though, and I’m sure LC would do anything to keep him.

Speaking of Joe Henderson, the second tune on the clip is Joe's tune "Recorda me", arranged by Ted Nash.  Amazing amount of talent in that band.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
***** Rampkin (trumpet) starts his solo (@ 4:17) with EXACTLY the same musical figure as the one that Goines (sop sax) ends his solo with, and then develops his solo with that melodic idea; classic motivic development improvisation. *****

Listened again, had to laugh out loud.  Great info. I love it when you provide this type of insight.

Cheers
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