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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
 

I've written so much about Grant Green, and him being from St. Louis; that a person could think we were friends. That's a misconception that I may have unintentionally given. I know as much about Grant Green the person, as you do. He requested to see me at the club where he was appearing because we know some of the same people, and he knew, that I knew, what he wanted to know. When I told him, he told me I was lying, got angry and walked off. Now I can't think of a worse way to meet your idol face to face than that. (when I say my idol, I am referring to his music ) That conversation is moot because it will never be revealed to anyone; but my feelings were really hurt. That's the extent of my acquaintance with Mr. Grant Green.

The reason I mention this is because it might be implied that I have some personal feelings toward Mr. Green that affect my evaluation of his music. Even if I loved Mr. Green like a brother, if he played lousy music, I wouldn't even mention him; but as it happens, his music resonates with my musical psyche. That could have something to do with us being from the same town. Since I haven't ran across any music by Mr. Green that I didn't like, I felt I should clear that up.


Enjoy the music.  
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Today's Listen:

Sonny Rollins -- +3

Where would Jazz be without the Saxophone?  Two of the most impressive Jazz photos on the front and rear covers.  

He seems to play a lot of standards.  Electric bass.  He is old enough to know better.  But even that is not a distraction from this music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynQP8kSUFZ4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpMooHZT2bs 

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

The tone, and timbre of Sonny Rollins "jazz sax", is the most recognizable there is, for me; it's almost like a person speaking. When you hear that voice, you know who it is, and this has gone on through the years. One of the very first albums I bought was Diz, Stitt, and Rollins on the album "Duets".


            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duets_(Dizzy_Gillespie_album)


The album was so good, that it was hard for me to pick out a favorite, but I'm going to pick a cut anyway;



            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8iGRjnb2Ns




Enjoy the music.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Rok, Sonny is fond of playing tunes that are not only standards, but oftentimes very unlikely choices for a jazz rendition.  Here's one of my favorite examples:

http://youtu.be/vGnYd33z0Iw

We've talked about players and singers who play exceptionally "in the pocket"; with exceptional time feel and very inside the beat.  Sonny is on the short list of musicians who have (or had) that quality; alongside Pops, Ray Charles, James Brown, Miles and others.  With Sonny, it's as if the rhythm section plays to HIS time feel instead of the other way around.  Nice clips from "+3", thanks.

Re "Duets":

I'm sure the OP is aware of this detail since he is so intimately familiar with Sonny's "tone and timbre"; but, since the current topic is Sonny Rollins and we certainly wouldn't want to mislead any aspirants to "true aficionado" status, it should be pointed out that the tenor player on the "Con Alma" clip that he posted is not Rollins, it is Stitt.

orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 
Frogman, you've gone mad.  I posted the link to the album that featured  "Diz, Stitt, and Rollins"; that was sufficient enough.  I picked my favorite tune on that particular album with no reference to Rollins on that particular cut; now I didn't know we were playing some kind of game called "Name the sax, on that solo".


Enjoy the music.
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