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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
acman3
2,267 posts
 
I personally always felt it was up to the listener to work harder to understand what the musician was trying to say. Most the time I was rewarded by my persistence, but sometimes I still don't get it. Still feel it was my lack of knowledge or effort or both which didn't allow me to understand the music.

Unless, of course, it was Crap!   :)



Most of the time we look for beauty or music that has a high level of skill. J. Coltrane's pure emotion is just to much to take, especially as we get older and lose our testosterone, But there is great beauty in the raw fierceness in which he plays, and as far as skill, I don't believe he had an equal.

I remember a critic saying Coltrane sounded like a big man in a small box, when he played with Miles. He finally got where he wanted to go, or at least start the journey, I guess.





orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

"I remember a critic saying Coltrane sounded like a big man in a small box, when he played with Miles."

Acman, that's quite a quote, and it fits so well; Coltrane really expanded after he left Miles.

The discussion Frogman and me are having pertains to about 2 minutes of Trane's musical life, and it's just something "Aficionados" do to past the time.


Enjoy the music.



ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Hello, O - Was Frogman provided the Toots links, not me.

Do appreciate your comments about JC and music for the angels. You are making my point with the caveat that some day some of us might well be able to understand "music meant for the angels".

acman - Good comments about working hard and the reward of persistence, but who calls "Crap!" ? I tend to "assume merit" but recognize time is often the best judge.

orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Ghosthouse, I've been listening to jazz for my entire life, and I'm an old man; you shouldn't expect something "new" that grabs you, will grab me.

I've heard the best jazz musicians from the 50's up until it changed and became more abstract in recent years. The musicians in my collection are so very incredible, and I even heard one of my favorite musicians close up and personal.

Grant Green, before he went to Blue Note and became professional, would come into his favorite club, turn off the jukebox, and start playing for himself; not for any audience.

Of course nobody said anything, we all just listened; he knew everybody and we all knew Grant, including the nightclub owner. That was an experience I'll never forget; to be only maybe six feet away from that guitar and hear those fantastic sounds resonate in your ear was incredible.

He would leave just like he came, quietly; he didn't talk too much.

Of course this would occur on a slow night. He played officially at this same club on weekends.


Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

BTW Ghosthouse, Frogman, and Rok have also inquired why I thought something was just ok that they considered special; maybe I'm too honest.   But when they asked that question, the jazz was very good, it just sounded "stereotypical" to me, that's because a new jazz musician will imitate someone special before he finds his own voice, and I've heard what they displayed  by another musician.

The only musician who never imitated anyone was Miles, he came on with a totally new thing.

Frogman, I'm curious to know what you think of that clip with Jackie McClean.  In a way it's "stereotypical"  but at the same time it has something special that I can't identify, but since you're a sax man, I'm sure you can identify it.


Enjoy the music.
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