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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
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Hello Alex and Thank You for the Les McCann links.  Of what you provided I like what I'm hearing from the "On Time" recording.  As Orpheus said, you got to be on the right wavelength on a given evening for the music to reach you.  That other stuff might have a time (certainly the Pacific Jazz recording of Pretty Lady) but On Time is getting through to me tonight...so thanks for it.  I'm going to listen to other tracks from it that I see on YouTube.  

In some of the other listening I've been doing, am still discovering Ahmad Jamal.  He is just amazing to me (not that I'm any expert on jazz piano).  Here are a few.  Hope you and others enjoy them.

From 1959
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kySENf1P2Uo 

From 1999 (a full concert in Germany)...worth sampling but the whole thing is worth hearing.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ZKJfV4hTw&spfreload=10

And from 2014!...the man still has it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaivdOxCiLE
Wish the piano was louder.  The percussionists, though good, are a little over the top volume-wise but be patient and listen at least to hear Jamal at 2:02 and again almost exactly 2 minutes later.  

Hope y'all enjoy him. 

frogman
4,637 posts
 
Interesting that you should bring up Ahmad Jamal again. Alex’s clips were, for me, a bit of a revelation. I knew Les McCann as the funky, soul-with-a-shuffle-beat pianist from his "Swiss Movement" era; I had no idea that he had such a wide range. Beautiful ballad playing that reminded me of Ahmad Jamal with his use of block chords and keyboard tremolos (14:45 at the end of "Pretty Lady" and on "Stella" are two examples). Beautiful playing. Of all of Alex’s clips my favorites were "Pretty Lady" and the ones with Joe Pass (!). That was a pairing that I never would have imagined (McCann/Pass) given my association of him with a funkier style. "Pretty Lady" is a record I have to look for. The clips with Turrentine and Mitchell were also good, but less successful, imo. They lean toward the funky, but are not as committed to that style as the "Swiss Movement" music. Of course, the presence of Eddie Harris in those takes things well into funkville.

Very nice live Jamal, Ghosthouse. If I can still pick my nose at 82 I’ll be happy. To be able to play like that is amazing.  Very unexpected version of "Blue Moon".
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Frogman - as is often the case, very instructive comments from you.  I don't have the training to articulate as you have but your descriptions seem entirely apt and in harmony with my own impressions (e.g., expectations for LM vs playing/style on Pretty Lady; elements reminiscent of AJ).  I too also liked LM's work with Joe Pass on On Time a LOT.  That might be the one I'll try to get.  Pretty Lady another candidate.  Thanks again to Alex.  

I'm way late to the Ahmad Jamal celebration, I know, but talk about God-gifted.  He just kills me.  He had it 1959.  He still has it now.  The other thing I like about the 1999 and 2014 videos, he really seems to be enjoying playing with his various ensembles.  That ain't a smile for the camera.  A good tonic for these barbarous times.  


  
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Ghosthouse, I never saw a picture of Ahmad that young, and this is the first time I ever saw Vernel Fournier, although I have most of Ahmad's records featuring him.

I saw Ahmad in Chicago in the middle 80's, and they had tickets to Japan; the drummer told me they couldn't make a living without Europe and Japan; I think these conserts confirms that.

I liked all of those clips; they illustrated the progression of styles, and I liked each one a lot for different reasons; the first was so nostalgic, the second was nice, but the last one was absolutely fantastic.

I'm glad you're enjoying our thread.


Enjoy the music.


ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
"I'm glad you're enjoying our thread."

O - Thanks (to all) for being a tolerant and gracious host!  Like I said before, Jazz 101 for me.  I like this thread because people actually TALK to one another in it rather than it being the record of a bunch of monologues!

That '59 footage is really fun to watch.  Ahmad looks SO serious. Working on that beard too.  I love the white dude with the pipe!   Would be interesting to know more about who set this up.  How it was shot.  Who the people gathered round the piano are, etc., etc.  

My bro-in-law (musician) said the same thing about illustrating progression of styles.  He's the one actually sent me the '59 and '99 clips. There's a '71 performance too.   I found the 2014 video.  Got a little unwieldy to explain all that so I dint.  

Ordered the Les McCann (Les McCann Ltd.) On Time from Amazon.  They have the Pretty Lady too.  On CD but only from Japan so a little bit pricey.  Not crazy $ though.    

Ciao.  Later.






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