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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
 
Dixie Dregs - yeah, okay. Excellent musicianship. REALLY good. Musically it’s a little boring (well the bit sampled here) BUT I’ll listen to more by them. Great drumming. Heard of Steve Morse, of course. On the other hand I never listened to them as a band! Always mixed them up with Dexys Midnight Runners and that horrible hit THEY had so avoided ’em. Totally mixed up and mistaken on my part, of course. Thanks for the links.

Pat Martino? - FREAKING A!!! Why was I not told about this sooner!!!
Those tracks are sublime. To me, more interesting than anything from Weather Report I can call to mind. Those are some complex (time signatures?). Not just technical excellence (esp. Pat’s guitar and his drummer, Kenwood Dennard) but somebody actually gifted with a sense of MELODY. THANK YOU much. If Joyous Lake draws me back for repeated listening, it’ll be a buy. Found it and saved it to my albums on Spotify. Listening to the whole thing now as I do some paperwork this AM.  Best thing that's happened so far today.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
I had a feeling that being a guitarphile you would like Martino.  Probably my favorite guitarist ever; any genre.  Keep in mind that those clips are from his "fusion" period.  Martino is a bebopper (post-bop) all the way and hence the melodic sense you heard in those clips.  Considered "God" by many jazz guitarists he has a very extensive and diverse discography; check it out.  I posted this recently; astounding!:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cyqJwJzGB0g

I must say, I think this is the first time I have heard The Dregs referred to as a little boring.  Might explain why I consider some of Stevens' playing over the top.  Here's a couple more:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IrL4R9x9A14

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MfwsR1shno8

Btw, I had a feeling that the subject of Zappa would come up.  Colaiuta is a monster drummer who leans more to the fusion side of things.


orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

How's this for unusual music?

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw9-RE80EEg
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Speaking of rehearsals, the "greats" would meet at Rudy's, discuss what they were going to play, and jam for the recording; you might have one of those records in your collection.

Ray Charles hired a new musical director, who complained because David "Fathead" Newman didn't come to rehearsals. Fathead said "Talk to the man Ray". When Ray sided with the musical director, Fathead walked.

The "greats" don't think too much of "Rehearsals"; unless of course you're talking "Big Band", and my collection doesn't talk much big band.


Enjoy the music.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Sorry, not the way it was or is, O-10; and, certainly not for recordings. When hired sidemen show up to a recording session they have to rehearse and learn either new material (if the record will be of new original music), or new arrangements of standards. The rehersal takes place in the studio before they do a "take". Even if the recording is by a working band they usually rehearse before a recording session so as to be very sharp and not waste studio time. The sometimes maligned "alternate takes" were often nothing more than rehearsals.

btw, that clip was kind of interesting.
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