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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
 
O-10:

Jazz on radio: Yesterday was 'Big Band Sunday' on the local pbs station. They play mostly music from in and around the war years.

Yesterday they featured Billy Eckstine. Eckstine also played trumpet, until Dizzy arrived on the scene. Then quietly changed to valve trombone. :) What a talent. His orchestra has to have had the most illustrious lineup ever. Dizzy said that even as a big band, they played Bop. Dizzy, Miles and Fats on trumpet!!!

Also on the program was 'Sidney Bechet and his New Orleans FeetWarmers'. How can you not wanna hear a group with a name like that!! :)

Found out that Pittsburgh has contributed a lot of great players.

Another player was Garnet Clark. Left the US for Paris. He never returned. Died in an asylum in France. 1938 I think.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
O-10:

I don't get an all-Jazz station at my location, but, I can imagine what you are talking about with the word 'sameness'.

Another source for hearing music and getting a history lesson is cable TV. No one has mentioned it. On my TWC provider there are a lot of channels just devoted to music of all genres. Several of them Jazz. The channel name serves as a warning for the 'smooth' and 'contemporary'. I go for the 'Classic' i.e. real stuff.

The classical channels are a wealth of information about the music and composers. Same as the Jazz Channels.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

I heard an hour long casual interview of Billy Eckstine, and it was the most impressive interview I've ever heard. I never thought about a musicians education, or ability to utilize the English Language in order to express themselves; but Mr. Eckstine's facility with the language indicated a formal education that included more than music. Miles was just the opposite, but he sure could blow that trumpet. Just a little trivia that I've been exposed to over the years.

The most entertaining discussions are about "Nahlins" when Louis was a young man; they always include the "cathouses" and nicknames. When you hear Dr. John using those nicknames in his songs, he didn't just make some of them up, they represent real characters in New Orleans. I can't think of any of them right now, but they would have you crackin up. The discussions I heard came from Lincoln Center, so maybe I can look them up

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
O-10:

*****Miles was just the opposite, but he sure could blow that trumpet. Just a little trivia that I've been exposed to over the years.*****

That little trivia is a major component of what makes Jazz so fascinating.

Today's Listen:

Lou Rawls -- AT LAST

His best ever? I think so. Includes duets with Dianne Reeves and Ray Charles. David "Fathead" Newman and Stanley Turrentine lend support. Great tune selection. Outstanding recording quality.

Oscar Peterson Trio + Milt Jackson -- VERY TALL

Sort of like MJQ with new personnel. Nice playing, but they lack that ethereal sound of MJQ that I love so much.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, you hit upon my favorite tune by my favorite male vocalist, his songs come to life; sometimes they're like slices of my life, and at other times they bring back memories. One of his funniest tunes was "Street Hustlers Blues"; that corner he sang about, was even the same when I passed it after driving to "Chi Town" in my brand new "Duece".

Milt Jackson is one of the few artists who are so select that I can count them on one hand, and still have fingers left; they're the ones I can't find a bad LP or CD by in my collection. He takes on more different colors than a chameleon; that's why so many people like to record with him, he makes whoever he records with sound better.

While I like that "ethereal" sound of the MJQ, this is the first time I realized that's what it was. That ethereal sound is the reason they've been chosen for many movie soundtracks.

Lately, I'm enjoying my collection a lot more; especially after being forced to listen to the current crop of jazz musicians for days on end, on FM radio; it sure feels good being back to normal.

Enjoy the music.
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