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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
 
PPS - @frogman

Comments from my brother in law re the Larry Young recording...

"What a great Hammond player. I hear the Jimmy Smith influence in his playing but a bit more modern approach in his chording. The organ sound he is using is the classic Jimmy Smith Hammond/Leslie setting. I attached a photo of those settings on the organ. [Almost] Forgot to mention the drawbar settings. It’s the first three drawbars fully out on the upper manual (second group of nine). You can see it in the main picture of the organ."

I posted the pictures he sent to my systems page. If you are interested,
this link should take you to it (Mostly Demos, Used & B-stock by ghosthouse in Budget Minded).

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/2178

frogman
4,637 posts
 
Glad you and your bro in law liked the Larry Young recording, Ghosthouse.  His description of his playing is exactly right.  One of the things that is remarkable about that record, besides the outstanding soloing that you pointed out, is the amazing groove a two man rhythm section can generate.  Elvin Jones is always amazing, and drummers' ability to play independent rhythms with hands and feet is well recognized, but I am always amazed by the way a good Hammond player can also play bass lines with his feet.  Thanks for the link.

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
3,718 posts
 
Frogman - At the risk of alienating others (and I hope this doesn't), I do enjoy getting into the "meat" of what makes a performance superior or even just more enjoyable vs another.  Coming from more of a rock listening orientation a lot of the jazz standard repertoire bores the
sh... heck out of me.  That's probably heresy 'round these here parts and I don't say it with any kind of superiority, in fact it probably reflects some sort of deficiency.  BUT that Unity recording was not boring at all.  I listened to the whole thing straight through and a couple of tracks twice.  Looking forward to trying it on again later today.  See if the attraction is still there.  All this to say, I suspect it is "the amazing groove a two man rhythm section can generate" that's a huge part of why it is so engaging to me.  Again, thanks for introducing me to this recording.  
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schubert
4,867 posts
 
It takes awhile to adjust to music aimed at the soul coming from music aimed at the crotch . 
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