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
+1 thanks to Frogman for the NPR story . I never bothered to research the backstory .


To me , its always seemed like the search for meaning innate in all human beings, how we seldom know we are on a journey till/if  we arrive at the destination .  



Define mantra: a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating.

Repeat, "A Love Supreme", and it takes on power each time. Mantra's are associated with Eastern religions such as Hinduism, which is the way John Coltrane was leaning at the time of his death.

If you absorbed the man and his music at this time in his life, you can truly understand what he meant when he said "All religions have a piece of the truth". Take that a step further and chant, "A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme, A Love Supreme", then stretch your imagination into it incorporating "All Religions", and you will have where Mr. John Coltrane was coming from.


Few artists have been able to project the level of musical integrity that John Coltrane was able to. Even the photographs of him that I have seen project an intense feeling of purpose, but with a sense of calm and humility; all the more striking when one considers the ferocious quality of some of his playing. My personal feeling only, but this is the reason that I have always been reluctant to attach any kind of negativity to the music from his very last years (post "ALS"); as difficult as it may be to listen to and understand. IMO, artistry that deep deserves the listener’s humility and willingness to consider that it is we who are not up to the task.

Schubert, very interesting that you should, without knowing the background of the music, attach religiosity to it.
In case it wasn't clear, my comment to Schubert was meant as a positive and a testament to the power of that music.

Ghosthouse, thanks for the Lars Danielsson clips.  Nice way to start a Sunday and I enjoyed Mathias Eick's evocative trumpet playing.