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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
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, besides the divas we know very well, here's somebody I like a lot, "Lorez Alexandria"; I can feel that she has lived the songs she sings. For example "The End of a Love Affair"; I've got a version she sang juxtaposed against a version by the Wes Montgomery Trio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdd2Byfr8gk

Now here's Wes Montgomery's instrumental;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF78KBsilXg

Does the vocal help you understand the instrumental, or does the instrumental go deeper into the emotions of the the vocal?

My favorite by Lorez is "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise";

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR17dx1GYC0

This is the MJQ doing the same tune;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crCxefHCLJA

When you juxtapose the vocal against the instrumental, you plumb the full meaning and emotional depth of the tune.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

"West Coast" jazz is a sub genre of "Cool Jazz", and so far has not been clearly defined. Although this is unimportant in the big scheme of things, it's important to me, because I was a fan of this genre. Since the records in my collection are "gone with the wind", I certainly can't find anything there.

I recall Chico Hamilton as being my favorite artist who consistently played west coast jazz at that time. I believe his "Blue Sands" is a good example of that genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW9ZvqdLlUE

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Very interesting question. I think the instrument players will win out in most cases. Ella being a possible exception.

Of the two tunes you posted, I preferred the instrumental versions in both cases. I didn't think Lorez brought the required amount of passion to her performances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softly,_as_in_a_Morning_Sunrise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqPzi99xOCM

I also think Billie did a much better job on Love Affair. She captured the feeling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxSldEPISwo

The Wes clip was good, but I found it a little too long. They could have stopped long before they did. Didn't keep my attention.

The MJQ clip was, MJQ!! Have they ever been less than great??

Interesting comparison. Thanks.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, your answers were even more interesting than my questions.

Abbey Lincoln hit the tune "Softly As In a Morning Sunrise" out of the park; however, Lorez's understated version came in a close second, the operative word is "Softly". The MJQ did it for both of us.

On "The End Of a Love Affair", "Lady In Satin" was the Billie CD I sold; I wanted to hear her sing, but instead I heard her pain. If you have ever personally known one Billie (someone who was going through what she was going through at that time) you've known one too many, and that's all I'm going to say about that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_in_Satin

I couldn't find the instrumental version of that tune I wanted. Lorez's version was perfect for me. We're talking about someone who's trying to escape the emotions of "The End Of A Love Affair"; they drink too much, smoke too much, and talk too loud; they even play loud music to drown out the pain in their heart. Such a person would be going from club to club, and their external appearance would be loud and boisterous in order to conceal their internal pain.

Although we didn't agree on Billie, we certainly agreed about her pain.

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Today's Listen:

THE INTERNATIONAL SWEETHEARTS of RHYTHM

I was looking thru some old family photos from way back in the day. Came across a photo of this group. Signed to my Aunt. I think she knew several of the band members, and they did play in Greenville while on tour. They started at the Piney Woods school in Mississippi. Foxes Galore!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Sweethearts_of_Rhythm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piney_Woods_Country_Life_School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WczP3PyHt20

Enjoy

Cheers
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