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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
frogman
4,637 posts
 
“Carmen Sings Monk”

Interesting recording featuring great rhythm section playing.  Two of the cuts are live performances and feature the recently discussed Larry Willis and Monk’s tenor player Charlie Rouse.  Clifford Jordan and Eric Gunnison replace them on the studio cuts.  Al Foster on drums and one of my very favorite bass players, George Mraz play on all cuts. Mraz is an amazing bass player who besides having a great feel has one of the most beautiful bass tones with amazing intonation and clarity (for a bass player). Each note of his bass lines is heard with unusual clarity and definition.

Carmen McRae had by then lost the beatiful youthful quality that Schubert refers to, but she shows a tremendous amount of character and soulfulness. Not many singers can handle Monk’s unusual melodies with their angular and obtuse shapes; a real challenge for singers.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhMWpDR-czg-g96KLDvAx12uqZLyLjCjP
frogman
4,637 posts
 
A couple of additional factoids. McRae was 66 when this album was recorded; six years before she would pass away. This record was nominated for a Grammy (Best Jazz Vocal Performance).

0-10, I truly do hope we can figure out a way to not continue to have unnecessary conflicts over a subject that should be the source of nothing but positive feelings; differences of opinion and all. I wish you well.
mary_jo
252 posts
 
Great link about Nina and her voice, thank you pjw for that...


mary_jo
252 posts
 
Respect for Mary Lou, I am glad that you two provided so much valuable clips...
mary_jo
252 posts
 
https://youtu.be/lUxQLU_eqfU
Can anyone tell me more about Michel? I haven't noticed, at least lately, that somebody was talking about him.

I have read somewhere that he was frustrated towards awards that he received, believing that he gained them partly because people were feeling sorry for him. 

I have also read that he was influenced by Bill Evans a lot.

After all, what we should respect an artist for? For the virtuosity only, for the talent and the struggle, for the emotions they bring to us...? Little bit of all? No rule I guess. My point is, should we value Michel, due to his struggle, more?


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