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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
 
Classic, indeed.  Awesome record and one of the first three jazz records I ever bought.  While in High School I had just been introduced to Jazz by a young teacher with Billy Cobham’s jazz/fusion “Spectrum”.  I went to the local Sam Goody’s (I’m showing my age) and bought that record, Maynard Ferguson’s “McArthur Park” and Duke’s “Money Jungle”.  Truth is it took me another couple of years to understand and appreciate “Money Jungle” which was serious jazz and neither Rock/Jazz Fusion nor “commercial” Big Band jazz.  

Some interesting reading about that record:

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/deconstructing-money-jungle-duke-ellington-by-graham-e-peterson.php?wid...
nsp
362 posts
 
frogmanI have always enjoyed the playing of Booker Ervin, especially with Charles Mingus. I can understand you saying you didn't like his playing initially. He has a very strong tone which to me can border on being harsh to the ear. Somewhat similar to my perception of Jackie McLean on alto, whose tone is strong and I used to perceive as harsh. But both of these players tones make their music  very distinctive and they are instantly recognizable.
The two albums you posted also show Ervin's great ability t o tell a story, especially on the songs "Cry Me Not, "A Day To Mourn"& " uranus", and also a sensitivity in his playing despite the strong tone.
pryso
1,501 posts
 
Here's another Ellington recording with less than his usual orchestra.  It just happens to include a guy named Armstrong!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXheyeQZTgY

alexatpos
500 posts
 
Here is another recording with a guy named John. Apparently made just after 'Money jungle'....

https://youtu.be/sCQfTNOC5aE
acman3
2,267 posts
 

Another John playing Mingus....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJB65Ya9p0M
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