1. Home
  2. music
  3. 1361722327

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
 
A quote attributed to several different famous musicians, whoever it was who really said "there's only two kinds of music: good and bad" first was exactly right. I liked every one of the clips. Regardless of genre, honesty is the key; second even to execution. Even so, when the honesty part is not always obvious, if the execution is on such a high level, the music is good. I think George Benson is probably second only to Herbie Hancock in being able to bring such a high level or execution (jazz player sensibility) and honesty to the "pop" table that the results are great. Great guitar, great singer, great production values in that slick 70's kind of way. Same for Manhattan Transfer, but in a more (sorry) "white" kind of way.

Mars/Venus time. Mahalia and Pops: simple (in the good sense), uncluttered and from the heart; what can be said about perfection in a particular genre?

Thanks for the clips.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Today's listen:

Jackie McLean Quintet -- DYNASTY

Features his son Rene. I loved this. Great Sax playing. Sort of in your face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY02ZL3Qrfo

The liner notes read like a Soap opera or a Police blotter.

McLean plays with Mingus
McLean gives Mingus his two week notice during a break at a gig in Cleveland.
Mingus gets mad and punches McLean in the mouth
McLean pulls knife and attempts to stab Mingus
Someone grabs his arm and he only cuts Mingus
Mingus leaves him stranded in Cleveland
Mclean Pawns horn to get back to NYC
Blakey asks McLean to join his band
McLeans says I have no horn, it's owned by Mingus
Blakey buys McLean a horn
McLean leaves on tour with Blakey, did not tell Mingus
Mingus comes to McLean's house banging on door
McLeans wife threatens to call Police.
Mingus sends telegram to McLean in Pittsburgh, on tour with Blakey, threatening to dump him in the East River.

Damn!!

He did say that Blakey taught him to play coherent, non-BS,. solos. Compared Blakey to a coach, and Mingus to a Drill Instructor. Said Mingus would have had even more success if he had respected his musicians.

Question to The Frogman. What is a BS solo? And can you submit a clip with an example of one? I can only hope and pray that it won't be one of my favorite tunes. :)

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
You are correct. "Good and Bad Music" just about says it all. Has that quote been taken away from The Duke??

Cheers
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Obviously, but who decides what is good and what is bad?
One mans meat is another's poison as also has been said before.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
****who decides what is good and what is bad?****

We each do. Some listeners just want simple pleasure from the listening experience without room for being challenged or taken outside a certain comfort zone and that is absolutely fine. For others, music is a bottomless font of possibilities and potential new discoveries. They listen with an open mind and a certain amount of respect for the opinion of others especially those who have more experience. The process is no different than determining what is a "bullshit" solo. When a musician of the stature of Jackie McLean says "that is a bullshit solo", even if it is not apparent to me right away I try to understand what he is hearing that I am not. Being a good and astute listener (and musician) demands an open mind and commitment to the idea that there is always more to learn.

Bullshit and non-bullshit clips later :-)
More to discover