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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
*****I said all of this to say that as fans we don't seem to realize how special a good jazz musician is; they're born, not made. No amount of study or practice will enable a person to improvise at the level of a good jazz musician, and no matter how financially successful some other musicians are, a jazz musician knows within himself that he can do something very few people can do, and no way can they learn how to do it. Financial success does not equate to being a good jazz musician and being able to rapidly improvise good sounding music; "either you got it or you don't".*****

It cannot be stated better than this. Case closed!!
As usual, the OP has restored order.

I was reading the Downbeat Issue listing all the Jazz studies programs across the country. I was amazed at the number! I always thought Jazz studies sort of started and ended with Indiana and North texas. Silly me.

I wonder what happens to all those students. They sure aren't playing Jazz for a living.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
Geri Allen: Not bad to listen to, while you are doing something else. I am sure their N&Bs were impeccable.
Cheers
schubert
4,867 posts
 
What you do for a living is petty compared to how you make a life. Study what you love and the hell with everything else.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
O-10:

A lot of things in the Music / entertainment world aren't what they used to be. But, lack of venue is tied to changes in the society at large. You can't find any Juke Joints in the Delta anymore. The last refuge seems to be New Orleans, and it's fading.

I think the best analogy for the state of Jazz, is the state of Music in general. Simply, all the great creators / innovators are gone. The current music pales in comparison to the original.

I cannot think of any genre that is better, save Classical. They have the advantage of playing the same repertoire.

Hold on to your Blue Notes!

Cheers
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Rok2id, I'd wager that more new Classical is being written than jazz.
You hear it less in the USA than Europe though for obvious reasons.
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