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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
 
Today's Listen:

The 12 Berlin Cellists -- 'ROUND MIDNIGHT
Great players of course. Misleading title. Not much if any Jazz here. Some interesting takes on popular tunes. Pink Panther was very good.

I thought this one was the best of the lot, although "A Rap for Mozart" was good. Sort of reminded me of "A Soldier's Tale". Simon Rattle did the spoken part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZVFV4T2cCY

Nice effort, but they should not leave Beethoven and company for the world of Jazz.

Kenny Barron & Dave Holland -- THE ART OF CONVERSATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkyD8Vdnkl4

This answers the question, is great Jazz being played today? Excellent CD. Aptly titled. Two Masters!

Holland plays Bass like most people play guitar. Barron is just his routine brilliant self. Holland actually plays 'notes' on the bass. Dexterity comes to mind!

They sound like a larger group.

Ain't got it git it.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
***** He mentioned that anyone could tell they played jazz, because they all had different tones and played around the beat******

Whatever the differences between Classical and Jazz players, I can only say, Thank You Jesus!

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
4,494 posts
 
*****We don’t have to know a lot of stuff about sharps and flats and chords and all that business in order to understand music; if it tells us something – not a story or a picture – but a feeling ******

We seem to be moving towards a consensus. Which would be a first on Audiogon!!

Cheers
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Military bands evoke lots of feelings, very few of them good.
orpheus10 OP
5,988 posts
 

Rok, Frogman is referring to the summer that my friend the professional musician lived in my apartment. He never practiced or expressed the desire to practice, not only that, but an organ would not have fitted in my apartment. (he played organ since childhood in church) Since he was playing three gigs a week of hard driving improvisational jazz, he didn't even know what he was going to play, it's for certain there was no need for him to practice.

I drove him to every gig ( still had the infamous duece), and was mesmerized on each set. The intensity of the music (The dynamic range of live organ can never be recorded)
was in stark contrast to him playing with his eyes closed and a sublime look on his face.

As you stated, the "No practice" was a straw-man, it's for certain no one could get to that level of proficiency without practicing. I understand Frogmans wishes and desires in regard to old and new music, but it is what it is, although when it comes to live music, you have to like what you can get; that's your only option.

Enjoy the music.
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