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.
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.
Showing 50 responses by pjw81563
I have not checked in for a while. Nancy Wilson is great no doubt about it and I forgot to mention her on my post up thread. Stanley Turrentine is another great sax player and another great but relatively unknown sax player is Jimmy Forrest. Nobody mentioned the late great Donald Byrd on trumpet. For shame!..Donald was great on hard bop and flowed right into the jazz/funk scene of the late 60's -early 70's. I listen to Ethiopian Nights in full at least once a month!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtKcvoeO2vA&t=30s |
O10 I have Black Byrd to and I like In Flight but I listen to Ethiopian Nights far more often then Black Byrd. Just cant get enough of "The Emperor" and "The Little Rasti"....a combined 32 minutes of jazz/funk bliss. Some of my other favorites in a similar style of jazz/funk is Jimmy Smiths "Root Down" and Dr. Lonnie Smith's "Think!", and "Live at Club Mozambique" so you know where I'm coming from! |
A question for all. Wikipedia quotes on Coleman Hawkins " he was the leader on what is generally considered to have been the first ever bebop recording session in 1944 with Dizzy Gillespie, Pettiford and Roach. Wiki lists 3 sources for this: 1.^ Togashi, Nobuaki; Matsubayashi, Kohji; Hatta, Masayuki. "Max Roach Discography". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved July 1, 2009. 2. Brown, Don. "What Are Considered the First Bebop Recordings? – Jazz Bulletin Board". All About Jazz. Retrieved July 1, 2009. 3. Four of the six tracks from the recording sessions of February 16 and 22, 1944 in New York were originally released by Apollo Records as singles and on the album Coleman Hawkins and His All Stars (LAP 101), later reissued by Delmark on Rainbow Mist (cf. Jazzdiso.org-reference), and now to find on various compilations First ever? I know Wiki is not the best source of "highly specific" info. A quick search on Amazon and I could not find the recording quoted in the 3rd source: " Coleman Hawkins and His All Stars " There were recordings with that title but not the one with Dizzy Gillespie, Pettiford and Roach. What are the thoughts of members here on this recording being "the first ever bebop recording session"?...and does anyone have a copy of that recording? |
frogman quoted " the fact that so many were able to copy his style shows just how comprehensible it is." There were many who could emulate Parker almost to a T. Sonny Stitt came to the fore immediately when I saw your quote. And one thing is for certain: When Art Pepper played bebop on the alto, as did Bird, he was just as good IMHO. |
Art Pepper "Cherokee" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTx7xiVcmc8 Art Pepper, played an extremely long version of "Cherokee" on one of the nights at the Village Vanguard comeback sessions in 1977. Before he starts playing he addresses the audience by saying "If you can’t play this tune and play the crap out of it...don’t blow!!"....then he proceeds to "knock the socks of it" All this when he was in his early 50’s after 30 plus years of drug abuse and long prison stints. He would die a few years later in his late 50’s. The complete sessions are a worthy investment. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-complete-village-vanguard-sessions-mw0000124795 |
010 I'm not saying they wanted to sound like Bird identically. Thats why I said "almost" to a T. After Charlie Parker became "godlike" in the eyes of hundreds of up and coming sax players, they could not help but sound like him as they were using his waxed recordings for practice. Why even Sonny Rollins went through a "Bird Stage" early in his career. I am merely stating that many of the upper echelon sax players of that time and even today could blow off some bebop jams that sound somewhat identical in terms of chord progressions and tone ect. In his book, Art Pepper stated Bird was a notch above everyone including himself so your right when you stated he would not have said that. Pepper was always modest, to a fault, but he had held a grudge against many black jazz musicians during his early years through to his long incarceration at San Quentin. The cause was all the rumors and backstage whisperings he always heard about " that white boy who tries to sound black on tenor". Yes black racism if you will. Its all in his book. When he was released from prison, and subsequently rehab, meeting his soon to be wife Laurie ( who I have exchanged emails), his career resurged and he played many gigs and also recorded with many great jazz artists regardless of their race. Elvin Jones plays the skins on every recording night at the "Complete Village Vanguard" sessions. and George Cables became his favorite piano player and trusted friend. He states in the book that all was forgiven, and his early distaste of black artists was unjust and bought about by his own insecurities and faults which was the root cause of his addiction. |
Just ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2NTGV6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Can't wait to hear Sonny and Art jamming out together! |
I was never aware of that concert until I read the new Sonny Rollins biography recently. That concert was an attempt at by Milestone Records, of whom Rollins, Carter, Tyner and Foster, were under contract with at the time, to replicate the success of another jazz super group VSOP. The idea was good but it turned out to be just a one off as Rollins, who was very aloof at times, could not/would not come to a mutual agreement with Milestone, Tyner and Carter to create more concerts and recordings. What as shame as there are some gems on that session. It was only released and re issued on vinyl LP format and I am very happy the complete concert is on You Tube. I listened to it a few times since I was made aware of its existence and started research it.
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Update just ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007CEXJK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and this: https://www.amazon.com/MisRy-Blues-Jack-Teagarden/dp/B0000ACAOC/ref=sr_1_12?s=music&ie=UTF8&... But still want the recommendations! |
Hello all. Long time (very busy). I have missed many pages but read this one. Love Dexter Gordon. My favorite tune of his is the song "Tanya" from the LP "One Flight Up." I have a dozen Albums of RR.Kirk. Rahsaan was an underappreciated genius with the circular breathing and very intellectual as well. Another favorite of mine is Woody Shaw. I have all of his recordings (that I was able to obtain). I have a question for all. If there was only one or two Jack Teagarden discs you could get which would they be? |
Thanks for the Jack Teagarden recommendations and youtube links. Still waiting on the arrival of the discs I ordered. I first heard about Jack while reading a Stan Getz biography many years ago. I never bought any of his music because I'm really not into the "big band Dixie land swing." However while watching a recent episode of Bosch on Amazon I heard a nice "Big T" tune while Bosch was in the evidence room and he told the officer in charge there to turn it up because Ben Webster was about to take his solo. I really liked the tune and found it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7mp_qtPa2c Notice the reviewers also commented they heard it on Bosch! Anyway he is an awesomely talented trombone player just don't dig much of his music because of the particular jazz he usually played. Same thing with Buddy Rich. He is a great (some argue best) drummer but I don't dig a lot of his music although I love watching his solo's on youtube! |
Orpheus10 I am truly sorry to hear of your health problem. My mom died from breast cancer at 58 yo and my younger sister died just last year from lung cancer at 50 yo (she never smoked). I have been lucky so far... Jack Teagarden's record Misry and the Blues is a really great blues/balled record with just one dixie swing tune. It really showcases his talent on the trombone and he does have cool crooning vocal ability. I am still waiting on the other record I bought here; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007CEXJK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote second review: These four discs are truly the best of Jack Teagarden. The selections on all four discs are perfect, with no duds, and the engineering quality is high. The stand-out is Disc Four, which is mostly groups with Teagarden and Louis Armstrong playing together. This material (also the last 3 selections on disc 3) features both Teagarden and Armstrong at their very best, mostly in live recordings - two musicians at the peak of their games spurring each other on and taking obvious pleasure playing together. In fact, I would choose many of these selections as the "best of the best" for Louis Armstrong as well as Teagarden. It includes the very best versions I know of Armstrong classics like "Ain't Misbehavin","Rocking Chair", "Black and Blue", "Royal Garden Blues", "Mahogany Hall Stomp", and "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans". I had never heard "Fifty-fifty Blues" but it is now one of my all-time favorite Armstrong-Teagarden performances. |
pryso, I enjoyed the short video link you posted up thread. I believe it could be from this DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Summers-Day-Mahalia-Jackson/dp/B00003OSU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=153... frogman I don't know how you could write such a long post with the tiny tabs on a smart phone!...I guess I have chubby fingers. Anyways I have flown from NY to Tokyo no layovers which is 15 hours so I sympathize with you. However I was primed because I had flown from NY to Rio de Janeiro a dozen times or more before my trip to Japan. " I won’t judge the validity of anyone’s approach to the listening experience, and I expect the same. " I feel the same. However this is a public forum and people have a right to voice their opinions. That said I think if one dislikes certain music they should critic the music not the person who likes it. |
@orpheus10 Yes the prices on all of Senri Kawaguchi's discs are all on the high side including the live bluray. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_10?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=senri+kaw... Hiromi, a Japanese pianist/organist/composer, whom I have seen several times is excellent and her music is much cheaper I have about 8 discs of hers. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXsuPkyFQuQ |
pryso thanks for the link. Not only is she a good drummer but I also like the music (fusion). I don't consider good jazz/rock/prog music "noise."(most of it anyway and certainly not that song). I saw the Return To Forever reunion tour in 2007 NYC. Have all their discs. Have all Mahavishnu orchestra discs too. Saw Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham (separately) multiple times. Waiting for John McLaughlin, to come back NYC way. Have tickets to Mike Stern with Jimmy Cobb on the drum kit this August 17 at Birdland doing a Miles Davis tribute. @orpheus10 I have at least 20 Grant Green discs. I love his tone and style. |
@pryso & nsp I’m not sure if you saw the link I left for orpheus10 for Hiromi Uehara yesterday or did and just don’t dig it. Anyway she has been around well over 10 years now and IMO is one of the outstanding pianists/composers out in the jazz fusion genre today. Her live shows are electrifying and she has recorded albums with some of the best known and respected jazz musicians in the world including a trio recording with Stanley Clarke and Lenny White (RTF) and a duet with Chick Corea (RTF). Here is the link again with her backing band Sonic Bloom on 3 of her earlier recording sessions playing live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXsuPkyFQuQ Her Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_7?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=hiromi+ueh... All Music: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hiromi-mn0000681376/discography |
nsp Here is the cd: https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Garden-Stanley-Clarke-Trio/dp/B001VFM0QU/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=... I will check out the discs you mentioned. |
nsp I started buying Hiromi recordings back in 2006 starting with the "Brain" sessions. Telarc was her label for a long time and the CD's Brain, Spiral, Time Control, and Beyond Standard were all released in a hybrid SACD format. At that time it was the only way they were released and usually for 15-20 dollars. I like the sessions with "Sonicbloom" backing her as it added the electric guitar virtuoso David "Fuze" Fiuczynski. All of her trio sessions are also awesome usually with Anthony Jackson on electric bass and Simon Phillips on the drum kit. No introduction is needed for those two!!! My personal favorite session "Beyond Standard" with "Sonicbloom" I saw them for that album tour at the Blue Note NYC and they tore it up down there. Here is a snippet from the Amazon blurb: Hiromi's supergroup, Sonicbloom, has shattered the formula of making records written solely by the celebrated pianist/composer. Their latest outing, "Beyond Standard," finds Tony Grey (bass), Martin Valihora (drums), and Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski (guitar and otherworldly sounds) helping Hiromi craft unique versions of familiar tunes such as Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," Rogers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" and even Jeff Beck's "Led Boots." The group has been recognized for its energetic virtuosity by music industry and mainstream publications alike: Downbeat, JazzTimes, Keyboard, and The New York Times. Playing festivals such as Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, and Playboy Jazz proves that Hiromi's unique fusion nuevo has been accepted in the world of jazz as well as rock. "Beyond Standard" is a showcase for Hiromi and her band's abilities, with each player getting plenty of room to shine. I don't have regular cd versions of her first half dozen recording sessions to compare with my SACD version on an A-B basis so I could not tell you if the sound quality is better. |
nsp I listened to all her discs years ago on my SACD compatible player. Since then I have ripped my whole collection to my laptop via Windows Media Player in FLAC format (lossless). I connect my Laptop to my AVR via HDMI to listen to music so I don't have to load and unload discs constantly. I have all my discs (approaching 500)stored in boxes. I would have to physically play the disc to get the SACD format. If I have time this weekend I will try an A-B analysis. I have listened to plenty of her music via my laptop/AVR and it sounds fantastic. The engineers did a great job. Wide soundstage/imaging with subtle nuances all shining through. |
rok2id I am lucky as I live on Long Island about 30 minutes from John Coltrane's last residence which I often go and stroll around the yard and peer into the windows. They are in the process of repairing the interior of the house allowing the public inside. https://www.pbs.org/video/look-inside-coltrane-home-long-island-unxyca/ |
nsp I too am 30 minutes east we must be close. Zip 11967 here. I also visit his grave at Pinelawn from time to time. A great tune by Woody Shaw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5yJndPO6QI |
Another bit to chew on: Bruce Lundvall: I remember years ago, Roy Eldridge did a blindfold test, one of Leonard Feather’s for Down Beat. And Roy started off by saying, “I can tell. I can always tell if the musician is black or white.” He was wrong about 60 percent of the time. The above quote is from the following article: https://jazztimes.com/features/black-white-and-beyond/ |
There is some cool music links on this page intertwined with an ongoing debate on racism as it pertains to music. I just googled " the difference between black and white jazz musicians and found a mountain of articles. https://www.nyu.edu/projects/sciabarra/essays/jazz.htm https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1999/02/black-and-white-intertwined/377456/ read:https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Chords-Musicians-Contribution-1915-1945/dp/0195055853/ref=sr_1_1?s=books... http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/hist409/jazz/jazz.html And I leave you with a song, one of my favorites, not just of Lee Morgan or trumpet players in particular, just one of my favorite "jazz" songs. (the first 5 minutes and the last minute sounds like it could have been included on John Coltrane's A Love Supreme LP)...just an incredible song all the way through! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDfkkRa1VA8 |
R.I.P. Aretha Interesting discussion on what is and is not "free jazz" I own just about everything John Coltrane ever recorded. The thing is I could listen to Giant Steps and A Love Supreme over and over again and enjoy it. When I sit down for a listening session with his Ascension disc I can only take about 30 minutes at a time. When I first heard it I stopped after 5 minutes. It is an acquired appreciation of that music and it takes time. The screeching and honking on the reeds can make one confused and easily disappointed especially compared to A Love Supreme or Blue Train. JC was constantly reaching out to explore new territories. This is not so common with jazz musicians of his era. The majority stuck to what they were accustomed to playing. Some mixed hard bop with a tinge of Avant-garde/Free jazz ala Jackie Mclean which I think is excellent I’m always listening to Jackie’s discs One Step Beyond and Destination Out. Art Blakey is a perfect example of never evolving yet always making fantastic recordings with a variety of excellent musicians. Jackie Mclean Love and Hate from the disc Destination Out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8woYxaDjAM Ghost Town from the disc One Step Beyond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_um0Pvot8w |
"Seems we have a definitive answer on Soul" I wouldn't call that soul but it is interesting. Or was that sarcasm for the last month or so posts about who has soul and who don't! A lot of great musicians on that recording session. SOUL 101! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZHWXXEr98w |
Was at Birdland last night to see the 4 Generations of Miles show featuring Mike Stern, Buster Williams, Sonny Fortune, and Jimmy Cobb. It was an excellent show with Stern playing most of the sax parts on guitar and Fortune playing the trumpet parts on his an alto. Williams was in great form on the acoustic bass and Cobb (at 87 yo I believe) never disappoints on the drum kit. Interesting Mike Stern interview talking about (1:58 in) Miles cooking dinner and driving in Miles’ Ferrari to go see his horses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3StiR5wCYrU |
orpheus10 Its available on vinyl here: https://www.amazon.com/Wight-Concert-Vinyl-Miles-Davis/dp/B000ZOSTHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1534... Or an mp3 download I don’t see a CD on Amazon You should just get the DVD "Miles Electric" which features his performance at the Isle of Wight. I have a copy and its very cool. Includes lots of extras with interviews of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Carlos Santana to name a few. Jazz critic Stanley Crouch is featured talking about when Bitches Brew came out and he kept playing it over and over not liking it. Carlos Santana states: "To Stanley Crouch and people like that you know they need to be reminded that it takes a lot of courage to leave all of your security blanket behind and jump without a parachute" I’m watching it now and I’ll tell you this Miles’ wife Betty Davis was beautiful! Miles Electric: https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Electric-Different-Kind-Blue/dp/B00069FKN2/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UT... |
Thanks for all the links acman3 I have that Jim Hall disc. Really good group he put together for that session. IMHO Miles made just a couple of good studio recordings 80-91. The live stuff is better. I only own 1 studio album from that period-Star People. I really dig his first electric phase 1968-75 and have just about everything he recorded in that period. Mike Stern is a really cool guy. He enjoys playing and at the show he kept talking with and smiling at all the other band members especially Sonny Fortune. He also smiled and talked to the audience at the tables right near the bandstand. Outstanding guitar player. I see Gary Bartz in the Isle of Wight festival link acman3 posted and it brought back a great memory I have of meeting him. I was at a Lou Donaldson gig about 7 years ago at the Iridium NYC and when I left after the first show I saw Lou at the burger joint upstairs out on Broadway (Iridium is on the corner of 59th and Broadway). So I walk in and sit down at his table and we just start talking. Mostly about boxing, baseball (Lou is a big fan of both as am I), and music. The time flew by and then one of the employees from the club sticks her head in the doorway and shouts "Mr. Lou your second set starts in a minute." Lou asks me am I watching the second set and I say no don’t have a reservation so he invites me down to sit on the side of the stage right up on the left side just out of view of the audience. People were packed in like sardines in a can in that joint so my leg hit one of them small (and quite wobbly) tables on the way up there and spilled everybody’s drinks. Mr. Lou said don’t worry bout that crap! I watched the show then afterwards Sweet Papa Lou (as he is known as) takes me into the band and staff room. I talked for another half hour or so with Lou and the band and a few other people that were back there. When I left I shook hands with everyone and I asked one guy I didn’t recognize his name. He says "Gary Bartz pleasure meeting you." Well needless to say he was much older and did not look the same but I still felt like an ass for not recognizing him. That was a great night and I will never forget it! |
nsp thanks for the link on that Mclean disc. I will probably end up buying it. Glad you saw Miles. I did not because I discovered the beauty of Jazz when I was around 30 and Miles was gone. I was strictly a rock & roller until the early 90's when I grew tired of its repetitive (at times) nature. I still dig rock but I'm much more selective now. That Miles Electric DVD is well worth it. The first 40 minutes or so is interviews with Miles and many great musicians and the second 40 minutes or so is the entire Isle of Wight show. One song, 40 plus minute jam session with no title! |
orpheus10 """"New Jazz" for me will be "West Coast"; there is so much of it I like that I'm unfamiliar with, and it's so different from East Coast."""" Please do yourself a favor and purchase the 4 CD set of Shelly Manne and His Men "Live at the Blackhawk" recorded 1959. It is "West Coast Jazz"and every track is oozing "COOL" A sample track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_kYxHIh320 Its called "Summertime" listen to that smooth sax kick in at 3:14 |
Shelly Manne was considered by many jazz aficionados to be one of the founding fathers of west coast jazz. Here are some quotes: From wiki: Manne is often associated with the once frequently criticized West Coast school of jazz.He has been considered "the quintessential" drummer in what was seen as a West Coast movement, though Manne himself did not care to be so pigeonholed. In the 1950s, much of what he did could be seen as in the West Coast style: performing in tightly arranged compositions in what was a cool style, as in his 1953 album named The West Coast Sound, for which he commissioned several original compositions. Some of West Coast jazz was experimental, avant-garde music several years before the more mainstream avant-garde playing of Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman (Manne also recorded with Coleman in 1959); a good deal of Manne's work with Jimmy Giuffre was of this kind. Critics would condemn much of this music as overly cerebral. From Drummerworld: Widely regarded as a most versatile and musical drummer, Shelly Manne (1920-1984) was a founding father of the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s. Manne possessed a phenomenal technique, which he channeled into some of the most creative, lyrical drumming ever heard. His solos were unique, sometimes humorous, and above all else, musical. Manne played in the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton big bands and countless smaller ensembles which included Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Don Byas, and Dizzy Gillespie. Another quote from wiki: When the bebop movement began to change jazz in the 1940s, Manne loved it and adapted to the style rapidly, performing with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. When Gillespie came to 52nd Street, Manne was an eager listener and sat in when he could. He was, notably, the drummer on the first recording of Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia" in 1945. In the words of Jack Brand, "Shelly...literally slid into the next era....His ears were always open, his mind ready to adjust...." For the recorded live sessions at the Blackhawk he assembled a quintet with Richie Kamuca on Tenor Sax, Joe Gordon on trumpet, Victor Feldman on piano, Monty Budwig on Bass, Manne on the drum kit. All of these musicians show off their talents on the live recorded Blackhawk sessions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP--FIyBkmw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wza0PhuQOzE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7n0fEf2qRY |
I just checked Amazon for the 4 CD box set I have and its not to be found. However, there was an import for sale titled "Shelly Manne And His Men Complete Live At The Blackhawk" which has 1 disc so is obviously not "complete" I guess the set I purchased many years ago is out of print. However, as some of you probably know, Amazon puts reviews of multiple printings of the same title together and I saw this following review (the reviewer obviously has the same set as me) which sums up everything I feel about these sessions: Four discs-70,70,67,71 minutes each approximately. The sound is as good as the latest individual releases. The bass is where it should be,the piano isn't shrill sounding,the horns have presence,and the drums are clean and crisp without being overstated. This set contains ALL the known music recorded at this time/venue by this group,and is presented in chronological order of playing. The booklet is very informative-reproducing the four individual liner notes from the original releases (except the portion from Vol. 3,which has the "origin of jazz" paragraphs,not pertaining to this band,deleted),and the original "DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE" review,along with several photographs of the band members. Don't go by the AMAZON track listing as to what is on what disc-its INCORRECT. These recordings,arguably,represent the epitome of the "West Coast sound" of jazz in the 50's,and perhaps beyond. For anyone wishing to hear some of the finest jazz from this,or any era,no matter what the locale,this will fit the bill nicely. Why this set isn't listed as a perennial jazz favorite/purchase on Amazon,much like some of Miles Davis' and Coltrane's recordings is a mystery to me. This music transcends enjoyable listening,and enters the realm of essential listening. This group-Shelly Manne-drums,Joe Gordon-trumpet,Victor Feldman-piano,Richie Kamuca-tenor sax,and Monty Budwig-bass,together have recorded some of the finest,most swinging,straight-ahead jazz in history. By now most jazz listeners are familiar with these recordings,so pointing out highlights is useless. Suffice to say that this music,even the (at the time) previously unissued tracks,are all of equal worth. If for some reason you haven't heard this music (or have heard only snippets),this set needs to go on your short-list of jazz sets to purchase,and I envy you on your first hearing this music. |
Thanks nsp for the recommendation. I found the complete (2 discs) Mannehole sessions at discogs for 15 bucks. Amazon wanted 40 bucks and up for used copies. Its on the way to me. I'm sure you know of Manne's work with Hollywood scores like Peter Gunn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7s-JZ_BSSM Below is Shelly with Richie Kamuca on tenor as on the Blackhawk sessions but this features Russ Freeman on piano, Conte Candoli on trumpet, and Monty Budwig on bass so it is the line-up for the Mannehole sessions you recommended, except the bass player. Is the bassist on Mannehole Chuck Berghofer? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1h8mJR6SB8 |