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

Today's Listen and Lesson:


John Coltrane -- BOTH DIRECTIONS AT ONCE : THE LOST TAPES


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv4elylwsA 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erlJD3Qo50c


Recorded in 1963.  Released in 2018.  WTF,  you may ask.

2CD set.

The booklet is almost as compelling as the music.  It gives the history of these recordings and an insight into the record business of that era.

The record labels used to record and hoard the music, not releasing it until they felt the economic / market situation was most favorable to their bottom line.

Coltrane, and others, would complain about fans wanting them to play their 'latest' hits, when in fact Coltrane had moved on.   They were asking for music he had recorded years previous, but had just been released.

When Impulse was bought by ABC and moved to LA, many unreleased tapes by Coltrane and others were thrown out to save on 'storage costs'.  Makes a man want to cry.

We have these recordings because of tapes Coltrane gave his ex-wife, Naima.  If not for that action, all of this would have been lost, along with the countless gems that were thrown in the trash to save a few bucks.

LESSON:  Do not let outsiders control or define your art.

Cheers

nsp, good and well reasoned comments. I don’t disagree about Dailey’s comping and your point is well taken. Maybe it is, as you point out, the fast tempo that I’m reacting to and makes me feel there is a stylistic clash between Getz and Bailey. I’ll give it another listen. Do post some of that FB/KC BB. Thanks.

Rok, Trane is so soothing that I have been listening for some time now, and it's for sure that I will get that set.