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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
7,817 posts
 
Louis Armstrong -- AND THE GOOD BOOK

This is actually two albums on one CD. "Louis and the Good Book" and "Louis and the Angels". Tracks 1 thru 12 are from 'The Good Book', and they are great. Spirituals being sung with humor, and NOT like it's European Opera. Great backup singers. You can imagine Louis doing 'Ezekiel Saw The Wheel'.

Of course no one can do a song like Pops. The second LP, 'Louis and the Angels' must have taxed Pop's spirit. But he was the consummate pro. Sy Oliver and his orchestra with some background singers that sounded like they came from 'sing along with mitch'. Complete with the obligatory violins. What a bunch of crap. I guess they wanted 'improve' Pops!! Sy Oliver should be ashamed.

But, Louis struggles to, and manages to stay above the travesty. This is what I call disrespect. As bad as 'Bird with strings'. I guess some people with the power just didn't get it.

Recommended for the first 12 tracks only. At least they didn't mix the tunes, it's easy to hit the eject key after #12.

Allen Toussaint died yesterday while in Spain. He was right up there with Louis when it came to capturing the soul and essence of New Orleans. I will have to play "The Bright Mississippi" today. Great CD.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

"Baby Face Willette", who got his name from looking at least 10 years younger than his chronological age, could make an organ produce frequency extremes and dynamic range higher and wider than anything that could be recorded. But his audience didn't come to hear what he had on record, they came to hear "Bird" on organ, which is how he sounded as he played at lightning speeds, not just notes, but coherent musical phrases. He looked like anything but a baby when he was performing with face and body contorted by the muse that had possessed him.

"Now"! I recall sitting at a table with professional drummer "Kenny Rice", when I saw "Trane" go off into the far reaches of the galaxy. I looked at Kenny, eyes closed, a faint smile on his face, head nodding to the music, and I could tell he was right along side Trane on his journey to "Orion 7" or wherever; but they had left me behind; I wasn't left behind when "Face" played.

Since "Face" never played live what was on records, I can only try to come close, and it's still a long way from what I heard; "Bird" on "Organ", which is something no equipment made can record; I can only give you what's on record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNkag9AKgbA&list=PLPOxwexjsUr6B48cS4_SIp4MhU8b4VAn2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ERGSEyBeM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJm2sTjSY4o

Enjoy the music
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,817 posts
 
Forgot the youtubes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tm6QEN7ABg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzcpUdBw7gs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzQdN5uoNE

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,817 posts
 
O-10:
Baby Face : Fantastic!! This, 8 ball, is one of the best things you have ever posted. The ones with Lou Donaldson were great also. The clips had every surface in my house vibrating / resonating. And this was with computer speakers at normal volume. Great stuff all around.

I see he has several more on youtube. I will have to visit Amazon!

Thanks for the introduction.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, people from around the world will agree with you on "The Bright Mississippi", I listened to it all the way through. Here he is all the way live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4frYZXc9tQ

Enjoy the music.
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