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
Oops, that was Ruth Brown! We did some Etta too, like "Tell Mama". The Blues has a lotta "mama" in it’s lyrics ;-).

As sad as this day is, I'm happy that I have so many of Aretha's records and CD's, from the earliest to more recent. Tonight I'm going to program the computer to play all of those wonderful songs that I've grown up with, and immerse myself in the memories that accompany her music.
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