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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
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frogman
7,596 posts
 
+1 Schubert’s recommendation of “Montreal Memories”.  Beautiful record.  One of Frank Morgan’s favorite tunes was Monk’s classic “Round Midnight”.  Sometimes different versions of a player’s favorite tunes offer some interesting insights:

1989.  A couple of years after his heralded comeback.  Beautifully soulful playing with a touch of urgency:

https://youtu.be/7Z2F1XmLFVI

1990.  Very different setting and much more “up” take on the same tune.  His playing sounds particularly strong and lively; he sounds really “in shape”: 

https://youtu.be/OeFFVjFI2VM

2004.  Fewer notes and more introspection.  Shades of Art Pepper’s almost-painful-to-listen-to mournfulness.  Coincidence?.... he had co-led a band with fellow prison inmate Art Pepper:

https://youtu.be/UKiPZ45tN7k

2006.  Less than a year before he passed.  Some might say he sounds tired while letting Hicks have the spotlight.  I think he sounds beautiful and peaceful:

https://youtu.be/9yDkIwQjeB8
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Re; 2006
I hear a man totally at peace and with nothing to prove to anyone to include himself and his maker which is as beautiful as it gets .
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acman3
4,422 posts
 
Frogman and Schubert , I was listening to the John Hicks-Frank Morgan recording yesterday, in comparison to Montreal Memories. Both are great! I did not realize he was so close to the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVlxTy3Xzio
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