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

nsp, it seems we are both curious about Alex's collection; he has records so unique that it seems only a native of the South Side of Chicago in the late 50's would own them.

South Side Soul is just such a record, it captures the spirit and feel of neighborhoods in that part of Chicago so distinctly, that the music takes you back in time, and you can visualize being there, here is an example;


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViAsMZhJX1E



Ahmad Jamal was the house band on 64 and Cottage Grove where he recorded his famous album at the "Pershing Lounge", and I lived one block from there with my older cousin. One day I saw Dinah Washington coming out of the lounge and getting into her brand new continental with the spare on the trunk; it was that kind of place.

South Siders who were there at that time have a day that they honor this musician every year.

How did a record so unique come into Alex's possession?



      Track listing
"South Side Soul" (Esmond Edwards) – 5:02
"47th and Calumet" (John Wright) – 3:57
"La Salle St After Hours" (Armond Jackson) – 5:21
"63rd and Cottage Grove" (Wright) – 4:06
"35th St Blues" (Wendell Roberts) – 7:00
"Sin Corner" (Jackson) – 5:30
"Amen Corner" (Roberts) – 5:30

Pjw, while all those cuts were outstanding; Hank Mobley, Carmel Jones and Kenny Dorham appealed to me most, and will be added to my collection.


Thanks.
Orpheus10 I enjoyed the John Wright Trio album. I listened to every song. I had never heard of him thanks for that.

I am, of course, familiar with Ahmad Jamal and I too have his "At the Pershing / But Not For Me" disc. Mine is one of the latest re-issues on CD and has the 7:38 long version of "Poinciana" released on the Chess label and it is remastered (32 bit).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cytUz9KkK9M


pjw, and nsp, I have partially answered our question in regard to Alex's record collection; he acquired those records when they came out, but how he chose so many killers is a mystery to me. He owns another relatively unknown Chicago musicians record that I searched for, that's not on CD, but one very expensive record was available, which I declined to purchase.

If we have time, maybe we could search Alex's posts, and discuss what we found. I know he has posted other records I intended to buy but forgot about them.

Every version of "Poinciana" by Ahmad sounds fantastic, but for sentimental reasons, the first one stands the most replays. (a friend of mine's donkey laugh can be heard on that album)