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

Thank you Mary-Jo; that means that so far I'm hitting 100%, now I know who to use for my reverse barometer.



The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 4 stars and states "it's another fine, eclectic outing that falls squarely into the signature CTI fusion sound: smooth but not slick, accessible but not simplistic... All in all, Salt Song has dated well, partly because the arrangements don't overemphasize electric piano, but mostly on the strength of Turrentine's always-soulful playing".

frogman I agree with your assessment  of Creed Taylor's (CTI) overly produced/engineered and tinkered with recording methods.

While "Salt Song", in which I have listened to a few tracks now, is not something I would add to my collection I do not regard it as elevator music either. That term should be reserved for the likes of Kenny G and other "smooth jazz" artists.

The Turrentine albums "Sugar" and "Cherry" were also produced and engineered by Creed Taylor (CTI) and both of those are in my collection. "sugar", IMHO, is a masterpiece at 5 stars while "Cherry", although not as good as "Sugar" I still consider it a very good album and I would give it 4 stars.