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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
frogman
7,593 posts
 
nsp, re Bobby Henderson: Yes, stride piano.  “Ain’t Misbehaving” was written by Fats Waller, considered the greatest of the stride piano players.

Great clips, Alex.  Loved that “Jitterbug Waltz”.  Wonderful player, Henderson.

nsp, great Lee Morgan clips.  Higgins is great as always.  Wasn’t familiar with that record and it goes on to buy list.  Interesting about the dates with Wayne Shorter?  Here’s a favorite Wayne Shorter record with Higgins, but with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet instead:

https://youtu.be/pFb51lJzw7k

https://youtu.be/qFZ-F4RIIQQ
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Checked in tonight to catch up on this thread, and noticed some postings of the Ravel Pavane for a Dead Princess.  For me personally, one of the very most beautiful versions of the opening horn solo was Myron Bloom's, with the Cleveland Orchestra and George Szell conducting. It is on an LP with the Debussy La Mer.  Anyway, Mr. Bloom died just the other day - horn players all over the world are mourning him.  I listened to his Pavane that day.  Quite a bit different sound from Stefan Dohr, who although of course a very great player, is definitely not everyone in the horn world's king, especially from the musical side.....horn playing has changed in New York a very great deal over the last decade or two, Frogman, especially if many are expressing a preference for Dohr, who is pretty much a polar opposite of what used to be the New York horn style.  Although that was not my style (and neither is Dohr's or Bloom's), it is sad to see it almost completely disappearing now.  
pjw81563
1,902 posts
 
nsp,

I have the 3 Lee Morgan sessions on the Veejay label.

Eddie Higgins piano on "Expoobident".

Wynton Kelly piano on "Here's Lee Morgan"

Both feature Clifford Jordon on tenor sax and Art Blakey on drums. The bass player changes from Art Davis on "Expoobident" to Paul Chambers on "Here's Lee Morgan"

The third Veejay album with Lee Morgan, "The Young Lions" has an altogether different lineup and Wayne Shorter does play tenor sax on it. The rest of the personnel:


Frank Strozier alto sax

Bobby Timmons piano

Bob Cranshaw bass

Albert "Tootie Heath" drums on tracks 3, 5, and 8.

Louis Hayes drums tracks 1, 2, 6, and 7

All three Veejay album sessions were recorded in 1960 sandwiched in between Lee Morgan Blue Note dates.


pjw81563
1,902 posts
 
frogman,

I was not aware that Eddie Higgins played piano on that Wayne Shorter album which I do not have. I shall have to remedy that.

Using Higgins without putting Eddie or Billy in front of it could confuse the uninitiated who may pop up here from time to time.

Speaking of the drummer, Billy Higgins, here is an interesting video I stumbled on this past winter which made me purchase volumes 1 through 3 of Cedar Walton's "The Trio"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4BYt3l7zEM

frogman
7,593 posts
 
Always good to have you check in, Learsfool.  I will defer to you on all things French horn.  I agree about Bloom’s greatness and would add that no one player is ever “king” to all concerned.  Yes, things have changed quite a bit stylistically over the last couple of decades in NY as in many other places; on all instruments.  As a friend often says “We’re the old guys now”.
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