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
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

AT THE CAFE BOHEMIA VOLUME 1

Kenny Dorham(trumpet), Hank Mobley(tenor sax), Horace Silver(piano), Doug Watkins(bass), Art Blakey(drums)
Blue Note    1955 / 2001

Notes: "During 1955 and 1956, The Cafe Bohemia was at the center of Jazz creativity in New York City.  The Greenwich Village club was located at 15 Barrow street, on the same premises where James P. Johnson, Max Kaminsky, Willie "The Lion" Smith and Wilbur De Paris had led groups a decade earlier when the space was called the Pied Piper.  Owner Jimmy Garoflo had operated the Bohemia as a strip club until musicians, including Charlie Parker, began coming in to jam in early 1955.  Parker scheduled to be the opening Jazz attraction, died in March...."

Soft Winds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaokuN1bsfU

The Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8YOTwHeeeI

Minor's Holiday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sB6gQNYlnw

Alone Together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92V1UaS6pI

Cheers
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

AT THE CAFE BOHEMIA VOLUME 2

Kenny Dorham(trumpet), Hank Mobley(tenor sax), Horace Silver(piano), Doug Watkins(bass), Art Blakey(drums)
Blue Note   1955 / 2001

Sportin' Crowd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIKLJNs79Bc

Avila & Tequila
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQbXYoZuGTA

Just one of those things
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcviiU2CsTc

Cheers
Art Blakey never made a bad album. He also gave many rookie jazz musicians who later became legends in the genre their start. Blakey had them composing songs and and perfecting their instrument playing while under his tutelage. 

Wayne Shorter, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, curtis Fuller, Jymie Merritt, Doug Watkins and more were able to sharpen up their talents while a member of the Jazz Messengers.

Buhaina's Delight is another good one.

(27) Bu's Delight (Remastered 2003/Rudy Van Gelder Edition) - YouTube