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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
tyray
1,044 posts
 

@audio-b-dog 

I’ll have to pull out your flute suggestions to compare. I do understand that very often jazz musicians do not have the perfect tone of classical musicians, but they have a swagger and understanding of earthy rhythms that classical musicians lack.

I don’t know if I can agree with you on that, as so many jazz musicians, including flutists have classical training. And that’s the very reason why I posted this André Previn post earlier on this and another thread:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/rudy-van-gelder-on-vinyl/post?highlight=Barney%2BKessel%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Balbum%2B%E2%80%99Carmen%E2%80%99&postid=2804386#2804386

André Previn was a well respected concert musician as well a well respected jazz musician. Did some folks from both camps hold it against him for crossing (over) into both genres, yep and thank goodness he didn’t listen.

There are many classically trained musicians that play jazz we can think of even the most recently discussed artist here on this thread including but not limited to Esperanza Spalding, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell, Hubert Laws, Chick Corea were classically trained....

 

frogman
7,596 posts
 

I agree with @tyray .  Moreover, it is a mistake to somehow attach superiority of expressiveness, swagger, whatever, to Jazz musicians as compared to Classical musicians.  Two different genres with very different sensibilities which are what define expressiveness or swagger in each genre.  Great Classicical musicians play with every bit as much “swagger” as great Jazz musicians.  It’s just a different type of swagger.  Even the best Jazz musicians playing Classical music typically sound just as out of place playing Classical as do Classical musicians trying to play Jazz.  And the difference is a lot more than just tone. 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,996 posts
 

Watermelon man, Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper
 

https://youtu.be/zykaLKkPQaY?si=VmC-jvlJ-snvh01_

tyray
1,044 posts
 

@curiousjim 

What!?!  As I said, pick up the (electric) bass and play hell of it.

Edit: I gotta listen to that again...Walk that bass...

Sang. Take it to Church.

tyray
1,044 posts
 

Check out Esperanza’s custom electric bass. The frets are sunk/recessed into the guitar neck face and sides to work as both a fretless bass and a bass with frets. Outstanding creativity, resourcefulness and craftsmanship.

That above post was supposed to say: What!?!  As I said, pick up the (electric) bass and play hell (out) of it.

 

 

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