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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
mihorn
910 posts
 

Light my fire - Patricia Barber

tyray
1,045 posts
 

Henry Franklin "Blue Lights" LIVE at Jazz Is Dead

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,055 posts
 

i just wrote this  to convey  my Scriabin  impression:

 

 

I created the past that never was
In the present which encompass
Nothing old or new
 But the future as memory anew

The instant of perception
Reflect nothing 
But is the seed of an aeon
Whose voice sing

Out of any tune
Out of any time
Like the mysterious rune
From a god mime

 

@mahgister, here is a poem I wrote many years ago about Stravinsky's Rite of Spring:

Stravinsky

 

 

Such a leap

from an oompah

band to the dark primordial

marshland sprawling

beyond sight or imagination

in an absolutely secret

expanse finally brought

to light. He grabs it

by the neck, that

captured goblin, &

will not yield

to its wailing &

incessant

rhythmic kicking, until

it quiets & whispers

ageless secrets in

his ear / about fear

& sensuality

long forgotten.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,055 posts
 

Thanks tyray i am happy to be useful ...

 

@mahgister

The reason for me is evident so genius was Stravinsky and he is one of the greatest Russian composer, Scriabin is more revolutionary, transforming piano playing into a "primal" musical time machine which goal was putting us in a trance. He succeeded. By the way in jazz Sun Ra is our Scriabin so to speak....

The mastery of Stravinsky was the witchcraft by which he could use all musical stylistic languages of all musical history in some patchwork way...

 

Thank you for this....Very musically informative for me.

frogman
7,599 posts
 

Fantastic post, @mahgister !  It is generally acknowledged that Jazz, at its most basic, is a blend of African rhythmic elements and European harmony.  As you suggest, in the absence of time/rhythm, however obtuse (“Rite….” is a good example), harmony becomes almost pointless.

Thanks for the “The Bad Plus” clip, @acman3 .  One of the best “non traditional” takes on “Rite of Spring” that I have heard; and there are many.

It should be noted that Russian and French musical traditions are closely intertwined.  Both Stravinsky and Scriabin were heavily influenced by French musical ideas and traditions; particularly Russia’s ballet tradition (“Rite…”).  It was common for French musicians of note to be “imported” to Russia to teach Russian students.

Sounds rather French to me, not to mention simply beautiful:

https://youtu.be/C6LhXzKs0rY?si=PAVJABEgqrKsEtFA

 

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