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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
pjw81563
1,903 posts
 

Speaking of jazz trios led by a saxophonists sans piano, this is one of my all time favorites (a desert island disc) which I have on Analog Productions SACD. The great Sonny Rollins (still with us at 95) with Ray Brown on bass and Shelly Manne on drums. Lester Koenig quote on the Way Out West sessions:

According to the liner notes by producer Lester Koenig, recording began at 3:00 a.m. to fit the musicians' busy schedules, but "[a]t 7 a.m., after four hours of intense concentration, during which they recorded half the album, and should have been exhausted, Sonny said, 'I'm hot now.' Shelly who had been up for 24 hours, said, 'Man, I feel like playing.' And Ray, who was equally tired and had a studio call for the afternoon, just smiled."

https://youtu.be/LmMHG2THHck?si=hUQVpaPR-11PcJWu

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,966 posts
 

@stuartk 

Love it!

pjw81563
1,903 posts
 

@stuartk I was curious about the word vocalese and its definition since there are a lot of classical music scores that use the word vocalise and the E instead of I after L, makes all the difference.

When you search query vocalise, the first thing that pops up is Rachmaninov.

When you query vocalese, AI generates this         

 Vocalese is a unique jazz singing style where vocalists write and perform original, often rapid-fire lyrics that perfectly match the notes, rhythm, and phrasing of pre-existing instrumental melodies or improvised solos

The posts by you and alek were the first I ever heard Annie Ross's vocals and I have to say she has that perfect female jazz tonality                                                                            

pjw81563
1,903 posts
 

Dedicated tonight to jazz trios led by saxophonists. Have already posted one of the best. Also listened to Ornette Coleman and Gerry Mulligan. Coleman's The Shape Of Jazz To Come is just as popular with jazz aficionados as Rollin's Way Out West. Mulligan's not so much but a very good session regardless.

Coleman's popular but somewhat controversial album:

https://youtu.be/kcslwKxCTR0?si=W4JTeGD3p_HmP576

Mulligan's west coast cool album featuring Chet Baker:

https://youtu.be/PXBq_BnEmS4?si=sCd7lR0PXzy0F4rQ

 

 

 

stuartk
4,012 posts
 

@pjw81563 

I wasn’t aware that term was also used in Classical music. Interesting. 

Two other Sax led trios: Joe Lovano’s Sounds of Joy and Gary Smulyan’s Hidden Treasures.

I guess this reveals my OCD side but the fake horse hoof sounds on Way Out West ruin that album for me. 

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