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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
1,902 posts
 

Just spent the last hour watching these 3 videos on bass playing in jazz. The Percy Heath video was great and led me to the other 2 on Jimmy Blanton and Scott LaFaro. All 3 videos are worth your time to watch.

Percy Heath:

https://youtu.be/ew-spMuMqK4?si=1REaTL-wYmLlfFLl

Jimmy Blanton:

https://youtu.be/2Cr5A5u9ikE?si=oh32nsfYZWLo7-tH

Scott LaFaro:

https://youtu.be/LzvL3gb1lGM?si=FfWcVcKudasH-fsj

The Richie Kamuca Quintet, featuring bassist Scott LaFaro in the last video, led me on a search for Kamuca's recordings as a leader/co-leader. I own the Shelly Manne And His Men "Complete Live at the Blackhawk" 4 CD box , featuring Kamuca on tenor sax, and its on my list of desert island jazz recordings that every jazz aficionado needs to have in his or her collections which is much easier now with streaming as I believe that box set is OOP and rare.

Anyway, the Shelly Manne box introduced me to Kamuca over a decade ago and I  really love his west coast cool jazz tone on tenor but I never dived deeper until tonight and found lots of great songs on Spotify featuring Kamuca.

One from the Shelly Manne box:

https://youtu.be/L_kYxHIh320?si=ByqpXBvFEYscn25e

I believe Kamuca has that tone that @alexatpos enjoys.

 

stuartk
4,010 posts
 

@pjw81563 

I think it was ’76 or ’77 when I saw the Brothers. 

I’ve only read "Straight Life" of those you list. What a book!  

I’ll have to check out the rest. 

Have you read "Celebrating Bird" by Gary Giddins?

Speaking of Kamuca, have you heard "West Coast Jazz in Hi Fi" ? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8REEthV5Vc&list=PLtYI26eLr3z__IZNrdRL75Qzp9aiefwPI

pjw81563
1,902 posts
 

@stuartk 

Have you read "Celebrating Bird" by Gary Giddins?

Yes I have a large format hardcover OOP edition in great shape!

Speaking of Kamuca, have you heard "West Coast Jazz in Hi Fi" ? 

Yes! I just discovered it while compiling a Richie Kamuca playlist on Spotify. For JFAs consideration:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rwjLSdZdr32pJxtNiMMNQ?si=bbbd096e47f24ff4

pjw81563
1,902 posts
 

@stuartk 

I’ve only read "Straight Life" of those you list. What a book! 

Straight Life is one of my favorite books I have ever read on any subject.

Art Pepper was a trip! and this Pepper album is titled appropriately:

https://youtu.be/s8ofwQW4tKk?si=RYa9QWtDRyRbwwnE

On my Richie Kamuca playlist there is an album called "The Route", which is co - led by Art Pepper and Chet Baker featuring Kamuca on tenor. 

stuartk
4,010 posts
 

@pjw81563 

RE: Art Pepper, if one is born with the calling to make art, there’s no escaping it, so one might as well surrender and get to work.  

It’s challenging enough without the complication of addiction. 

I’m guessing you’ve seen this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVdSOtEmt5Q

 

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