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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
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

 

alexatpos
1,290 posts
 

@pjw81563 Paul, I have the Contemporary (OJC Classics) editions of Shelly Manne And His Men " Live at the Blackhawk" albums, but I have 5 of them. The last one (the 5th) has all previously unissued music. If you don't have it, you should get it. Here it is, check it

https://youtu.be/vw6lTBs9e98?si=CUC2SZ4rkbISs1Yq

As for the Kamuca, he has never made (at least for me, or as far as I know, an album of exceptional beauty, like some of men that we have mentioned)

In fact, I remember, that after I heard the Shelly Manne' s albums, the player who caught my ear was trumpeter Joe Gordon, which led me to this his album

Joe Gordon 'Looking Good' from 1961.

https://youtu.be/A_VPHyssMTU?si=AC0AxIGnQ60m0K8J

 

He had no luck, like so many, made 2 albums as leader, but quite a few with big names as sideman, died in some freaky accident in age of 33

 

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