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  Its an interesting thought (what is the origin of our esthetic taste)

There are lots of rational explanations and I would agree with lots of them. On the other hand, I always thought that my taste in music is born and ’developed’ since my early age, from the music I was exposed to as a child at home. But, than again, I am quite sure that my parents, who listened that music and even bought me lot of records did not listen that same music in their early childhood. (beeing generation that lived thru ww2 since they were born) So, just a rhetoric question that ask myself is who and when ’influenced’ them... 

@pjw81563  Paul, if you do not have this one already, check it out.

Grant Green 'Funk in France'

https://youtu.be/hcQ-bcp_pjQ?si=-DIdlvxBIccuvLKA

 

I wish that somebody transfer this gig into album

Green, Burrell, Kessell, live footage, together, in France, 1969.

https://youtu.be/_4jMQNJFPO4?si=MIUnJbHYCgrACvRA

 

 

@alexatpos 

I can see how one's early encounters with music could shape life long patterns but I'm talking about, for example, why one might enjoy Miles but not enjoy Chet Baker. I don't see logic in that. What am failing to grasp? 

 

@mahgister 

Re Marcin Patrzalek; Great young guitarist from Poland. I will definitely go to see him live if he ever comes to NYC.

Have you listened to the great Mexican acoustic guitar duo featuring musicians Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero?

I assume you also know of another young Guitarist phenom from Europe - Palermo, Sicily, Matteo Mancuso. Mancuso is playing live at Sony Hall in NYC on 13 August and I will be going to the show.

Mancuso interview with Rick Beato:

https://youtu.be/rASUoqbHhqY?si=EC4WRee6sGqgxBst

Matteo Mancuso album:

https://youtu.be/UvBrPb6VuVo?si=6_OJ1wd1FW-v1bPc

Marcin Patrzalek album:

https://youtu.be/R_WPzLH3LgE?si=7CpjpHuRVef_Yxh0

Rodrigo e' Gabriela:

https://youtu.be/PT9hvyDvKHA?si=7n46p7-maMOAa8Gj

A great from the past, the late Paco De Lucia:

https://youtu.be/2oyhlad64-s?si=IAkxotrAusjZdASF

However, none of the guitarist's I have mentioned yet are an equal to Guthrie Govan. The 2 young men from Europe may get there but not yet. Govan is unequaled in both virtuosity and improvisation. 

Before Govan, the late Allan Holdsworth was the improvisational great. Both of them can play the guitar like the saxophone, melding improvised notes and chords together. Many great guitarists listen and learn from the saxophone greats to improvise on the fly. Duane Allman had Kind Of Blue and A Love Supreme and has been quoted that they were a big influence for him.

Two years ago I saw the instrumental rock power trio, The Aristocrats, live at Gramercy Theater in NYC. Guthrie Govan is the guitarist of The Aristocrats. I was in a trance for 90 minutes watching them preform. The drummer and bass player are also 2 of the best, Marco Minnemann and Bryan Beller, respectively.

Rick Beato on Guthrie Govan:

https://youtu.be/k6ucIShHW7Q?si=AbdqKNcQbw4l7w5C

Govan:

https://youtu.be/bUZK9dasP8s?si=QIHkl4v-MNkHR6pd

The Aristocrats:

https://youtu.be/Bg_6CWcJqNM?si=rWTCbjevZIEt8IJS

It would be disrespectful if I did not add a tune by the late great Allan Holdsworth. Here is Allan playing a song from the great jazz tenor, Joe Henderson, Inner Urge:

https://youtu.be/Um_3_N67Vx0?si=CeWcwXQUg2EzFxOJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@alexatpos 

Just saw your post now but its Sunday afternoon here in NY and its a beautiful day so I need to get off the laptop and get outside.

I will reply tonight or tomorrow.