Art Blakey, king of the drums.

Charles1dad, I like Miles, I have many of his records and I can empathize with your statement. As a matter of fact I have given your statement so much consideration that this week will be devoted to comparing the two between the time period you stated.

Charles1dad, the time period you stated is my favorite in regard to Miles. He was to the trumpet as Mingus was to the bass. Their musical contributions overshadowed their instrument. While I wouldn't pick Mingus for the all time best bass player, he was a giant in jazz; and so it was with Miles.

I begin my review with the best jazz LP ever, "Somthin Else" headed by Cannonball Adderly. This LP contains the most beautiful Miles ever. Hank Jones on piano; Sam Jones, bass; and Blakey on drums complete this group. These five musicians are like five fingers in a glove, they function as one hand.

First, is "Autumn Leaves". After the intro, we hear that ever so beautiful trumpet of Miles playing the melody. Next we have "Love For Sale". Again, there's that Miles trumpet capturing the essence of this tune better than a vocal version. This is followed by "Somthin Else". On this one we hear the classic "hard bop" Miles, and he soars (but not as high as Lee Morgan). "One For Daddy-O" is Cannonball's time to fly, and he zooms into the stratosphere with Miles on his tail; can't leave that melodic piano of Hank Jones out on this one, Blakey play's a supporting role throughout.

Now we have "Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, A Night In Tunisia"; Lee Morgan, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; and jymie merritt, bass.

On the first cut, "A Night In Tunisia", Thunder Drums comes ripping out striking lightning and raising thunder from his magical drums. He's sounding like three drummers all beating at the same time. Wayne Shorter comes in, followed by Lee Morgan blowing notes faster than a "tommy gun" can spit out bullets, and not one of them slurred or out of place. (eat your heart out Miles). This is the one thing Miles could never do. We are listening to the personification of "Hard bop in the big city", on this jam.

On to Miles home turf, "beauty". "Since I Fell For You" on "The Best of Lee Morgan" is the tune I've chosen to display Lee's talents in that arena. He gets so much into the essence of this tune that his instrumental version conveys more than the vocal. As beautiful as Lee can blow, I concede this to Miles; however, Lee could be titled "Mr. hard bop", and this is where he soars over Miles.

The trumpet to Lee Morgan was as the scalpel is to a skilled surgeon, he could do more with it than anyone else. All of Blakey's "Jazz Messengers" with Lee Morgan can verify this. Miles once stated that he could never blow as fast as "Diz", and Lee can blow even faster than Diz. But what good is speed if you don't have the ideas with the speed; and Lee had the ideas to match.

I am more convinced now than before, that Lee Morgan's virtuosity on trumpet was unmatched by anyone.

Hi,
Orpheus10, that was an enjoyable read. I admire so many jazz musicians that to absolutely say one is "best" is beyond my ability. Lee Morgan ranks among the very best of the trumpeters(I a have number of his recordings). In my case I make an emotional connection with Miles more often, of course this is just personal preference. Tonight I`ll listen to Lee Morgan`s "Tom Cat" CD and then Mile`s "Seven Steps to Heaven". I love jazz.

Best Regards,

Some people say there are two kinds of music, good and bad; I say the two kinds are music you like and music you don't like. Whatever kind you like is the best, and don't let me or anyone else tell you different.

I have Moanin, The Jazz Messengers and others, but I just don't get into Blakey's drumming style or its sound. I recognize that he was great but... I don't know if it's the sound of the traps he played or how he played them, but his sound signature sometimes grates on me.