Introductary J*** recommendations needed.

Chris,

So glad you're enjoying it. Thanks very much for the kind words.

Fred

Several excellent recommendations have been made for Rollins' work, including "Tenor Madness", "Saxophone Colossus" and "Live at the Village Vanguard". I have to add "Way Out West" to that list. Why? Because it's fun.

Also, I didn't see "Hello Dolly!" anywhere (have I missed it?). Although it was released around 1962, it harkens back to the Louis Armstrong of the late 30's / early 40's. Another album that's just plain fun.

Cheers

Keith.

you couldnt go far wrong with any of the verve "jazz club" series, each featuring a particular instrument. the one i am looking at (vinyl, but i suspect also available on cd) is "jazz club - piano". there is also "jazz club - tenor saxophone" etc...

i recall a next door neighbour of mine asking me the same question "where to start is jazz" -- and me recommendation these series. he bought "drums" and was hooked!! now he is into all sorts...

enjoy...

ken

Chris,

Try: Dexter Gordon, Ballads; John Coltrane, My Favorite Things; David Murray, Tea For Two; Joe Henderson, Lush Life; Abbey Lincoln/Hank Jones, When There is Love; Wayne Shorter, Juju... and have you bought any Bill Evans yet ..?

Stewart

[This message was edited by Stewart Cooper on SUNDAY 04 February 2001 at 05:56.]

I, too, am starting to explore Jazz (have been for the past few years).

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Basie. Personally, I've liked everything I've heard by the Count.

Also, Brubeck's Time Out seems to be low on everybody else's radar.

Early Armstrong is amazing.

I find Lady Day hard to listen to, but Strange Fruit is incredible.

Also, I found a 6-LP set on Jazz from the Smithsonian, which I find thought provoking.

Hock's enjoinder (?) to go hear jazz live probably is best, but since I'm usually asleep before a performance heats up....

Regards.

Phil

I've always used the word enjoiner. It is not listed in The New Oxford Dictionary but is in Collins as noun of enjoin. I like it, Hock's enjoiner. Injunction is described as pertaining to law. You're not...one of them... Ross, are you?

Oh and by the way... Art Pepper, Modern Art; Meets the Rhythmn section, Smack Up . All classics, essential jazz recordings.

I hope to try his autobiography this weekend. The definitive Jazz Life says the blurb.

John

As long as you chase the ambulance and not the hearse, we may be able to coexist. As an enjoiner lets check Webster and double or quits.

John

And another thing, injunction as used in its legalese sense suggests prevention, prohibition. To enjoin is to recommend, suggest etc. They appear to have opposite meanings.

John

Just how much is a subscription to the online OED?

I first got into jazz in 1991 when somebody bought me Miles' Kind of Blue on vinyl. Lisyening to this LP, I discovered what it was that makes people obsessed with jazz - aas a consequence I now have about 650 jazz LPs.

FWIW, here are my recommendations - but be warned: jazz can be seriously addictive, particularly for those with vinyl junkie tendencies!

1. MILES DAVIS - Kind of Blue. You'll have read loads about this already, but it's one of the ffew records that really does live up to its reputation.

2. BILL EVANS - Everybody Digs Bill Evans. A perfect introduction to the most important post-war jazz pianist. Contains the renowned Peace Piece.

3. DUKE ELLINGTON - Blues In Orbit. My favourite album of all time. Ever! This is the Ellington Orchestra in all its majesty, with some wonderfully elliptical piano interjections from the maestro. Wonderful choons, great arrangements, and well, it just swings! Brilliantly recorded too! Ellington is probably the greatest figure in all jazz,, and perhaps all 20th century music too.

4. KEITH JARRETT - The Cure. A live LP from Jarrett's awesome "standards" trio (Jack De Johnette on drums, Gary Peacock bass, Jarrett on piano). Brilliant interpretations of standards plus the title track, a very hhypnotic Jarrett original. Very good recording, as you'd expect from ECM.

5. COUNT BASIE - Atomic Basie. The swingingest album ever made? If this doesn't get your foot tapping, nothing will.

6. JOHN COLTRANE - A Love Supreme. More accessible than its reputation suggests.

7. LOUIS ARMSTRONG - Best of the Hot Fives and Sevens. The most influential jazz recordings ever.

8. THELONIUS MONK - Brilliant Corners. Just astonishing.

9. CHARLIE MINGUS - Mingus Ah-Um. Ditto.

10. MILES DAVIS - In A Silent Way.. Far better than the bombastic Bitches Brew, this still sounds futuristic nearly 35 years on...

Once you've tried those, may I suggest these?

PETER BROTZMANN - Machine Gun
JOHN COLTRANE - Blue Train
CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - Accent On Africa
BENNY GOODMAN - BG in HiFi
BENNY GOODMAN - Live At Carnegie Hall
BENNY GOODMAN - The Small Bands Volumes 1 + 2
OSCAR PETERSON - Night Train
SCAR PETERSON/CLARK TERRY - Trio Plus One
DUKE ELLINGTON - The Complete Newport 56
DUKE ELLINGTON - Uptown
DUKE ELLINGTON - Such Sweet Thunder
DUKE ELLINGTON - Far East Suite
DUKE ELLINGTON - Money Jungle
DUKE ELLINGTON - The Blanton-Webster Band
DUKE ELLINGTON - Jazz Party
DUKE ELLINGTON/ELLA FITZERALD - At Duke's Place
CHARLIE MINGUS - At Antibes
CHARLIE MINGUS - Tijuana Moods
BILL EVANS - Waltz For Debbie
BILL EVANS - Live At The Village Vanguard
BILL EVANS - Nardis
THELONIUS MONK - Criss Cross
THELONIUS MONK - Solo Monk
MILES DAVIS - Relaxin', Cookin' Workin' Steamin' (or all four!)
MILES DAVIS - Miles Ahead
MILES DAVIS - Milestones
MILES DAVIS - Porgy & Bess
MILES DAVIS - Complete Birth Of The Cool
MILES DAVIS - ESP
MILES DAVIS - On The Corner
MILES DAVIS - Jack Johnson
MILES DAVIS - Get Up With It
MILES DAVIS - Pangea and Agharta
MILES DAVIS - Filles De Kilimanjaro
ERIC DOLPHY - Out To Lunch
LOUIS ARMSTRONG - Satch Plays Fats
LOUIS ARMSTRONG - California Concerts
LOUIS ARMSTRONG + ELLA FITZGERALD - Louis and Ella
JOHN COLTRANE - Ascension
STAN GETZ/JOAO GLBERTO - same
Any good Blue Note Compilation

Enough to be going on with?

I confess not to having read all the posts on this topic, but has anyone suggested trying Hi-Fi Choice Forum's FAQ on the subject?

http://forum.hifichoice.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1689