Some j*** recomendations please

rollins

Longman,

experienced memebrs have given you plenty of really, really good suggestions..If I may add a few ideas, if you like Jarrett already his album I love most is >Live in Japan'96<. He's also done a solo disc: >The melody at night, with you<, which may not be his greatest jazz achievemet but is a handful of beautiful songs played rather soulfully, and has a story behind: he did it as a present to his wife, at home, in the time he was suffering from chronical fatigue, painfully recording a few notes a time, editing...
And, though not everybody likes Dave Bruebeck, try to find >Jazz impressions of New York<, just >Autumn in Washington Square< is worth the buy.
Enjoy!
Massimo

Massimo--I believe the Jarrett album you recommend is "Tokyo '96"

Kind of Blue was the album that first hooked me into jazz and for several years my recording buying was an attempt to find other things like it. But, for the most part, there isn't really anything. That's not to say there aren't similar things that you ought to love, just that Miles had an infuriating habit of producing works of genius and then moving onto the next big thing seemingly without pause for thought.



The closest thing I know to Kind of Blue, and one of my all time favourite albums is Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson (one of a series of verve albums where artists got together with Peterson's trio, the Louis Armstrong and Lester Young ones are not bad either). You might be tempted to feel short changed, it's only 37 minutes long, but 37 minutes of pure gold.


John Coltrane has been mentioned, and in particular A Love Supreme, but I'm not sure I'd have said it was ideal getting started material (ditto my favourite Trane recording - the Village Vanguard recordings). Giant Steps and Blue Train are probably better starting points.


There is some Miles that is well worth exploring. I would suggest his sound track to a French film noire Ascenseur pour L'echafaud. The ground breaking Birth of the Cool (his first collaboration with master orchestrator Gil Evans), an attempt to get a big band sound with as few instruments as possible (in the end a nonet). Then there are the last four Prestige albums (dashed out in marathon sessions in order to satisfy his contract before moving to Columbia, though you wouldn't know it from the quality). They feature such artists as Coltrane, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on Drums. The albums are Cookin', Relaxin', Steaming and Workin' (but not Walkin', which, confusingly, came a few years earlier with a different group). Complete Concert is a great album (with an interesting story behind it - Miles insisted the fees be waived as it was raising money for charity, this was a much bigger deal for the band members that for him and led to a blazing row, perhaps that's why the playing is so electric). The only problem is that (at least on the edition I have) the concert is split into the two albums that were derived from it My Funny Valentine (all the slow numbers) and Four and More (the fast ones). The other absolute must haves are his other Gil Evans collaborations. The colour of the orchestrations is stunning. Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess are extraordinary an Sketches of Spain, while perhaps not quite in the same league is fine none the less. Someone above mentioned the similarity of Kind of Blue to In a Silent Way, and I think that's true, if you don't mind that it's electric, and there's no reason you should (if you like it Jack Johnson is worth exploring, though it's rather different).

Bill Evans was, I believe, a major influence on Kind of Blue. Originally he trained as a classical pianist and many of his post Miles efforts are well worth getting. In particular is a 1961 recording at the Village Vanguard, with his trio of Scott LaFargo and Paul Motian - the way they seem to play with one voice is beautiful. Originally only issued in part as two albums Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie, both of which are worth having. However, you can now get the complete session. Conversations with Myself (where Evans pairs up and overdubs his own playing) is good. The Paris Concert (Edition 1 and Edition 2 - two halves of the same concert), is also fantastic.

Lastly, someone mentioned the MJQ. I'd suggest their live alubm Dedicated to Connie.


regards, Tam

Well , I am off to Florida in a couple of days . A little matter of my wedding to take care of . Be sure that I will be going with a list as long as my arm of all these recomendations and I will be checking out the local record shops for some bargains . Keep the recomendations comming though as I will be continuing my search when I return .
I have been collecting music for many years and have a record collection of over 2,000 Lp's and a 1,000 CD's . But I can honestly say I have in that time never been so excited as I am now at the prospect of putting some of these suggestions on my LP12 or CDX2 .

I will be back in a couple of weeks with a tan and and some new music to explore !

Steve

If you like good music I think you'd enjoy these two albums. I'm quite fond of them, myself, and other people tell me they like them, too.







All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Longman:
I have since bought an original copy of the album take five ( columbian 6 eye ) and also added Miles davis " Kind of blue " album
...
what I am after now are some other recomendations of similiar jazz albums

Hi Steve,

Based on the 2 albums you've bought and the fact that you've just started your jazz collection, it would be a good idea to stick with what is considered "the essentials" of 50s and 60s jazz (maybe even older).

Here are 9 that I consider essential in no particular order (2 of which you already own):

1. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

2. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
Much more busy and dense than Kind of Blue. Two drums, two basses, three keyboards, plus percussion, saxophone, and trumpet. And that's in one song, playing together! But that's the whole point. This is rock jazz (as opposed to jazz rock).

3. Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out

4. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
You can't ignore Coltrane when it comes to jazz. And you can't ignore "A Love Supreme" when it comes to Coltrane. This album is just before he went "out there" with his music and it's his masterpiece. Be aware that the insturments are panned hard left and right as per standard Atlantic practice. You won't find spread out soundstage here but separation (musically, not sonically) is actually better for it imho.

5. The Quintet - Jazz at Massey Hall
Another absolute great of jazz is Charlie Parker. Here he's partnered with other absolute greats: Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach. Note: the sound quality is rubbish. But this is stunning musicianship. Note 2: this is bebop throughout, so it is much less melodic than Kind of Blue or Time Out.

6. Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Vilage Vanguard, or Waltz for Debbie
Both are actually a recording of the same session so they're very similar. Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro really hits it here. The jazz album to start with if you're interested in jazz harmony (as opposed to melody though that isn't half bad in these albums either).

7. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto
This album didn't start the Bossa Nova craze (that has to be Getz/Byrd's "Jazz Samba"), but this is the most rewarding. Subtle and beautiful.

8. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Ella and Louis
Backed up by the Oscar Peterson Trio. There are 2 other albums in this series ("Ella and Louis Again" and "Porgy and Bess") but the original is the one to get. Swing at its best.

9. Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come
A genre defining album. This is free jazz. Make sure you hear it first before you buy. Not everybody's cup of tea (but what is? .) Another Atlantic record, instruments panned hard left and right.

Went to HMV today. Waddya know. One single copy of one single Cannonball Adderley recording. 'somthin else. It's good, very good - better still on second listening. But Miles Davis hardly lets Adderley get a note in sideways in some places. 'tis another Miles Davis album methinks.

also got Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyager - Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, in some ways I prefer him to Miles Davis. All those old Blue Note, Rudy Van Gelder re-masters seem good.

And only £8 each in the UK.

All the above recommendations are excellent although there seems to be a distinct lack of support for the West Coast - often considered 'lightweight' compared to Miles & Co, there were still some superb musicians and albums. True, the sound was generally more breezy but personally I don't think you can beat a bit of West Coast Cool when driving down a country road on a summers day! (And it's a great excuse to once again show one of my all time favourite covers!)

quote:

All those old Blue Note, Rudy Van Gelder re-masters seem good.

Exercise care with some of them though; there are RVGs that are hideously bright -- verging on unlistenable.

I recommend some good old Oscar Peterson.
In particular, Night train, We get requests, Trio + 1(with Clark Terry), Stan Getz with Oscar Peterson. All fabulous and swing like crazy!

Try Grant Green, Idle Moments... It's awesome.

I'd second that vote Blakey, Idle Moments is fab! Also out the real funky LP "Carryin' on"

..Speaking of Wayne Shorter try and hear some Weather Report especially "Mysterious Traveller"
..and this Coltrane albums rocks (but in a jazz like way!)[IMG:left] [/IMG]
[IMG:left] [/IMG]

quote:

Originally posted by Jet Johnson:
..and this Coltrane albums rocks (but in a jazz like way!)

Just happen to be listening to that at the moment, and I thoroughly agree. After almost 20 years, I can still say that it sounds even more awesome every time I hear it.


Michael

To go off in a slightly different direction... I second all the Rollins/Mingus/Miles/Coltrane suggestions, and would say that if you enjoy these, then do try Charles Lloyd (most albums, but especially Jumping the Creek, and Sangam) and Archie Shepp (Four for Trane, and Live at Donaueschingen especially). Keith Jarrett is also worth trying, both his solo piano music (e.g. Koln Concert) and also his trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette (Still Live, Setting Standards).

Hey Steve, how's the jazz collection coming on?

I felt I had to revive your thread after this arrived in the post today. You must get it...



Wow, I love it. So cool - incredibly atmospheric, Jeanne Moreau on the cover, great sleeve notes, and phenomenal playing.

Thanks to Tam for suggesting this in this thread a while ago. I've also seen the cover a few times in 'What are you listening to now' posts (from maybe MilesSmiles or Lontano, I'm not sure? Thanks though). I've been listening to it on and off all day through my new Kans.

My new favourite jazz record.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Trotz:

Another brilliant artist to try is Charles Mingus, but you should start with Ah Um, then Tijuana Moods and go from there. The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is one of his most brilliant albums but also a liitle more abstract (IMV) so you should probably leave that for later.

Mingus is brilliant, and I highly recommend his two volume set Changes, one of his best and quite accessible.








All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by maxbertola:

>The melody at night, with you<, which may not be [Jarrett's] greatest jazz achievemet but is a handful of beautiful songs played rather soulfully, and has a story behind: he did it as a present to his wife, at home, in the time he was suffering from chronical fatigue, painfully recording a few notes a time, editing...

Jarrett's The Melody At Night With You is a profoundly beautiful album, and it's his only solo album comprised solely of standards and popular songs.

The story behind it is partially correct ... it's the first recording he made while recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome, recorded at home and intended only as a personal gift to his wife, but it was not recorded "a few notes at a time." He recorded complete performances and then later selected the best of them. Minor edits may have been made, but they are largely complete takes. It is true that he only had enough energy to record one or two tunes a day. It turned out so well that when others heard it he was persuaded to release it to the public.

What I love about this album is that it's truly the work of a genius musician with absolutely nothing to prove ... just beautiful playing stripped bare.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:

John Coltrane has been mentioned, and in particular A Love Supreme, but I'm not sure I'd have said it was ideal getting started material (ditto my favourite Trane recording - the Village Vanguard recordings). Giant Steps and Blue Train are probably better starting points.

I agree ... A Love Supreme is one of the true masterpieces of music, a profound album, but maybe not the best place to start with Coltrane if one is coming from Brubeck's Take Five and Miles' Kind of Blue.

In fact, since Coltrane is featured to excellent effect on Kind of Blue, definitely take Tam's advice and give Giant Steps and Blue Train a try.

And then, do not miss A Love Supreme!

All best,
Fred

... some fantastic recommendations in this thread, not sure if this one was already posted - an absolute must have:

Hi Chief ,
Well so far I have managed to pick up the Cannonball Adderley CD " Something else " for $8 in Florida , and since I have been back I have bought Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges " side by side " and Miles davis " porgy and bess " both on vinyl . Only managed to play a couple of tracks of each of these so far but already I can tell I am going to love them . I have played the Cannonball CD a few times all through and this I love already , an excelent recomendation .
I will also certainly look out for the lift to the scaffold sound track as it sounds right up my street .

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Trilobyte:
I recommend some good old Oscar Peterson.
In particular, Night train, We get requests, Trio + 1(with Clark Terry), Stan Getz with Oscar Peterson. All fabulous and swing like crazy!

Agree with you on Oscar Peterson, 'We Get Requests' is one of my all time favorite Jazz recordings.

quote:

I agree ... A Love Supreme is one of the true masterpieces of music, a profound album

Well I love Blue Train and Giant Steps but the other week picked up the live version of A Love Supreme (accident, it was cheap). Well it starts out OK but by 10 minutes in it sounds like Coltrane is strangling a cat. It also features the worlds dullest bass solo (I should know, I've played a few!), at the end the audience all applaud; it's wonder they haven't all left.

Is the studio album much much better or ... am I just not ready for it yet

quote:

Originally posted by nickarran:

quote:

I agree ... A Love Supreme is one of the true masterpieces of music, a profound album

Well I love Blue Train and Giant Steps but the other week picked up the live version of A Love Supreme (accident, it was cheap). Well it starts out OK but by 10 minutes in it sounds like Coltrane is strangling a cat. It also features the worlds dullest bass solo (I should know, I've played a few!), at the end the audience all applaud; it's wonder they haven't all left.

Is the studio album much much better or ... am I just not ready for it yet

If it's the performance in July 1965 at the Antibes festival in France, yes, the studio album is much, much better. The live version is also much more avant-garde, pointing toward what would come later in Coltrane's career. The studio A Love Supreme is the next step in the progression from albums like Giant Steps, Blue Train, My Favorite Things, Coltrane, and Crescent.

By the way, I strongly recommend those latter two, Coltrane and Crescent, which are among the very best of Coltrane. And if you like them, A Love Supreme is the crowning achievement of Coltrane's middle period. Please don't let that live version put you off.

All best,
Fred