Favorites: Jazz Albums
Submitted by JohnnyW on Wed, 05/02/2001 - 05:17
Tags:
- John Coltrane/Blue Train
- John Coltrane/Giant Steps
- Miles Davis/Kind of Blue
- Miles Davis/Birth of the Cool
- Cannonball Adderley/Somethin' Else
Author Comments:
This is a list I had some trepidation about considering that I have very little knowledge about jazz. In fact, these are about the only jazz albums I have, collected over the last couple of years or so; fortunately, I've loved all of them. So I'd love comments on these albums, but please don't expect profound meditations on the nature and history of jazz because I'm out of my depth here...
I too am out of my depth where Jazz is concerned. I took one class on it in college (which was a lot harder than I anticipated) and I've watched half of the Ken Burns series (which starts strong but bogs down in Louis Armstrong ardor - haven't been able to finish it yet). And I went to the Newport Jazz Festival for a few years. Anyway, I have a handful of albums I picked up based on liking selections from class (and I picked up Bela Fleck after hearing him open one of the Jazz Fests). Of those my favorite is probably "Mingus Ah Um" (title is a play on Latin constructions, if I recall correctly - Mingus Mingah Mingum). I think you might like it - give it a listen if you get a chance. Oh, "A Night in Tunisia" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers is terrific too.
Great! Yeah, I've heard of Mingus (and always wondered what exactly that title meant), so I'd certainly be interested in checking him out. Haven't heard of Art Blakey, but then again I haven't heard of much;) I'll try his album at some point as well. Unfortunately, I missed the Jazz series, but hopefully a local video store will stock it, considering that's how I ended up seeing Baseball. Thanks for the suggestions...
Johnny Waco
I just got Blue Train today. It is awesome to say the least. I have another one Coltrane's albums, Slowtrane, which is very good, but not as dynamic and exciting as this one.
Yeah! Blue Train was actually the first one I ever got. I kept seeing posters of that cover, and I thought it was one of the coolest pictures I had ever seen. I decided to get the album, and loved it immediately...
Johnny Waco
I listen to a lot of jazz, but generally of an older era. I do like some Coltrane, and a little Miles Davis, haven't heard Adderly I don't think, but mostly listen to jazz from the 20's to 50's.
Any artists and specific albums/compilations you could recommend?
Johnny Waco
Count Basie. Duke Ellington. Ella Fitzgerald. Django Reinhardt. I could go on and on..
Some personal favorites:
Count Basie - Live at the Sands (before Frank)
Duke Ellington - Reflections of the Big Band Era
Ella Fitzgerald - First Lady of Song
Django Reinhardt - best of
Lucky Millinder - Ram-Bunk-Shush
Ray Charles - Genius + Soul = Jazz
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie - Ella & Basie
Lionel Hampton - Swingsation
Carmen McRae - Priceless Jazz Collection
Oscar Peterson - Jazz Masters 16
Compilations:
Oscillatin' Rhythm
contemporary but using older styles:
Lily Wilde & her Jumpin' Jubilee Orchestra - Insect Ball (contemporary blues/swing/jazz from Portland
Pink Martini - Sympathique (contemporary latin/jazz)
Lavay Smith - One Hour Mama
I actually just finished a good book by Grover Sales called Jazz: America's Classical Music that left me with a huge list of artists I need to listen to.
This is great! Thanks! Man, I need to start saving for some of this stuff. I've heard of all these artists (as everybody has, I suppose), but I had no idea where to start. I had wondered if some of the compilations put out in conjunction with Ken Burns' Jazz series would be a good starting place, but I was reluctant just because I hadn't heard anything about them. The recommendations from you, Jim, and jgandcag are definitely a better way to go about it.
I'd be interested in checking out this Grover Sales book as well. Thanks again; I appreciate the effort that went into these recommendations. I'll keep all you listologists updated on what I think...
Johnny Waco
Actually some of the Ken Burns CDS are pretty good, not all-encompassing of course, but pretty good.
If I see one on sale, I might pick it up then...
Johnny Waco
Jazz, ah jazz. First off dont feel bad if you do not think you know enough about jazz. its too encompassing. Very tough field to get a handle on.
Some personal suggestions in the the vein of your selections
Dizzy Gillespie Development of an American Artist, 1940-1946
Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald Ella and Louis
Thelonius Monk Genius of Modern Music Volume 1 and 2
Charlie Parker Bird at the Roost: The Savoy Years, Vol. 1. Actually a lot of great Parker records. I also recommend you see Eastwoods film Well done and Whitaker did a great job.
Excellent! This is exactly what I was looking for...recommendations on some of the more definitive artists. Including Jim's Mingus rec., I think I've definitely got enough to explore for awhile. Now if I only had more disposable income (sigh).
I'll put Bird on my summer watching list (I mean that figuratively, not in a "actual-list-on-listology" way). Did you like Altman's Kansas City? Plot was a bit weak, but it was worth watching for the music alone, it seemed to me. And Allen's Sweet and Lowdown. That was some great music as well...
Johnny Waco
My favorite jazz Cd(note: I'm no expert) and one of my favorites Cds in general is Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters. Also got some new stuff this past week which is really good: it's called Getz/Gilberto and its one of the definitive bossa nova albums. Check out the song from Girl from Ipanema.
I have heard Girl from Ipanema and I like it quite a bit. Herbie Hancock, huh? Didn't he also do some hip-hop stuff in the early eighties? Seems like the song was called "Rocket" or something like that. Is Head Hunters straight-up jazz or something more experimental and genre-bending? I'd be interested in hearing him as well, so thanks for the suggestion...
Johnny Waco
John Coltrane and Miles Davis are my two favorite jazz artist. I don't know alot about jazz but I know what I like. These are the Coltrane cds I own. They are all excellent listening experiences.
John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman-Johnny Hartman has a beautiful voice. This is the album my man used to introduce me to John Coltrane. I've been in love ever since. Every song is our song.
A Love Supreme-Coltrane's spritual album. Beautiful.
Blue Train-You already know this one.
'58 Miles-featuring John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans and Miles Davis-features plenty of greats.
Sketches of Spain-My favorite Miles Davis CD. It sounds like a movie score.
I must say that from my CC research, I have discovered that Miles Davis is easily the most popular jazz artist, with Coltrane and Mingus next in line.
I've already posted NewCC lists for both Davis and Coltrane, if anybody is interesting. Most of the albums you mentioned, Saka, received perfect ratings.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
A very sweeping statement saying Davis, Coltrane and Mingus are the most popular jazz musicians. Popular with whom? Critics or population at large?
Glad to see someone else is out there in The Listology. It has been very quiet lately.
The music-listening public at large. I'm going off of several polls I consulted of the record buyers regarding their favorite jazz albums and artists. I could be wrong, of course, but Davis and Coltrane certainly seem to occupy the top spaces. Mingus appears in third, but that position was not quite so definite.
It has been rather quiet round here lately. Hmmmm....
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I'm not at all surprised that those albums received excellent ratings. I'm going to check out your New CC. I'm looking for new music.