Art Blakey

Live recording from 1958. On compact disc. 

I really don't know much about jazz, its history and various styles. Oh sure, I know many of the names of the players and have a few where I search for their recordings, but I mostly sit and listen without attempting to analyze or describe what I'm hearing. I think I know swing when I hear it but the difference between bop and post-bop, I have no clue. 

I do know that Art Blakey is a drummer. And Lee Morgan, who is also on this recording, plays trumpet. 

I'm fascinated with the album cover photographs on jazz recordings from the 1950's and 60's. It's an art form that I wish were employed more often these days. If only producers, musicians and record labels felt the same about the everlasting power and beauty behind photographic images as I do.

Vinyl Finds

 

New Order - 'Low Life'  

From 1985 on vinyl. Attempting to fill some gaps in my record collection. Specifically mid-1980's sounds. At the time, even though I was a huge fan of MTV, I was apparently too hung up on my old favorites from the 70's to notice much of what was going on that was different.

On the road yesterday, twenty miles out of town and had this in my hand, knowing that I've been wanting to add New Order for quite a while but still just not sure at the asking price. So, I put it back. It was ten minutes after returning home that I realized my mistake. I would have hit the road again had there not been a closing time. I had to get through todays time at work, speed back down the freeway, fretting the entire time, (knowing my kind of luck), the scary possibility that someone else just might not be as hesitant as I had been. 

It was still there!!! The ongoing issues of lack of 1980's Brit-synth sounds has been addressed for the moment.

I also had this in hand and foolishly returned it to the bins. 

Why can't I be more decisive?

John Williams Trio, self-titled album from 1955. Jazz piano. I loved the cover photo and had no hesitations or objections to the asking price. I was just unsure, having never seen this cover image before, of the musical quality. Again, a little research from home and I realized the errors of my ways, though I felt a little better about the likelihood of returning and it still being there. I made sure that it wouldn't be there tomorrow. 

I am of the opinion that there was much more thought put into album cover presentation and photography in the 1950's and 60's. Creating an impression through an image was more important in those days. The sounds within the cover photo and liner notes sometimes feels like ten bonus tracks.

Swinging Ella

Saturday evening vinyl find enhancing my collection. Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers. Hopefully most people know who Ella Fitzgerald is but just in case, these are Jazz vocals.

A 1961 pressing of a record originally released in 1959, a mono version on the Verve Record label and the beautiful black vinyl, in near pristine shape. The store owner commented that I had just pulled off a great discovery. I was initially taken in by the cover photo. 

I was flipping through a random stack of albums on the counter of the record store, finding nothing special, when suddenly near the bottom of the stack, there was this!! Proving once again, that you never know what you might find. Had I come across this record two or three years ago, I'd likely flipped right on by. Fortunately, I've grown and advanced when it comes to music appreciation.

Claire Austin

When Your Lover Has Gone by Claire Austin.

Torch singer!! I stumbled across this gem at my local record store. A new name for my collection. Jazz and Blues vocalist from the 1950's. This album recorded in 1956. I'm always intrigued by anything from the year I was born. The cover photo and that it's a part of the Original Jazz Classics Series were also huge draws. 

The store owner told me that if I was unhappy for any reason, to return it. I sure hope he's not waiting for the return 

The Ellington Suites

Duke Ellington - The Ellington Suites.

An antique shop find on vinyl.

Jazz pieces recorded in 1959 and the early 1970's. Three separate suites that fit well together.

Impressions of side one .... It alternates between big-band, cinematic type songs and smaller, quartet ballads.

'The Single Petal of a Rose' is a beautiful tender piano ballad with a hint of cello.

'Apes and Peacocks' sounds like it could have been written for a movie. Perhaps a film such as the original 'Little Shop of Horrors.' In this case that's a good thing. 

Tomorrow..... A more focused listen to side two when not multi-tasking.

I love the cover photo and the mix of green and black. Eye catching!!! Causes the desire to flip it over for further checking it out/

Billie Holiday

This was last evening's listening experience. A pleasure. Billie Holiday ..... Not something that I would have listened to as recently as ten years ago. Fortunately I've since managed to evolve beyond an apparent state of clueless. Jazz vocals from the 1940's and 50's.  A compilation of recordings. One of the greatest voices in history. Some of the songs were recorded on 78's and sound a bit scratchy but that only adds to the ambiance.

The great Jazz bassist, Charles Mingus is playing on some of the tunes.

I found the compact disc earlier in the day at the public library's annual book sale. Fifty cents for great music!! A bargain!! Note that her first name was spelled incorrectly on the album cover.

Such Sweet Thunder

Found at the Salem Public Library. It's mine now!!! ..... For two weeks anyway. Recorded in 1956-57. I'm always fascinated by recordings from the year I was born and love Jazz Big Band sounds from those years.

All Music Guide Review

Everyone's Gotta Hear Bayou Blues

Finger and toe-tappin', can't resist or deny it, get out of your chair and dance music from the 1950's. Very infectious!! Zydeco meets The Blues meets 1950's Rock.

You might just feel inclined to up and move to Louisiana!!

No One Can Hear You Read

A film/documentary on the life of Jazz pianist, Errol Garner. A few thoughts that stand out: If he played a song 312 times, you would hear 312 different versions. He never played a song the same way twice. Also the thought that though he couldn't read or write music notes on paper, he was always composing in his mind as he performed. His sister says that at the age of three, he was playing like an adult .... That he never played simple notes like a child might but instead started out at that early age playing chords. Also a story about his playing in a club and suddenly three or four men stood up mid-song .... Not to applaud but in amazement. They wanted a better view of what he was doing with his fingers.