jazzfan
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Jazz CDs/LPs You Should Have But May Not
bengrbm
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Hi Jazzfan -

I'm actually not a huge jazz fan, so I probably don't have a well defined sense of what everyone owns. Still, I'd like to throw in "Charlie Brown's Holiday Hits" by The Vince Guaraldi Trio as a nonobvious selection. Its a bit of a left field choice, and hardcore jazz people may snicker, but I happen to be listening to it right now, and it always brings a smile... - Ben

JoeE SP9
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Hi Jazzfan!
I thought I was the only one who had heard of Mal Waldron. I'm working on my list. I hope I can come up with some real sleepers.

kana813
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Here's a few more:
Art Pepper- More for Les at The Village Vanguard. Contemporay.LP
Gil Evans & the Monday Nite Orchestra- Live at Sweet Basil

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Hi Ben,

Thanks for the contribution and for not being intimidated by my initial list. I know that I tend to go a bit overboard. However that doesn't mean that aren't some items on that list that someone like yourself might enjoy.

Based on your mention of enjoying the music of the Vince Guaraldi Trio let me point to four of the recordings to at least give a listen to. The Emily Remler, the Michael Moore Trio - Jewels and Binoculars, anything by Mal Waldron and the Enrico Pieranunzi - Fellini Jazz. All of these items, while not your normal run of the mill jazz, are still very accessible music and quite enjoyable by anyone with even the slightest interest in jazz.

mmole
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First a thanks to kana813 for the Charles Lloyd "Forest Flower" mention. It's a really nicely recorded live album and you can't beat the young Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette.

Here's some more you might have overlooked:

Ginger Baker Trio-"Going Back Home"-with Charlie Haden and Bill Frisell. The album to own if you think Frisell's playing has been too reticent over the past ten years. Added attraction, Pressed Rat and Warthog go "political" on "East Timor."

Miles Davis-"Miles in the Sky"-A transition album from the second great quintet that I think is often overlooked. However, George Benson's guitar did not prepare you for what Miles had in store for us next.

Sonny Rollins-"The Bridge"-Sure it's a classic Sonny album. Now listen to it again for Jim Hall's elegant guitar work.

Hey, I seem to have a guitar thing going here so let's continue with:

Derek Bailey-"Pieces for Guitar"-As my previous touting of an early Bailey album indicated, I'm fascinated by how he developed his utterly unique style. Here's another piece of the puzzle: early solo recordings (1966-67), some based (for the last time) on his own written compositions.

John Abercrombie-"Timeless"-Early (1974) ECM recording with DeJohnette and a (relatively restrained, pre "Miami Vice") Jan Hammer.

Larry Coryell-"Spaces"-John McLaughlin's best straight jazz playing is found on a Coryell album? Oh yes, it's true. Corea, Vitous, and Cobham round out the band.

Jeff Parker-"The Relatives"-Ending with something recent, last year's quartet recording from the Tortoise/Chicago Underground/Isotope 217 guitarist. Too often Parker's role in these groups is little more than texture. As a leader he gets to showcase his jazz playing and it's fine.

jazzfan
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Hi Roy,

Maybe I should have called this thread "Jazz Guitar CDs/LPs You Should Have But May Not", no, I'm only kidding, thanks for the additions to the list.

My personal favorite of the great 1960's Miles Davis Quintet recordings is "Miles Smiles" but the run of 1965's E.S.P. and Live at the Plugged Nickel, 1966's Miles Smiles and Live In Berlin, 1967's Sorcerer and Nefertiti through to 1968's Miles in the Sky and Filles de Kilimanjaro is just so amazing that picking only one is really a form of torture, at least for me.

The John Abercrombie pick came from out in left field. I might have gone with the first Gateway album. I'll trade Jan Hammer for Dave Holland any day of the week.

Another Derek Bailey pick. You're my hero!!

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Quote:
The objest is to list some your favorite jazz recordings bsed on high quality music or sound and hopefully both but the real trick is to try and avoid the obvious selections that we've all seen before, e.g. things like "Kind of Blue", "A Love Supreme", "Atomic Basie", "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie" or, god forbid, "Jazz At The Pawn Shop", and rather to dig a little deeper into your collection and memory for those hidden or just plain forgotten treasures.

I do not know the normal choices, but here are a few I would consider:

Tatum Group Masterpieces Vol. 8 - Art Tatum and Ben Webster classic.

New York Reunion - McCoy Tyner with Joe Henderson and others. I have the great sounding Chesky CD, but I am guessing the SACD is even better.

Sarah Vaughan and Clifford Brown - The 180gram vinyl is incredible. I am not the biggest fan of Vaughan, but "Brownie" brings the best out of her.

John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - This has probably been mentioned in the past, but I am not sure, so I am including it.

Billie Holiday - The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol. 9 (1940-1942) - This is Billie at her best. Sound quality is not great, but the performances make it worthwhile.

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane - In a Sentimental Mood is worth the price of the album.

The Tony Bennett & Bill Evans album

Blanton-Webster Band - The performances on this album are first rate, but the sound quality is horrendous. I just noticed that the same cuts are now available on "Never No Lament" which is supposed to have better sound quality. I am ordering it tonight, so I will let you know.

The ten dollar OJC albums by Art Pepper seem to be a real steal. I have three of them (Smack Up, ..meets The Rhythm Section, and Getting Together) and they are great for both sound quality, price and performance.

JoeE SP9
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Jazz you should have but don't? OK, how about these.

Return To Forever
The first one. Not light As A Feather. This one has Airto playing drums, a dove on the cover and features Sometime Ago/La Fiesta.

George Benson----------Body Talk
CTI with the CTI regulars. This was recorded before George started singing on recordings. Guitar players, riff alert.

Jazz Crusaders---------Happy Again
This has Young Rabbits on it. It's one of my favorite Crusader tunes.

Pharoah Sanders--------Thembi
Astral Traveling and the title tune.

Herbie Hancock--------Crossings
From the Mwandishi period. If you liked Bitches Brew this is for you.

Cannonball Adderley Quintet--------Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
This is a live recording that spawned a top ten hit.

Coleman Hawkins Quartet--------Today And Now
Studio improv as it should be done.

Freddie Hubbard--------Red Clay
What's not to like?

John McLaughlin--------The Promise
Comtemporary electric Jazz at its best. Jazz Jungle alone is worth the purchase price.

Ahmad Jamal--------Rossiter Road
Great piano playing. Great recording.

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Well, Jazzfan, having re-read your May list and some of the responses, and since I prefer music to political banter, I'll offer, for your amusement, some "old guy" favorites. Your enthusiasm for it has, as you may recall, pushed me to give free jazz a couple of tries, but nothing of that genre appears here. Maybe some day.

All on vinyl, In no particular order:

Art Hodes - "South Side Memories" Sackville 3032 1984 - Great solo piano by a Chicago legend who was introduced to a "great barbecue joint" by Louis Armstrong. A white guy who was intimidated by Tatum and Hines but who plays great traditional blues.

Henry "Red" Allen - "Feeling Good" Columbia Stereo 9247 Don't know when I bought this record but Red was in his 50's when he made it. No longer a featured soloist with Louis, this one was a live recording of his quartet - Sammy Price, Benny Moten and George Reed. Best version of "I'm Comin' Virginia" I've ever heard.

Ella Fitzgerald "Songs from Let No Man Write My Epitaph" Polygram - Some of the best of recorded Ella with only piano accompaniment by Paul Smith.

"Jazz Maturity - where it's coming from" Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Mickey Roker - Pablo 1978 Includes a version of "I Cried for You" like nothing you've heard.

Ray Brown All Stars - "Don't Forget the Blues" Concord 1986 - Gene Harris, Ron Eschete, Al Grey, and Grady Tate - Helps you remember what a trombone can bring to the party.

Bob Brookmeyer and Bill Evans "As Time Goes By" Blue Note 1959. Two fine pianos, early Bill Evans. What more do you need.

Joe Pass "Virtuoso" Pablo Had to include at least one guitar entry. Bought it for "Here's that Rainy Day" and liked all the rest.

Clark Terry Five "Memories of Duke" Pablo 1980. Jack Wilson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown, Frank Severino. Ellington compositions, and a great quintet.

"Hodes Art" Delmark Records 1975. Nappy Trotter, George Brunis, Volly De Faut, Raymond Burke, Truck Parham, Pops Foster, and Barrett Deems. Master musicians playing the stuff it all started with.

"Know What I Mean" Riverside - Cannonball Adderly and Bill Evans joined by Percy Heath and Connie Kay. What "Waltz for Debby" always needed, Cannonball provides.

Gotta add one more. It is on CD in my collection. I did a little surgery on a vinyl transfer I got from a friend of mine. Not sure of the label. Dates from 1982. It is around on commercial CD, but mine is so good I won't buy another. "Basie Jam #2" Basie, Benny Carter, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Clark Terry, Al Grey, and Joe Pass. Wonderful session. You just know these guys were having a fine time. Opens with about 12 minutes of "Momma Don't Wear No Drawers" and keeps getting better from there.

I know I've offered some players that many of the forum members might never have heard of - but they should. Wasn't that your idea?

JoeE SP9
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We mentioned this on another thread. It deserves to be listed here.

Gary Bartz: I've Known Rivers And Other Bodies: Prestige Stereo P-66001 (double LP)

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