Published on Oct 10, 1999
Jazz can sometimes be frightening for music fans. Some can’t get
into it no matter what, and even for the more adventurous souls out
there, the question becomes where to start. One of the CD’s I would
recommend for people interested in jazz is
Moanin’ by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, especially
now that Blue Note Records has released a remastered version of
this classic.
The Jazz Messengers were a group that spanned four decades.
Drummer Art Blakey was the one constant member in the changing
personnel. He had a knack for picking great young talents for his
band, and the roster for the Jazz Messengers included such greats
as Clifford Brown, Wayne Shorter, and Wynton Marsalis.
Moanin’ came out in 1958 and has to be considered a high
point for the group. This CD does not waste any time sucking the
listener in with the title tune. Pianist Bobby Timmons starts out
by engaging the rest of the band in a catchy but bluesy call and
response melody, before the individual solos kick in. A particular
standout on this tune is trumpeter Lee Morgan, who turns in a
performance that is hot yet subtly heartfelt.
“Are You Real?” was written by saxophonist Benny Golson (who
wrote all but two of the songs on this CD). It has a wonderful
melody and some strong hard bopping by the band. Like much of
Moanin’, there is an accessibility to the material that is
inviting, but there also some imaginative arrangements as well.
“Along Came Betty” slows the pace with a lilting melody and a
rhythm that is supposed to imitate a woman’s walk. Golson, Timmons
and Morgan all perform their solos at a leisurely pace while still
playing with passion, not an easy feat.
Next comes “The Thunder Drum Suite”, a suite in three parts. The
first theme “Drum Thunder” gives Blakey a chance to really show his
stuff. He truly gets into a drum frenzy, even using mallets to
evoke the sound of thunder. (Rush drummer Neil Peart’s next side
project should be a Blakey tribute).
The second theme: “Cry A Blue Tear” is a softer, melodic tune
and Blakey is able to shift gears and provide a nice Latin rhythm.
The third theme, “Harlem’s Disciples” has the band going bluesy.
Overall, the suite is a nice and unexpected piece for the CD.
“Blues March” is an attempt by the Jazz Messengers to combine
bebop with New Orleans style dixieland, and the result is
outstanding. Again, the band are able to come up with hot solos
while remaining loyal to the marching band rhythm.
There is a cover of the standard “Come Rain Or Come Shine” which
gets a light jazz treatment and is a nice way to end the set,
except there is a bonus track, an alternate take of “Moanin'” which
is inferior to the chosen take only because of Morgan’s solo is not
as inspired.
Next to Miles Davis’
Kind Of Blue, I think that
Moanin’ is probably the best jazz CD you could get as a
newcomer because it is accessible while not compromising talent or
intensity. And for jazz fans, it is a must have CD because there
are plenty of twists and turns along the way and songs that are
memorable and distinct.
Moanin’ is the best of all worlds.