Guest gangsteruwa Report post Posted January 13, 2003 My Jazz expereince is very limited and I was wondering what some of you would suggest as "Essential Jazz Albums." Also what Jazz recordings/subgenres would you suggest for someone that likes really chaotic/complex music (i.e. Dillinger Escape Plan). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 13, 2003 I'd be interested in some answers, too, though I don't know if there will be (m)any. We haven't encountered too many jazz fans here. My own knowledge of the genre is severely limited, but you can never go wrong trying out Miles Davis; Kind of Blue is considered THE essential jazz recording, and its legendary status is not unwarranted. I'd also like to endorse Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica and Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante. Neither one are jazz albums in the purest since, but they both have the jazz spirit in spades, given their highly experimental, quasi-free form nature. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 I always thought that Tom Waits was fairly close to jazz, especially since he has "miserly old bastard" voice down pat. Lou Coltrane would be a good place to start for sure... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Lou Coltrane? Though some of his 70s work displayed elements of jazz--none more so explicitly than "Step Right Up" off of Small Change--I think Waits had more in common with the blues than jazz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Why "Lou Coltrane?" I understand the point about Waits however. There's so much jazz stuff that I listen to, but most of it's a bunch faceless artists scattered across compilation CDs. Also, there is very many styles, some of it being carried by the piano, others being carried by solos on the guitar that last like five minutes literally. Nonetheless, some names I'm familiar with are Sonny Criss, Woody Shaw, and Jimmy Ponder to name a few, of course I haven't heard very much as I pointed out earlier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Why "Lou Coltrane?" A search of Lou Coltrane at allmusic.com turned up the following: Louie Culture Reggae 90s John Coltrane Jazz 50s, 60s Ravi Coltrane Jazz 90s, 00s Alice Coltrane Jazz 60s-80s Chi Coltrane Rock 70s, 80s Carri Coltrane Vocal 90s Blue Coltrane Blues 90s Miki Coltrane Jazz 90s Oran Coltrane Jazz Blue Coltrane & Southside Chicago Blues Coltrane Wreck Rock 90s Phil Coulter Celtic 80s-00s Flava P. Coltrane Rock John Coltrane Quartet Jazz Magnum Coltrane Price World Lou Gold and His Orchestra Easy Michaelle Sita Coltrane Lou Weimer's Gold & Black Aces Jazz 20s William Coulter Newage 90s, 00s Southern Culture on the Skids Rock 80s-00s Barry Coulter Newage Butch Coulter Chuck Coulter Rock Coulter Young Rock David Coulter Rock 80s-00s Kenny Coulter Newage Paddy Coulter Rock Scott Coulter Vocal 00s Robert Goulet Vocal 60s, 70s Culture Club Rock 80s, 90s Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Sorry I meant John, but I believe I mixed that up with "John" Reed. Or something. I really don' t know. Anybody care on explaining what acid jazz is? I never got that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Lou Reed/John Coltrane. Hey, "Sister Ray" is kinda jazzy. Anywho, acid jazz, according to allmusic.com: The music played by a generation raised on jazz as well as funk and hip-hop, Acid Jazz used elements of all three; its existence as a percussion-heavy, primarily live music placed it closer to jazz and Afro-Cuban than any other dance style, but its insistence on keeping the groove allied it with funk, hip-hop, and dance music. The term itself first appeared in 1988 as both an American record label and the title of an English compilation series that reissued jazz-funk music from the '70s, called "rare groove" by the Brits during a major mid-'80s resurgence. A variety of acid jazz artists emerged during the late '80s and early '90s: live bands such as Stereo MC's, James Taylor Quartet, the Brand New Heavies, Groove Collective, Galliano, and Jamiroquai, as well as studio projects like Palm Skin Productions, Mondo Grosso, Outside, and United Future Organization. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 To avoid citing the obvious choices, I'd suggest Charles Mingus. He's an insane bassist, and I've yet to buy something of his that wasn't awesome. You really can't go wrong with Mingus. If you want a suggestion, the Charles Mingus Anthology is a sweet double disk set. If you want something more current, Medeski Martin and Wood are pretty good ... three piece jazz (bass, drums, and keys). Not classic jazz, but worth checking out. Suggestion: Last Chance to Dance Trance (its kind of like a greatest hits album) If you truly haven't heard any jazz, start with Miles Davis (but that's the most obvious answer thats out there) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest IDrinkRatsMilk Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Charlie Parker is always good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 If you truly haven't heard any jazz, start with Miles Davis (but that's the most obvious answer thats out there) True, but it doesn't make Davis any less of a great place to start. I'm really interested in getting into John Zorn, by the way. Mike Patton-o-philes might recognize the name as belonging to the guy who produced the first Mr. Bungle album. Here's his bio from allmusic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Can't forget Satchmo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gangsteruwa Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Thanks everybody so far. Don't worry about apparently "obvious choices" because they aren't obvious to me. I don't know why I suddenly got on this jazz kick. I've been listening to mostly metal for the last 12 years or so, and since a lot of the great musicians in metal have jazz influences, I figured I'd check into it. I'm really focused on hearing and learning about the great jazz guitarists, bassists and drummers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Burbeck, Hampton, Billie Holiday. Davis is one of those things that's good, but there's a whole lotta hate with him. Most hardcore Jazz fans consider him a sell-out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2003 How is he a sellout? There's always a good jazz station on the radio, and odds are if you're as unfamiliar with it as you claim, you should something new to like everyday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 The "sell-out" accusation--while new to me--may come from Davis' 80s work, which, by most accounts, was a desperate attempt at appealing to the mainstream. If that's the case, who gives a fuck? The man released numerous great albums between the 50s and 70s. Any alleged selling out is irrelevant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starvenger Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Look for some Thelnious (sp) Monk. For jazz with more of a pop feel to it, get Diana Krall, and Holly Cole Trio. It's not hardcore jazz by any means, but it's a great place to start. You could also go to a jazz club, which will give you lots of different styles though the night... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted January 14, 2003 To avoid citing the obvious choices, I'd suggest Charles Mingus. He's an insane bassist, and I've yet to buy something of his that wasn't awesome. You really can't go wrong with Mingus. If you want a suggestion, the Charles Mingus Anthology is a sweet double disk set. If you want something more current, Medeski Martin and Wood are pretty good ... three piece jazz (bass, drums, and keys). Not classic jazz, but worth checking out. Suggestion: Last Chance to Dance Trance (its kind of like a greatest hits album) If you truly haven't heard any jazz, start with Miles Davis (but that's the most obvious answer thats out there) I pondered mentioning Mingus because my brother-in-law, who is quite the jazz afficionado, is infatuated with him. But my knowledge of jazz is just below my level of interest in it, and I don't like to make recommendations unless I'm familiar with what I'm recommending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheGregWitul Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Bullshit about Miles Davis selling out, you have it a bit mixed up... Miles Davis received a lot of flak from trad. jazz critics during the 70's (His fusion period) Some critics viewed 'Bitches Brew' as something much different than jazz, and although they are correct to a point, the music at it's core is still jazz. When Davis released 'On The Corner' in 1972, jazz purists cried foul, claiming the music Davis released was anything but jazz. Later in the mid 70's, Davis went into exile from the public (Davis, along with John Coltrane, had serious drug problems. Miles went into exile for a period of five years to clean up his act...Well, basically to submerse himself in drugs and force himself to clean up when he reached rock bottom.) Well, I'll toss out a ew recs. Feel free to ask any questions or whatnot... Miles Davis Birth Of The Cool (1949) Round About Midnight (1955) Miles Ahead (1957) Milestones (1958) Porgy and Bess (1958) Kind Of Blue (1959) Sketches Of Spain (1959) E.S.P. (1965) Miles Smiles (1966) Nefertiti (1967) In A Silent Way (1969) From here on out, up until the 1980's, where instead of really selling out per se, Davis basically coasted on his past talents, never breaking any really new ground, but trying some different things while playing to the commercial aspects of jazz music up until his death. Miles never sold out, he basically did what a lot of bands now and days are doing (The Who, Aerosmith, The Rollingstones, etc), he coasted along on name value. By this time in the mid 80's, Davis was a living legend, capable of doing whatever he wanted to do, he had no need to sell out. You also have to take into account the fact that jazz critics shit all over his 70's work, because it was fusion based and not trad. jazz. Trad. jazz trumpet player Wynton Marsalis (who was one of the producers for the PBS Jazz series) used his influence later on to try and erase the history of fusion from the collective jazz mindset. If you don't believe me, watch the Ken Burns Jazz special and count how many times fusion bands are mentioned. I'm ranting now, but that is one thing that has always pissed me off about conserative jazz critics, but fuck them, fusion is getting the respect it deserves and speaking of fusion, here are some more Davis recs, from his fusion period (1969-1976) Bitches Brew (1969) Live-Evil (1970) A Tribute To Jack Johnson (1970) On The Corner (1972) Get Up With It (1972) Pangaea (1975) Agharta (1975) If you were to select five albums to start off with from the extensive list I provided above, I would go with these: Kind Of Blue - Everyone knows this album. This is not only the greatest jazz album of all time, but the greatest piece of music ever put to tape. A lot of this album was improvised and it was recorded in one day. Davis was used to recording quickly. He once recorded 'Workin', 'Steamin' and 'Relaxin' all in one session. That is three five star albums, recorded in one day. Un fucking real. Anyways, pick up Kind Of Blue, beautiful album. Bitches Brew - Basically the birth of fusion music. This is a double album, and if you think you are going to get another 'Kind Of Blue', think again. This sounds more akin to early Santana than it does to jazz. This album was key inspiration to many great bands, from Weather Report to Radiohead (Thom Yorke was once interviewed and mentioned that when the band recorded 'OK Computer', they were looking to record an album like 'Bitches Brew'. This is one of the five greatest albums ever released. In A Silent Way - You could tell Miles was entering a new phase with this album. Joe Zawinul(Later to lead 'Weather Report') wrote the title track and was a key player in this two track album. Very ambiant and peaceful, yet dark and mysterious at the same time. One of my favorite albums, check out the three disc set if you have the cash, as it is loaded with extras, including the 'rare' Davis album, 'Water Babies'. Miles Ahead - The Gil Evans/Davis collabo began with this album, one of the best jazz albums of all time, and the start of the Davis/Evans album cycle ('Porgy and Bess' and 'Sketches Of Spain' conclude the set, all three essential albums). A stone cold jazz classic. On The Corner - A lot of people saw this as the album where Miles Davis told his critics and audience alike, 'Fuck You'. A very difficult album, but really a great listen. Recorded during his fusion period, this features some of the earliest forms of sampling, and also features Miles on organ. This album was a key inspitation to hip hop music in general, it is one of my all time favorite Davis albums. This is basically as far away from jazz as you could get. Download the tracks if you don't want to pay for the album, but this is music you must hear at least once in your lifetime. Well, if you want some more recs from Davis or any other jazz artists, just let me know. I would do a little more, but I'm pretty tired (as is evident from the ramble like passages displayed in the post above) but I hope this helps out some people looking to get into jazz music. Coltrane, Monk, Mingus, Burbeck, Armstrong, Holliday, Marsalis, etc. there is so much great jazz music out there, you just have to know where to look... j. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheyCallMeMark Report post Posted January 14, 2003 I would like to give you a suggestion that I think mght fit you pretty well, sir. Alex Skolnic Trio's new ablum, something about romance as the title, is more or less nothing but covers of rock songs done in a jazz style; and Skolnic is a pretty rockin' guitarist so I would definatly suggest picking it up. I love it, anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gangsteruwa Report post Posted January 14, 2003 Very cool. Thanks everybody, once again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Incandenza Report post Posted January 14, 2003 TheGregWitul knows his shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
