Customer Reviews

Moanin'

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recorded for Blue Note in October 1958. The quintet comprises of Lee Morgan (trumpet) Benny Golson (tenor), who contributes with many compositions; Bobby Timmons (piano) Jymie Merritt (bass) and Art Blakely (drums) the leader of the Jazz Messengers. The opening track Moanin', a Bobby Timmons composition, is dynamic and powerfully lead in by Blakely after some brief dialogue. It has some highly credible work all round, Timmons especially - the album incidentally closes with an alternate take of the groovy mover. The second track is the poppy number written by Benny Golson, Are You Real? Along Came Betty follows - another Golson composition - who also wrote the next two tracks: The Drum Thunder Suite (a piece with three themes), and Blues March. Highlights include the Drum Thunder Suite, Moanin', and a fine rendition of Come Rain or Come Shine. If you like Blakely and his masterful drumming, then you should really enjoy this ensemble. All round, an incredible funky hard-bop album; one not to miss.

Moanin'

This album is funky. It wears it's influences on it's sleeve. The playing is rooted in blues and gospel. And what playing. This early Jazz Messengers line up featured the feisty trumpet playing of Lee Morgan and marvellously expressive tenor saxophony by Benny Golson driven relentlessly by high priest of hard bop Art Blakey. Plenty of great tunes, my favourites are pianist Bobby Timmons' title track and the band's sensitive reading of "Come rain or come shine" which closes the album.

Recorded in 1958 by jazz drummer Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers, this has to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded. From the 9 minute opener Moanin', through the stupendous Drum Thunder Suite to the original album closer Come Rain Or shine, this is a shining example of how jazz should be done.

With Blakey setting the beat with his complex drumming, Lee Morgan blowing a clear and catchy trumpet, and the rest of the group working in harmony, this is a set of great tunes. An odd album in that when you put it on you suddenly find yourself totally drawn into the complex rhythms and before you know it the album is over and you're putting it back on again. Highly addictive, you have been warned! The standout has to be the stupendous Drum Thunder Suite - It's amazing to think that there's only one man pounding the drums, it sounds like 5 or 6 at times!

This Rudy Van Gelder edition is a masterpiece in its own right. The original album has been remastered and remixed. The sound is excellent, with all the instruments coming through clearly. There are two bonus tracks, some studio chatter leading into the opening track, and an alternative take of the masterful Moanin'. Both add to the album.

A five star release of a five star album. Recommended for any lovers of freeform jazz, such as Lee Morgan, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. If you like this also check outthe other RVG releases including Like Someone In Love, Night In Tunisia, Free For All and Indestructible.

Every year I look to extend what I listen to within the world of jazz and much to my shame I have overlooked this wonderful album for too long. But now I'm saved, what a fabulous album, this is truly an essential cd for any music lover, and don't make the same mistake as I made, buy it now rather than wait.

As the modern music scene fades increasingly into mediocrity I find I search more for great music from the past. The availability of jazz such as this restores my faith in music.

Used to dig this way back in my wilder days. It's great to be able to enjoy it all again digitally re-mastered.

Two versions of " MOANIN' " from 1958 remastered by Rudy Van Gelder. Classic blue note jazz from the messengers with quality sound.
This particular group had Lee Morgan on trumpet and Benny Golson on tenor. Should be in all jazz colections.

This CD is worth the money for just the title track. Bobby Timmons got into the bone marrow with this one. And Lee Morgan's trumpet is terrific. A great band.

Gets played again and again in my car on long journeys. Reminds me of my youth in the 1950's when the "Blues March" track introduced a super daily jazz programme on the French radio station "Euorope No. 1".
This record is a CLASSIC.

An amazingly inventive album, and the one that introduced me to bop. The stunning horn interplay on tracks 1/2 is particularly memorable. Some tracks, particularly Are you Real? may seem a bit cheesy but perservere and you will grow to love this album. An iconic piece, truly good, fun Jazz. A great record in my opinion, you should also try the colaboration with Thelonious Monk if you enjoy this. Near essential if you want to sample a range of bop sounds of yesteryear.