Moanin' [180 Gram Vinyl]

{|Moanin'|} includes some of the greatest music {|Blakey|} produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. There are three tracks that are immortal and will always stand the test of time. The title selection is a pure tuneful melody stewed i... Read more

{|Moanin'|} includes some of the greatest music {|Blakey|} produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. There are three tracks that are immortal and will always stand the test of time. The title selection is a pure tuneful melody stewed in a bluesy shuffle penned by pianist {|Bobby Timmons|}, while tenor saxophonist {|Benny Golson|}'s classy, slowed {|Along Came Betty|} and the static, militaristic {|Blues March|} will always have a home in the repertoire of every student or professional jazz band. {|Are You Real?|} has the most subtle of melody lines, and {|Drum Thunder Suite|} has {|Blakey|}'s quick blasting tom-tom-based rudiments reigning on high as the horns sigh, leading to hard bop. {|Come Rain or Come Shine|} is the piece that commands the most attention, a highly modified, lilting arrangement where the accompanying staggered, staccato rhythms contrast the light-hearted refrains. Certainly a complete and wholly satisfying album, {|Moanin'|} ranks with the very best of {|Blakey|} and what modern jazz offered in the late '50s and beyond. ~ Michael G. Nastos Less