 "Much Better Sounding Versions are Available" | 2009-03-13 |
| - Reviewed By mistermojorisin |
This album is a 5 star jazz legend, but unfortunately, extremely poor mastering significantly detracts from the enjoyment it can bring. Except for the two Monk titles, the RVG Edition series is a seriously flawed collection of historic jazz, especially the first batch that came out in '99, and this is one of those. They sound bottled up, exhibit no air or ambiance, and they possess a hard glare. The glare is generally missing after "99, but the other issues are still present.
Another flaw in this series is that many of the titles are in mono when excellent stereo masters exist. Rudy Van Gelder recorded exclusively in mono prior to March '57, and stereo exclusively after October 30 1958. He only recorded in both formats during the time spanning those two dates. While some will rightfully argue that the mono master sounds best in some instances, the RVG series has many titles in it that were recorded after Oct. 30 1958 that are mono. No mono masters exist for these sessions, so these CD's are simply the stereo master folded down into one channel. What's the purpose of that?
Relief is Available: Most of the RVG Edition titles are available in an earlier US version and as a Japanese import here on Amazon. These sound dramatically better and give you a sense of stage depth and air around the instruments. They are also stereo when possible, and appropriate, and they lack the glare of the RVG Edition. Everything I've purchased that was released before 1999 in the US has been good, and all of the Japanese versions have been good. The imports are very pricey so you might want to get the older US versions through the Amazon Marketplace. I've purchased many of these for under $10 in "Like New" condition. To avoid problems, I recommend only dealing with sellers who have a positive rating of 98% or better. They don't generally misrepresent the condition, and they'll usually get it to you within 4 business days.
This can be a tough neighborhood, and I fully expect to get a pant-load of negative votes and comments since I have dared to say that all is not well with this series, but if it guides those who care about sound quality to the version that makes them happiest, it'll be worth it. I wish someone had done that for me before I had spent considerable money, only to be unhappy, and then finally discovering what I was looking for in the first place. |
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 "genius of an album" | 2009-01-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: AJOMVPSLRDG6O |
| 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. |
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| "Art Blakey - The King Of Hard-bop" | 2008-12-01 |
| - Reviewed By ejfan19 |
"Moanin" was released by Blue Note Records in 1958 and features one of the best Jazz Messengers line-up jazz has ever witnessed: Benny Golson on tenor saxophone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, and Jymie Merritt on bass. Benny Golson, who later would be replaced by a young Wayne Shorter, pinned two tunes on this recording: "Are You Real?" "The Drum Thunder Suite," "Blues March," and "Along Came Betty." Bobby Timmons, who later wrote "Dat Dere" for the 1960 album "The Big Beat," wrote the title track.
This is an outstanding album full of virtuosity, swing, pure emotion, and some of the best jazz drumming you ever heard. Highly recommended. |
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| "the essence of hard bop jazz" | 2008-01-21 |
| - Reviewed By rcraig70 |
| This is simply a fantastic CD. One of the hard bop classics. Pure soul. Sound is great too! All the tracks are just amazing - the playing is simply sublime. Can't lose with this one! |
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 "Smooth Jazz" | 2007-06-20 |
| - Reviewed By gmoore198 |
| I purchased this album on a whim as you do sometimes sight unseen. Can't say that I had even heard of Art Blakey or the track Moanin'. Guess some jazz enthusiasts might shudder in horror at that admission. Never the less I put it on when I picked it up from the mail and had a listen. This is a fantastic recording and the music is smooth and classy from the start to the finish. I think that this album will become one of my favourite albums as it gets better each time I hear it. |
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| "An Outstanding Drummer" | 2007-06-18 |
| - Reviewed By musik_freak |
| I have always thought of Jazz as a part of music that always seemed tucked away in the underground. I mean, even though Musicians like Miles Davis and John Coltrane had sold millions of records, it still was without the help of FM radio play. I still believe this today, even though we have "light jazz" stations, they are nothing more then glorified elevator music. Art Blakey might not with the same populatiry of Coltrane and Davis, but he still wails, and believe me this guy in an amazing drummer. Its funny when you think of all the drummers from all different generes of music that have paved the way of rock of roll such as Neil Peart of Rush, Bonzo from Zepplin, Moon from The Who, and to the more underground drummers of Thrash/Death Metal such as Lombardo from Slayer, Flo Mourier from Cyrotopsy, and Ulrich from Metallica, but way before these drummers there were Jazz drummers who could tear the skin off the drum. Blakey is one of them. The Jazz Messengers are a tight knit group on their own, but if you are a fan of rock or metal, listen to what Blakey is doing. Sound Familer? I hear such influence epsically in Death Metal, because even though Metal uses alot of Double Bass (which Jazz typically avoids) the speed of jazz drummer is insane, sometimes even a bit faster with the way it swings then some of faster Death Metal band (does it suprise you that Flo Mourier of Cryotopsy, easily the best drummer in Death Metal, is trained with a jazz background) I cant stress enough that if you arent a jazz fan, then you should really be getting into this Music, and Blakey is a great place to start. You wont hear shredding guitar work and gutteral vocal here, but you will hear some great musical ablity that seemed light years ahead of its time. ENJOY |
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![Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' [Blue Note]](product_images/205000/205255-art-blakey-the-jazz.jpg)
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