Classic Jazz Recordings

[Guy Berger]

I was wondering about this question. I think the majority of the stuff I buy currently falls into the "classic" category -- stuff by Art Pepper, Bird, Albert Ayler's Spiritual Unity, etc. I "invest" in some of these knowing that I might not love them at first, but they will probably grow on me during the rest of my lifetime. On the other hand, with more recent releases or older obscurities I have much higher expectations.

So I guess I would probably put myself in category 2. Maybe 3. But probably over time I will shift to 4.

Guy

Edited December 1, 2006 by Guy

[Dan Gould]

I think you need to better define "classic" jazz. Any reissue or vintage old recording? Only by the acknowledged "masters"? Are all era's of a "master" fair game? What if I purchase a Dizzy Gillespie from the '70s? Is that "classic" or not?

[Guy Berger]

I think you need to better define "classic" jazz. Any reissue or vintage old recording? Only by the acknowledged "masters"? Are all era's of a "master" fair game? What if I purchase a Dizzy Gillespie from the '70s? Is that "classic" or not?

I think "classic" is a narrower category than "reissue or vintage old recordings". Obviously which recordings fall into the category are subjective, and ultimately I care more about people's subjective perceptions here.

I am not familiar with Dizzy's 70s recordings.

Guy

[Alexander]

I agree that there is a canon of "classic" jazz recordings, which would include "Kind of Blue, " "My Favorite Things," Monk's Blue Note records, Pops' Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, among others. I do think that people should check these things out sooner or later, but I think that it should really be a part of a balanced musical diet.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I've never bothered too much with classic records. Always felt these records were ones I could buy at any time so there was no rush, compared with the work of musicians who were less well thought of and whose work I perceived wouldn't be available for long.

But then, it depends on who's opinion gives rise to the label "classic". I've got at least 1 Parker LP that is classic: Dial stuff. And a dozen or so Tranes; a 1940s Diz as well as several recent items; all Dex's BNs & PRs; most Silver BNs up to the late '60s; most '60s Mobley (if not all); lots of Criss & Clark & Hamp & Blakey & Wes Riversides; and so on. And yet, this is simply to say that there's a certain kind of music that is "in favour" in certain circles and I have some of what are, no doubt rightly, regarded as classics within that limited framework.

But other kinds of music, other kinds of jazz, even (or especially) those that are generally looked down on, have their own classics. So I have "Belly rub" pts 1 & 2 by Dave "Baby" Cortez; "You can't sit down" pts 1 & 2 by Phil Upchurch; "Soul discovery" by Jackie Ivory; "Easy" by Grant Green; "Thunderbird" by Willis Jackson; "The burner" by Red Holloway; "Funk Drops" by Freddie McCoy; "People and love" by Johnny Lytle; and so on. I didn't buy these records because they were classics of Soul Jazz. It just turned out that they were, though hardly anyone will agree with that assessment of these records.

MG

[Neal Pomea]

I gravitate toward "pre-classic" recordings made originally on shellack 78s, the kind heard at Red Hot Jazz Archive.

[GA Russell]

I'm considering "classics" to be the ones that are always recommended in the paperback guides to jazz.

I don't have many. I started out buying records and then getting more of the sidemen I enjoyed and so forth. When I would break the chain and buy a classic, I was usually disappointed, in that I didn't like them as much as the ones that I had bought on my own.

[mjzee]

I like figuring things out on my own, listening to music without preconceived notions of how I "should" react. I also like pursuing musicians I find interesting. Right now, I'm following connections between Oscar Pettiford, Lucky Thompson, Osie Johnson...all interesting, smart musicians. Following the thought processes of a Gigi Gryce can be very illuminating, sometimes moreso than a John Coltrane, because you're not "told" that he's great; you can come to your own opinion about him.

[Alexander]

I tend not to buy too many "classic" recordings as I already have most them!

[Guy Berger]

I tend not to buy too many "classic" recordings as I already have most them!

Hopefully I will get to that stage within the next 20 years!

Guy

[Jazz Kat]

Is Brad Mehldau's Anything Goes, a classic?