Later Art Blakey

[Mark Stryker]

"Cattin'" means that you're playing a lot of licks with that "tom cat" attitude.

Lee Morgan was one of the kings of it.

Further extrapolation:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cattin%27%20it%20up

got it -- sonny stitt on an inspired night ...

[JSngry]

Especially on a slower blues.

[Swinging Swede]

[Chuck Nessa]

Had a bunch of experience with Bu's hearing problem. "You want all these folks to know this motherfucker is deaf?!!!"

[Durium]

I have almost nothing by Blakey after 1973, so, what am I missing? Anything stand out? Maybe "Album of the Year?" Any "must haves?" Could I get a few suggestions? (I am familiar with his Roulette albums from the mid-'70's, they're pretty good, but have never seen a reissue.)

What about this one?

Art Blakey at Dutch radio Sesjun shows

Durium

[Leeway]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Blakey groups with Dave Schnitter? It's been a while since I listened to Blakey, let alone later Blakey, which I consider to have the form but not the "inner mounting flame" (so to speak) of his earlier groups. But I have seen Schnitter live a couple of times in the last few years and rather like his style. I recall reading some interview of Schnitter where he talks about his Blakey experience. I think his take on it was that the group was really coming into its own but got cut short , for some reason(s) I don't recall.

[king ubu]

Found the Vogue reissue (titled "Blues March") of the first Roulette album (originally titled "Backgammon").

Haven't yet played it, but would have passed by if it wasn't for this thread... heard "Keystone 3" many, many years ago (a highschool friend had it), guess it would be one to look for... also plan to get the Sesjun set (but want the J.J. Johnson more badly there! Got the Chet and Evans).

[JETman]

To my ears, "Feeling Good" (mentioned above) is one of the best, if not the best, late period Blakey albums out there. I recently picked up the Sesjun sessions. They are good, but not essential IMHO. Just more of the same old, same old.

[ghost of miles]

Is COAST TO COAST worth checking out?

[kh1958]

Is COAST TO COAST worth checking out?

Yes. That's the Terrance Blanchard/musical director edition of the Messengers--two live albums. Representative of the only edition of the Messengers that I heard live.

[ghost of miles]

Thanks, KH--I may go ahead and pick that one up.

[Late]

1978 • Keystone Korner

Valery Ponomarev, trumpet
Bobby Watson, alto sax
David Schnitter, tenor sax
James Williams, piano
Dennis Irwin, bass
Art Blakey, drums

 

 

Shoulda posted this one instead...

 

[Gheorghe]

I think„in this Korner” was my first Blakey LP, but is that „late”, I mean that was in the seventies, and Im sure Blakey had more 20 years to live. I heard one of Levercusen in Germany that´s fine especially the tracks without old alumni, I mean what the young band plays I like much.

But they did cut out the most important and rare thing. I saw it on a film, Blakey talked to Silvia Droste, a very fine looking girl, and I had to laugh because the way he sometimes has difficulties to hear, it´s similar to me. My girl friend if I dont hear she shouts as loud as anyone can, I mean even loud for me😍 

But Blakey then plays piano, I didn´t know he plays that good. Plays Monk´s Thelonious such a brillance, and plays Moten Swing really fine. 

And he plays and sings "For all we know we never meet again" that´s such a beautiful thing. I think that was much later. 

I saw them very often, all different editions, the one with the Valery Ponomarev and Bobby Watson, the one with Marsalis, the stuff with Donald Harrison Terence Blanchard, Mulgrew Miller, later Geoff Keezer, Benny Green (not the trombone player!) so I think I saw many different Messengers bands. 

And I always was in the front row, nearest to the drums, to HEAR and FEEL the stuff he hits on the drums 😄

[felser]

I saw him live twice in the later years, once with Philip Harper, Jean Toussaint, Benny Green (his first gig with the group) in Wilmington ca. 1988, and later with Brian Lynch (who was outstanding), both Dale Barlow and Javon Jackson, Steve Davis, Geoff Keezer, and Essiet Essiet at Penn's Landing ca. 1990=91.   I still remember what he said at the end of the Wilmington show:  "This music is a gift from the Creator, through us, to you".  Found that very moving.

[mhatta]

Though not a Jazz Messengers album, I somehow like Bluesiana Triangle, where Blakey participated as a drummer. Since it was recorded just before his death, you don't really feel much power anymore, but it has a rich, savory flavor. I think his strength wasn't power, but rather his excellent taste. He plays piano and sings too.

 

[Dan Gould]

4 hours ago, mhatta said:

Though not a Jazz Messengers album, I somehow like Bluesiana Triangle, where Blakey participated as a drummer. Since it was recorded just before his death, you don't really feel much power anymore, but it has a rich, savory flavor. I think his strength wasn't power, but rather his excellent taste. He plays piano and sings too.

 

I think I'd have written it as "... he plays piano and "sings" too."