Track Listing

1. Warm-Up and Dialogue Between Lee and Rudy
2. Moanin'
3. Are You Real
4. Along Came Betty
5. Drum Thunder Suite: First Theme: Drum Thunder/Second Theme: Cry a Blue
6. Blues March
7. Come Rain or Come Shine
8. Moanin' [Alternate Take][*]
9. Blues March
10. Come Rain or Come Shine
11. Moanin' [Alternate Take]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3736 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered

Amazon.com essential recording
This is truly one of the great classics of hard bop, with drummer Art Blakey leading arguably his greatest Jazz Messengers lineup through a driving program that never lets up. Tenor saxophonist Benny Golson (whose composition "Along Came Betty" is heard here, subsequently becoming a jazz classic), brilliant trumpeter Lee Morgan, and funky pianist Bobby Timmons (who wrote the hit title cut) each take some of the best solos of their great careers, and Blakey was never greater. No jazz record collection should be without this disc. It remains one of the premier items in Blue Note's catalog, and rightfully so. As part of Blue Note's 1999 60th anniversary celebration, original session producer Rudy Van Gelder's done a smash job remixing Moanin', adding warmth in the low end and far greater color across the spectrum. And the booklet opens like a gatefold LP with vintage black-and-white photos of the original session. --Skip Heller

Customer Reviews

No finer message
Without a doubt Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers was the most exciting band I've heard in a live performance. His week long gigs at the Keystone Korner in San Francisco were legendary. Every one of his many groups were outstanding though, propelling many of his "youngsters" into careers of their own.

The group on this CD was one of the best. There are many things that make this CD a real joy. From the four original tunes by Benny Golson and the title track by Bobby Timmons to the solid muscular drumming of Blakey himself. For me though there is one thing that dominates this date----Lee Morgan. Lee Morgan absolutely rules. Trumpeter Woody Shaw was once asked one of those interview questions, 'What was your biggest influence?' Without skipping a beat he said, 'The solo Lee Morgan takes on "Moanin". Amen.

From the very first press roll off Blakey's snare Morgan is launched. Bolting out of the gate this young artist is barely containable. The urgency of Art's drumming and the rest of the team compels this dynamic trumpeter to dig deep, creating flurry after flurry of spectacular rhythmic gymnastics, artfully blending them with melodic ideas that just burst out. His harmonic ideas on this piece too are so sweet. Morgan pulls out all the stops, at times employing his signature half valve technique, double tonguing, triple tonguing, slurring, sliding, and just plain carving up the beat. The elegant construction of this gem of a solo has you sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation and at times in disbelief. And what a tone! Smooth, round, big.

Lee's solo on the alternate track is a nice addition and would have made a decent first cut if for some highly unfortunate reason his masterpiece was never recorded. The rest of this CD is excellent too by the way. But oh man, Lee Morgan!

Moanin' has got me smilin' again . . .
"Moanin'" has an essential part of any jazz collection (or music collection, for that matter). The boisterousness of this lp is best reflected in the title track. The beauty of this lp is best reflected in the exquisite "Along Came Betty." I could write superlatives about it all day, but I could never do it justice. Please try it, and I guarantee that your love of jazz will only deepen. And if you don't love jazz, you will after hearing this record.

Essential Blakey!
Truly one of the greatest jazz drummers that ever lived, Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers shine on this classic album recorded over 40 years ago. Augmented by a pair of bonus tracks, as well as being remixed and remastered by album's original engineer, the great Rudy Van Gelder, "Moanin'" sounds better than ever. Now that this album is midpriced, you have no excuse not to pick this up. Absolutely a must have!