Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Moanin

First - the album itself is a classic. But the Blue Note reissues are cheaply made by design and direction of Don Was, who currently runs the label. The idea was that they would be cheaper for fans to buy. However, the Blue Note vinyl copy I purchased was pretty bad. I didn't realize how bad it was until after it was too late to return. Seriously, if I were to try to sell this record, I would have to mark it in G+ condition - and that's a brand new record. I have purchased other Blue Note reissues, and they are hit or miss. I have returned several, and kept several that were borderline - maybe more like VG+. This one was the worst one I ever kept, and I regret it enough that I just purchased another new copy from another vendor that I know will be much higher quality vinyl. Kind of a shame to have to buy it all over again. Buyer beware.

These 75th Anniversary pressings that Blue Note did a few years back seem like an excellent deal at first glance. They are amazing albums that can be tough to find good quality copies of, so the label that originally put these records out reissuing them as part of a big anniversary seems like a no brainer. Of course they will not be crappy quality, right? Well, you'd be wrong. Listening to this after opening it brand new and then cleaning it before playing it did not impress me. It is noisy and poorly mixed. On top of that, the vinyl itself somehow already was scuffed and had surface scratches. If this were sold to me as VG+ I would think the grader was somewhat generous, yet I bought this brand new. I bought 3 other titles in this 75th Anniversary series and will be listening to them soon to see if they are this bad. I hope they aren't. It pains me to have to return these and lose them from my listening library until I can find good used copies, but I think that's what I will have to do.

That's how "The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz" describes Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. "Moanin'" may be the best studio album drummer Blakey (1919–1990) ever produced, with what may have been the finest of his bands: Lee Morgan on Trumpet, Benny Goldson on tenor sax, Bobby Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass. Several of this album's eight tracks have become standards in the jazz repertoire: "Moanin'" (by Timmons, produced here in two alternate takes, the first being superior), "Along Came Betty" (by Golson), and Golson's "Blue March." But the remaining tracks are just as strong, with "Come Rain Or Come Shine" and the three-movement "Drum Thunder Suite" as standouts.Blakey's emissaries were as aggressive as any mid-century bop band, but their stylings were laced with bluesy shuffles and retained a strong melodic sense. "Moanin,'" a signature album of its time, belongs on any jazz enthusiast's shelf.

I just got it. I just played it. I just love it. This is a great Album and a great pressing! 180 gram vinyl and its a great price! Album jacket is Awesome! I love it. This album is in my top 5 of all my records! Get this one. Jazz Images did a great job on this. Buy it. Update! 10/22. Unfortunately what was to be wonderful was reviewed without playing 😕 side 2! It pops and cracks and sounds terrible. I will have to return it and hope the next one plays great on both sides. Really a bummer 😕 because everything else is wonderful but side 2 which features some wonderful drum playing is un playable. Update! 10/24. Received a new copy! I went and played side 2 after cleaning it up to get all the manufacturing crud off and this new copy plays perfect 👌. Of course I then played side 1 and it is just as clean and sounds great. I am happy 😊. It's Awesome that they sent me out a new one so fast and I didn't even drop off the bad one yet , Wow. I'll be dropping off the bad one later today at Kohls. Hopefully you get a good copy of this wonderful album. Happy playing.

This is one of Art Blakey's best albums, and that's saying a lot because Bu has had some superb musicians in his Jazz Messengers. On Moanin', he's at the top of his game, laying down some solid rhythms behind Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt. Blakey shines on the "Drum Thunder Suite" and "Blues March", both written by Golson. This is a classic album that hasn't been remastered to death the way a lot of records transferred to CD have. If I could, I'd give it more than 5 stars.

This could be one of the best jazz albums ever made. It is in my top 10. The band makes the album. The music was written by the players Buddy Timmons was not only a great keyboardist but an outstanding composer.Benny Golson on tenor sax also composed much of the album's music. Every jazz fan should own this record.

This is absolutely one of my all time favorite classic jazz records. Every song on this including the bonus tracks are excellent. Art Blakey worked with some of the best jazz musicians of his day and the line up on these recordings does not disappoint. Bobby Timmons, Benny Golson and Lee Morgan provide some sweet jazzy goodness that should be in every jazz collection.

I have a good many Jazz Messenger albums, including virtually all of the live ones. This, though, stands out as the one I always associate with Blakey. Moanin' is the first song that comes to mind when he is mentioned, and the line-up on this 1958 album is among the best. I personally believe that the only trumpeter Blakey had that tops Lee Morgan on this album was Clifford Brown (and technically that group was not the Jazz Messengers.)In addition to Lee Morgan, having Benny Golson on this album is practically icing on the cake. As a drummer I love Golson's "Blues March", which Blakey makes come alive as only Blakey can. Another favorite is "Are You Real".Every song, in fact, is classic Jazz Messengers and this is (in my opinion) the strongest line-up ever. While that is my personal opinion, I think that listeners will agree that the personnel in this session worked magic that would not be repeated in subsequent performances and renditions of the songs in the album.For folks who want to explore hard bop or the Jazz Messengers, this is a perfect starting point. Beware, though, because they can be an obsession.

Review of CD Blue Note 1998 RVG remaster.This is a tremendous recording both sonically and musically. The instruments have real tone and the note decay feels very natural.The drum sound is very realistic, especially the snare drum.. The kick drum is a little faint on occasion. The recording space occasionally sounds a little “hard” but it allows the horns to soar and the piano to “tinkle”.Overall the sound quality on this recording makes it a must have for a collector of any musical genre, it is capable of highlighting the qualities of a good audio system.I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile. • Clarity – very clear, detailed and transparent • Channel separation – good use of left and right channels with a good centre stereo image. • Channel balance – very good mix, clear instrument placement • Sound Stage – reasonable, limited width but very good depth and detail. Instruments are clearly identifiable in a specific locations and they do not “float” around. • Distortion – non audible • Compression – no frequency limitation audible. Horns have an edge and can soar. Cymbals shimmer without being brittle. • Atmosphere – clearly a studio recording but one which is both airy and spacious. The instruments have a good feel and decay in the space. However there is no clear sense of space. The space is a little hard but it is neither cold nor clinical. • Bass – low frequencies – The double bass is excellent having a good timbre and string sound. The drums have an excellent sound overall but the kick drum seems absent most of the time. The other drums have an excellent tone and reverberation. The drum “crashes” are stunning. It is worth noting that the double bass sound is consistent whilst the drum sound varies from track to track. • Treble – high frequencies – Overall excellent, cymbals are bright and shimmer without being brittle and tiring. The horns are almost overwhelming as they soar. The piano tone is counterbalanced by the fabulous drumming and the quality of the drum sound. The clarity of the drum sticks on the drum rim is great and enticing adding realism. The saxophone adds warmth and depth to the horns whilst the piano has a good “twinkle” • Vocals - noneAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.

If you are new to Blue Note Records or wanting to have a good collection of Jazz this album is an excellent place to start. The title track is a classic, and should be in everyone's collection of Jazz. Why the Blue Note edition and not something equivalent or cheaper? This is the label it was fist released on & you get the Blue Note cover design front & back plus original notes, additional notes and studio photos. The sound quality is superb, because it's Blue Note Records. Also check out other Blue Note releases of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.

How can you not love Art Blakey, possibly the greatest jazz drummer of all time. It wasn't just his great skills that made him immortal, it was the bands he put together, and there is no better band of Messengers than on this album, which includes Lee Morgan on trumpet, a standout in is own right. Benny Golson comes in on tenor saxophone, and Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt complete the rhythm section. Great music! As fresh today as it was when it was first released in 1958.

Blakey and the Messengers in top form, this is a Jazz classic, along with A night in Tunisia, Davis' Kind of Blue and Coltranes' Blue train, from the bebop jazz era this album moves along a nice toe tapping pace with stunning compositions and musicians on stunning form, A great vinyl pressing even though it is not on the original blue note label

Recorded in 1958 by jazz drummer Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers, this has to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded. From the 9 minute opener Moanin', through the stupendous Drum Thunder Suite to the original album closer Come Rain Or shine, this is a shining example of how jazz should be done.With Blakey setting the beat with his complex drumming, Lee Morgan blowing a clear and catchy trumpet, and the rest of the group working in harmony, this is a set of great tunes. An odd album in that when you put it on you suddenly find yourself totally drawn into the complex rhythms and before you know it the album is over and you're putting it back on again. Highly addictive, you have been warned! The standout has to be the stupendous Drum Thunder Suite - It's amazing to think that there's only one man pounding the drums, it sounds like 5 or 6 at times!This Rudy Van Gelder edition is a masterpiece in its own right. The original album has been remastered and remixed. The sound is excellent, with all the instruments coming through clearly. There are two bonus tracks, some studio chatter leading into the opening track, and an alternative take of the masterful Moanin'. Both add to the album.A five star release of a five star album. Recommended for any lovers of freeform jazz, such as Lee Morgan, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. If you like this also check outthe other RVG releases including Like Someone In Love, Night In Tunisia, Free For All and Indestructible.