Least Favorite Albums

[Big Al]

When I first saw this thread had been "upped," I forgot this was an old thread and was all set to post UNIT STRUCTURES as my least favorite BN. Well, turns out I already did that.

Then, after further reading, I saw AllenLowe's opinion about Lou Donaldson and I thought, "Hey, I kinda agree. I'm gonna post that." Well, turns out I already did that, too!

Hell, I'm so predictable even I can tell what I'm about to say next!

[milestones20]

I've always had "sore spots" for Am I Blue and Mobley's Reach Out. Both records are just really boring in my opinion, as is Larry Young's Into Somethin' (although not as bad as the other two...I've always just found this one a little disappointing).

[Guy Berger]

I've always had "sore spots" for Am I Blue and Mobley's Reach Out. Both records are just really boring in my opinion, as is Larry Young's Into Somethin' (although not as bad as the other two...I've always just found this one a little disappointing).

I bought Am I Blue due to Joe Henderson semi-completism. I will probably repeat this mistake when I get Lee Morgan's Rumproller.

Guy

[AndrewHill]

Palu Congo by Sabu Martinez is kind of a waste of time. I worked real hard to find this one cuz it was part of the 1500 Series, but when I finally tracked it down and listened to it, I had to wonder what I was thinking. I still have it but I think I've only heard it that one time. Lots of pointless pounding, whooping and hollering in an attempt to pungle up something akin to excitement, but with no discernable end in mind. Speaking of drum intensive albums, I'm not much of a fan of Blakey's Orgy in Rhythm Vols. 1 & 2 either. Way too much of an otherwise good thing, at least IMO.

Ditto on the two Byrd w/ voices albums. Never quite got the point of those.

There were more than a few Sidewinder-esque "funk" BN's in the '70's that I could live real well without. Can't think of any specific titles right now, but I sure know 'em when I hear 'em.

Up over and out.

I'm wth you on Palo Congo. I think for the same reasons as you, I hunted high and low for this one (before the domestic reissue) and as soon as I tracked down the TOCJ, I listened to it, couldn't finish it and promptly sold it.

Orgy in Rhythm (along with Drums around the Corner and Holiday for Skins for that matter) seem to be for percussion specialists. I like the last song on Orgy (and I usually just skip to that tune and then take it off) but I still have these disks and I certianly wouldn't call them the worse.

I can listen to some of Byrd's A New Perspective, until it gets a little too 'churchy' then I usually take it off.

Probably my least favorite BN for me, and this may shock some, but I found Jimmy Smith's I'm Movin' On an absolute bore.

Edited June 5, 2007 by Holy Ghost

[AndrewHill]

I just remembered two other BN's that did absolutely nothing for me:

Turrentine's Blue Hour and Rough and Tumble.

I Do like Unit Structures, Go, and the Scorpian-Live at the Cadilac Club.

[J Larsen]

Not a fan of Gene Harris, most things described as "boogaloo", Reach Out, or late Grant Green. Also not into Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones, or (ducking) The Sidewinder.

Not dissin, just not diggin.

[J Larsen]

Oh - and that George Braith 2xCD is real hard for me to deal with - I'll give it another try in a couple years.

I used to not be able to stand Jimmy Smith, Larry Young or Ike Quebec (who is now one of my absolute faves). When I listen to their respective records now, I often wonder "wtf was wrong with me?"

[AndrewHill]

Some of you have mentioned Young's Of Love and Peace as not being some of your favorites, but I like this disc quite a bit. I like the set-up with two drummers and in fact, I don't even mind Eddie Gale. I think he fits right in the vortex of sound that they create, especially on the first track. The only tune that seems to slightly suffer is the Miles' cover. But other than that, I put this one right up there with Mothership. These albums are badass!

[Shrdlu]

Bit late in the thread, but I'd like to support you, Jazz Cat, on the Three Sounds. Thanks to the Japanese, I have all of their BN items that have been released, and I love listening to all of it.

I can't really come up with a list of bad BN albums, but I have avoided the Sabu album and I don't listen to those half-dozen Blakey percussion albums much (but I wouldn't call them bad).

[Guest donald petersen]

i think whistle stop is great and i really enjoy eddie gale also on the young album.

i agree that go! does nothing for me. neither does soul station. though maybe with my now more mature and hearing impaired ears i would appreciate soul station more. i have no notion these albums are bad music, though. point of departure also does nothing for me.

i think if i remember charles earland plays one of my least favorite solos ever on hot dog. on some jaunty number.

i also thought the scorpion was pretty bad.

and no i don't have a bias. i think mister shing-a-ling is a sweet album, for instance.

some of the jackie mclean earlier blue notes are not my favorites....swing swang swingin, for instance.

[Teasing the Korean]

I'm wth you on Palo Congo. I think for the same reasons as you, I hunted high and low for this one (before the domestic reissue) and as soon as I tracked down the TOCJ, I listened to it, couldn't finish it and promptly sold it.

Orgy in Rhythm (along with Drums around the Corner and Holiday for Skins for that matter) seem to be for percussion specialists. I like the last song on Orgy (and I usually just skip to that tune and then take it off) but I still have these disks and I certianly wouldn't call them the worse.

I can listen to some of Byrd's A New Perspective, until it gets a little too 'churchy' then I usually take it off.

Probably my least favorite BN for me, and this may shock some, but I found Jimmy Smith's I'm Movin' On an absolute bore.

Sabu made better percussion albums during this period, such as "Sorcery" on Columbia and "Safari with Sabu" on Vik (RCA subsidiary).

Being into percussion, I have both "Orgy in Rhythm" and "African Beat" by Art Blakey. I like the latter more for an overall complete listening experience. Orgy is good but it's a bit much at one sitting. Still never heard his "Holiday for Skins" albums.

The Solomon Ilori was a disappointment, but the three bonus tracks on there - almost a complete album from a later jazzier session - are the reason I've held onto it.

Being heavily into latin jazz, two Blue Notes that disappointed me are "The Latin Bit" by Grant Green" and "Bossa Nova Bacchanal" by Charlie Rouse. Both records overall sound like they're going through the motions to crank out a quick latin record. Both have a couple of tracks that I like more than others, but I don't spin them often.

Edited June 6, 2007 by Teasing the Korean

[mikeweil]

Speaking of Andrew Hill. I love his later Blue Note albums, but did you guys notice on Hank Mobley's No Room For Squares, he makes two mistakes. I think it was the first track, Three Way Split, I think. He starts to come in during Philly's solo. He stops, finding out it wasn't time yet. It happened again during the album. Just something to note.

Maybe the reason he wasn't called that often as a sideman?

[mikeweil]

I'm wth you on Palo Congo. I think for the same reasons as you, I hunted high and low for this one (before the domestic reissue) and as soon as I tracked down the TOCJ, I listened to it, couldn't finish it and promptly sold it.

Orgy in Rhythm (along with Drums around the Corner and Holiday for Skins for that matter) seem to be for percussion specialists. I like the last song on Orgy (and I usually just skip to that tune and then take it off) but I still have these disks and I certianly wouldn't call them the worse.

I can listen to some of Byrd's A New Perspective, until it gets a little too 'churchy' then I usually take it off.

Probably my least favorite BN for me, and this may shock some, but I found Jimmy Smith's I'm Movin' On an absolute bore.

Sabu made better percussion albums during this period, such as "Sorcery" on Columbia and "Safari with Sabu" on Vik (RCA subsidiary).

Being into percussion, I have both "Orgy in Rhythm" and "African Beat" by Art Blakey. I like the latter more for an overall complete listening experience. Orgy is good but it's a bit much at one sitting. Still never heard his "Holiday for Skins" albums.

The Solomon Ilori was a disappointment, but the three bonus tracks on there - almost a complete album from a later jazzier session - are the reason I've held onto it.

Being heavily into latin jazz, two Blue Notes that disappointed me are "The Latin Bit" by Grant Green" and "Bossa Nova Bacchanal" by Charlie Rouse. Both records overall sound like they're going through the motions to crank out a quick latin record. Both have a couple of tracks that I like more than others, but I don't spin them often.

Well, Alfred Lion should have founded a sub-label for those records. It was nice that he gave Sabu a record date, but it's not jazz, but Afro-Cuban percussion and thus might easily alienate a hard core jazz fan. On Afro-Cuban terms, it's a good and unique album, the more so for Arsenio Rodriguez.

I like them all, think the Sabu is better than the Blakey's 'cause the latter have a little too much of a jam session approach.

The African Beat was marred a little by Blakey pounding too much; The Ilori is very nice, but it's Highlife music, not jazz.

Agree on the Green and Rouse bossa nova Lps - with a more authentic rhythm team these could have been much better. These were two that disappointed me.

[mikeweil]

Sabu made better percussion albums during this period, such as "Sorcery" on Columbia and "Safari with Sabu" on Vik (RCA subsidiary).

Why do you think these are better?

[Teasing the Korean]

I especially like the high exotica quotient on "Sorcery."

[king ubu]

I love the Ilori and enjoy the Sabu as well! Great indeed to have some Arsenio Rodriguez... I know some of his tunes but don't have anything else with him.

[milestones20]

I've always had "sore spots" for Am I Blue and Mobley's Reach Out. Both records are just really boring in my opinion, as is Larry Young's Into Somethin' (although not as bad as the other two...I've always just found this one a little disappointing).

I bought Am I Blue due to Joe Henderson semi-completism. I will probably repeat this mistake when I get Lee Morgan's Rumproller.

Guy

IMO, The Rumproller isn't as bad as everybody seems to think it is. It's a bit boring at times, but it also has some really nice moments on it, too (check Desert Moonlight and Edda).

[porcy62]

Speaking of Andrew Hill. I love his later Blue Note albums, but did you guys notice on Hank Mobley's No Room For Squares, he makes two mistakes. I think it was the first track, Three Way Split, I think. He starts to come in during Philly's solo. He stops, finding out it wasn't time yet. It happened again during the album. Just something to note.

Maybe the reason he wasn't called that often as a sideman?

Edit: or maybe the session was going too straightforwarded for his creative mind and he was bored.

Edited June 6, 2007 by porcy62

[porcy62]

Oh yeah, anything by The Three Sounds

Yep, you're my man.

[AndrewHill]

I'm wth you on Palo Congo. I think for the same reasons as you, I hunted high and low for this one (before the domestic reissue) and as soon as I tracked down the TOCJ, I listened to it, couldn't finish it and promptly sold it.

Orgy in Rhythm (along with Drums around the Corner and Holiday for Skins for that matter) seem to be for percussion specialists. I like the last song on Orgy (and I usually just skip to that tune and then take it off) but I still have these disks and I certianly wouldn't call them the worse.

I can listen to some of Byrd's A New Perspective, until it gets a little too 'churchy' then I usually take it off.

Probably my least favorite BN for me, and this may shock some, but I found Jimmy Smith's I'm Movin' On an absolute bore.

Sabu made better percussion albums during this period, such as "Sorcery" on Columbia and "Safari with Sabu" on Vik (RCA subsidiary).

Being into percussion, I have both "Orgy in Rhythm" and "African Beat" by Art Blakey. I like the latter more for an overall complete listening experience. Orgy is good but it's a bit much at one sitting. Still never heard his "Holiday for Skins" albums.

The Solomon Ilori was a disappointment, but the three bonus tracks on there - almost a complete album from a later jazzier session - are the reason I've held onto it.

Being heavily into latin jazz, two Blue Notes that disappointed me are "The Latin Bit" by Grant Green" and "Bossa Nova Bacchanal" by Charlie Rouse. Both records overall sound like they're going through the motions to crank out a quick latin record. Both have a couple of tracks that I like more than others, but I don't spin them often.

Well, Alfred Lion should have founded a sub-label for those records. It was nice that he gave Sabu a record date, but it's not jazz, but Afro-Cuban percussion and thus might easily alienate a hard core jazz fan. On Afro-Cuban terms, it's a good and unique album, the more so for Arsenio Rodriguez.

I like them all, think the Sabu is better than the Blakey's 'cause the latter have a little too much of a jam session approach.

The African Beat was marred a little by Blakey pounding too much; The Ilori is very nice, but it's Highlife music, not jazz.

Agree on the Green and Rouse bossa nova Lps - with a more authentic rhythm team these could have been much better. These were two that disappointed me.

Agree too on the Green, I had that one for awhile and found it to be a bit boring and sold it. The Rouse though, I find to be enjoyable in spots. Maybe its just me, but Rouse sometimes seems to be a second or so before the beat. maybe that's what he intended, but it sounds strange, especially on the first track. The bonus track is killer. The real surprise from the Blue Note Bossa Nova period was Quebec's Bossa Nova Soul Samba- now that album kicks ass!

[Guy Berger]

Being heavily into latin jazz, two Blue Notes that disappointed me are "The Latin Bit" by Grant Green" and "Bossa Nova Bacchanal" by Charlie Rouse. Both records overall sound like they're going through the motions to crank out a quick latin record. Both have a couple of tracks that I like more than others, but I don't spin them often.

Haven't heard the music, but Latin Bit has one of the worst BN album covers from this period:

[Soul Stream]

George Benson, who is a huge Green fanatic said "The Latin Bit" was his favorite Green album. Also, to each his own...but I really dig the cover. I could see how some could think it's corny given that most all BN covers are of session pictures. Works for me though.

[Teasing the Korean]

...The Rouse though, I find to be enjoyable in spots. Maybe its just me, but Rouse sometimes seems to be a second or so before the beat. maybe that's what he intended, but it sounds strange, especially on the first track. The bonus track is killer. The real surprise from the Blue Note Bossa Nova period was Quebec's Bossa Nova Soul Samba- now that album kicks ass!

I don't really dislike the Rouse; it has its moments, it's just not great like I'd hoped it would be.

Never heard Bossa Nova Soul Samba! Is it on CD?

Edited June 6, 2007 by Teasing the Korean

[Parkertown]

I have the JRVG of Bossa Nova Soul Samba and it's incredible sounding!

Warm and "tubey" sounding.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I have the JRVG of Bossa Nova Soul Samba and it's incredible sounding!

Warm and "tubey" sounding.

I've got that on LP - what does "tubey sounding" mean. Should I get the RVG?

MG