Customer Reviews

Jazz Icons: Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers Live in '58

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This concert from November 30, 1958 is the only known film of the powerhouse quintet that recorded Blakey's landmark "Moanin'" album -- Blakey on drums, along with pianist Bobby Timmons, trumpeter Lee Morgan, saxophonist Benny Golson and bassist Jymie Merritt. Blakey is to some degree enigmatic (and poorly miked, alas...) but Timmons and Morgan emerge as remarkable up-and-coming players... Timmons shines on a warm version of his song, "Moanin'," which was the first big hit for Blakey's Jazz Messengers, while Morgan -- who was only twenty at the time! -- is simply stunning. Morgan's solo on "It's You, Or No One" is the kind of thing DVDs were made for -- I rewound it five times the first time I watched this disc, just trying to fathom how someone so young could have so much control over their instrument. Although the cinematography is a bit choppy throughout, once you settle into the film's rhythm, this disc yields quite a wealth of historical splendor. Blakey fans and hard bop aficianados will consider this one a must.

This is the best you will ever see by one of the greatest groups in jazz. Filmed shortly after the
recording of Moanin', the biggest selling Blue Note recording. This is the best video of Lee Morgan
that exitsts. The audio and video quality are flawless. It is a must have for any jazz lover or student of
the music. DO NOT PASS ON THIS!!! It is KILLIN'!!!

Amazing stuff! I had my reservations before purchasing this one, having never heard of these "Jazz Icons" DVD releases before. I was not expecting it to be all that great. Boy was I ever mistaken! After watching this, I can't wait to start purchasing the others in this series. Talk about hitting the mother lode! I can't believe how lucky I am to have discovered this treasure trove of classic jazz performances. The sound quality and camera work are excellent. And the live performance by this incredible quintet is awe-inspiring. I almost feel guilty that I only paid twenty bucks for this - an hour of great music plus a 20-page booklet featuring very well written and informative liner notes by Michael Cuscuna, a foreward by Takashi Taylor (Art's son) and some rare, excellent photographs to boot. Not a bad deal. I would have paid twice as much and been more than satisfied.

You are essentially buying an important piece of American history with this one. It is "the music that changed the world" according to Quincy Jones and while some may look upon that statement as a bit of hyperbole, I tend to agree with him. To see these five artists on film is something truly special for any jazz fan. To be able to watch the young, baby-faced Lee Morgan on trumpet, the austere, perfectionist Bobby Timmons on piano, the blissful and boisterous leader Art Blakey on drums, the reflective, reliable Jymmie Merrit on bass and the composed, temperate Benny Golson on sax... you can't tell me it gets much better than that! These cats play with such intentness, nothing too flashy, never flamboyant, it was all about business, all about playing proficiently and giving it your all.

Trust me folks, this one is a thing of beauty!

I have never been moved enough by a DVD performance to actually post an opinion urging others to buy it until now!

I play jazz drums as a hobby and one of my heroes is Art Blakey. I pounced on this when I saw it and was not disappointed. The video as well as the sound is flawless. The performances are incredible with each one being a highlight. Watch for Art's cymbal stand "pyrotechniques" at the end of "Night in Tunisia." Seeing the performance of "Moaning" was like watching history. Art and his Messenger's were swingin' hard!

Next up is Buddy Rich, Thelonius, Ella and then the rest. I am buying them all and urge you to do the same.

'a must for all jazz fans too complete their jazz library '
WONDERFUL STUFF, JUST WONDERFUL i find myself rewinding
and checking out these GREAT MASTERS all over again and again BLESS YOU jazzicons and the truth is you have too have them all

Of all the nine releases in the Jazz Icon series this one blows me away
Moanin on Blue Note was Blakey classic release and to now after 50 years I get to see the band that started my interest in Jazz
Lee Morgan,Benny Golson etc LIVE and UnRelease until now

This is jazz history at its best

The Jazz Icon people produces packages with all the right details
Gloriously filmed in Black and White, fantastic mono sound
A 20 page essay on Blakey and his band

A feast for bebopers everyware. get it !!!!!!!!

H Bloomfield
http://home.ica.net/~blooms/Art1.html
Art Blakey School Of Hard Bop

This group represents music at its finest; Lee Morgan is in spectacular form at age 20 - and you hear the Clifford Brown/Dizzy Gillespie/Fats Navarro influence in his playing. Benny Golson's solos are adventurous and Bobby Timmons is probably an underrated player with Bud Powell-like fluency on several pieces. Blakey is energetic and exuberant on drums, and Merritt is solid on bass. Seeing them in action just ups the appreciation for their skill, and increases your sense of the high energy level this group produced. I believe this is the first time this video has been released.

A stunning discovery in Belgian archives of a concert in Brussels in 1958 with the famous line-up with Benny Golson (tenor) and Lee Morgan (trumpet) that lasted only 6 months. Benny Golson's now famous compositions like 'I Remember Clifford' and Whisper Not' are still fresh, and it is incredible to actually see 20-years old Lee Morgan and hear how mature his playing was. The only visual document of a live performance of a legendary group. And excellent quality!

For those who love Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers w/trumpet god Lee Morgan, this video is an absolute MUST HAVE! The picture quality is superb! The sound is great! The band is fantastic!---The Jazz Messengers at its very best (prior to Wayne Shorter, that is)!!

Thus far, I've purchased the Blakey, Dizzy, Ella and Monk and can without any hesitation heartily recommend them all. What a thrill to see these jazz heavyweights in their prime, with the black and white video footage and audio fidelity restored to very satisfactory levels. If you're a jazz lover, these DVDs will provides lots of smiles, joy and goosebumps.

Martin Milgrim
Boynton Beach, FL