Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, also called Moanin', is a studio album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded on October 30, 1958, and released on Blue Note later that year.
This was Blakey's first album for Blue Note in several years, after a period of recording for a number of different labels, and marked both a homecoming and a fresh start. Originally the LP was self-titled, but the instant popularity of the bluesy opening track, "Moanin'," composed by pianist Bobby Timmons, led to its becoming known by that title.
The album stands as one of the archetypal hard bop albums of the era, for the intensity of Blakey's drumming and the work of Morgan, Golson, and Timmons, and for its combination of old-fashioned gospel and blues influences with a sophisticated modern jazz sensibility. The album was identified by jazz critic Scott Yanow as one of "17 Essential Hard Bop Recordings".
AllMusic gives it a five-star review, stating: "Moanin' includes some of the greatest music Blakey produced in the studio with arguably his very best band. ... ranks with the very best of Blakey and what modern jazz offered in the late '50s and beyond."
Moanin' is a fantastic bebop jazz album by Art Blakey. Songs like "Moanin'" and "The Drum Thunder (Miniature) Suite" are true classics. Band leader Art Blakey being a drummer the rhythm section is excellent and most of the songs are written by saxophone player Benny Golson. So it's full of marvelous melodies.
one of only a handful of jazz recording where i can find the swing and the groove and it just makes you feel cooler because you're listening to it. though there is tinge of tightening and stress at times, it is just a great set from start to finish.
It's been so long since the original list, what the hell do you mean Moanin' wasn't on there?
Top 5 jazz albums of all time? Such an immaculate, fun vibe. Chill, but absolutely not boring, big part thanks to the absolutely fucking insane drumming courtesy of Art Blakey himself.
There are some varieties of jazz that I can appreciate and others I just can't. This definitely falls into the first category. It just sounds good. Incredible talent. 4 stars.
Surprised by the dynamic of the drummer bandleader, which doesn't really make sense when I think about it. I'm unsophisticated about jazz so it's always basically vibes with me but I liked this a lot.
Great to hear some more long form Jazz on the list, we're over 1600 albums now and it still feels like the genre is way underrepresented for how foundational it's been to music's development as a whole. I had never heard of Blakey before listening to this LP, and greatly enjoyed his sense of style and composition. The recording's raw nature made the dynamic instrumentals feel just that much more alive, great Jazz LP all in all and a solid listen to start the day.
Moanin' (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers)
Moanin' - 10
Are You Real - 9
Along Came Betty - 7
The Drum Thunder Suite - 9
Blues March - 8
Come Rain Or Come Shine - 8
The song Moanin' itself has so many different layers all of which perfectly blend into one masterpiece of a song. I usally think jazz songs can be too long, but it uses the 9 and a half minutes to the max. A must hear regardless if you like jazz. The call and response on Are You Real are so smooth and so gorgeous. The Drum Thunder Suite has such an interesting composition with some of the most unique drums I have ever heard in Jazz, they really make the drums the centerpiece of the song with the instruments following along. Overall a 9/10.
I'm not the greatest judge of what's good or not in the realm of jazz- this is rhythmic and forceful, not languid but it makes me feel upbeat so that's a good start.
It's hard to be objective since this is more akin to Classical music really, judged on musicialship rather than emotions?
The height of a heatwave, I wake up early and decide to go for a walk before work and listen to my album of the day. Life feels positive. And then the music starts. Jazz is just unpleasant to me. It didn’t ruin the day but it certainly didn’t enhance it.
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