Blues And the Abstract Truth, Oliver Nelson

Blues And the Abstract Truth, Oliver Nelson, 1961, :36

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

On this short, six-track album, Oliver Nelson showcases his saxophone talent as well as a great ear for arrangements.  Since jazz doesn't usually have words, you have to try to listen for the ideas.  Sometimes I have no idea what the songs are trying to say and sometimes I do.  Some of these pieces, like "Yearnin',"  are a bit strident in their virtuosity.  But most of this album has you nodding and snapping along, until it grabs you by the shirt front and smacks you with a well-crafted solo.  This is the kind of music that sneaks up on you.  Favorite tracks: "Stolen Moments," "Hoe Down," "Cascades."

Charles Aznavour (Il faut savoir), Charles Aznavour

Currently doing one album for each year, 1960-2020. Today: 1961.

Charles Aznavour (Il faut savoir), Charles Aznavour, 1961, :21

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This album (more of an EP, really) is actually called Charles Aznavour, but Aznavour titled a lot of albums after his own name even more so than Peter Gabriel, so this one is known by its first song title. I'm no stranger to French singer-songwriters, but I've always considered Georges Brassens to be pinnacle of French songcraft.  However, this brief collection makes a case for Aznavour's high status.  With his bold, slightly tremulous voice, he's a French Frank Sinatra to Brassens' Bob Dylan.  Like the Chairman, Aznavour comes across as world-weary, born old, and rueful about everything, even as he emanates stylistic confidence.  Favorite tracks: "Le Carillonneur," sung from the point of view of a very cynical church bell-ringer, "Voila Que Ça Recommence," a song about, uh, loving life ("a skirt passes by / And I get ready to lose my mind").

My Favorite Things, John Coltrane

My Favorite Things, John Coltrane, 1961, :40

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The title track is the classic "Sound of Music" Rogers and Hammerstein song, turned to a 13-minute saxophone and piano instrumental heavily influenced by Eastern music.  Since I don't know anything about chords or musical modes or times, I can't really talk about this music except to say that I enjoy it.  Favorite tracks: well, there's only four songs on the album (with two single edits of the title track added to the "deluxe" version of the album), but the title track is a five-star classic, and Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is also great.