[QUOTE=FillInTheBlankHere___]Which release would you guys recommend of Kind of Blue? I've seen two or three different copies in stores...[/QUOTE]

I've only seen one.... with 6 tracks on it, Flamenco Sketches is a alternate take.

I really don't see what is so great about this album. Sure, it is the epitome of jazz releases in many people's eyes. It is great to relax to. It had an awesome line-up, probably the best ever. But I find his be-bop work so much better to listen to. But to each his own.

Album Rating: 5.0

It's a recording that captures a group of untouchable musicians all in their prime, and features not only some of the first modal playing, but the absolute peak of of this type of improv. The improvisations have a flowing feeling, while at the same time are very disciplined and cohesive. The way it was recorded—the musicians having not played through any of the tunes beforehand—gives it a human element, even though the musicians are all very superhuman in their playing skills. They play wonderfully, but the playing is electric because it has the feel of musicians getting together and cutting a record, not laying down some material they've played into the ground in rehearsal. The musicians complement each other perfectly; Coltrane and Miles especially offer a great deal of point/counterpoint, as they were about as far apart stylistically as they would ever be at the time of this recording. The compositions are classic and catchy, memorable in their simplicity, interesting in their harmonic structures. A lot of the time when things are groundbreaking, they are very inspiring but not very polished or easily accessible affairs. Kind of Blue is simultaneously trailblazing and beautiful. Those are some of the reasons that I think Kind of Blue is great.

The Coltrane/Davis mix is sublime. In my opinion, better than the mix that Davis had with Parker. Chambers' bass work is excellent, especially his work on So What. I agree with what you said, but simplicity, and catchyness, doesn't really do it for me. Which is probably why I enjoy be-bop moreso than cool jazz.

And I knew that they had not run through the songs beforehand, when I first listened to it, I was literally blown away by the tightness of the band.

I will give it a 5/5 (of course) but it's not a jazz CD that I will pull out very often.

[QUOTE=Zappa]However, I find that listening to this album, each tune seems to go by in no time.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely, that type of quality is a highlight of Davis' writing I think, the way flows so effortlessly into from one to another.It's easy to see why this is considered one of the greatest albums ever, musicianship and beauty at their zenith. I think it changed the way people think about jazz.

[QUOTE=BirdsOfFires][img]
02 - Freddie Freeloader

This is one of those jazz songs that you know. No seriously, you've heard this song. It's in about 1000 movies, not to mention countless rock DJs who play it in the background while they talk.
[QUOTE=BirdsOfFires][img]

I heard it on The Weather Channel the other day.



Interesting statistic on the amount of covers on all of the songs by different artists:

So What: 150

All Blues: 150

Blue in Green: 100

Freddie Freeloader: 15

Flamenco Sketches: 5

I learnt So What in my guitar lesson the other day :cool:

I scored this cd in perfect condition at a pawn shop for $2.

I recently (about three weeks ago) got this, and since then it's been placed in the small pool of CDs I think of as "sex, in small plastic disc form". Very good.

Heh... what other CD's go in that pile?

The first two 2 phrases of Davis's solo in So What are masterful.

What about Coltrane's solo in Flamenco Sketches? That is just as good as the trumpet solo in So What.

This is Miles' best work, he really was a genius, RIP.

great album, great review. by the way, who is you're dad? maybe someone's heard of him? (directed at BoF)

I bought this album the other day. Although I like jazz, I've never really bought much of the genre, but this album is absolutely a must buy for any music fan, regardless of what they normally listen to. No arguments, just get it. The review is great as well, and absolutely sums up how important this album is to own.

this is a fantastic album
absolutley love it and its fantastic whatever mood you're in.
i'm into rock and metal but still love this phenonenal album.
BUY IT if you havent already


nice reveiw dude

This is one of my favorite all time albums.

Kind of Blue is the greatest jazz album I have heard. Miles brought together a band of amzing players and they all double as remarkable soloists. Each of the songs on this album is a jazz standard (very rare) and should be required listening for anyone attempting to get a degree in jazz studies. This album is well worth paying for, and if you can find the original vinyl, well you are a lucky person indeed. Out of all of Davis' albums this is the one that shows why this man went on to become the most popular artist in jazz, and why people still compare jazz to his work. Bof thank you for the wonderful review of a wonderful album.

Album Rating: 5.0

i agree, this is one of the greatest jazz albums out there! check out milestones, it has some amazing stuff on it also. miles davis is halarious, if you haven't read his autobio, you gotta, even if you hate the man, it'll make you love him. i think that this cd is freakin carazy good tho. blue in green is the hottest song ever, what an amazing and thoughtout ballad!

Album Rating: 5.0

I'll be getting this. I'm starting my jazz collection.

Beautiful album, thanks for the review. This Message Edited On 08.03.05

Great review for one of those albums that absolutely every music lover should have. I've always liked and respected jazz and I started by listening to Louis Armstrong and then progressing to be-bop with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. About 6 months ago, my best friend bought KoB and told me I should hear it, so I burned a copy and gave it a try and I've been listening to it at least once a day ever since. It's just one of those timeless albums and it kind of acts as a bridge to allow other music fans in to appreciate it. There are just some albums that you never get sick of, you listen to all the time, and you know every single note to. "Dark Side of the Moon" is the same with many people, but for the jazz world KoB does it. You just listen - grooving and singing along with the melodic horn lines. Miles plays masterfully, Coltrane shows off his god-like chops, and Cannonball just makes you swing and groove with him. He just has such a relaxed feel and a happy tone to his playing like no other. Sorry for the length, but this is one of the few albums worth writing so much about.

2 more short things and then I'll shut up.

1) I recently bought the sheet music to KoB with all of the solos and everything and it makes me appreciate the album even more. I have about 90% of the notes to Cannonball's "So What" solo and half of Trane's from "Freddie Freeloader".

2) To get more insight into this album, I highly recommend buying the book "The Making of Kind of Blue: Miles Davis and His Masterpiece". Lots of insight into the recording, the songs, and the background of each of the people who made the album possible. Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/031228408X/ref=lpr_g_1/103-7970376-6125438?v=glance&s=books