Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
by Mark Rowland
published: 20 / 6 / 2005
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series. in which our writers reexamine great albums from the past, Mark Rowland looks back on Miles Davis' 50's jazz classic 'Kind of Blue'
Jazz will never be the music of the masses, but it has produced some records that music lovers should not be without. ‘Kind of Blue’ is one of them, and one of the best known; the peak of Davis’ creativity in the 50's. The record features a line-up of some of the period’s finest jazz-smiths: tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, alto-sax player Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley, Drummer Jimmy Cobb, bassist Paul Chambers and pianists Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans. By 1959, Miles Davis was well-respected in jazz circles, having cut his teeth with be-bopper Charlie Parker in the 40's. Over the course of his own albums, Davis had developed a slower, more elegant style that became known as cool jazz, as well as a be-bop/gospel hybrid known as hard-bop. ‘Kind of Blue’ was definitely on the cool jazz side of his repertoire, and was the first album to feature only his own compositions. It was ground breaking for the time, avoiding any of the clichés of the period’s contemporary jazz. Most of the pieces on ‘Kind of Blue’ were done in one take. Miles and his group were at the top of their game, working together brilliantly. They weaved together five outstanding tracks of music so beautiful it make your brain melt. It’s the kind of music you can enjoy in the background, but will only truly effect you if you sit down and take it in; really listen to it. The album kicks off with ‘So What’, which, unconventionally for the time, starts with a bass line. It sets the mood for the album and became a jazz standard for subsequent generations. This becomes ‘Freddie Freeloader’, which is one of the first tracks recorded for the album; a great example of the band’s chemistry, as solo improvisations by Kelly, Coltrane, Adderley and Davis flow together seamlessly. The pace becomes slower on ‘Blue in Green’, a stripped-back, melancholic track. ‘All Blues’ is much more upbeat, but still maintains its coolness. For the song, Davis took a standard 4/4 blues and put it in 6/8 time, creating something distinctive out of a simple standard. There are two versions of closer ‘Flamenco Sketches’ on the CD version of ‘Kind of Blue’, but it is difficult to choose a better version. It almost becomes one track, the two versions different enough to play in succession without getting bored. This is a great introduction to Miles Davis and jazz in general; a brilliant, relaxing listen.
Track Listing:-
Band Links:-
https://www.milesdavis.com/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Davis
Picture Gallery:-
features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2019) |
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Keith reflects on ten songs from Miles Davis' massively eclectic catalogue and finds ten reasons to love his music. |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Steve Harley - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart