Feb 7, 2016

Miles Davis Kind of Blue: Still Lives Up to The Hype

If someone asks you what the greatest modern jazz record of all time is, just tell them Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. After all, it is the greatest selling modern jazz record of all time.

If someone asks you why it is the greatest?  Fill them in on the ahead of its time use of modes or “scales,” that championed a freedom for the soloist not seen before in jazz.

They should know about the stark plaintive sound of the Miles Davis trumpet, how he had a way of making brief but concise statements, never being pretentious.

Let them know about pianist Bill Evans, and his simmering heat under-the-surface style, pianist Wynton Kelly’s bubbly blues on “Freddie Freeloader,” and Paul Chambers’ bass playing... as in the pocket as a bassist can be.

You also have John Coltrane feeling his oats, soloing over top of these new modes, and Cannonball Adderley’s exuberant and upbeat alto sax style, he’s  the perfect counter-point to Coltrane’s more visceral playing.

Drummer Jimmy Cobb holds it all together with subtlety or fire, what ever the composition demands. His brushwork is especially noteworthy on the album.
Miles Davis Kind of Blue Columbia 6 Eye Mono Label

My favorite track is “All Blues,” a wonderful medium tempo jaunt down a crowded New York City street circa 1959. The entire record is a masterwork believe me.

 Kind of Blue’s genius is in the modern, yet contemporary easy going vibe. Anyone, of any background could find something within the album to savor. It's modern and years ahead of its time, yet contemporary more than 55 years after its creation.

It has been nearly 20 years since I first heard Kind of Blue, and I have listened to it via cassette, CD, download, and surround sound.  I believe the definitive way to listen to any Miles Davis album is on original Columbia 6 eye label vinyl...but the 1997 Sony CD remaster is very good I must say, and the expanded liner notes are worth having anyway.

I know many audiophiles who swear by cassette versions of this of the same 1997 remaster. I've never seen that cassette, one day I hope to hear it.






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