Feature Album

Artist: Miles Davis
Album: Kind of Blue
Label: Columbia
Released: August 1959
Supporting musicians:
Julian "Cannonball" Adderly -Alto Sax
John Coltrane - Tenor Sax
Wynton Kelly - Piano (only on "Freddie Freeloader")
Bill Evans - Piano on every other track
Paul Chambers - Bass
Jimmy Cobb - Drums

Facts: The album is widely considered to be the crowning achievement for Jazz music and is also considered to be Davis's masterpiece by most. The album is frequently referred to as the one Jazz album listened to by people who don't listen to Jazz. Recorded in only two sessions the musicians were given very little information about the continuity and Davis supplied them with only what he thought they needed, the rest he left up to his belief in the talented musicians he had selected. Apart from being a master trumpet player, Miles was a genius is compiling the musicians for his albums, but this particular collaborative group was stellar and featured such heavy Jazz hitters as Bill Evans and John Coltrane (not to downplay the skill of the others). Jimmy Cobb who is currently the only surviving member of this recording session said he remembers walloping the symbols of his drums in the early opening section of "So What" the albums first track and at first thought he had hit with way to much force. In review later, the effect was perfect. The album features my favourite Miles Davis song "Blue in Green". The album is still as fresh sounding today as it was those forty-nine years ago. If I were to ever compile a list of the 1000 recordings people should listen to before they die "Kind of Blue" would easily make the list.

Comments

[Jazzvinylrules]

This is an absolute powerhouse of an album. Truely has to be one of the greatest albums recorded ever, not just in the jazz world but in all genres of music. A timeless classic. Love the review.

[MAd GapPer]

Thanks so much for the feedback. We totally agree and you can expect to hear Miles in an upcoming show where we will be featuring Jazz/Blues/Soul so keep listening and feel free to send in a track request to vinyltheatre@gmail.com and Thanks again!