Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine [allmusic]
Kind of Blue isn't merely an artistic highlight for Miles Davis, it's an album
that towers above its peers, a record generally considered as the
definitive jazz album, a universally acknowledged standard of excellence.
Why does Kind of Blue posses such a mystique? Perhaps because this
music never flaunts its genius. It lures listeners in with the slow, luxurious
bassline and gentle piano chords of "So What." From that moment on,
the record never really changes pace -- each tune has a similar relaxed
feel, as the music flows easily. Yet Kind of Blue is more than easy
listening. It's the pinnacle of modal jazz -- tonality and solos build from the
overall key, not chord changes, giving the music a subtly shifting quality.
All of this doesn't quite explain why seasoned jazz fans return to this
record even after they've memorized every nuance. They return because
this is an exceptional band -- Miles, Coltrane, Bill Evans, Cannonball
Adderley, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb -- one of the greatest in history,
playing at the peak of its power. As Evans said in the original liner notes
for the record, the band did not play through any of these pieces prior to
recording. Davis laid out the themes before the tape rolled, and then the
band improvised. The end results were wondrous and still crackle with
vitality. Kind of Blue works on many different levels. It can be played as
background music, yet it amply rewards close listening. It is advanced
music that is extraordinarily enjoyable. It may be a stretch to say that if
you don't like Kind of Blue, you don't like jazz -- but it's hard to imagine it
as anything other than a cornerstone of any jazz collection.
1. (09:05) - So What
2. (09:36) - Freddie Freeloader
3. (05:29) - Blue In Green
4. (11:34) - All Blues
5. (09:25) - Flamenco Sketches
Playing Time.........: 00:45:08
Total Size...........: 217.45 MB
All tracks accurately ripped
No errors occurred
End of status report
Included.............: LOG, CUE, M3U
Artwork..............: @ 600dpi
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