Saturday, December 3, 2011
Songs of the Day
So What: If you don't know this song, you are a freak of nature. This is possibly Miles' most famous tune, and it is a great one. The melody is so simple, but so damn catchy - love it. Great solos by Miles and Coltrane, but I'm sure you all know that. If you don't know this tune, you better listen to it.
Freddie Freeloader: This is another über famous Miles tune, and it's a nice segway from "So What." They have similar rhythm and chord changes that makes the transition from one to the other very smooth. This right here is what I would call a proper swing - it lays back oh so nice. Wynton Kelly plays keys on this (opposed to Bill Evans on the rest of the album) and he definitely holds it down. I love the way that Miles solos. He really plays with the chord changes to make intriguing melodic lines, which is something that you don't hear done well enough. He and Coltrane have such different styles, but they work so well together - they contrast one another. I love the fast pace of Coltrane's solo and the laid back feel of Miles'. Julian Adderley holds it down on the alto sax. Paul Chambers holdin down his bass solo. So solid.
Blue in Green: I love how soft this song is while still having weight. I feel like it just sinks into your system. It also makes me kind of sad, which isn't exactly the best emotion to feel, but I love when music has any emotional effect, period, so that's a good thing in my book. Love, love, love the Evans/Chambers ending, especially Chambers using a bow. Great stuff.
Freddie Freeloader: This is another über famous Miles tune, and it's a nice segway from "So What." They have similar rhythm and chord changes that makes the transition from one to the other very smooth. This right here is what I would call a proper swing - it lays back oh so nice. Wynton Kelly plays keys on this (opposed to Bill Evans on the rest of the album) and he definitely holds it down. I love the way that Miles solos. He really plays with the chord changes to make intriguing melodic lines, which is something that you don't hear done well enough. He and Coltrane have such different styles, but they work so well together - they contrast one another. I love the fast pace of Coltrane's solo and the laid back feel of Miles'. Julian Adderley holds it down on the alto sax. Paul Chambers holdin down his bass solo. So solid.
Blue in Green: I love how soft this song is while still having weight. I feel like it just sinks into your system. It also makes me kind of sad, which isn't exactly the best emotion to feel, but I love when music has any emotional effect, period, so that's a good thing in my book. Love, love, love the Evans/Chambers ending, especially Chambers using a bow. Great stuff.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Album Factoids
Kind of Blue
Released: August 17, 1959
Genre: Jazz
Label: Columbia
Producers: Irving Townsend, Teo Macero
Released: August 17, 1959
Genre: Jazz
Label: Columbia
Producers: Irving Townsend, Teo Macero
Week 61: Miles Davis
I figured it was about time I do a Miles album. Return to Forever is a pretty great segway into this as well, so why not. Obviously, I am hip to Miles, but I can't say that I've ever listened to a whole album of his, which I actually find quite disturbing. Practically against my religion. So, I'm gonna do myself a favor and start now, and start slow, which is why I'm doing the classic Kind of Blue. I'm excited.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Final Grade: A
There is not a single thing wrong with this album. I praise every person on this album for being an absolute genius, but especially Chick Corea and Stanley Clark. I have been blessed enough to see these guys play live, and let me tell you - it's incredible. The fact that Stanley can do what he does, and on an upright, is absolutely amazing. Chick, as always, is bad man on everything he plays. I love the latin feel that is present throughout the album - keeps ya movin. Great, great stuff.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Songs of the Day
Children's Song: The melodic relation to the title of this tune is instant. Or at least the melody Chick is playing with his left hand. The main melody is very child-like as well, but it has this slight eeriness to it that makes it a little deceiving - I dig it. I also really like how simple this song is, which adds to it being a "children's song." Very sweet.
Spain: For the Chick fans reading this (which I hope all of you are), you most certainly know this song as it is his most famous. I saw him play this live two weeks ago, and it was fantastic (but that's no surprise). I love that this is how they end this album, because it is definitely a closer. Such a great groove to it, and the melodies are incredible. The soft, slow intro is such a great start - it really enhances the groove when it picks up. I love the the unison melodic line with the claps in the back - so sweet. Everyone kills their solos. Definitely, definitely chick this one out. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig.
Spain: For the Chick fans reading this (which I hope all of you are), you most certainly know this song as it is his most famous. I saw him play this live two weeks ago, and it was fantastic (but that's no surprise). I love that this is how they end this album, because it is definitely a closer. Such a great groove to it, and the melodies are incredible. The soft, slow intro is such a great start - it really enhances the groove when it picks up. I love the the unison melodic line with the claps in the back - so sweet. Everyone kills their solos. Definitely, definitely chick this one out. Dig, dig, dig, dig, dig.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Songs of the Day
Captain Marvel: And we are back from the holiday madness! What a great song to pick up on! My dad has been bugging me about listening to this song all week, so I'm glad I finally got to it. What a cool tune. Such a great latin groove to it that really gets you moving. I really love the melody - it's got a great pace and feel to it that really adds a sweet touch to the groove, especially when doubled by Joe Farrell on the flute. His solo is crazy! Stanley Clark, you are a beast. That is the only word to describe you, and that's the only word that should be used. Holy moly. Upright bass? How is he playing an upright like that?? Insane. Chick is obviously a beast on the keys. Airto Moreira is holdin it down on the drums. Great, great track.
500 Miles High: This tune is crazy. You wouldn't know from the soft keys intro (oh, so sweet) into the ethereal verses with Flora Purim, but it happens. When the groove picks up, it never stops. Everyone gets a chance to do their thing, and everyone is crazy. Great Sax solo from Mr. Farrell. Stanley, my goodness! Chick is the man. This track clocks in at 9:11, so there's a lot in it, but definitely check it out, because it's bananas.
500 Miles High: This tune is crazy. You wouldn't know from the soft keys intro (oh, so sweet) into the ethereal verses with Flora Purim, but it happens. When the groove picks up, it never stops. Everyone gets a chance to do their thing, and everyone is crazy. Great Sax solo from Mr. Farrell. Stanley, my goodness! Chick is the man. This track clocks in at 9:11, so there's a lot in it, but definitely check it out, because it's bananas.
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