What are you listening to? July 2018
- Thread starter JazzyRandy
- Start date
- Status
Last edited:
Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue (1959)
It's funny. No, the album is not funny. My changing opinion of it makes me wonder ...
My son's longtime guitar teacher moved to Arizona a few weeks ago. Three weeks ago, my son started with his new teacher who is a graduate student majoring in Jazz guitar at a local university. While I like his previous instructor very much, I had been wondering for a while if it might have long been time for a change, strictly from a teaching perspective. Personally, the previous guy was fantastic. Still, the change has been great so far -- new approaches, new techniques, resetting the teacher/student relationship. Well, the new instructor started with "So What" yesterday. After listening to my son practice it today, I got a hankering to hear the original.
Back to the album ... How is it for someone like you who may have never heard it before?
For the longest time, I never got a lot out of KoB. Where others saw possibly the greatest Jazz album ever, I initially saw a competent if sometimes languid but competent exercise. My opinion has slowly improved, though it sometimes fluctuates, to the point where I now like this very much.Taking another tangent, one of the reasons I (probably) had a hard time appreciating Miles was his reputation as an abuser of women. One of my son's best friends is going to a concert in a few days and has asked repeatedly if JazzySon can go with him. I put it off for the longest ... because the headliner also has a history of abusing women. Finally, I decided to allow JazzySon to attend. He knows how I feel about the performer (Chris Brown) and the idea of putting money in his pockets. But this will be his first "big" concert, and if I can overlook Miles' transgressions to enjoy his music, I guess I can overlook Brown's indiscretions to allow JazzySon to enjoy the experience of listening to thousands of teenagers screaming and jumping all night.
Bottom line: Buy it. You'll like it.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
I guessed Chris Brown before you even said his name.It's funny. No, the album is not funny. My changing opinion of it makes me wonder ...
My son's longtime guitar teacher moved to Arizona a few weeks ago. Three weeks ago, my son started with his new teacher who is a graduate student majoring in Jazz guitar at a local university. While I like his previous instructor very much, I had been wondering for a while if it might have long been time for a change, strictly from a teaching perspective. Personally, the previous guy was fantastic. Still, the change has been great so far -- new approaches, new techniques, resetting the teacher/student relationship. Well, the new instructor started with "So What" yesterday. After listening to my son practice it today, I got a hankering to hear the original.
Back to the album ... How is it for someone like you who may have never heard it before?
Taking another tangent, one of the reasons I (probably) had a hard time appreciating Miles was his reputation as an abuser of women. One of my son's best friends is going to a concert in a few days and has asked repeatedly if JazzySon can go with him. I put it off for the longest ... because the headliner also has a history of abusing women. Finally, I decided to allow JazzySon to attend. He knows how I feel about the performer (Chris Brown) and the idea of putting money in his pockets. But this will be his first "big" concert, and if I can overlook Miles' transgressions to enjoy his music, I guess I can overlook Brown's indiscretions to allow JazzySon to enjoy the experience of listening to thousands of teenagers screaming and jumping all night.
Bottom line: Buy it. You'll like it.
Thanks for your impressions. I already have a number of copies.
You just ruined my joyful feeling of leading you to KoB. Now I have to start my hunt anew for a KoB virgin.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
I apologize for not letting you in on the joke. I thought you knew.
It would have been like suggesting I had not heard The Beatles. No, no, that's not a good analogy.
It would have been like suggesting I had not heard EW&F.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
I’ve gone through much the same evolution with Miles. KoB and Birth of the Cool have gone fromIt's funny. No, the album is not funny. My changing opinion of it makes me wonder ...
My son's longtime guitar teacher moved to Arizona a few weeks ago. Three weeks ago, my son started with his new teacher who is a graduate student majoring in Jazz guitar at a local university. While I like his previous instructor very much, I had been wondering for a while if it might have long been time for a change, strictly from a teaching perspective. Personally, the previous guy was fantastic. Still, the change has been great so far -- new approaches, new techniques, resetting the teacher/student relationship. Well, the new instructor started with "So What" yesterday. After listening to my son practice it today, I got a hankering to hear the original.
Back to the album ... How is it for someone like you who may have never heard it before?
Taking another tangent, one of the reasons I (probably) had a hard time appreciating Miles was his reputation as an abuser of women. One of my son's best friends is going to a concert in a few days and has asked repeatedly if JazzySon can go with him. I put it off for the longest ... because the headliner also has a history of abusing women. Finally, I decided to allow JazzySon to attend. He knows how I feel about the performer (Chris Brown) and the idea of putting money in his pockets. But this will be his first "big" concert, and if I can overlook Miles' transgressions to enjoy his music, I guess I can overlook Brown's indiscretions to allow JazzySon to enjoy the experience of listening to thousands of teenagers screaming and jumping all night.
Bottom line: Buy it. You'll like it.
to 
. I’m still 
about Bitches Brew, though.My mom used to bug me about the personal vices of artists like the Stones. I explained to her that (1) music was a way for me to relate to my peers and (2) Frank Sinatra had a few skeletons in his closet, too. She never gave in (that was my mom) but she did stop nagging me.
Wait! What!?!??? You've heard EWF??????
Sonny Rollins - The Bridge (1962)
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
Yes, and (since I am questioning my use of humor and nuance at this moment) I have heard more than "September," "Sing a Song," and "Shining Star."
lpfreak1170
Well-Known Member
Hey, Nick, Goldfrapp released a new album last year.
Nickyboy
Staff member
Oh, cool! Thanks for letting me know!
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
Me, too. Thanks for posting.Kenny Barron - Peruvian Blue (Muse 1974)
https://www.allmusic.com/album/peruvian-blue-mw0000042243
Wow. I can't say I've heard anything else with Ted Dunbar on guitar.
Ojai Sam
Staff member
Ted was a real innovator and music theoretician, a prof at Rutgers no less. His three albums on Xanadu are well worth checking out.Me, too. Thanks for posting.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/peruvian-blue-mw0000042243
Wow. I can't say I've heard anything else with Ted Dunbar on guitar.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Elvis Costello - King Of America (1986)
Ojai Sam
Staff member
Various Artists - Best Of Gotham R&B (Krazy Kat comp. 1990)
Outstanding selection of gritty late forties-ealy fifties urban blues from the familiar (Roy Milton) to the obscure (Johnny Sparrow). Listen for an early Screamin' Jay Hawkins as a fine bluesman before he developed his cool ghoul shtick.
Outstanding selection of gritty late forties-ealy fifties urban blues from the familiar (Roy Milton) to the obscure (Johnny Sparrow). Listen for an early Screamin' Jay Hawkins as a fine bluesman before he developed his cool ghoul shtick.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Low Cut Connie - Dirty Pictures (Part 1) (2017)
- Status
