Kind of Blue by Miles Davis

Artist
Genre Jazz
Release 01 October 1999
Price $6.99
Tracks 5
Country USA
6.99 USD
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  1. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Album Songs
  2. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis Album Reviews
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Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Album Songs

No Song Title Time
1. So What 9:07
2. Freddie Freeloader 9:48
3. Blue In Green 5:35
4. All Blues 11:32
5. Flamenco Sketches 9:21

Kind of Blue is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 2 and April 22, 1959, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, and released on August 17 of that year by Columbia Records. For the recording, Miles Davis led a sextet featuring saxophonists John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, with new band pianist Wynton Kelly appearing on one track – "Freddie Freeloader" – in place of Bill Evans. Influenced in part by Bill Evans, who had joined the ensemble in 1958, Miles Davis departed further from his early hard bop style in favor of greater experimentation with musical modes, as on his previous album Milestones (1958). Basing Kind of Blue entirely on modality, he gave each performer a set of scales that encompassed the parameters of their improvisation and style, and consequently more creative freedom with melodies; John Coltrane later expanded on this modal approach in his own solo career. Kind of Blue is regarded by many critics as Miles Davis masterpiece, the greatest jazz record, and one of the best albums of all time. Its impact on music, including jazz, rock, and classical genres, has led writers to also deem it one of the most influential albums ever recorded. The album was one of fifty recordings chosen in 2002 by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry, and in 2003 it was ranked number 12 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2019, Kind of Blue was certified 5× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of at least five million copies. Background By late 1958, trumpeter Miles Davis employed one of the most acclaimed and profitable hard bop bands. Bassist Paul Chambers had been with the band from its beginning in 1955; alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley joined in late 1957, and tenor saxophonist John Coltrane returned in early 1958. Drummer Jimmy Cobb replaced Philly Joe Jones in May 1958, and pianist Wynton Kelly replaced Bill Evans in November 1958. The Miles Davis band played a mixture of pop standards, blues, and bebop originals by composers such as Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Tadd Dameron. As with all bebop-based jazz, Miles Davis groups improvised on the chord changes of a given song. Miles Davis was one of many jazz musicians growing dissatisfied with bebop, however, and saw its increasingly complex chord changes as hindering creativity. In 1953, the pianist George Russell published his Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, which offered an alternative to improvisation based on chords. Abandoning the traditional major and minor key relationships, his concept introduced the idea of chord/scale unity and was the first theory to explore the vertical relationship between chords and scales, and the only original theory to come from jazz. These insights helped lead the way to modal jazz. Influenced by George Russell's ideas, Miles Davis implemented his first modal composition with the title track of his studio album Milestones (1958). Satisfied with the results, Miles Davis prepared an entire album based on modality. Bill Evans, who had studied with George Russell but had left the Miles Davis group to pursue his career, was drafted back into the project. Recording Kind of Blue was recorded on three-track tape in two sessions at Columbia Records' 30th Street Studio in New York City. On March 2, 1959, the tracks "So What", "Freddie Freeloader", and "Blue in Green" were recorded for side one of the original LP, and on April 22 the tracks "All Blues" and "Flamenco Sketches" were recorded, making up side two. As was Miles Davis penchant, he called for almost no rehearsal and the musicians had little idea what they were to record. As described in the original liner notes by pianist Bill Evans, Miles Davis had only given the band sketches of scales and melody lines on which to improvise. Once the musicians were assembled, Miles Davis gave brief instructions for each piece and then set to taping the sextet in studio. While the results were impressive with so little preparation, the persistent legend that the entire album was recorded in one pass is untrue. Only "Flamenco Sketches" yielded a complete take on the first try. That take, which is not the master, was added to the 1997 CD reissue of the album as a bonus track. The five master takes issued were the only other complete takes; an insert for the ending to "Freddie Freeloader" was recorded, but was not used for release or on the issues of Kind of Blue prior to the 1997 reissue. Pianist Wynton Kelly may not have been happy to see the man he replaced, Bill Evans, back in his old seat. Perhaps to assuage the pianist's feelings, Miles Davis had Wynton Kelly play instead of Bill Evans on the album's most blues-oriented number, "Freddie Freeloader". The live album At Newport 1958 documents this band. However, the Newport Jazz Festival recording on July 3, 1958, reflects the band in its hard bop conception, the presence of Bill Evans only six weeks into his brief tenure in the Miles Davis band notwithstanding, rather than the modal approach of Kind of Blue. Production Credit Kind of Blue was produced by Columbia staff producer Irving Townsend. However, over the years there has been confusion, with Miles Davis subsequent producer Teo Macero getting partial or full credit. "In the case of Kind of Blue there were two producers: Teo Macero and Irving Townsend", said jazz historian Eric Nisenson. "Teo Macero's role, however, was clearly that of an apprentice and observer." The recording session was also cited by Nisenson as Teo Macero's first experience with "the highs and lows of working with Miles Davis." From Teo Macero's own recollection, his involvement in the recording included "boxing everyone in so that there would be a physical closeness among the musicians, not like today when the musicians are spread all over the place." According to High Fidelity, "though his role in Kind of Blue has been disputed", the recording was "made under the auspices" of Teo Macero. However, it is Irving Townsend's voice heard on the session tapes, who became Miles Davis producer after the departures of George Avakian and Cal Lampley. Teo Macero did not produce Miles Davis until after Irving Townsend took over West Coast production duties for Columbia Records, when Teo Macero took his place. Teo Macero's first Miles Davis production was his next record, Sketches of Spain. The original LP did not credit a producer. The first release with a producer credit was the 1987 CD, which credited only Teo Macero. However, this was in error; Teo Macero only produced that reissue, not the sessions for the original album. The 1997 MiniDisc reissue credited both Irving Townsend's and Teo Macero, but the subsequent 1997, 1999, 2004, 2008, and 2015 reissues all correctly credit only Irving Townsend's. Personnel Credits are taken from the album's liner notes. Miles Davis – trumpet Cannonball Adderley – alto saxophone except on "Blue in Green" and bonus disc track "So What" John Coltrane – tenor saxophone Bill Evans – piano except on "Freddie Freeloader" and bonus disc track "So What" Wynton Kelly – piano on "Freddie Freeloader" and bonus disc track "So What" Paul Chambers – double bass Jimmy Cobb – drums ℗ Originally released 1959 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

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Kind of Blue by Miles Davis Album Reviews

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Where’s the rest of it?. Priceless piece of work, but why only 3 tracks?

Pure genius. So good, needs no description.

Legendary.... What is there more to say about this?

Kind of Blue. Like was said earlier, you don't have to know anything at all about this music to make this album your foray into the world of modern jazz. This one is masterful!

This is the one!. This album always makes my short list of "If you were lost on an island what x number of album would you take". Might just be a perfect album.

great. excellent album. fantastic album. perfect album. I just want to point out that the song All Blues costs over 3 dollars.

iMo. In my opinion Miles Davis is the greatest Jazz musician ever .This recording is worth the purchase of you are a lover of jazz

Greatest music ever made. Miles’ finest work, one of the greatest albums ever recorded, Kind of Blue was and still is the definition of the umbrella term Jazz, although its ability to impart emotion among listeners spans music lovers of all preferred genres. Referred to by musicians as made in heaven — the airy, elevated feel a result of echo chambers and mic bleeding in Columbia’s 30th Street Studios — this album was an brief artistic endeavor from which Miles Davis chose to undertake to end the 1950s. Universally lauded, Kind of Blue in the opinion of many, as well as I, could very well comprise of the most beautiful and artistic sounds ever impressed into phonograph records. This album is best listened to in the dark, where there is no light to bias your experience.

Good. Good

This is Jazz.. This is the album that changed the face of American jazz music in 1959. Between Brubeck, Davis, Coleman, and Mingus, a new face was added to what used to be only a two-dimensional square of bebop, and out came a cube, or better analogically, a sphere— the definition of improvisation had to be revised because of THIS ALBUM specifically! Buy it. There truly is nothing that will ever be recorded like this again.

Must listen. This is a fantastic album! Definitely worth the listen and EVEN BETTER if you can get it on vinyl!

Masterpiece of Jazz. The album to this day is one of the great masterpieces of Jazz music. Put this record on pour a great glass of red wine and listen for yourself something very special in the world of Jazz music.

Just Buy It. If you were only to buy one jazz album, this is the one you want to get. Master musicians at the peak of their craft. Songs you can get lost in. More than 50 years after it was realeased and it still has the chops to be played daily.

Must have. This is a must have for any music enthusiast (not just jazz fanatics). Miles and company stretched the boundaries and created a masterpiece. If Jesus had a cd collection, this would be in it.

The greatest jazz album of all time. There isn’t much to say about this album that hasn’t already been said. This was the album that got me into one of my favorite genres of music: jazz, and I have to give it credit not only for that but also for the genius compositions on here. Track reviews: Side one: 1. So what (10/10) 2. Freddie freeloader (9.5/10) 3. Blue in green (10/10) Side two: 4. All blues (9.5/10) 5. Flamenco sketches (10/10)

Perfection. The greatest Jazz album ever made. There is no equal.

Greatness Personified. The album is a classic. The End (P.S. the album sounds awesome on vinyl)

Wonderful. This album is so good it has been officially recognized by Congress as a great album. Definitive.

Best album ever. Just amazing. If I were stranded on a desert island this is the one I would bring.

Essential Listening. In my opinion this is one of the greatest recordings ever made - ANY genre. 50 years ago i listened to this with my girlfriend late into the morning our first year of college. 50 years later, alone now, i STILL listen to this...late into the morning. It's timeless. It takes me deep into and out of myself.

iTunes huh wuh. $6.99 for the album but $2.97 for all songs individually what.. I want to listen but I'm so confused

Kind of Blue. The definition of True Jazz. Timeless

Marching band. My band has this album as their theme this year, it's so cool ^^

Davis at his finest. One of the most influential albums of jazz

some dank. ya herd

My First Jazz Album. I recently purchased Davis' "Kind of Blue" and am glad it's my first foray into jazz. It's been hailed as the father of modern jazz, and it's chocolate-smooth rhythms, disciplined horns, tight but mellow grooves, and overall gentle compentence makes this 1959 effort a true classic and an historic watershed in American music. It's stately beauty and unrivaled skill creeps up on you and fills the heart with soulful sounds, made possible by the unique and peerless instrumentalists, including the great sax god John Coltrain. In it, I hear all the jazz that came after, encapsulated in this once in a lifetime jam session.

Get the whole album now!. If you’re looking for peaceful music to listen to while studying or relaxing, you can’t go wrong with Miles Davis. I just bought this in honor of Jimmy Cobb who just passed away at age 91. He was the drummer of Davis’ sextet. I’d say this is a must have.

Best. Album. Ever.. Timeless. Miles is so COOL.

Essential music. I have 2 copies of this lp and it is classic listening. There’s a reason why it’s 60 years old and still at the top of the charts. Love him or hate him, but Miles was a genius.

Master Piece. This is a Master Piece; brings you deeper inside of your souls.

Best jazz recording ever. Put headphones on for the tune 'Flamenco Sketches' and listen intensely to Bill Evans piano solo at 5:56--it is nothing short of moving.

The God of All Jazz Albums. Davis and Coltrane are nothing less than perfect in Blue in Green.

HORRIBLE QUALITY RECORDING of a great album. I love this album and I own it in many forms. This particular recording is so bad you can practically hear your drunk uncle putting the LP on the turntable. There’s a scratchy quality to the recording and an ever present hiss. Buy Kind of Blue in ANY OTHER FORM, ANY OTHER MIX. Do not buy this particular version. Even at $6.99 it’s heartbreaking that they’re ruining Miles Davis, his musical companions and all their great work.

A perfect album.. That's it. What more is there to say?

For old people. Kind of "meh"

Amazing. My first Jazz record, I know it's all downhlll from here, but I don't care. I love Jazz now, Thank You Miles.

Best album ever (no, really). The music on this album transcends any verbal description of it.If you’ve never heard it, give yourself or a loved one a lasting gift.

Kind Of Blue. I think this music vibrates in harmony with the fundamental frequency of life!

Beautiful. My favorite album

I Enjoyed Every Mile. I enjoyed this musical journey with Miles and his friends.

Beautiful. I cry whenever I hear it. Magnificent piece of art that will never fade away!

Quintessential Jazz. I'll keep this short and sweet, because iTunes seems to be deleting all of the reviews/ratings from classic albums. One of the greatest pieces of music ever made. It doesn't matter if you're a jazz fanatic or have never listened to it in your life, buy this album. Nuff said.

This is jazz. You can't touch this album. It is flawless

Best jazz their ever was. I don't listen to a lot of jazz but this is some of the best jazz of ever herd and its long so it gives you time to set have a drink and relax !

Greatness. One of the all time great jazz albums. Anybody can listen to this. Great music. Very creative but univseally inclusive, which is hard to do in music and art.

Kind of Blue. Perfect, simply perfect!

essential. 10/10

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