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Jazz for someone who doesn't like jazz.

I've toyed with the idea of looking into jazz. Not sure why. Not sure what I'm looking for. Maybe just something to sound good on my system. I realize jazz is a broad category but much of what I hear I have not been attracted to. Don't ask me what I've heard.
What I'd like is a recommendation of two or three albums to start with. (I know that's insane)

And since I've given next to nothing to go on I'll point out a few things that I do like that might help narrow it down some maybe.

Jazz-like stuff I do like: Steely Dan. Almost all of their stuff. Van Morrison's jazz influenced stuff like Astral Weeks.
I like blues. Delta and hill country hard core blues.

I like a wide variety of rock from heavy metal, to prog rock to classic R&B.
Does any of that help? I know this is a crazy request but if I could get some recommendations I'll at least have somewhere to start. Not looking for specific recordings yet. Just content. When I find what I like I'll research the best recordings.
Thanks for any possible advice.
George




n80
nicotico
187 posts
 
Hey @oregonpapa,

l really like your observations about Cannonball’s influence on the whole album. Thanks for sharing. I had to respond to your post, because I have always felt for a long time that someone besides Cannonball (and other than Miles) had that exact same pervasive influence on the outcome of the whole album that you refer to. For me that person is Bill Evans. I like to think of Bill as Miles’ “silent partner” on that album who could deserve equal credit with Miles. I’d have a hard time explaining why I feel that way; I just do. But your view about Cannonball is just as valid, and interesting to me.
lsteele1
7 posts
 
Another extremely easy album to listen to is by the Massimo FaraòTrio called How My Heart Sings. Beautiful Piano playing by Massimo and very easy going. The song that hooked me on the album is called Easy Living. I would also seek out the Jazz Shepard’s YouTube channel. He gives some fun historical context on all things Jazz and plays samples of the music while he’s talking. Very interesting. He talks about different artists, Jazz forms, labels and all sorts of stuff. That’s where I heard the Philly Joe Jones album Philly Joe’s Beat I’m listening to right now.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Noticed something interesting when I went to the dynamic range database and looked up Kind of Blue. There was not a single recording listed that suffered from any significant dynamic range reduction. Even recent production CDs have excellent DR.

If this is true across the genre it might be THE motivating factor that keeps me plugging away at this.

It’s kind of amazing since virtually all rock releases since the mid 90s or so are plagued with horrible DR recordings including new bands releasing music right now! Even bands that pride themselves on production quality.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
nicotico ...

Thanks.

By your comment, it is clear to me that you not only know how to listen, but you also know what to listen for. That, in my opinion, is what leads to the enjoyment and understanding of jazz. 

In trying to explain jazz to the uninitiated, I've made the comment several times on these threads that so much of the music exists between the notes. Bill Evans certainly was a master of that. So was Miles. The key is to recognize that and to learn to listen for it. 

Frank
scowler1
54 posts
 
Wow, amazing number of responses on this thread! I could suggest two paths. Slow transition, say something like Santana to Chick Corea to Weather Report to Miles Davis or straight to JAZZ with Miles Davis Kind of Blue. I think Sonny Rollins is readily accessible also. Ben Webster...many paths to follow.
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