I don't understand Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue"

I agree with the earlier poster who argued that jazz is something to be experienced, not dissected. Although there are some awfully intellectual treatises on jazz structure, etc., IMO it is primarily a visceral experience.

I am a classically trained musician with a number of years of symphonic and chamber music playing. I resisted and looked down on jazz for many years. Then I discovered Gigi Gryce and was instantly hooked. I'm still not a hard core jazzer, sitting motionless (except for a little side to side rocking of the head) peering through a pall of smoke and inhaling the aromas of room deodorant and stale beer. But I do love to listen at home, a pleasure I never thought I'd experience.

Listen around and find what you like. If you don't like any of it, that's OK, too.

Another opinion worth what you paid for it.

will

Hi
As lisa Simpson says
"You have to listen to the notes he's NOT playing".

Example Bartok's "Concerto for orchestra" I first heard it at about 12 years old and hated it. By 18 after hearing it dozens of times "I GOT IT". VERY AWESOME!

It is musicians who teach us about music

If at first you don't get it try..try.. again.

mike

As I can understand almost any music and any musical taste I can point out that in general this album is too bluesy and quiet. I would not recommend to listen to it in the car especially if you have a long-way ride:) Audiofiles love this album due to its original live recording without overdubbing with noise from the blues bar. Those who likes dynamic music it's definitely not the album. I personally love Miles Davis later on post-Kind-Of-Blue period when he started to excersise fussion("Do Bop", "Decoy", "Tutu", "Amandla") and elements of flamenco("Scetches of Spain", "Siesta")
I listened to both versions CD and vinyl. CD sounds poor. Vinyl is superb.

Great response! Thanks everyone. Now, at least I know a bit of history behind KOB (see, I learned the acronym :). Okay, I'll listen to it with my mid hifi system instead of in my car. Read jazz books or take courses. Listen to more jazz music, live and recorded. And not worry about figuring out KOB or not.

Again, thank you all.

Hey jlc993...I think your problem may be with "modern jazz" in general. Don't feel bad...Chuck Berry didn't like it either.

The term "jazz" covers a huge variety of styles and music. You can't compare Louie Armstrong's early stuff (extrememly catchy, upbeat Dixieland jazz) and Louie Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald duets (pop with a jazzy leaning, but still pop) to the bop style of jazz that gained popularity (a relative term) in the 40s and 50s. A style of jazz where most of the things that were considered "jazz" up to that point where questioned and challenged. Melodies moved from the forefront and became something merely hinted at, or left out entirely. Arrangements were invented on the spot. Jazz was taken over by a new generation of players and the style of the music changed drastically (similar to shift in early 20th century classical music, or the Pink Floyd/Sex Pistols transisiton that rock music went through 20-30 years later).

I think your issue is with that particular style of jazz more than it is with Miles Davis, or "Kind Of Blue". Based on your comments and your tastes, I doubt you'd like other Miles albums, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, or most of their contemporaries either. You could try to listen to more of it and see if it grows on you...it may, or it may not. Some people will never like the less arranged, less melodic, seemingly random type of jazz. If you're that type of person, you might want to focus on some of the older jazz musicians...people like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, the Dorsey brothers, etc. Musicians from that era were composing with more traditional song structures. They tended to have strong melodies and were much much poppier than the jazz compositions of the late 40s, 50s, and 60s. There are also people like Charles Mingus who successfully combined elements from both eras. There are, and have been, people composing in both stlyes of jazz ever since. It's just a matter of deciding what style you prefer and seeking it out.

And then there's Kenny G...