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


I'm new to Jazz. While I enjoy Amstrong and Fitzgerald duo and some of Amstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven pieces, I fail to appreciate "Kind of Blue" which is praised by many as cornerstone CD in jazz. What I hear from the CD is background music that is repetitous throughout the song and seemingly random saxo, or similar instrument - pardon my ignorance of instruments, in the front. The background music bothers me because it's simple and repetitive. Perhaps this is not my type of music. Or should I listen to other CDs before appreciate this one?

Can someone educate me what is great about this CD?
jlc993nc9cf
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...
Phild, KG blows... I though he died choking on his sneaker laces after listening to one of his own lame productions.
Another approach in trying to understand KOB, is to check out what the rest of the crew is all about..........

John Coltrane.....Blue Train, Blue Note
Bill Evans........Waltz for Debby, Riverside
C. Adderley.......Presenting C.Adderley, Savoy
Wynton Kelly
Paul Chambers.....Kelly Blue, JVC XRCD, Riverside
Well it's 35 posts later. Do you think you'll understand "Kind of Blue" now? Probably not, but you certainly have a lot of music to listen to. I'm familiar with all of these, for the most part, and they will, eventually, bring you back to Miles and all his earlier stuff. He is the man. Listen to what you like, relax and you might just get it. Happy listening.
P.S. Try this. Listen to some Wynton Marsalis. Amazing technician. Then listen to some early Miles. You tell me who moves you more. No contest...