Jazz for aficionados

What we always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. Now we know.

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2009/08/kind_of_blue.html

Cheers

I have a somewhat different take on the reason that KOB is so great.  No doubt, KOB helped usher in modal jazz, but first of all it is neither Miles' most important record nor his best.  I have always felt that one of the main things that made KOB such an important and popular recording is that it is so ACCESSIBLE.  Who can argue with its wonderful relaxed grooves, catchy but extremely simple melodies and fantastic playing?  It has probably introduced more listeners (certainly audiophiles) to jazz than any other record.  It is, no doubt, a great record; but, while I would never call it overrated, I think that there are many "better" jazz recordings.

Fred Kaplan (the author of the article) tries very hard to portray "modal jazz" as a revolutionary movement within jazz that presented players with new challenges.  It was, and it did; in a way.  Unfortunately, he also implies that the more traditional chord-based improvisation was (is) somewhat less of a challenge for players.  The suggestion that "being able to flollow the tune" within a traditional chord-based tune is somehow an indication of an "easier" or less sophisticated vehicle is absurd.  The whole truth is that modal jazz is, in most respects, an infinitely simpler framework for jazz players to work within with it's infrequent harmony changes and repetitiveness.  Sure, that kind of framework presents it's own challenges to improvisatory creativity, and it is also true that the frequently moving (changing) harmony of a traditional song structure can, in a way, be used by the player as a "crutch" since it does, in fact, "take you by the hand".  However, to instantaneously create an interesting and dynamic melody, and without resorting to cliches, within the framework of complex harmonic changes is an infinitely greater challenge than what most of modal jazz presents the player.

KOB is a great record; like a perfect hamburger.  Aged sirloin, anyone?:

https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=kufiFzdrX-0

Fred Kaplan--

****He often writes about jazz and hi-fi equipment for Stereophile.*****

*****It has probably introduced more listeners (certainly audiophiles) to jazz than any other record.*****
This alone makess it suspect.

***** From 1978 to 1980, he was a foreign and defense policy adviser to Representative Les Aspin.*****
The worst Sec Defense in American history.

I guess I should have done a wiki on this guy before I posted. If he writes for Stereophile, and was involved with Les Aspin at DoD, I would not have posted it.

I guess he is another Anthony Cordesman. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Audiophile insanity over KOB, makes a statement in and of it self; this alone says it ain't quite up to what it's cracked up to be; think about all the killers in your collection, and then compare them to KOB, I rest my case.

The best jazz is a very rich art form; and, while obviously very different in nature than the great Classical music (and great non-music art forms) it is undoubtedly of the same stature as far as its overall artistic merit. That may seem like stating the obvious, but the point is that, just as the music itself is extremely nuanced, when it is at such a high level to begin with it deserves to be critiqued in a nuanced way. It's a matter of degree; KOB may not be the greatest jazz recording ever, but I suppose that if the "unwashed" are truly the final arbiters, then it probably deserves to be considered one of them. As far as I am concerned there is nothing like a long hot shower :-)