Jazz for someone who doesn't like jazz.

@pryso Thanks. I'm not sure that I like Kind of Blue for the right reasons. I'm sure there is depth there that I have not explored or even recognized is there. But, when you are initially drawn to something it is a lot easier to dig deep than when there isn't that initial appeal.
I also like classical music. Not an aficionado by any stretch, but do understand that there is depth and complexity and can sometimes recognize and appreciate it. So that might help some.

If the first (or earliest) bottle of wine I ever drink is a $500 vintage bottle, it is not the same as if I drink that same bottle after having experienced many other bottles over a long period of time (responsibly, of course). Enjoy the wine (or music).

Kind of Blue is an interesting recording. I have multiple copies, including an original "six-eye" stereo version that is the best of the lot among the ones I have, including Japanese reissues. I found it in a thrift store back in the ’80s for fifty cents. Those were the days.

Listen to it and see if you agree with me on this ...

When the first cut starts out, the album sounds like a good studio recording. Good, but not that inspired. Sort of like the musicians were there to collect a paycheck.

Miles takes the lead, then Coltrane comes on second. THEN, Cannonball Adderley takes his turn and plays with an inspiration that is totally infectious to everyone else on the album. He played like Bird reincarnated. From that point on, it becomes one of the greatest jazz albums of all time.

My take has always been that if it weren’t for Cannonball Adderley touching the souls of the other players, and subsequently the end listener, Kind of Blue would have been just another good jazz album.

Your thoughts?

Frank

PS: If you like Kind of Blue, you’ll want this one too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u37RF5xKNq8

These are the best easy listening jazz compilations I've ever heard!

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Blue-Note-Vols/dp/B000005HGV/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=best+of+the+blue+note&qid=1587508736&sr=8-4
Disc: 1 
  1. Blue Train - John Coltrane
  2. Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock
  3. Cristo Redentor - Donald Byrd
  4. Moanin' - Are Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
  5. Blues Walk - Lou Donaldson
  6. Song For My Father - Horace Silver
  7. Back At The Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith
  8. Chitlins Con Carne - Kenny Burrell
  9. The Sidewinder - Lee Morgan

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Blue-Note-Vol/dp/B0002548BA/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=best+of+the+blue+note&qid=1587508792&sr=8-12


1. Senor Blues - Horace Silver
2. Decision - Sonny Rollins
3. Three O'Clock In The Morning - Dexter Gordon
4. Blues March - Art Blakey
5. Wadin' - Horace Parlan
6. The Rumproller - Lee Morgan
7. Somethin' Else - Cannonball Adderley
8. Blue Bossa - Joe Henderson
9. Watermelon - Herbie Hancock

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.