Brian's response kinda nailed it, intellectually, the playing in modes thing was new to jazz. Kinda Blue was from 58 or 59 though..you might actually find the earlier stuff a bit more to your liking, albums like Workin', Cookin' Steamin', Relaxin' are from 56 as I recall, and are more blues and popular tune oriented, jazzy versions of the days pop songs...try Some Day My Prince Will Come...Credit pianist Bill Evans for opening up Miles to more challenging chords & rhythms. He is a big part of the Kinda Blue sound. In my musical journey, something I don't like the first time I hear it, I've learned a few years later my ears are big enough to appreciate it. Especially in jazz I've developed an ear for things over time. I'd keep that Cd and try it again down the road, or listen to it over & over so the tunes become imprinted, then it is like you are playing along. I've bought this title several times over the years as formats or mastering has improved, definitely a classic. As an aside there is a CD title So What, one of the tunes on Kinda Blue, it is on Acoustic Disc by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman, this style of jazz played on acoustic guitar & mandolin, with rhythm section. Great album.... These compositions have become classics and are cool even without the horns!
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?
Can someone educate me what is great about this CD?