Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess (1958)

Only once have I posted jazz before, Lou Donaldson's Blues Walk. That album I lucked upon at the public library as a sixteen year old. However, my knowledge of jazz is still rudimentary. So in new effort to learn to appreciate jazz music I've decided there's likely few better spots jump in at than Miles Davis. Now, I've done my research, I know these songs weren't written by Davis. They're George Gershwin's tunes from his folk opera Porgy and Bess as rearranged by Davis and Gil Evans. Because of this I found it a great starting point. Songs of an old composer played and arranged by musicians of the bebop period. Can't speak to how representative it is of the period's style, but holy shit have I loved listening to it lately. Anyhow, if you've got really good suggestions for an album that may help me get into jazz better let me know.

To be had here:
Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess [192 kbps]

7 comments:

  1. Here are a few recommendations:

    Albert Ayler - Love Cry
    Bill Evans - Everyone Digs Bill Evans
    Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots
    Craig Taborn - Junk Magic
    Dave Douglas - Keystone
    Miles Davis - In A Silent Way
    Ornette Coleman - Virgin Beauty
    Sonny Rollins - Way Out West
    Sun Ra - Greatest Hits
    Thelonious Monk - Straight, No Chase

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    1. Great suggestions. I would also add "My Favorite Things" by John Coltrane and "Blues and the Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson.

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  2. First time looking at your blog. Interesting. Anyway, all time favorite jazz...

    Duke Ellington - Sunset & the Mockingbird, the Queen's Suite

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  3. Check out Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" and "On The Corner". Two of my favorites. A little more experimental for that time, but awesome. Also check out Skalpel "Polish Jazz". Moody, jazzy, electronic, bing!
    --Jorsh

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  4. Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" is my favorite. If you want some other stuff, Mingus' "oh yeah" and Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" and "A Love Supreme" are must-listens. I have a good amount of jazz cd's if you want other recommendations as well.

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  5. Kyle suggestions are ace, Miles in a Quiet Way is pretty awesome for bedtime, lots of ways to go though, is the jazz for chillin' or bumpin'?

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  6. Good choice going with MediaFire...thanks for the album!

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