I love Miles’ “Kind of Blue,” but it’s become so overplayed that I want to move on. I have a discography of his, but I’m unsure which are the best pix.
Basically, anything that features Miles playing his trademark cool, muted trumpet.
Thanks.
Try “Dingo”.
Sketches of Spain, perhaps?
A Gay Bishop? Can’t beat that!
Do you specifically want muted trumpet or his trademark cool phrasing? I personally prefer the “____ with Miles” series more than his later modal stuff. Cooking, Steaming, Walking, Rolling, etc.
That’s a track off “Kind of Blue”.
Try Live at the Plugged Nickle. You can get versions up to about 10 hours. Miles and one of his many great bands in good form explore the landscape.
In A Silent Way
I’ve listened to Sketches. Didn’t grab me the way that “Kind of Blue” does.
Yes, I’m looking for Miles playing the muted trumpet. It has a kinda bluesy, spacey feel to it.
Ukelele Ike should know this inside out…
What about “Birth of the Cool”?
Since Kind Of Blue stands almost by itself as the “modal jazz” cornerstone by which most other modal jazz efforts are measured, you’re going to have to select some other of Miles’s genre-making or genre-breaking efforts.
There’s a soundtrack for a French movie whose English translation is something like “Elevator to the Gallows.” Columbia released it as Jazz Track. The only real issue I have with it as music is that it’s very monotone as you would expect soundtrack music to be. It is moody and in the vein of that detached but gripping way Miles has with a mute.
If the big orchestra of Gil Evans was what turned you sour on Sketches of Spain I suspect Miles Ahead and * Porgy and Bess* will have similar effect.
The weird thing about Miles is that no two records have the same sound, so you’re going to face the problem of having to hear a few to decide if you like them. Getting input from others will bring in their tastes, which may not square with yours. I suggest trying to check out a few from a library that loans CD’s. That’s the best way I know of to select new music on your own.
FWIW I really like Tutu which is almost totally electronic music plus Miles.
Skip Bitches’ Brew; it’s 'way overrated, IMO.
Try Birth of Cool and, while not technically a Miles Davis album, Cannonball Adderly’s Somethin’ Else contains some of Miles Davis’ best work. His (muted) trumpet on Autumn Leaves is a wonder of understated beauty. Oh, and Art Blakey, Hank Jones, Cannonball, and Sam Jones are no slouches either. Definitely a must listen.
Yeah, but I’m too sleepy. Catch you tomorrow.
Seven Steps To Heaven
IIRC it is one of his earliest collaborations with Tony Williams, Ron Carter and Herbie Hancock.
But you’re in the City That Never Sleeps!!