Kind Of Blue: The Making Of The Miles Davis Masterpiece

GREAT

kind of blue is one of my top 3 records of all time. i own many miles records but have never read his autobiography or anything else about him. this book is a nice introduction to the man and his career. even has geeky technical recording details which i love. it's well written and i guess, well researched.

I liked the fact that it was what it was described to be and more !

Everything perfect!

This is a beautifully designed and structured book about one of the most influential and best-selling albums in jazz history. The author begins with a concise bio of Miles, including his time spent playing with Charlie Parker, his struggle with and triumph over heroin addiction, the formation of his acclaimed quintet and sextet, and his signing with Columbia Records that led to Kind of Blue in 1959. Extensive research, interviews, and a generous amount of photographs help bring to life the two recording sessions at the renowned 30th Street studio in Manhattan from which the album was derived. The musicians' banter before and after takes is a fascinating addition (the first complete take of each tune mostly being what is heard on the album). The concluding sections deal with the marketing and sales of Kind of Blue, and its influence going forward with musicians both in and out of jazz. Kind of Blue may not have had a revolutionary impact like the explorations of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman that emerged around the same time, but it made a subtle and lasting impression on those seeking to develop music based more on modes or scales rather than chords. This is an essential and enlightening work on jazz. Very minor quibbles include a passing reference to guitarist "Benny" Galbraith rather than the correct "Barry," and Kahn's oddly stating that pianist Bill Evans original hand-written liner notes did not mention the titles of tunes, when they clearly do so. As for Evans' first draft of his notes, they are reproduced in black ink on a very dark gray background on the inside front and back covers of this book, making them very hard to read. A blue background would have worked better, just about any "kind of blue" for that matter.

No book can reflect even part of the beauty that is in the music of Kind Of Blue. The problem intensifies as the only living member of the musicians who made KOB is the drummer - Jimmy Cobb. The authors bring us all the details concerning the technical aspects involved in the project. We can read about the use of microphones, the positioning of the musicians and more. The book also describes some of the aspects of modality that were used in the music. There are exerpts from interesting interviews that shed more light on the whole context of the music. I love the music of KOB so I was interested in the process and anything involved. I could not imagine anyone who is not crazy about this music remotely enjoying the book.

When your writing about one of the best jazz recordings of all times your writing better be on par. Kahn has crafted a master piece, absolutely brilliantly written book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

This book is a great look into a great album. I'm just getting into jazz, so I can't say I know too much about it yet. And, I know only a little about music theory, but this book is a great way for the beginning jazz fan to understand what makes jazz, and this album in particular so great. The author had unparalleled access to the actual master tapes from the two sessions that made up Kind Of Blue. He was able to hear what was going on between takes. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot being said. There's even a comment in the book about how they would stop the tape in between takes, as if to save tape. So, unlike other recordings of the day, when the tapes would continuously roll, this master tape gives only a little glimpse into what it must have been like during the two days of recording. The author is able to do the rest through interviews with people who were there. There are only two chapters on the actual recording sessions. But, what the author does is take us through the recording take by take, song by song. It was great to be able to sit back and listen to the music while the author and others went into detail about the song you are listening to. As a beginning jazz fan, I was able to understand the music much better. I always knew I liked the album, but now, I can see a little deeper into why it is so great. I have a long way to go, but this book helped my understanding significantly. The book doesn't just focus on the recording of the album (obviously with only two chapters dedicated to the two sessions). You get to learn a little about Miles and what he was doing musically prior to this album. The book shows you how he was always looking to improve on his previous work and expand what jazz was at that time. It is by no means close to a biography of Miles, rather, just a look at what he was doing in this time. The book then continues on with the selling of Kind Of Blues and the influence it would have years after it was made. My only problem with the book, and it's my problem, not the books, is that I didn't understand a lot of the musical theory that was being written about. But, as I said, that is my problem. It is far beyond the scope of this book to delve into music theory. I will have to return to the book once my understanding is better. If you are just getting into jazz or want to know more about Kind Of Blue, you need to get this book. I can't recommend it enough.

Le livre est arrivé en excellent état, mais le facteur (que je connais et en qui j’ai toute confiance) a été dans l’obligation de me faire régler 9€ de taxes pour me remettre le colis