Miles Davis
 

Can't believe there isn't a thread about him specifically (specifically, not "Who's better Trane or Miles?") He is truely awesome.


Now, I was never a huge jazzman until I discovered the awesomeness of Miles Dewey Davis III. I remember wanting to expand my horizons, because at the time I was listening to almost all hard rock and metal. Where better to expand my horizons then the best selling jazz album of all time? I picked up Kind of Blue and my life was forever changed.

To date, I have Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain. I also heard the title track of Bitches Brew, and I'm seriously eyeing the album. But you know, I'm eyeing a ton of albums and I feel like I don't know the music I already have well enough (I'm sure you know how that feels), so I'm refraining.

Discuss.

Kind Of Blue is amazing, one of the most amazing records I've run into. Bitches' Brew is something from another planet. My first copy came with the warning not to play it while driving. I've been heavily influenced by it musically and philosophically (likewise Kind Of Blue) but at the same time I can't say I especially grasp it. His live double-albums from the 70s have always made more sense to me: Dark Magus and Agharta being likely my two favorites, Pangaea is also incredible and I sort of think of it as side two of Agharta. Not to say these are superior to Bitches, just easier grokked by my particular brain. I play Bitches plenty. Big Fun is another of my favorites from that era.

Pangaea is beastly, I love to hear Miles with a Wah-Wah pedal.

I have The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions and it is always of delight to hear. In A Silent Way is also a pleasure to behold.

LOVE Miles. :)

Bitches Brew, Porgy and Bess...lovely albums.

My favorites have always been the "Walkin'", "Workin'", etc. albums, but those are more straight hard-bop.

Kind of Blue is a perfect introduction, though. You hear a sax riff you like? BOOM. Pick up a Coltrane album. Like the "So What" piano intro.? All of a sudden you're hooked to Bill Evans. You can do that with every instrument on the whole damn album.

Dark Magus is quite possibly in the top ten records of all time.

Its just so far ahead of its time its untrue.

Kind of Blue is wicked as well.

Bought my first album by him about 9 months ago, haven't been able to stop listening to it since.

Miles is god. :bowdown:

My Grandfather's spouse is making him get rid of his jazz record collection and among it is a few rare Miles Davis records. It's a shame he's going to sell them on Ebay instead of giving them to me. :(

Anyway, I never really got into Miles Davis and I have no idea where to start, if anyone has any suggestions as to where I could start please feel free to say.

"Kind Of Blue" is probably the best starting point

... unless you like electric weirdness in which case "Bitches' Brew" and "Dark Magus" are very nice