"Something Else" Cannonball Adderly
Which Jazz Albums are similar to Kind of Blue
Gents, please advice on picking up some jazz music. I am not so much into classic Jazz sound, but I found Miles Davis' Kind of Blue to be impressive. I would say the same thing to the song "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck.
I have so far sampled "Steps to Heaven", "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Miles Ahead", but none of them come close to "Kind of Blue", IMHO. Can you point me to similar albums - Miles or others?
Thanks
I have so far sampled "Steps to Heaven", "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Miles Ahead", but none of them come close to "Kind of Blue", IMHO. Can you point me to similar albums - Miles or others?
Thanks
53 responses Add your response
Don't know if you are enamored by Miles' style of play or genre of jazz. As far as style, check out Howard McGhee, Clifford Brown and Chet Baker for similar styles of playing with a coolness. As far as era of music it is endless with some of the top players being Ben Webster, JJ Johnson, Bill Evans, Sonny Criss and a cast of hundreds. You might find some samplers of jazz from labels such as Blue Note, Pablo and Concord Jazz. If you have a decent public radio station with evening jazz programming, that can be a great source for information. |
the Cannonball Adderly album is a good suggestion. I would also highly recommend two albums by Bill Evans (the pianist on most of Kind of Blue): "Waltz for Debby" and "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" (in that order). Awesome albums, and I think you will find them extremely enjoyable. Check www.allmusic.com for info. |
Just a follow up to Celtic66's suggestion about finding a public radio station with an evening jazz show. Our local station has Bob Parlocha's show. His selection is quite good and he gives you thorough info about each set of songs; names of songs, performers, labels and more. I have found leads to some good albumns from him. You can also go to his website. jazzwithbobparlocha.com |
KOB is awesome. There aren't many other albums like it. In terms of style of music, I think of the "in'" Series (Relaxin', Steamin' Workin', Cookin'), maybe Steamin' is closest? You might also try "Porgy & Bess", and "Sketches of Spain". I like the moodiness of the soundtrack to "Ascenseur pour l'Echafaud" but it is not thought of as one of his better albums and there certainly isn't a "great band jammin'" aspect to it that makes KOB so special. I second/third/whatever the suggestions of the two Bill Evans albums and "Somethin' Else" by Cannonball Adderley. The other CA album I might try is "Know What I Mean" which is an interesting counterpart to BE's "Waltz with Debby." |
I'n not really sure how similar or disimilar,but here are two more you might like. "Birth of the Cool" and "Sketches of Spain",both in colaboration with Gil Evans,with larger ensambles,and the orchestration possibilities that implies. I read what you said about traditional sound,so take this one with a grain of salt. But,if you like Miles Davis,there is an old two LP set transcribed to CD or SACD,that combines, "Four and More" and "My Funny Valentine"-----for me,Miles's solo on MFV is worth the cost of the set. Happy Listening. |
Wow! Thanks guys for the responses. Celtic66, it is not the man, but the sound, especially the cut All Blues in the Kind of blue album. I would say the same with Brubecks take five, and hence, I am looking for similar sounds. I will checkout pandora.com and sample some Blue Note samplers. Heck, I will be busy sampling in the next days, starting with Cannonball Adderly, which seems to get most of the votes. I will keep you guys posted. Cheers! |
Another great title is Cannonball Adderley's "Know What I Mean", featuring Bill Evans. It includes a great version of Evan's own Waltz For Debby. The other artist(also a trumpeter) not yet mentioned that will likely appeal to you is Chet Baker. If Miles is the king of the "cool school", Chet Baker is the prince. "Chet" is a good place to start, although "Chet Baker Sings" is my personal favorite. Cheers, Spencer |
Oops, it was "Waltz for Debby" not W 'with' Debby. Hifimaniac has the right idea... the 1500 series of BlueNotes is great. Another way to do research would be to open a couple of browser windows and dig through the Allmusic.com site on one hand (good data on who plays on what albums generally, along with discography with generally good coverage) and Amazon on the other (better/longer sound clips than allmusic's) to give you an idea of what you might want to buy. Best of luck. |
Agree with Henry, great call. Another one I would recommend is Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage. It doesn't actually sound like KOB, but it is similarly accessible and lyrical with spare arrangements and wonderful playing. The young Herbie along with the young Freddie Hubbard, the very young Tony Williams (whose brilliance is abundant on this record), and George Coleman and Ron Carter. It's a jazz album that has managed to penetrate my DNA in almost the same way KOB has. |
anything with Ben Webster will likely give you a bit of that ease and magic. Ben has that combination of 'cool jazz' but with great tone and subtle energy that Miles had in KOB. Ben is my favorite Sax player. i particularly like 'At the Renaissance'. 'Chet' from Chet Baker is another winner in that same vein. |
Another artist you may like is Philip Catherine. While he's not really like Miles "Kind of Blue", I think he appeals to those who like that genre. I would start with 1) "Transparence", and 2) "Philip Catherine/Bert Joris Brussels Jazz Orchestra - "Meeting Colours" ; but, really anything by him is worth having. |
while kind of blue is an album on its own league (that's what makes it so remarkable too) you might want to try Coltrane's Blue train. this is an all-assault on melodies and rhythm. you won't believe your ears and your foot will never stop tapping to the beat. other recommendations: john coltrane 'my favorite things' john coltrane 'giant steps' the collaboration albums between ella Fitzgerald and louis armstrong (they're all great stuff!) sonny clark 'cool struttin' kenny dorham 'quiet kenny' kenny dorham 'whistle stop' and there are many others, but this is a good start! best wishes! |
Thank you guys for your suggestions. I have sampled all the music up to Cdelplato's post, and here is how I rank them (these are already on my Amazon wish list!) 1. Gene Ammons: Boss Tenor 2. Cannonball Adderley: Somethin' Else 3. Ben Webster: At the Renaissance 4. Miles davis: relaxin' 5. john coltrane: my favorite things 6. Sonny Clark: Cool Struttin 7. Kenny Dorham: Whistle Stop Sorry Cdelplato, but "In a Silent Way" does not cut it for me. may be the sample on amazon is to short to feel it. Any other suggestions? Thanks |
Looks like you got a lot of good recommendations. The following are some additional albums to look into that are all classics with great, and quite accessible music: Oliver Nelson: Blues and the Abstract Truth Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy: The Quest Mingus: Ah Um Mingus: Black Saint, Sinner Lady Monk: Brilliant Corners (title cut is one of the truly great numbers) Coltrane: Blue Trane Johnny Hodges and Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra living artists: (someone already mentioned Rollis' Saxophone Collossus) Charlie Haden/Quartet West: Haunted Heart Hancock: Maiden Voyage Hancock: Maiden Voyage |
"but in general, nothing will be "like" "Kind of Blue"." I'm with Audphile1 here; KoB does not invite many direct comparisons (sui generis, as they say). I find "Sketches of Spain," closer than many in the Miles catalog. I do not find the In recordings close, though "Cookin'" is unmissable, and the disc that got me into to Jazz. For some reason, I find myself thinking of Evans' "Conversations with Myself" here, though I'm not sure what the similarities b/w it and KoB are, except for the same genius piano player. If I may be forgiven a slight thread hijack, if you like the In recordings, seek out "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section," which is likewise graced by Garland/Chambers/Jones. Then go to "Modern Art." Had them both on last night, after not listening to Pepper in a while. What a sweet, sweet, horn . . . . jmd |
a little more on 'in a silent way'. i read that someone had recommended such album on this thread. truth is , in a silent way is a very different period in miles davis vast catalog. it is from his 'electric' period in which he experimented with fusion and rock. it is a great album though, but it would be unfair to compare it to in a kind of blue. they're on different leagues, not even the same musical style. i would recommend the album, but be warned, it isn't pure 50's jazz. it is something else. |
but "In a Silent Way" does not cut it for me. may be the sample on amazon is to short to feel it.If you are destined to get into this album, listening to a taste on the 'net will definitely not make it happen. It's a "grow to love it" recording, IMO. As Proghead notes, it is not remotely like KOB, but is in fact closer to his electric stuff...which is not to missed either. Definitely check out "L'Ascenseur pour L'Echafaud". It's a soundtrack, and one of his best recordings, IMO. |
This album is totally unique in jazz for a couple of reasons - it was largely improvised almost on the spot - it does not contain a bunch of well worn jazz stardards that started as pop standards. Its very "modal" - long solos within a specific chord as opposed to frequent chord changes and modulations. And there is some controversy as to whether Bill Evans should get composing credit for much of the album as opposed to Miles. (So is it more like a Bill Evans album or a Miles album?) So you won't really find other albums that "sound" or "feel" like this one IMO. Just try to go for the "best of the best". For Bill Evans, Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie. How about Ornette Coleman - Shape of Jazz to Come. Coltrane - Love Supreme. Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil - an all time classic of the genre - has a similar darkness/minor feel to Kind of Blue. Monk and Coltrane -they made 2-3 classics together. Check out Terence Blanchard - or Christian Scott - innovative current trumpeters. Don't forget the free samples on itunes |
I have sampled the latest suggestions, and here is my rating (and already on my buying list): 1. Johnny Hodges: Johnny Hodges,Billy Strayhorn and the Orchestra 2. Mal Waldron/Eric Dolphy: The Quest 3. Miles Davis: "L'Ascenseur pour L'Echafaud" 4. Sonny Rollins: Saxophone Colossus Thanks guys for helping me diversify my collection: |
The same year Davis recorded Kind of Blue he also recorded "Sketches of Spain", and 18 years later, a group of top musicians, some who have been mentioned on this interesting thread, recorded an album with the same feel (and same composition at its root) - Concierto - Jim Hall Hall is one of the great jazz guitarists and he's joined by Chet Baker on trumpet, Paul Desmond on alto sax and Ron Carter on bass. And if you like that, or even if you don't, you should also listen to Hall playing with Bill Evans in Undercurrent. |
The Cannonball Adderly "Something Else" suggestion is probably closest. Others that I would consider ar Kenny Burrell "Midnight Blue" featuring guitar, Bill Evans "Portrait" and "Explorations" piano, Wynton Kelly "Kelly Blue" more piano, Chet Baker "Chet" trumpet with an even milder edge, maybe John Coltranes "Ballads" not considered one of his best but one of my favorites. The Tomasz Stanko recommendations are a good suggestion. Along with "Suspended Night" I would look at "Soul of Things". But, in the end "Kind of Blue" stands by itself as maybe the greatest jazz album of all time. |
I find it quite funny that I found this thread because I've been asking friends and co-workers for the last two weeks what kinda Jazz out there sounds like Kind of Blue and Dave Brubeck's Take Five. Since reading all the posts listed in this thread I've just bought 6 disc's (mostly what Planckscale like as well) off of Amazon.ca ranging from Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor to Miles Davis. I like that oldschool laid back jazzy sound. A few people have recommended me some jazz-fushion stuff that I absolutely detest. Hopefully I'll enjoy all the new music i just bought. |
Miles Davis ESP. This pre-dates Kind of Blue by less than a year, the lineup is essentially the same. The music is a little more up-tempo, but there are some significant nods towards the modality of KOB to come. Also, IMHO the recording quality is better, as KOB seems to have suffered more than the usual number of mishaps along the way. |
There have been some excellent suggestions made here. I would also recommend recordings from the same era from Harold Land, Benny Golson, Tina Brooks, Kenny Dorham, Art Pepper. If you're looking for a really "cool" and laid back sound, you must check out "Blue Hour" on vinyl or "The Complete Blue Hour Sessions" on CD...Stanley Turrentine w/ The Three Sounds. |
I agree with all previous "evident suspects" simply because I got most of the albums as LPs or XRCDs. My five cents (rather a million-dollar advise, posted here for free!): Khmer by Nils Petter Molvaer, if you love Miles you will love this album. also, ECM released a lot of "must-have" albums since 2006 |
If you listen to the first cut on "Kind of Blue" carefully, you'll discover that in the beginning, before
Cannonball Adderly takes his solo, what you are listening to is an average studio recording. Good jazz players to be sure. Who could take issue with Miles and Coltrane? However, once Adderly takes his solo, he is so inspired that he brings the rest of the group to attention and from then on, its a great album. So, to answer your question. buy more albums that feature Cannonball Adderly. OP |
These albums are must have, in random order.... https://youtu.be/_8CjZ0BYaYM https://youtu.be/JMiLAxMnoqE https://youtu.be/fCaN2irGItA https://youtu.be/XnvUEIPRb1g https://youtu.be/J-mpBlU_lbk https://youtu.be/KJifh-S2Hw4 https://youtu.be/1uY6zlfR7pM?list=RD1uY6zlfR7pM https://youtu.be/sCQfTNOC5aE https://youtu.be/ecrE80rnjhw https://youtu.be/zUnID70IU-g And so on, so on.....I could fill couple of pages and would gladly, too. But, what bothers me, is that you all good people, seems to like jazz and yet you do not participate on another jazz thread that is running for years now. I can understand that perhaps you dont like some of the participants there, but its your loss, at the end. Because, I see here, you failed to mention some of the best known albums in jazz, and its a great pity and shame. I am not saying this out from my vanity, but out of pure sorrow, becuse in that way, all that great music one day could be forgotten. My five cents... |