h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello, thought i would have a quick word where things are'nt so serious!I would like to ask you about jazz. I am a big fan of Miles Davis, particuly his more mental stuff but with the exception of Coltranes " Love supreme" I don't like anything else. Does this make me a jazz snob or a jazz slob?
It's a bit like being a hendrix fan but not liking guitar music!

From your date in the entry etc, you seem to be a newcomer here, like me. How do you find this strange world?

Hi there! Yes I'm new. I like it here, because most folks seem willing to have a thoughtful discussion even when they have strong opinions. I've seen a few people trolling and what not, but for the most part people out here seem to have a lot of interesting things to say.

As far as jazz goes, there are so many different styles and sounds that I doubt anyone could say they like them all. Sounds like you enjoy some good stuff. Miles is fantastic as is Coltrane, though I am a big fan of a lot of different musicians. If you liked "A Love Supreme" then I strongly encourage you to check out "Coltrane: Live at Birdland". I think it's along the same vein, probably even moreso. I'm not sure what you consider Miles' 'mental' stuff, but I'm guessing "Kind of Blue" is on that list, if not you should check that out.

Some artists/albums to check out other than those above:

Horace Silver, "Song for my Father" features some very mathematical-sounding but swinging tunes, I hear a lot in common between Joe Henderson's sax and Coltrane's later work, and honestly Horace Silver on keys has a style all his own but again reminiscent of a lighter, sparser McCoy Tyner.

Dexter Gordon, "Go!" has possibly my favorite sax solo ever. This is a VERY swinging album and Dexter sounds incredible on it. In a much different vein from Coltrane/Davis, you might say "Song for my Father" is middle ground between "Live at Birdland" and "Go!" if that makes any sense at all.

Duke Ellington, "Ellington Indigos" is an anthology of the great big band's work in the mid to late 60s. Mostly on the slow side, beautifully orchestrated and performed. My two favorite tracks include Jimmy Hamilton's masterpiece of a clarinet solo on "Tenderly" and the shmaltzy but emotional "Autumn Leaves" featuring a vocal AND a jazz violin. This is very different from the above albums, but still excellent and representative of the dance-band origins of jazz.

Anything with Louis Armstrong is good. Any of his "Hot Fives" or "Hot Sevens" or "Louis Armstrong's All-Stars" recordings are good. He invented jazz as we know it, and was one of the greatest improvisers ever.

Getting into newer stuff, you might check out Chick Corea's "Light as a Feather", Bela Fleck's "Outbound", Micheal Brecker's "Tales from the Hudson". I'm very selective with new jazz, much of it does not appeal to me, but these albums should give you a starting point.

thanks, can't reply for a bit, daughter going through teething hell!

Thanks very much for the info. It's better than a lot of guide entries! My friends are not into jazz so it's very hard to know what to purchase next.

I was aware of Miles Davis but it had never crossed my mind to listen to any of his work. Someone lent me Bitches Brew (against my will) and I was hooked. Something about it just spoke to me!....the sparseness?...the echo refrains?... the trumpet playing that to me sounded like guitar playing transposed to a different medium?

I began to buy the earlier stuff, discovering how each one differed.

Milestones
Kind of Blue
In a silent way - ambient... in a strange way like Tangerine Dream
Spain
Jack Johnson - title track like a Doors instrumental

Then I went to the recordings made after Bitches Brew - this is the stuff I call mental.

On the Corner - V. Fast funk, eastern scales, staccato time signatures.
Live at the Filmore
Pangara
Agharta
Live Evil.
I could not stop playing the last three. All double live albums with 2 guitarists soloing with distorted fuzz, Miles playing through a wah-wah pedal, 2 drummers, all songs over 20 minutes long!
Heavy psychedelic jazz rock..... I loved it. My wife refuses to stay in the room if it's playing. I guess that's why I'm so passionate about music, it does'nt matter what it is called, if you like it, embrace it and make it your own!

As to your recording experience, when I,m doing stuff at home, I find myself in the stupid position of Rehearsing my improvised solos. The temptation with home recording is to go over and over etc so I always limit myself to no more than 3 takes. If it's not a glaring mistake, I keep it in - gives it a more human element.

Hmmm. Rehearsing improvised solos? I'd never want to do that, but I can see why you might want to. Take an improvised solo, refine it, make it sound clean.

I like the rough edge in music. It tells me that the performer is primarily concerned with artistic expression, and that the technique is being pushed to the edge as a result of that desire to express emotion.

I'm glad you liked my overview of some different jazz. I am a little suprised by what you are listening to, as that is part of Miles' discography I'm not quite as knowledgable about. It's not that I don't like it, I just don't know which parts I like best. I liked his version of 'Human Nature' and a few other of his late, late works. I need to listen to some more of it.

If you like that stuff, you might want to check out John Scofield. He's got an interesting approach to guitar that may gel with your own ideas, or at least provide some interesting listening.

Thanks, I will check out John S.
What I was trying to say in my own clumsy way about recording ..... I'm not a good enough musician to put something down first time. I can't tell what key or scale is being used just by listening. I have to play the track a couple of times and just noodle around, feeling my way through so at least it bears some resemblence to the tune before I dive headlong into my take! By the very nature of my music being punky, it is as rough as f**k!!

I'm not to keen on the last 10 years of Miles's output.... a bit to controlled for me. I recently purchased "Aura" though and love it.