•
Rating: The old Miles, there’s not much to say, was a true dragon. One of those who shed their skin every three years; his production might seem the work not of one but of three or four excellent musicians, each in a different style.
It’s hard for me to decide whether I prefer the second or the first quintet, or the electric period or the bebop one. Among my absolute favorites are also the trumpet and orchestra works made with Gill Evans ("Sketches of Spain", "Miles Ahead" and especially "Porgy and Bess"). Enrico Rava used to say about these that if you listen to them and don’t like them, there are two possibilities: either you’re deaf or you hate jazz.
Sure, if you’re in the mood to listen to something crazy or over the top, this is not for you. In that case, listen to "Bitches Brew" or "Agharta". This one is perfect as a soundtrack in the morning while shaving; soon you won’t be able to resist whistling its melodies, all catchy and soothing. Soothing as blues can be, mind you.
First of all, an orchestral sublayer, which, like every respectable jazz orchestral sublayer, sinks its roots in Duke Ellington. A well-played piece with lots of different instruments, but first and foremost discreet to leave space for our hero’s trumpet that embroiders sarabands and sparks. And the melodies are actually true classics, Gershwin, no less. The Old Testament, rather, the Genesis of jazz. Among all, we have three in one: the Father (Gershwin), the Son (Miles), and the Holy Spirit (Evans).
Perhaps the only problem is that the tracks are too famous. Who hasn’t heard "Summertime" or "Buzzard Song", maybe without knowing the titles. But as I’ve already said, this is not an album to amaze. It’s pure and simple classicism, proportion, plasticity. If it were a painting, it would be Botticelli’s Primavera. In reality, it’s even a little snobbish, just as Miles was in the late '50s. But we forgive him.
A Miles, in short, a bit of an aperitif version (but I like the aperitif, is it not the most important meal of the day as top nutritionists claim?).
Good Campari and good Pernod to everyone…
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
05 Summertime (03:18)
Summertime and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
Oh your daddy’s rich and your ma is good lookin’
So hush little baby, don’t you cry
One of these mornings
You’re goin’ to rise up singing
Then you’ll spread your wings
And you’ll take the sky
But till that morning
There’s a nothin’ can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin’ by
Loading comments slowly
