SIDE 1.
CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ
WILL O THE WISP
SIDE 2.
THE PAN PIPER
SAETA
SOLEA
This album is the first one I've heard by Miles Davis that has a real vibrant energy. Don't get me wrong, his immense talent always shows through, it's just that the more upbeat tempos aren't usually his style. There is also plenty of his type of jazz on this record. Infused with Spanish melodies, this album contains a larger selection of horns than a normal Davis record.
To me, the first few songs sound like backing music for a movie from the 40's or 50'swhere the dialogue might go something like 'We gotta go, see. Time is running short, see'. But then the second side sounds more like the score to a film detailing a victory by Alexander the great or some other ancient conqueror, with its horn-tooting melodies in major keys.
As someone who only has limited exposure to Miles Davis, this was a great record to experience the range of this vastly talented man.
Its a hard call, but Sketches of Spain stands right up there as one my favorite Miles Davis albums. Bitches Brew and Kind of Blue would be the other two to give it competition... I'm certainly no expert, but I feel like StS really stands alone among his works... I love how sublime his playing... not just him, everyone involved... everything just washes together perfectly like in a lazy stream, creating an amazingly full and beautiful sound. What a fantastic album.
ReplyDeletePS wow look at you, what a busy blog! I see your g+ posts every once in a while, but I guess I should RSS this haha