This critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the most popular jazz album of all time is now available in paperback. With transcriptions of...
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Mar 28, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
Kind of Blue has sold 7 million copies (albeit in 50 years), making it the best-selling jazz album of all time. Far from being a safe commercial work, KoB broke new ground by introducing new structures to jazz. Perhaps the trick was that Miles discarded complex chord structures for simple vamps that frame endless (yet hypnotic) solos by John Coltrane, Bill Evans and Cannonball Adderly. Kahn recreated this session blow by blow although the only living player on the scene was drummer Jimmy Cobb, w
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Apr 19, 2008
Tosh
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Strange enough (due to my perverse tastes) not my favorite Miles album, but still a classic, and this book nails down the history and the thoughts behind this specific album. Beautifully designed and well-thought out, this is a great volume on a particular piece of art and it's appreciation of that work.
Aug 01, 2010
CyLarge
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This book is great for so many reasons, but I'd have to say the best reason is because of how good a writer Kahn shows himself to be. Out of all the books on music I've read, this is the most crisp clear, fluidly written book. He explains a little music theory and Miles' modal method of thinking with no pretention and such precision that the quality of the writing itself rivals the excitement of the Kind of Blue recording process, which he also details very, very well. Very worth reading for any
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Jul 27, 2009
Thomas
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An important book about an important album. Great history, great perspective from 40 years later, etc. If you love this album you should read this book. If you haven't heard the album buy the book and the album and enjoy them both simultaneously - there's much to learn about this period in american recorded music and of Jazz in particular.
Dec 24, 2010
Lisa (Ravenswood)
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I have read this book twice. I am going to read it again this coming week. I came across it when I was weeding through some books to donate to the library after the holidays. This is one of many books I would never let anyone borrow. Kind of Blue was one of the first jazz LP's (before CD's) I purchased at a very young age.
Mar 28, 2010
Herzog
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A very attractive book which was well constructed. Providing the background for the seminal work was quite engrossing and the description of the work itself very interesting. I thought the chapter on the long lasting influence of Kind of Blue was also well done. All in all a very useful book for fans of the album.
Sep 28, 2011
Eladio
rated it:
If you want to know everything about one of the masterpieces of last century music, this is your book.
Sit comfortably beside a CD player, begin to read and stop only to push the "play" button to hear the tracks of" Kind of blue".
Enjoy
Sit comfortably beside a CD player, begin to read and stop only to push the "play" button to hear the tracks of" Kind of blue".
Enjoy
Jan 10, 2012
Michael
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A very enjoyable look at the most revered jazz album of all time. I think the author did a nimble job at making the material accessible for non-musicians, though it does get technical from time to time. When I finished the book, I had a pretty good sense of why Kind of Blue was so important.
Oct 14, 2009
Andrew
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Kahn possesses a gift for historical narrative, which propels this well-researched and accessible little monograph on one of the 20th century's most rewarding records.
Dec 01, 2009
Pjtibbetts
rated it:
came with complimentary, trial-size bag of heroin. Strangely, so did my vinyl copy of A Love Supreme.
Aug 16, 2009
John
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The music is spectacular. I love reading about how creativity happens and how it interacts with commerce.
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Sep 07, 2009
Diener
rated it: 
Fairly interesting story behind the making of this great album. Miles is one of my favorites, and I find myself inspired my his hard work, creativity, and vision, all of which is documented in this book.
Aug 05, 2010
Mathias
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A meaty, enthusiastic examination of the Miles Davis/Bill Evans masterpiece, covering everything from music theory to recording techniques and beyond. Though well-written and researched, the book is somewhat hampered by the lack of first-hand reports (drummer Jimmy Cobb, sole survivor of the 1959 sessions, being a noteable exception).
Apr 16, 2009
Rob the Obscure
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A very insightful, well-researched, and well-written account of this landmark record by Miles. It is obvious that the author is not merely writing for purposes of scholarship - he has a passionate love for the subject, as do I, and therefore recommend this book highly to anyone interested in the history of American music as an art form.
Sep 27, 2011
Amanda
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Fascinating, engaging, lets you inside the making of one of jazz's greatest albums. The transcripts of the studio banter (much of which can be found on expanded editions of the album) are gold, as are the quotes from those who were around the recording sessions. A must-have for any fan of the album.
Apr 29, 2008
Peter
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A very fine account of the making of one of the greatest and most influential jazz recordings of all time. Where they recorded, how many takes, who played what, transcribed incidental conversations that were recorded during the sessions... great stuff for the fan.
Oct 05, 2008
Diane
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If you're not a big jazz fan -- and maybe even if you are -- this book is a wonderful look into Miles Davis and what led up to the production of a truly great jazz album. Read the book; get the CD. You won't be sorry.
Oct 20, 2008
Lindsay
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This book helped me better appreciate the music and provided some history on the jazz musicians of the times, and of course on Miles Davis. I would only recommend it to hardcore Miles fans though.
May 21, 2011
Gekko
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A bit disappointing -- didn't seem to give a lot of insight beyond what's readily available elsewhere (a lot is lifted from Miles' autobiography, for instance).
Mar 08, 2008
Paul
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The second of two books on the making of the MD album. This, perhaps, is the better. (Of course, both books are for fans only.)
Sep 27, 2011
Zhaawano
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Miles Davis has always been my (musical) hero. I enjoy reading it (haven't finished it yet) and I like the graphical design.
Sep 27, 2011
milton
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a landmark record and still my all time fave. exciting to know about its creation.
Jul 29, 2010
Larry
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Terrific investigation into the genius and creativity of this jazz masterpiece.
Feb 22, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
