‘So What’ - Miles Davis, 1959
Kind of Blue is a classic jazz album, probably the most famous of all jazz albums. ‘So What’ is the first song on Kind of Blue, and is one of Miles Davis’ more well-known and highly-regarded compositions. It is also probably the pinnacle of ‘modal jazz’, where the rhythm section could use more improvisation instead of having to stick to a rigid chord structure.
The piece starts off with some very relaxed interplay between the double bass and piano, before kicking into a melody between the former two instruments and a shuffling drumbeat heavy on cymbal. After about 90 secondsd of this, the drums do a little roll before the best cymbal bash in history, and Miles Davis’ solo enters.
Because the musicians are employing the modal scale, Miles Davis can virtually play whatever he wants. What he does play is now the epitome of what you’d call ‘cool jazz’ - laid back, easy drums, a cheeky bass line, pianos mingling in the background, and Davis’ solo so seductive and easy that you feel like you need to pour a glass of red wine and start clicking your fingers.
Some people like jazz music in the background, the perfect musical setting for a dinner party. Some people think that jazz is pretentious. I bought Kind of Blue on tape over 10 years ago, and I still love listening to it. ‘So What’ in particular will always lift your mood.
Of course, ‘So What’ quickly became a jazz standard, like the other songs on Kind of Blue. Here’s the studio version, but also check out this live version with John Coltrane - fans of The Fast Show will like the introduction by the presenter. Nice!
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