Sides Of Blue: The Jazz Greats Who Played On Kind Of Blue

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Don Mizell (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Liner Note Author: Don Mizell. This collections's subtitle, "The Jazz Greats Who Played on Kind of Blue," lays out explicitly the concept behind this interesting label project. Luckily, pianists Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly, and saxophonists John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley all recorded as leaders for Riverside or Prestige (which Fantasy now owns) at some point in their careers. Evans and Adderley even made a excellent album together titled KNOW WHAT I MEAN? from which three selections here have been taken. As befits the distinct musical tone of KIND OF BLUE, these are all beautifully moody performances, some of which are among the artist's best, including Coltrane's early "Theme For Ernie" and Wynton Kelly's "Willow Weep For Me." The latter leading off the compilation is especially welcome since the always underrated Kelly (who played on BLUE's "Freddie Freeloader") never quite received the recognition he deserves. Excepting ringmaster Miles Davis, this collection featured the artists who accompanied Davis on the groundbreaking Kind of Blue album, evoking the same kind of spirit, verve, and mellow approach that signified the trumpeter's magnum opus. Three selections by Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans are the centerpiece, but John Coltrane's "Theme for Ernie" and especially Trane with Tadd Dameron for the quintessential "On a Misty Night" set this tone definitively. The remainder of the material is pleasant enough, though Adderley's "Winetone" is a bit obscure. Not from the Fantasy/Prestige labels, the missing identifier, the classic Blue Note label take of "Autumn Leaves," stands out like a sore thumb in its absence. It is good to remember and honor this era of modern jazz, but overemphasizing it seems to be the norm rather than the exception from here on. ~ Michael G. Nastos

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