Sketches of Spain

Gil Evans, Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain

Sketches of Spain
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Artist: Gil Evans, Miles Davis
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 1997-09-23
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
  1. Concierto De Aranjuez (Adagio)
  2. Will O' The Wisp
  3. The Pan Piper
  4. Saeta
  5. Solea
  6. Song Of Our Country
  7. Concierto De Aranjuez (Part One)
  8. Concierto De Aranjuez (Part Two Ending)

Free Music Notes for Sketches of Spain

Free Music Review: Sketches Of Spain
Hit: 5 Stars

Miles Davis-Sketches Of Spain *****


On a personal note, Sketches Of Spain is with out a doubt my all time favorite Miles Davis album. Now I am not saying that it is his best album, I'm just saying that for me personaly it is a favorite.

Considered his third straight masterpiece with arranger and conducter Gil Evans, Sketches Of Spain is a jazz album to me unlike anyother, especially in the cannon of Miles Davis. Now many say that Sketches is in the same category as his best, Kind Of Blue, as well as Porgy And Bess, and Miles Ahead. Yes it is in the same category as Kind Of Blue in the sense that this is a masterpiece along side it, but the two albums are nothing alike, which is why the few that don't enjoy Sketches don't enjoy it. As for Porgy And Bess, and Miles Ahead it is only comparable with those because those too were recorded with Gil Evans, but in this reviewers opinion not to the same results.

Made up of a backing orchestra completly put together by Gil Evens and conducted to back Miles as he plays the trumpet and fleugolhorn. This sort of contrast makes for an interesting listen all around. It was around 1959 and Miles was introduced to a spanish-classical piece intitled 'Concierto Do Aranjuez' (which appears here as track one) by the composer Rodrigo that he was so inspired by what he called 'the spanish tinge' that he researched everything he could on Gypsys and flemico music; thus inspiring him to record the Sketches album with Evans. Though the original was in guitar Davis transcribed it over into trumpet adding a new flavor to the piece. The last track on the original album, and number five here is 'Solea' which is a Evans piece branching the blues with flaminco, and to sumerise with a word is breathtaking. Between the open and close we have 'Will O The Wisp' which is a classic ballat piece. 'The Pan Piper' which is much along the lines of 'Wisp.' 'Saeta' is a favorite off the album combining jazz moods with spanis tones and tons of latin feel. Davis shines his brightest during 'Saeta' especially toward the end.

With the new remaster of Sketches Of Spain are three bonus tracks the first of which being 'Song Of Our Country' which feels more like Sketches of Brazil than Spain but still suits the album nicely as it was recorded during the same sessions but not realeased uintil the early 1980's. Also included is the very first take of 'Concierto De Aranjuez' which upon listening is easy to understand why they chose to rerecord the piece. Finally is analternate ending to the track 'Concierto' which once again not as wonderful as the album version but still a cool piece to experince.

Sketches Of Spain is the perfect jazz album for any mood. It is easily among the top five Miles Davis albums of all tilme and in my opinion among the top ten jazz albums ever! This is essential to any Jazz or Davis' collection. Highly, highly reccomended

Sketches of Spain Poster

Miles Davis's impact on jazz is almost incalculable. From his early days as a sideman for Charlie Parker, through his groundbreaking Birth of the Cool sessions, to his stunning small groups of the '50s and '60s, through to his electric renaissance, the trumpeter, bandleader, and composer has left a deep mark on all who came after. He is one of jazz's true giants. Sketches of Spain, though one of Davis's most commercially successful sessions, is also one of his most controversial. Re-teaming with arranger and composer Gil Evans, who played such a pivotal role in Davis's 1949 Birth of the Cool recordings, Davis recorded a series of large group albums beginning in the late '50s, including Porgy and Bess, Miles Ahead, and Quiet Nights. Sketches of Spain, with its emphasis on flamenco, rich orchestrations, and relaxed tempos, is certainly one of Davis's most mellow recordings (he even works out on fluegelhorn), and proved to have broad appeal. To some critics, however, the project was "elevated elevator music." An expanded version of the album, featuring alternative tracks and unreleased material, was issued in 1997 by Columbia Legacy. --Fred Goodman

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