This is the one jazz record owned by people who don't listen to jazz, and with good reason. The band itself is extraordinary (proof of Miles Davis's masterful casting skills, if not of God's existence), listing John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on saxophones, Bill Evans (or, on "Freddie Freeloader," Wynton Kelly) on piano, and the crack rhythm unit of Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Coltrane's astringency on tenor is counterpoised to Adderley's funky self on alto, with Davis moderating between them as Bill Evans conjures up a still lake of sound on which they walk. Meanwhile, the rhythm partnership of Cobb and Chambers is prepared to click off time until eternity. It was the key recording of what became modal jazz, a music free of the fixed harmonies and forms of pop songs. In Davis's men's hands it was a weightless music, but one that refused to fade into the background. In retrospect every note seems perfect, and each piece moves inexorably towards its destiny. --John Szwed

2009-05-25 -- 5/5:: You've GOT TO PROMISE
to buy it if you don't own it and NOT to tell anyone that I just bought my copy a month ago.

Don't get me wrong...not unfamiliar with the music at all and certainly not Miles! I just have a million unforgivable excuses why I didn't finally buy this. Trust me...jazz fan (Bill Evans fan), my head hangs oh so low with shame.

I'm not sure if this is the cd with the dvd on the flipside--that's what I have and it really doesn't matter. I struggled through the watching just once listening to everyone being profound about ...Blue. No one needs to describe it...just to encourage you to have a copy, listen to it and see where it takes you. I guarantee it will take you to a good place!

2009-05-17 -- 5/5:: THE GREATEST RECORDING IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC!
This is the ONE! You do not have any interest in Jazz (beginer-intermediate-advanced) without this album in your collection. It is Jazz! It is the greatest recording in the history of music. It is a must!

The english language does not allow me, or anyone, to fully describe what "Kind of Blue" is, or what it will mean to your Jazz experiance. Perhaps only the recording itself can.

2009-05-04 -- 5/5:: A classic jazz trumpet, one for the ages.
This became a classic the day it was recorded....there was only one Miles and he's still on the mountain playing and playing in that Celestial band. BUY this now and visit it often. Miles lives!

2009-04-25 -- 5/5:: Buy it
The track "So What" would justify paying for this album on its own, but there are 4 other excellent pieces to sweeten the deal. This one is especially good on speakers or headphones with a lot of bass, crank it up and listen to that double bass!

2009-04-23 -- 5/5:: As good as music gets.
My introduction to jazz was through this album. Now, almost 3000 songs later (and a whole lot poorer), I would make the argument that not only is this the best intro jazz, it is also an album that no one should be without. Folks, this is as good as music gets. Whether you prefer Mozart, the Beatles, or Rage Against the Machine (all of which I enjoy), you will take away something from this album. This is just one of those magical moments in music history where a bunch of musicians at the top of their form tried to push past conventional music, and succeeded. This is some of the most soulful playing ever captured on a record. All the tunes are solid and interesting. Though every tune on this record is "slow" and "quiet", the musicianship is so tight, and every note is played with such intensity and focus that keeps the listener on the edge of his seat in anticipation of the perfect (but never predictable) resolution that follows.

Even if you don't consider jazz your thing, don't discredit this album before giving it a listen. This is not Kenny G, this is GOOD music, and one of the most memorable recordings of the century.