There are things people say that you never really believe. Old chestnuts such as "you'll find someone else" or "Ten extra pounds eh? Didn't notice." Jazz music falls into this category, jazz haters just don't believe the rest of us. It suffers the same stigma as classical music whereby it ends up being relegated to soundtrack duty at wanky dinner parties. Setting the record straight - with no chaser - jazz is staggeringly brilliant. If you don't believe, 'Miles Davis The Columbia Years 1955-1985' should convert you.
This treasure trove of a four-disc box set holds not only all the gold, but the precious stones too. There are five definitive sections: Blues, Standards, Originals, Moods, and Electric. And, of course, all the greats are represented here from John Coltrane to Cannonball Adderley, not forgetting Chick Corea, Bill Evans or Jack DeJohnette - Davis either worked with 'em or found them for us.
Where to start in this web of brilliance? You've got yer classics like 'Summertime', 'Bye Bye Blackbird' or 'My Funny Valentine'. There are also out of print slices of heaven like 'Generique' (unavailable since 1959!) and a live version of Monk's trademark 'Straight, No Chaser' which alone could justify buying the set.
For jazz geeklers there are alternative takes of well-known masterpieces like 'Someday My Prince Will Come' or 'Flamenco Sketches' (off the near perfect 'Kind of Blue') which give an insight into how the songs took shape and were tweaked to perfection by Davis.
It's hard, though, to communicate the visceral sensations of this music born not out of desire, but out of necessity to anyone whose opinion of jazz was formed by watching the Fast Show's 'Jazz Club'. The music speaks volumes without uttering a single word. Miles' trumpet plays the role of lead singer lighting up the imagination and freeing the mind to run it's own wild course.
'The Columbia Years 1955-1985' works on two levels. One, it's a great introduction to a music that not only broadens your appreciation of all music, but also takes you to a level of understanding and integration with sound that will always elude those stuck in their guitar hole. Two, if you don't suffer from an anti-jazz infliction but nonetheless haven't a clue where to start, this is a risk-free comprehensive overview that spawns reward after reward.
In management-speak it's a win-win. In punter speak, it's a no-brainer. But in any speak, it's silly to not give it go. C'mon…know you want to.
by Lisa Oliver