The Jazz Must-Haves and a Senior Moment
Let’s be upfront about things. As I write this, I am 36-years-old. I am not of the age where I should be having so many “senior moments” like I am having now. At the same time, I have written so many posts here, it is only a matter of time before I start repeating myself. If I have mentioned this list before, I apologize, but I like sparking a debate and more people are reading this blog these days, so why not bring it up again?
The list of the “25 Must-Have Jazz CDs of All Time.” It is on a website called “bkroll.com” and I am not sure who wrote it. However, the author acknowledges right up front that the entire task of narrowing the list down to 25 is an impossible one. At the same time, after reading his list, I have to say, I agree with a lot of it.
Of course, I agree with it first and foremost because it has Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” featured prominently. For me, that is the Rosetta Stone of jazz. It was the CD that got me to understand the music as a true art form. It was the one that made me stop and really listen and give the entire genre a chance. If I had someone who expressed an interest in jazz, but wanted to know where to start, that would be the CD I would hand them.
You can click HERE to see the entire list.
I like how he starts off with a Louis Armstrong CD, which, as mentioned here, is a key player in the field of jazz. All of the big names are on the list like Bill Evans and Count Basie and John Coltrane. Anyone who would go out and buy all of these CDS would have a truly outstanding start on their classic jazz CD collection.
It also gives me some great suggestions of further classic jazz artists to feature here. I intend to do that, but more in the new year than now before Christmas.
Enjoy and debate!
1 Comment
Reading the bkroll.com list just proves to me how highly subjective such lists are to each individual’s tastes — just as Ken Burns’ PBS jazz series reflected a Wynton Marsallis perspective with omissions. bkroll.com does have some good ones listed.
As for your “senior moment,” you only serve to confirm what I believe and learned throughout my life experience. We have these “moments” all our lives but have been led to associate them with “seniors” (a label that is ’stale’.) Let’s disconnect these experiences as being uniquely an older person’s problem.
Like your blog.