The Best Jazz and Blues Albums
The origins of blues and jazz go back to the 19th century, when these musical genres were meant to help people find catharsis in rough times. Blues music typically centers on strong, emotive vocal performances whereas jazz depends on virtuosic instrumental improvisation. The best jazz and blues albums give the traditional elements of the genres fresh, original expression that reflects the performers' unique personalities.
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"King of the Delta Blues"
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"King of the Delta Blues" is a collection of songs by legendary blues singer Robert Johnson (1911-1938). Many myths surround Johnson's short life, including the notion that he sold his soul to the Devil in order to play as well as he did. "Digital Dream Door" lists it as the best blues album of all-time. All of the songs were recorded in the 30s and remastered and released as a complete package in 1997 on Columbia Records.
"A Love Supreme"
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John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" is considered to be among the best jazz albums ever by "Noise Addicts" and most jazz aficionados. The material for the album, which was released in 1964 on Impulse! records, had a spiritual inspiration. "A Love Supreme" is a suite divided into four parts, titled "Acknowledgement," "Resolution," "Pursuance" and "Psalm." In addition to Coltrane's overwhelming saxophone playing, the album features solos by the other members of the John Coltrane Quartet: McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass and Elvin Jones on drums.
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"Kind of Blue"
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The Miles Davis Sextet recorded and released "Kind of Blue" for Columbia records in 1959. The album was seminal because its melodic improvisations were based not on chord changes, as was the usual practice in jazz, but on modal scales, thus introducing what came to be known as modal jazz. The "Jazz Resource" is one of a number of sources that have named it the best jazz album in history. In addition to Davis's own work on trumpet, the album features John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone and Bill Evans on piano. All but one cut on the album was recorded in just a single take.
"A Man and the Blues"
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Buddy Guy (b. 1936) left the Chess label to record "A Man and the Blues" for Vanguard records in 1968. Guy, a legendary bluesman, ranked by "Rolling Stone" as the 30th greatest guitarist of all-time, was a key influence on both Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. For "A Man and the Blues" (1968), one of the most highly regarded blues albums of the decade, Guy added two saxophonists to his regular band, featuring legendary pianist Otis Spann. "Digital Dream Door" has named it one of the best blues records ever.
"The Shape of Jazz to Come"
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Innovative alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman (b. 1930) recorded "The Shape of Jazz to Come" as a statement that jazz performances did not need to have clearly outlined structures. It initiated the free jazz movement, which often became cacophonous; "The Shapes of Jazz to Come" itself, however, tends to be quite melodic, accessible and playful. Part of its unique sound derives from the fact that Coleman played a plastic saxophone on the sessions. It divided critical opinion but greatly bolstered the jazz avant-garde. The album was recorded in 1959--the same year as "Kind of Blue"--for Atlantic. "Noise Addicts" calls it the best jazz album of all-time.
"Texas Flood"
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"Texas Flood" was the first album by renowned guitar player Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990). Vaughan's album became known for its revitalizing of blues as popular music. "Digital Dream Door" calls it one of the best blues albums ever. "Texas Flood" was released in 1983 for the record label Epic; it features the hit song "Pride and Joy."
"Bird and Diz"
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"Bird and Diz" is an album by bebop pioneers Charlie Parker (1920-1955) and Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993). It was recorded in 1950 and released six years later by PolyGram records. The album focuses on songs written by saxophonist Parker (a.k.a. "Bird") and also features the jazz pianist-composer Thelonious Monk, another legendary bop artist. "Noise Addicts" has placed it among the best jazz albums of all-time.
"Spotlight on Lucille"
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Guitar player B.B. King (b. 1925) recorded the songs on "Spotlight on Lucille" decades before the album was released for Flair records in 1991. The album features no vocals and highlights King's legendary guitar work. "Rolling Stone" has named King the third greatest guitarist of all-time, and "Digital Dream Door" lists this album as one of the best blues titles ever released.
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