The question remains, if a person has only been exposed to the “safer,” more structured side of jazz, is a visit to the deep end going a bit too far?
A recent article at A Blog Supreme explored similar territory with You Aren’t Too Dumb To Like Jazz. Part of that piece explored the issue of complexity and the often-visited idea that a person needs to “understand” the music in order to enjoy it. I’ve never really agreed with that sentiment, mostly because there are so many more ways to appreciate a piece of art than understanding its technical nature. Do we have to understand Picasso’s technique to appreciate the color explosions of his paintings? It’s never been that way with me. So, those lilting opening melodies that Miles plays on “All Blues” are just that, melodies that on their own sound pleasing to the ear. How they fit into the song’s structure can be appreciated, but it’s not necessary for the listener’s enjoyment.
While Bitches Brew lives nowhere near the extreme end of Whack Jazz, much of it is certainly an ear-opening experience. Melodic lines can at first flow in parallel and then later collide. Ideas move from one player to the next at what at times is not a linear fashion. There are abrupt changes in direction, tempo, and mood. There are reasons, some of them non-musical, for these shifts. I’m not going to discuss them, because they focus attention in the wrong place.
What is important? That all of these musical elements are propelled by an insistent pulse that reduces to a kind of funk stew. Let it flow over you for a while and you’ll realize that you’re being taken over by a killer groove. You’ll realize that you’re having fun, and that you’re not too stupid to like jazz.
- How Talking Heads’ ‘Fear of Music’ Opened Up a World of Art and Sound - August 5, 2024
- How Deep Cuts Propelled Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ - June 4, 2024
- How Eric Clapton’s ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ Made the Case for British Blues - March 20, 2024
First off, I'm glad I could provide a spark of inspiration for this week's FML. I feel better already about the idea of listening first and understanding later, if at all. I'm going to read that article you liked to, as well. An imaginary wall was erected between jazz and the great unwashed. Maybe it's time to tear down that wall.
Dive in, Josh. Bitches Brew is a blast. It may throw you at first, but let it sink in and it'll probably feel more like rock than jazz. I don't know that there's something to "understand" about it – it's just something to experience.