Style: Jazz, orchestral
Primary Emotions/Themes: mixing the elements of jazz with a full orchestra
Thoughts: The first time I heard this album I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I was highly into modal jazz at the time and the orchestral approach here did not fit well with those expectation. I ended up shelving this for months before revisiting.
Upon revisiting I found myself greeted with an incredibly varied and deep album. The addition of the orchestra to traditional jazz formulations and structures was something I had not heard before. By the time the drums came in with their soft brush strokes on the snare I was sold. This is a fantastic album.
Mr. Davis of course has the lead at nearly all points, but he feels more in control than ever before. He is subtle when needed, monstrous when the music calls for it, but in all things he exerts absolute command over himself and the orchestra.
Sketches of Spain is one of the most ambitious works in Davis' extensive discography, and perhaps one of the most impressive ones as well. I wasn't ready for it the first time I heard it, but upon revisiting it I can see it for the wonder that it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment