Today's music selection came from the mind of one of the most intriguing, intricate, and vexing modern Jazz composers,
Miles Davis. Moreover, this piece is the title track to, sadly said, one of the most disregarded albums in Jazz,
"(W)itches Brew".
Rarely in modern music can one feel a story develop from a song without words. Verily, many classic composers even struggled to attain a clear level of imagery, but Miles Davis seems to proficiently lay paint into a portrait in this most tonal composition.
By listening alone, one can envision a cauldron, tended to, not by witches, but the blackest of beauties, given the primal nature that underlies the art. What they stew, is nothing shy of disturbing. Midway through their concoction, they reduce the heat, simmer the sauce, and dash in deviousness. The work finishes by slowly bringing the brew to a simmer and removing heat.
Critics and the jazz-elite may argue, but I find this twenty-seven minute production is an easy piece to listen to, and a joy to appreciate.
Some of you may have come to expect that I learned about this piece through the
Web Media section of our beloved MediaCenter, but you would be incorrect. Nevertheless, it does not subtract from the need to bolster the most amazing MediaCenter by improving its Web Media section;
but don't take my word for it, read what some of the other Media Center users have to say about it as well.