An Album and A Movie
What better way to talk music and film than to recommend one album and a movie? It’s the weekend, and we’re heading into the holidays, so I’m sure you’ll manage to find some time for both. If not, that’s cool too.
I thought I’d try this series out and if I enjoy it, perhaps I’ll make it a usual thing like my Albums Worth Hearing or Movies Worth Watching articles. I imagine the genres for both will be a bit over the place, but I’ll try my best to describe why I picked them. Enjoy!
Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue
Release Date - 1959
Genre - Modal Jazz
I’m one of those dorks who still collects CDs, and Kind Of Blue is a part of my CD rotation more than any other record. There’s something special about driving in the evening to the grocery store with it on.
It’s not outwardly flashy like so many of my favorite jazz records are, but instead has plenty of memorable lines, parts, and solos that make it so special.
It’s a melodic record, and I’d argue it’s the most digestible record for anyone looking to get into jazz. It puts me in a good mood. Not one that’s over-the-top but grounded in reality with contentment.
As an artist, Miles Davis seemed to undergo a profound evolution with Kind Of Blue, transitioning from a spirited, young learner to a polished master. The influence of his history with Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker is discernible in the nuances of its musical expression.
Davis mirrors Armstrong's distinctive rhythm, both on and off the beat, capturing the essence of Armstrong's dynamic fluctuations in tempo. Additionally, the precision and adept use of space—similar to Parker’s playing—manifest in the refined tone of Miles' playing.
The combination of these influences results in a remarkable fusion, creating a captivating musical synergy. I implore you to listen to this record closely at least once; you won’t be disappointed.
Mean Streets (1973)
Genre - Drama
Director - Martin Scorsese
Writers - Martin Scorsese, Mardik Martin
Starring - Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, David Proval
About - A small-time hood tries to keep the peace between his friend Johnny and Johnny's creditors.
After you go to the grocery store and finish up Kind Of Blue, what better movie to throw on late at night than Mean Streets? If you don’t know, Mean Streets is one of Martin Scorsese’s first films and has two incredible breakout performances by Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro.
I’m a massive fan of Martin Scorsese, as any movie fanatic is, and Mean Streets is definitely at the top of my list of favorites from the iconic director.
Looking back, you can argue the film initiated the foundation for the gangster film genre at the industry level, a trend that persisted in subsequent works like Goodfellas, Once Upon a Time in America, The Sopranos, etc.
However, while various films and series have attempted to replicate it, it remains distinctive and timeless, retaining its freshness even after all these years. The film is much more character-driven and isn’t ostentatious like so many of these mafia movies are.
The characters feel closer to everyday folk who are trying to make a buck rather than the over-the-top mafiosos we see in so many other flicks. Basically, it doesn’t feel like a gangster movie in many ways, and that’s a good thing.
Many of the characters are more laughable than menacing, inadvertently inflict harm, and have aimless stagnation in their dead-end lives. I even feel bad for them at times. It's a much more grounded, sadder, and somewhat more authentic portrayal when the narrative calls for it. It rocks.