Midnight Blue (studio album) by Kenny Burrell

From Repo 07/14/2023 03:04

'63:c It Always Rains in This City

The Setting: It always rains in this city. And it's always nighttime. I have to keep a cigarette lit just to keep warm. Warmth is life. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Maybe I'm just addicted to cigarettes. I see a corner bar up the block. It’s neon sign welcoming me in like the smile of a chorus girl. And I never could resist a chorus girl. I head down the stairs. The tables are arranged around the stage. A red glassed candle on each flickering at me to sit down. “Alright,” I says. “Just one”. At least this place has heat. The band starts playing up on the stage. They feel just like this city. Just like this bar. Ripped from some 40ish black & white film noir. The kind where there’s dames and broads and guys who always have a good quip at the ready. I want to be those guys. And, I want to be with those dames. So I stay. One leads to two. And two naturally leads to three. The cold is gone. A small smile even manages to cross my lips. “This ain’t so bad,” I say to myself. Guess I’ll stay for one more.

The Listen: This is the kind of jazz I picture in my head in those scenes in those old black & whites. You know. The ones on TCM. I don’t care if it’s historically accurate. It’s my head. My picture. It’s what gives those scenes on late night tv that something extra. A certain timelessness. The coolest cats playing the coolest blue jazz. The city is their music. And their music is the city. Interchangeable. Interlinked. You can't have one without the other. Just like this rain. Just like this night. Which is why it always rains in this city. And it's always nighttime.

From Jboy56 09/15/2022 14:37

This is a cool album with many variations in song themes styles and vibes. Excellent

From Fischman 12/15/2016 22:18

It swings like jazz, wails like blues, and has a funky groove. This album was way ahead of its time and remains at the top of the jazz heap as well as the guitar heap for any genre. Burell's absolutely masterful technique is on display throughout as well. Absolutely faultless.

If smokey late night grooviness is needed, there is nothing better than this.