Sketches of Spain
Encyclopedia
Sketches of Spain is an album by Miles Davis
, recorded between November 1959 and March 1960 at the Columbia 30th Street Studio
in New York City.
The album pairs Davis with arranger and composer Gil Evans
, with whom he had collaborated on several other projects, on a program of compositions largely derived from the Spanish folk tradition. An extended version of the second movement of Joaquin Rodrigo
's Concierto de Aranjuez
is also included, as well as a song called "Will o' the Wisp", from the ballet El amor brujo
by Manuel de Falla
.
magazine), "It's music, and I like it".
The Rolling Stone Album Guide calls it "a work of unparalleled grace and lyricisim."
In 2003, the album was ranked number 356 on Rolling Stone
s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
.
Side two
1997 reissue bonus tracks
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, recorded between November 1959 and March 1960 at the Columbia 30th Street Studio
CBS 30th Street Studio
CBS 30th Street Studio, also known as Columbia 30th Street Studio, and nicknamed "The Church", was an American recording studio operated by Columbia Records from 1949 to 1981 located at 207 East 30th Street, between Second and Third Avenues in Manhattan, New York City...
in New York City.
The album pairs Davis with arranger and composer Gil Evans
Gil Evans
Gil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
, with whom he had collaborated on several other projects, on a program of compositions largely derived from the Spanish folk tradition. An extended version of the second movement of Joaquin Rodrigo
Joaquín Rodrigo
Joaquín Rodrigo Vidre, 1st Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez , commonly known as Joaquín Rodrigo, was a composer of classical music and a virtuoso pianist. Despite being nearly blind from an early age, he achieved great success...
's Concierto de Aranjuez
Concierto de Aranjuez
The Concierto de Aranjuez is a composition for classical guitar and orchestra by the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo. Written in 1939, it is probably Rodrigo's best-known work, and its success established his reputation as one of the most significant Spanish composers of the twentieth century. ...
is also included, as well as a song called "Will o' the Wisp", from the ballet El amor brujo
El amor brujo
El amor brujo is a piece of music originally composed by Manuel de Falla for a chamber group, then re-scored as a symphonic suite, and eventually as a ballet...
by Manuel de Falla
Manuel de Falla
Manuel de Falla y Matheu was a Spanish Andalusian composer of classical music. With Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados and Joaquín Turina he is one of Spain's most important musicians of the first half of the 20th century....
.
Reception
Sketches of Spain is considered to be one of the most accessible albums of Davis's career. Less improvisational than much of his other work, some of Davis' contemporaries suggested that Sketches of Spain was something other than jazz. Davis replied (according to Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine), "It's music, and I like it".
The Rolling Stone Album Guide calls it "a work of unparalleled grace and lyricisim."
In 2003, the album was ranked number 356 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
.
Track listing
Side one- "Concierto de AranjuezConcierto de AranjuezThe Concierto de Aranjuez is a composition for classical guitar and orchestra by the Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo. Written in 1939, it is probably Rodrigo's best-known work, and its success established his reputation as one of the most significant Spanish composers of the twentieth century. ...
" (Adagio) (Joaquín RodrigoJoaquín RodrigoJoaquín Rodrigo Vidre, 1st Marquis of the Gardens of Aranjuez , commonly known as Joaquín Rodrigo, was a composer of classical music and a virtuoso pianist. Despite being nearly blind from an early age, he achieved great success...
) – 16:19 - "Will o' the WispEl amor brujoEl amor brujo is a piece of music originally composed by Manuel de Falla for a chamber group, then re-scored as a symphonic suite, and eventually as a ballet...
" (Manuel de FallaManuel de FallaManuel de Falla y Matheu was a Spanish Andalusian composer of classical music. With Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados and Joaquín Turina he is one of Spain's most important musicians of the first half of the 20th century....
) – 3:47
Side two
- "The Pan Piper" (Gil EvansGil EvansGil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
) – 3:52 - "Saeta" (Evans) – 5:06
- "Solea" (Evans) – 12:15
1997 reissue bonus tracks
- "Song of Our Country" (Evans) – 3:23
- "Concierto de Aranjuez" (alternative take; part 1) (Rodrigo) – 12:04
- "Concierto de Aranjuez" (alternative take; part 2 ending) (Rodrigo) – 3:33
Personnel
In alphabetical order (Note: this list actually encompasses the total musicians used on several sessions in late 1959 and early 1960. The actual number of players on the piece was 19.)In popular culture
- BucketheadBucketheadBrian Carroll , better known by his stage name Buckethead, is a guitarist and multi instrumentalist who has worked within several genres of music. He has released 34 studio albums, four special releases and one EP. He has performed on over 50 more albums by other artists...
's 2002 album, Electric Tears, contains a song entitled "Sketches of Spain (For Miles)". - Two AlmodóvarPedro AlmodóvarPedro Almodóvar Caballero is a Spanish film director, screenwriter and producer.Almodóvar is arguably the most successful and internationally known Spanish filmmaker of his generation. His films, marked by complex narratives, employ the codes of melodrama and use elements of pop culture, popular...
films have featured songs from this album: Tacones lejanos (High Heels), where "Solea" is heard over the opening credits; and La flor de mi secreto (The flower of my secret), where "Saeta" is heard in a ballet scene. - In Haruki MurakamiHaruki Murakamiis a Japanese writer and translator. His works of fiction and non-fiction have garnered him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Franz Kafka Prize and Jerusalem Prize among others.He is considered an important figure in postmodern literature...
's novel, The Wind-Up Bird ChronicleThe Wind-Up Bird Chronicleis a novel by Haruki Murakami. The first published translation was by Alfred Birnbaum. The American translation and its British adaptation, dubbed the "only official translations" are by Jay Rubin and were first published in 1997...
, the main character owns a signed copy of Sketches of Spain. - In the movie The Salton SeaThe Salton SeaThe Salton Sea is a 2002 American neo-noir film starring Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio directed by D. J. Caruso.-Plot:While playing the trumpet in a burning room, the protagonist's voice is heard in narration. His story begins with him posing as "Danny Parker", a speed freak addicted to...
, Val Kilmer's character plays an excerpt from the song Saeta on his trumpet. It is also a prevailing song throughout the movie. - Hip-Hop Producer DJ PremierDJ PremierChristopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
sampled "Will O' the Wisp" for the tracks "Invasion" and "Wrath of the Math" for the Jeru The DamajaJeru the DamajaKendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since high school.-Biography:...
1996 album Wrath of the MathWrath of the MathWrath of the Math is the second album by hip hop artist Jeru the Damaja.- Album information :The album was completely produced by DJ Premier and continues the themes of Afrocentricity, preserving hip-hop culture, and more about the harms of materialism that were discussed on The Sun Rises in the...
. - In 2010, a cover of the album was recorded featuring Lew SoloffLew SoloffLew Soloff is a jazz trumpeter, composer and actor. He studied trumpet at the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School. He is likely best known for his work with Blood, Sweat & Tears from 1968 to 1973...
, Solo Trumpet, with Steve Richman conducting the Harmonie Ensemble/New York. - In concert, the Grateful DeadGrateful DeadThe Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
occasionally played a jamJam sessionJam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
inspired by "Solea" that was dubbed by fans as "Spanish Jam". Examples of this jam can be heard on various concert recordings, including Dick's Picks Volume 6Dick's Picks Volume 6Dick's Picks Volume 6 is the sixth live album in the Dick's Picks series of releases by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded on October 14, 1983 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The album, on three CDs, contains the complete show from that night...
.
External links
- Sketches of Spain Legacy Edition at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
(streamed copy where licensed)