Music Mellow Jazz & Blues Music: Recommendations Wanted

[Smurf]

I'm looking for some mellow stuff. Jazz, Blues, that kind of thing. Any recommendations?

 

[Knavish]

It doesn't get any more "mellow" than ambient electronic music.. Look into this stuff; it's awesome. Sample it on DI's Chillout section if you want: www.di.fm.

 

[Smurf]

I'm not really into that electronic computer stuff. I like my instruments.

 

[Knavish]

Boo..

 

[Smurf]

Come on! Someone with mature tastes?

 

[neurocomp2003]

mmm are you looking for more modern stuff? lyrics or instrumental?

 

[Smurf]

Yes, but not exclusively and both.

 

[hypatia]

http://danadler.com/dansolos/

 

[ZapperZ]

I'm looking for some mellow stuff. Jazz, Blues, that kind of thing. Any recommendations?

OK, going possibly out of your "box", how about some Italian baroque? I can recommend without hesitation anything and everything by Corelli, especially his string sonata Opus 5.

Zz.

 

[arildno]

Actually, italian baroque fits perfectly with any occasion or mood.
Just my opinion, anyway.

 

[dduardo]

How about Chuck Mangione.

You know I've always heard him mentioned on "King of the Hill" as mascot of megalo-mart, but never knew who he was until I listened to one of his songs on a jazz sampler cd. The song was called "Viola" and it was pretty cool jazz.

Any more jazz recommendations?

 

[Chi Meson]

The turtle Island String Quartet is a very easy to listen to Jazz group. A lot of afficionados dismiss them as being "too easy" to listen to, but those are the kind who listen to music that makes tea curdle.

If you listen to NPR, you will hear snippets of TISQ during segues.

While on the subject of NPR segues, another musician that I like (not Jazz) that regularly appears "between stories" is Leo Kottke. I'm not sure if any single album is "great" but you could make a fantastic "collection" of his best works. He's a great guitarist who strddles the lines between classical, folk, and pop. Imagine if Bach tried to play a banjo tune on a 12-string guitar.

 

[brewnog]

Check out the Cinematic Orchestra.

Contemporary jazz. It's absolutely stunning. One of the few things I'd be willing to suggest to someone whose musical tastes I have no idea about is to get onto Amazon right now and buy 'Every Day', I'm certain that you won't be disappointed.

So certain, in fact, that I've found you a link!

It's less than US$14 too, that's insanely cheap. I paid that in £s!

 

[zoobyshoe]

While on the subject of NPR segues, another musician that I like (not Jazz) that regularly appears "between stories" is Leo Kottke. I'm not sure if any single album is "great"...

I think his very first album Six and Twelve String Guitar with the armadillo on the jacket qualifies as "great". I was there, so to speak, when it came out, and people were reccomending it and passing it around exitedly all over the place. It was an original, stunning sound, and accessible to anyone who likes music.

Then, of course, in later albums, Leo started to sing along with his playing...(bleh!)

 

[gerben]

Stereolab
I would recommend you try the album "Sounddust" first if you do not know any of their music yet.

http://www.stereolab.co.uk/

 

[Jelfish]

Vince Guaraldi comes to mind. His more famous work includes the music to the Peanuts cartoons. He wrote some really nice stuff.

 

[Astronuc]

There are several threads on GD with lists of classical music - probably a few months ago.

I recently listened to "Our Town" (1940) by Aaron Copland (US Composer). Like much of Copland's composition, e.g. Appalacian Spring, it is a beautiful piece of music and very soothing.

There are many classical pieces from which to choose.

I agree with Jelfish - Vince Guaraldi is good.

I second dduardo's recommendation of Chuck Magione and also Chick Corea and his band Return to Forever (jazz-fusion), which included guitarists Earl Klugh and Al DiMeola, bassist Stanley Clarke, among others. Most members of the band have done individual projects or worked with other bands.

See also Weather Report and Spyro Gyra (Jazz-Pop, Crossover Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Fusion).

Pat Metheny has some really interesting stuff - jazz guitar.

Just about anything on the Windham Hill Label - guitarists Will Ackerman and Michael Hedges, and pianist George Winston and Liz Story, and many others play some soft jazz and new age music.

Windham Hill - http://www.windham.com/index.jsp

See also Narada - http://www.narada.com/

and Higher Octave - http://www.higheroctave.com/

 

[Antiphon]

George Benson would fit the OP's bill.

 

[honestrosewater]

Kenny G

 

[fourier jr]

It doesn't get any more "mellow" than ambient electronic music.. Look into this stuff; it's awesome.

yeah tangerine dream's 220 volt live is one of my favourite discs

 

[motai]

Just about anything on the Windham Hill Label - guitarists Will Ackerman and Michael Hedges, and pianist George Winston and Liz Story, and many others play some soft jazz and new age music.

Windham Hill - http://www.windham.com/index.jsp

Yeah, the Windham Hill Label is excellent to have as soothing background music (the Winter Solstice more so than the Summer which is a little faster tempo-wise). I have the sixth edition of the Winter Solstice series, and it can be listened to anytime of the year.

Mellow jazz, like the old-style ballads (Moonlight Serenade, Marie Elena, etc), is generally what I prefer as well. Smooth jazz also works, but I don't want to be constantly reminded of the urban feel of the music. Save the Big Band jazz and swing stuff for dancing. Sing Sing Sing gets one ones' nerves after a while, too over-the-top IMO.

Some of the slower tracks on LoTR, RoTK, and the Twin Towers work remarkably well for study music. Same goes with the last three tracks of the Gladiator soundtrack, any from Mists of Avalon, and also William's The Terminal.

Classically, Vivaldi's slower songs can make good ambient study music. Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kije is also cool to listen to, a good mixture of classical styles and modernist tendencies throughout the music, though its a little too intensive in my opinion for being "mellow".

 

[Chi Meson]

Kenny G

Yanni!

 

[Evo]

Yanni!

I LIKE Yanni! My kids like Yanni. My animals like Yanni.

 

[honestrosewater]

I LIKE Yanni! My kids like Yanni. My animals like Yanni.

That's funny, I thought it was spelled Yawny.

 

[GCT]

I'm looking for some mellow stuff. Jazz, Blues, that kind of thing. Any recommendations?

recently I've bee listening to Jelly Roll Morton's (prominent Jazz pianist back in his days) music, if you're searching for a sample, try listening to The Crave

Otherwise I usually listen to some classical music, pieces by chopin have been a favorite of mine, Debussy, Bach, etc...

A lot of the contemporary versions of Jazz as well as other genres are just "too out there" for me, it's still great music, but I prefer the classics. Rock and Roll classics are also a favorite of mine. Sinatra is nice at times, but its just not something I can listen to repetitively, gets me all emotionally drained.

 

[Evo]

That's funny, I thought it was spelled Yawny.

Put a feral cat in your car, trying to take them to the vet, the cat is ripping the inside of the car apart, trying to get out. Pop in a Yanni cd and the cat will start slowly swaying back and forth and humming to the music. Works on small children also.

 

[Smurf]

... ok. What's Yanni?

 

[Evo]

... ok. What's Yanni?

He's a Greek pianist.

 

[honestrosewater]

I thought he was a singer. I think I saw him on Oprah once, when I didn't manage to change the channel fast enough.

(Just joking, Evo, I've never heard much of his music.)

 

[Dagenais]

I'm looking for some mellow stuff. Jazz, Blues, that kind of thing. Any recommendations?

John Coltrane and Miles Davis for classic jazz. For more modern Jazz, try Diana Krall - she's from B.C.

Jazz rap is my favourite genre of music. For great lyrics to jazzy beats try Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul. Other artists and groups that do some jazz rap are Digital Underground and Pete Rock.

 

[mansi]

I LIKE Yanni! My kids like Yanni. My animals like Yanni.

you,your kids and animals have got company...I Like Yanni too !

 

[Chi Meson]

I LIKE Yanni! My kids like Yanni. My animals like Yanni.

I'm sorry.


Really.


For so many reasons.

How about John Tesh?

 

[SamuelGreen800]

For some newer stuff, you could try Pat Metheny. I'm more of a traditionalist, so I prefer his Trio stuff, but if you like world music influence mixed with smooth, lyrical Jazz Guitar, then you should check out his recordings with the Pat Metheny Group.

As for some more traditional stuff, that is still easy to listen to, check out Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner's "revelations", and (of course) Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" and "Miles Smiles". Birelli Lagrene's "Standards" album is nice too, as long as you like guitar being the primary instrument. And look into some Thelonius Monk as well, there are billions of compilations and "best of" recordings on him, so look for some of those.

 

[Astronuc]

I'm sorry. Really. For so many reasons.

How about John Tesh?

Yanni, Tesh, and David Lanz fall into the same genre - New Age (Contemporary Instrumental, Progressive Electronic).

Yanni has some really nice pieces, like Aria. But my biggest issue with his music (and that of Lanz, album - Cristofori's Dream) is that it is often redundant or repetitioius, especially within a given piece. When I hear the same phrase 4, 5, 6+, it ruins the piece for me. I don't know much about Tesh.

Hilary Stagg has some nice harp music. His album "Gandalf" is really nice, especially "Shine On Full Moon" and "Peaceful Heart".

In more a jazz style, pianist Keiko Matsui, is really good.

I would recommend Der Spyra (HomeListeningisKillingClubs - yes, that's a real album title - tunes Hypersonic and Iceland) and Øystein Sevåg (Album - Bridge, Track - Cobalt and Album - Link, My Heart).

Of course, Tangerine Dream is great.

Some of the modern electronic music is only available from www.groove.nl (click on the catalog button at top) - source of contemprary electronic music.

 

[Chi Meson]

I don't know much about Tesh.

Think of him as a Yanni Wannabe.

 

[Evo]

How about John Tesh?

No, don't like Tesh.

Yanni's music is just pleasant to listen to. The pieces are simple, yes they tend to be repititious, but not annoyingly so.

 

[Chi Meson]

No, don't like Tesh.

Yanni's music is just pleasant to listen to. The pieces are simple, yes they tend to be repititious, but not annoyingly so.

Just to be sure, I was only teasing.
Full disclosure: I am a music snob. I used to be insufferable, but I've gotten better and hardly ever defame popular musicians anymore.

But Tesh! I will NOT hold back at displaying my animosity toward a totally puffed-up wad of hair gel.

 

[Evo]

Just to be sure, I was only teasing.
Full disclosure: I am a music snob. I used to be insufferable, but I've gotten better and hardly ever defame popular musicians anymore.

My good friend is a very accomplished former concert pianist and composer and is "very" into music. He had nothing good to say about Yanni. He went into WAY too much detail about everything that is wrong with Yanni's music and piano playing. Hey, if it can sedate a feral cat inside my car, it's good stuff.

But Tesh! I will NOT hold back at displaying my animosity toward a totally puffed-up wad of hair gel.

I'm in total agreement.

 

[Chi Meson]

My good friend is a very accomplished former concert pianist and composer and is "very" into music. He had nothing good to say about Yanni. He went into WAY too much detail about everything that is wrong with Yanni's music and piano playing. Hey, if it can sedate a feral cat inside my car, it's good stuff.

Well then you've heard it all already; that saves me some time. (I'm looking for a "tongue-biting smiley")

 

[Astronuc]

Yanni's music is just pleasant to listen to. The pieces are simple, yes they tend to be repititious, but not annoyingly so.

I could handle 2 or 3 repititions, which many artists do, but more than that and it sounds like a record where the needle gets stuck in the same track. The technical part of cerebral cortex sometimes gets too involved.

But don't get me wrong, I happen to like Yanni.

On the other hand, I like Led Zeppelin, Robin Trower, The Who, Cream, The Doors, Spririt and a host of other classical rockers. And they all have mellow pieces.

Lately, I have been enjoying Joe Satriani, and I hope to see him in concert at some point. The tune "Searching" from his album 'Is There Love in Space' is really great. And then there is my theme song "Raspberry Jam Delta-V", which is definitely not for a feral cat.

As for more mellow rock, Traffic and Blind Faith would be great choices.

 

[Evo]

Well then you've heard it all already; that saves me some time. (I'm looking for a "tongue-biting smiley")

Oh come on, I know you're dying to say it.

 

[Chi Meson]

Arrrrrrrrrgh...mph...mph...mph...

 

[Evo]

Arrrrrrrrrgh...mph...mph...mph...

That bad huh?

 

[Astronuc]

Some generally easy listening music - New York Chill - www.cd1019.com[/URL] (101.9 FM) in NY City.

Archived Playlist - [URL]http://www.cd1019.com/station/playlist.aspx[/URL]

Also see - [URL]http://www.cd1019.com/Airstaff/cbotti.aspx[/URL] and his playlists.

Also Jazz After Hours - [url]http://www.jazzafterhours.org/[/url]

And there is Enya (Eithne Ní Bhraonáin ) and Loreena McKennitt.

Last night about 0330 (driving home from airport), I heard an interesting tune "Skyscraper" by Kinobe. It is apparently of a 'various artists' CD or perhaps one of his that is not readily available in the US.

Also, check out - [url]http://lovegypsies.com/music.html[/url]. I heard an artist, Waldino, just after Kinobe.

and - [PLAIN]http://www.smoothlounge.com/lounge/

 

[loseyourname]

Listen to Nick Drake, if you don't already. Nothing is more gentle.

 

[Astronuc]

Tubular Bells (Oldfield) and Lord of the Rings (Hansson)

Actually, Tubular Bells (both album and title track, 1973) by Mike Oldfield is an interesting work. It is perhaps the most repetitious piece, although the phrasing is performed with different instruments.

Mike Oldfield's groundbreaking album Tubular Bells is arguably the finest conglomeration of off-centered instruments concerted together to form a single, unique piece. A variety of instruments are combined to create an excitable multitude of rhythms, tones, pitches, and harmonies that all fuse neatly into each other, resulting in an astounding plethora of music. Oldfield plays all the instruments himself, including such oddities as the Farfisa organ, the Lowrey organ, and the flageolet.

I agree with AM on this.

The familiar eerie opening, made famous by its use in The Exorcist, . . .

Another really interesting album is Bo Hansson's (Swedish keyboard player/composer) "Lord of the Rings", which was released in 1972. Exceptional piece of work.

 

[Artman]

Loreena McKennitt is good for the mellow jazz type sounds. For that matter much of Celtic music fits the bill. It has a feeling of being ancient and mysterious that appeals to me. If you listen to Loreena McKennitt music in headphones, there is a lot of interesting subtle instrumental work happening (bodhrans of different sizes, wooden flutes, bagpipe type instruments).

 

[Spin_Network]

yeah tangerine dream's 220 volt live is one of my favourite discs

Like Dream..but these are amazingingly cool :http://www.kneeling.co.uk/pages/tonto/zerotime.asp

http://www.kneeling.co.uk/pages/tonto/tehb.asp

I have both on vinyl, and for those about to go into Extra Sensory Places (via music of course) try these:http://www.jonanderson.com/music.html

http://www.mikeoldfield.com/flash/discography.html

I have been trying to get into Jazz..but only as far as Steve Howe and Martin Taylor..for the guitar's.

 

[Spin_Network]

Actually, Tubular Bells (both album and title track, 1973) by Mike Oldfield is an interesting work. It is perhaps the most repetitious piece, although the phrasing is performed with different instruments.

I agree with AM on this.

Another really interesting album is Bo Hansson's (Swedish keyboard player/composer) "Lord of the Rings", which was released in 1972. Exceptional piece of work.

Now we are talking!..My older brother had this record in the 70's (bo)..I used to sneak a listen when he was not around,,being really careful to his most prized record.

P.S..I class myself as a Mike Oldfield fan-atic, and I have to relay that Mike's most finest conglomeration of off-centered instruments concerted together to form a single, unique piece, is actually AMAROK !

Another boast, I have two copies of the original TB albums, from the first 60,000 pressings..also a copy of the second pressing..third..and of course every single one of his albums

 

[QE]

One word - Shpongle!

It's a magnificent duo of Simon Posford and Raja Ram. Raja knows cultures around the world very well and is a great composer, Simon is a quality electronic music producer. When they are combined, they make mind-blowing, ass-kicking combination of Downtempo, Jazz, Electronic, Psychedelic, Tribal, Etno (Indian, Spanish, Turkish, African...) and much more than that. They use all kinds of vocals (choirs, male, female - often just ''singing'' vowels and stuff that have no meaning or saying some crazy stuff, sentences like: The walls, such they be, are crawling with geometric hallucinations; a lot of tribal callings, even a sample of Ned Flanders' diddly doodly from the Simpsons) and instruments - flutes (Raja plays it ''professionaly''), guitars (all kinds - acoustic, electric, lutes...), pianos, cellos, trumpets and a lot of synthetic sounds, drum-kits and effects (for example cutting vocals).

They have relased three albums: Are you shpongled? (1998) and Tales of the Inexpressible (2001) which are mostly concetrated on Eastern Ambient kinda style, and Nothing Lasts... But Nothing Is Lost this year (which will most likely be their last album) which is more upbeat than previous.

Informations and some clips:
http://www.shpongle.com/
http://www.shpongle.org/

This is a must hear/have...