Artist: Carla Bley Album: Appearing Nightly

Year: 2008
Duration: 0:0-1

Breaking Down Carla Bley's “Appearing Nightly”: A Critical Review

Jazz music is one genre that continues to attract a diverse audience from various parts of the world. The unique blend of instrumentation, improvisation, and composition has continued to impress listeners for decades. Among the most outstanding jazz musicians in the world is Carla Bley, known for her distinctive sound and unique approach to music composition. Her album, “Appearing Nightly,” blends different genres and styles to create a unique listening experience. In this blog post, we'll review her album and examine the impact of her music on the jazz scene and beyond.

Brief History of Carla Bley

Carla Bley is a critically acclaimed American jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader born in Oakland, California, in 1936. She began her music career in the 1950s as a side musician before venturing into composing. She co-founded the Jazz Composers Guild in 1964, a non-profit organization aimed at promoting the interests of jazz musicians. Bley's music has been described as eclectic and diverse, from blues to avant-garde jazz, and she has worked with several leading jazz musicians over her career, including Charlie Haden and Steve Swallow.

Music Genre of the Album

Carla Bley's “Appearing Nightly” was released in 2008. The album features jazz music with rock and blues influences. There are eight tracks in the album with the lead track, Appearing Nitely, an arrangement reflecting the world of contemporary jazz, including the delicate use of harmonies and rhythms.

Best Songs of the Album

One of the highlights of the album is “Awful Coffee.” This song features a jazz trio with Jim Riggs on saxophone and Larry Goldings on piano. The song blends jazz with the blues, and Bley has added humor and personality, which are missing in most traditional jazz compositions. Another standout track is “Ups and Downs,” a fast-moving fusion of jazz and rock with an incredible bass line provided by Steve Swallow.

Most Innovative Parts

Most Innovative Parts

While reviewing the album, one cannot ignore the myriad of ingenious tracks that Carla Bley has used to produce a successful fusion of different genres. She has expertly blended rock, jazz, and blues in a fresh and captivating manner. Her approach to music composition and arranging is both modern and traditional, creating a unique listening experience.

A Critique of the Album

While the album is considered a success, there are some criticisms worth mentioning. Some critics have noted that the album lacks the spontaneity and experimentation that is so characteristic of Bley’s music. Additionally, some listeners may not find some of the tunes as vibrant as they could have been. However, the album is an impressive production that showcases Carla Bley’s incredible skills as a jazz composer.

Carla Bley's “Appearing Nightly” is a testament to her incredible skills as a jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader. Her unique blend of different genres has created a fresh and exciting listening experience that has captured the attention of jazz fans worldwide. The albums' combination of rock, blues, and jazz has made it a remarkable release that continues to receive critical acclaim to this day. Despite some minor criticisms, the album is an impressive example of Carla Bley's lasting impact on the jazz scene. Whether you’re a die-hard jazz fan or a casual listener, “Appearing Nightly” is a must-listen.