OK… some honesty here. Does anyone actually like this record?
From AllMusic: “… Free Jazz practically defies superlatives in its historical importance.” Why doesn’t it say it is good? Pretty? Emotionally engaging? C’mon… For me its more like “Hey, I can see the Emperor’s weenie!” Or “Didn’t Coleman date Yoko?” Cripes, even Coltrane’ Ascension easily evokes some sort of spiritual, or emotional lift… but Free Jazz?
Flame away… let’s have some fun here.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
To put it simply, that album is a masterpiece. Coleman was a genius, just maybe not for everyone.
It is not easy stuff, but worth the effort.
An incredible line-up of musicians.
Thanks for the suggestion, I’m gonna give it a listen!
Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz is an acquired taste I never acquired. Saw him live at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Sat through it out of respect for the artist, but honestly didn’t enjoy it. To each his/her own.
I do appreciate what he did. Jazz, after all, should be free expression.
That said, I can only listen to this when I’m in the right mood and only in limited doses.
Love this record. I usually listen to it back-to-back with the Benoit Delbecq and Fred Hersch Double Trio “Fun House”. Double the fun!
I feel the same way about “Bitches Brew”.
I love Bitches Brew. Can’t live without it.
Free Jazz is an influential and interesting album. I can’t listen to it often, and in general it led the way for many more releases I’m not interested in since then to today. But I’m glad I tackle it from time to time.
OK NipperDog, what was your reaction at first listen?
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Bitches Brew is … well let’s just say… umm… my least favorite Miles record. Just for comparison, my favorite Miles records are Birth of the Cool, Relaxin, Workin, Cookin, … you get it.
You note “tackle” … yea, wasn’t it Cecil Taylor said if you are to attend a Taylor concert, you must study up before the show? Reminds me of an old programmers joke on spaghetti code: “It was hard to write, it should be hard to read”. Umm… well… This music is not an engineering class… heck, just listen to any Feynman lecture… accessible and valuable to all… now that is music to my ears.
C’mon all… let’s sling some mud… have some fun here!
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Nope, not for me. Most orchestras warming up sound better. And I personally like Bitches Brew.
Art! It is all art … all is good… it is just taste. To wit, play below for proof.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
I don’t know, was that what Taylor said? I listen to Taylor up til about the end of the 'sixties. Haven’t done any studying since then. Not enjoyable listens to me.
I’m a traditional jazz guy. The further it gets outside, the more other genres are grafted in. . . the less I enjoy the listening and begin to ignore. Vive la difference.
Still Bitches Brew was one of my entry points into the music at the time of release, and it has become a foundation of my listening world. I like all those other Miles titles too. . . but Bitches Brew has a special place in my Miles catalog.
I’ve gotta agree with you Bruce, I don’t get it either.
I kept thinking to myself WTF. 
I agree completely
Love Coleman, Free Jazz, Bitches Brew and electric Miles…also love Workin Cookin…though I do feel much free jazz type music is best heard live…hearing it live did help me enjoy the albums much more…
I put it on today. Lasted 93.7 seconds. Maybe another day.
These two hot takes disagree with each other
And your point is… ?
Peace
Bruce in Philly