Blue Moods

Underrated Miles gem:
Just read the reviews below, I can't disagree with them. Yes this IS short at about 27 minutes, but, it's got a few things going for it that makes it a much needed addition to anyone who has Miles in their collection. For one, it is one of the very few dates where Miles recorded with a vibraphone. When one takes a look at one of the only other dates where Miles recorded with vibes (the Dec 24 1954 Xmas Eve session with Milt Jackson & Thelonius Monk),you can see that Teddy Charles is a very different stylist than the blues-based Milt Jackson: Charles' vibes are all nice hazy mood and suits this date well. When one gets used to the idea that folks like Charles Mingus and Elvin Jones aren't playing in their usual "hot-head" mode and that these folks actually could play moody ballads, well, there really isn't anything to apologize here about at all. For those who love Miles in his ballad mode, you simply can't go wrong here. Also, Miles is the only horn that really solos here (although trombone is present)which makes it different from most of Davis' best-known works. I sure wish Miles recorded like this more often. If you think you'll like this I have to also recommend "The Musings Of Miles" which was (chronilogically speaking)the recording session that took place just one month prior to this mid-1955 date and also featured Miles as the only horn (along with Oscar Petterson on bass, Philly Joe Jones on drums, and Red Garland on piano)and perhaps also the famous Dec 24 1954 session, which is in a bluesier mode, but also quite nice (though sadly, this session is split up between 2 seperate discs, "Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants" and "Bag's Groove").

Wonderful! Relaxing (but still deep) Miles:
This CD is filled with wonderful, slow, relaxing jazz. The kind of music you listen to on a late evening, with someone you care for or in a mood to care for yourself. Miles, Monk & Co. were at the top of their creative energies when this was made. Their music is magical, on the level that mere mortal instrument players rarely achieve -- but then, these were no mere mortals. This music ranks among the best and most formative of all modern jazz, but here's a nice thing: it's so lovely and mellow that your non- jazz lover friends will easily love it also. I saw a gripe here on Amazon that the disc is "only" 27 minutes. Come on! The Beatles' Abbey Road, a milestone of a brilliant album, was 28 minutes long. Yes, this wonderful music is mellow and relaxing, but by no means in the universe is it "elevator" music. This is the real thing, so deep and warm it'll wash through you and soothe your soul, and be so rewarding that you can palay it over and over and still find new things to enjoy. This is great music, by musicians who stand on the pinnacle of all-time, brilliant and unequaled great jazz musicians. And it's nice, relaxing music to boot. You can't go wrong.

The worst of Miles:
This gets my vote as Miles' worst pre-electric recording date. It's one of the most desultory jazz recording sessions ever made. All the tunes are done slowly to highlight Miles' lyricism, but everything is so draggy that he just sounds bored. Elvin Jones, a great modern drummer, is totally handcuffed. Also, the CD is a major ripoff (even as it was on LP): we get only 27 minutes of music (which, come to think of it, might be a blessing in disguise: the less of this music the better). For die-hard Miles fans only (and then to only hear him at his worst).

underappreciated gem:
I just rediscovered this (on a record) after years and years of not hearing it and found it absorbing. Unusual instumentation on the front line (trombone, vibes, trumpet) and slow and restrained playing may leave some befuddled but I was struck by the discpline, beauty and compelling reticence of the playing. I know too much space can feel like hesitancy and a lack of conviction or passion, but the playing here is precise and often quite lovely. While its true this ain't John Coltrane's Elvin Jones these arrangements don't call for energetic splash and emphatic percussive color. Mingus's tone here sounds fat and great and what I liked too was that here was another side of Mingus you don't get to hear that often: that of a sideman. On this date he subordinates his dramatic capacity for leadership and takes on the task of being an ensemble member--very very successfully. Woodward and Charles contribute tasteful solos and Miles is really beginning to dig into the "hanging in air" fragility that makes his playing of a couple year's hence so memorable. Just a lovely (yes, short) recording.

These songs also available on the 2007 Collector's Items reissue:
If you would like to get two Prestige albums in one, you can get the 4 songs from this cd on the 2007 reissue of Davis' Collector's Items (but they are not on the 1991 reissue with the bottles on the cover). The 2007 reissue also includes the song Conception, featuring Miles and Sonny Rollins (ts); Walter Bishop, Jr. (p); Tommy Potter (b); Art Blakey (d), from 1951.