Blue Miles

Blue Miles

ASIN: B00004XSX8

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese release featuring the exclusive bonus tracks, 'Corcovado' and 'Milestones'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

So What
Freddie Freeloader
Blue In Green
All Blues
Flamenco Sketches
Flamenco Sketches (Alternate Take)

Amazon.com essential recording

This is the one jazz record owned by people who don't listen to jazz, and with good reason. The band itself is extraordinary (proof of Miles Davis's masterful casting skills, if not of God's existence), listing John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley on saxophones, Bill Evans (or, on "Freddie Freeloader," Wynton Kelly) on piano, and the crack rhythm unit of Paul Chambers on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums. Coltrane's astringency on tenor is counterpoised to Adderley's funky self on alto, with Davis moderating between them as Bill Evans conjures up a still lake of sound on which they walk. Meanwhile, the rhythm partnership of Cobb and Chambers is prepared to click off time until eternity. It was the key recording of what became modal jazz, a music free of the fixed harmonies and forms of pop songs. In Davis's men's hands it was a weightless music, but one that refused to fade into the background. In retrospect every note seems perfect, and each piece moves inexorably towards its destiny. --John Szwed

Customer Reviews:

Shades of Blue .......2007-07-08

Miles Davis always composed like a painter.....layering shades of color on a canvas, injecting a little light in the center, a bit of darker in the corner. He cops to it with "Kind of Blue", infering that the musical journey may include shades of blue, or other colors that complement. The mood might be kind of blue as well; or maybe not.

The sound waves on "Kind of Blue" play like a rainfall pattern, a rolling brook, a waterfall, many incarnartions of water free-flowing. Perhaps that is where the blue theme came in. "So What", the opener, is probably one of the most recognized jazz standards, re-produced by many artists over the years. It evokes the sight of someone looking like "The Thinker", turning around and asking " I'm deep in thought... so what?" This seamlessly moves into "Freddie Freeloader", a tune that really does depict the lovable mooch of a friend, plying you with smooth talk and subtle requests. "Blue in Green" does seem to speak to a lover, almost a feeling of sadness combined with a little self-righteous jealousy. Truly, these emotions and nuances can be heard in the melodies.

It would require much more space to describe the remaining songs, so I will leave it to the buyer to explore and interpret on their own. Suffice to say, "Kind of Blue" has attained classic status for good reasons. Music is one of the best forms of art, and when a recording achieves the task of being audio and visual, as well as emotional, there is something to touch all sensibilities. "Kind of Blue" delivers.

feeling blue..........2007-06-20

a rainy day...I pop in 'Kind of Blue'...problems with my lover I pop in 'Kind of Blue'...feeling wistful...I pop in 'Kind of Blue'...Miles Davis on trumpet..John Coltrane on tenor sax..Cannonball Adderly on alto sax..Paul Chambers on bass..Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly on piano..drummer Jimmy Cobb..compositions composed by Davis and Evans..in an attempt to move away from bepop which dominated jazz at the time this is the first full jazz album using the modal approach which is basically composing music with a series of scales using improvisation, the results are 'Kind of Blue' one of the most influential jazz albums of all time, also recognized as one of the top albums of all time.

Classic with a slight engineering problem.......2007-06-12

This album never sounded this good before with one exception. Davis's trumpet is in the center channel and ONLY in the center channel. No bleed whatever right and left. Likewise the drums are only right and the piano only left. That is not the way I hear in a live setting. This is obviously a direct conversion from the original three-track master with out-of-phase info added for the surrounds, but the recording obviously acoustically isolated each player. Still, it's minor and shouldn't prevent you from buying. SACD, if you have a good system, is the next step up in CD reproduction.

Simply Great !!!!.......2007-05-25

First time I heard Miles Davis was in the Tom Cruise movie Collateral.I simply had to hear more!!!!This CD is very cool and collected jazz.

"Footprint on My Soul".......2007-05-24

I was first introduced to jazz in 1997 after listening to the Love Jones soundtrack which included "In A Sentimental Mood" by Ellington and others. I cannot describe in words how deeply moved I was by that song especially being a part of the hip hop generation. I decided to explore this genre a little more and I'd always heard of the great trumpeteer Miles Davis. I knew he was a jazz player but no more. So I decided to purchase something by him in and "Kind of Blue" was the album available in the music store at the time. Again, I'd received no advice on what and who album to purchase. That Fall when I heard this album for the first time, I remained still in my bed with my eyes closed. This album not only touched but stirred my soul. Time for a brief moment was at a stand still, and I loved every moment of it. This happened at the tender age of 20 and this album is still in heavy rotation along with many other jazz musician. I am a die hard "Coltrane" fan but this album is by far the jazz album that will leave a footprint on my soul!

Average customer rating:

Legendary Cool Jazz, One Awesome Debut!
birth of the cool school...
A must have for your collection
Good not Great
labor of love

Birth of the Cool
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005614M
Release Date: 2001-01-09

Tracks:

Move
Jeru
Moon Dreams
Venus De Milo
Budo
Deception
Godchild
Boplicity
Rocker
Israel
Rouge
Darn That Dream

Amazon.com essential recording

The first important leader date from one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer.

An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool features previously bootlegged live recordings of the nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman

Amazon.com

Birth of the Cool is the first important leader date from Miles Davis, one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer. An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool, expands the original issue with previously bootlegged live recordings of Davis's nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Legendary Cool Jazz, One Awesome Debut!.......2007-06-27

The songs on The Birth of the Cool are like the ninja of old. They do what they need to, fast, and leave. But unlike ninja attacks, these songs (which include classics like "Jeru", "Venus de Milo" and "Boplicity") are not painful in the least. The arrangements are tight and the songs are melodic, slightly Hollywood-esque but quite beautiful and well-performed. The songs themselves are also quite brief, as I implied a few sentence back - nothing over five minutes, in fact. The nonet plays together quite well, complementing each other throughout. They all have the mellow sound down - the album kinda sounds alike, but with great songs like "Rogue", "Rocker" and "Israel" on hand, who can complain? Now the only song I don't really like is "Darn That Dream", which falls in my list of Ten Songs We've All Heard Too Many Times Before. As for the rest? Get it. Not before Kind of Blue, 'Round about Midnight or In a Silent Way, but still get it!

birth of the cool school..........2007-06-20

can't go wrong with this Miles Davis recording in your collection. With arrangements by Gerry Mulligan, Gil Evans and John Lewis this is a compilation of 12 sides recorded by the Miles Davis nonet(nine musicians). This legendary recording is a jazz classic. The music moves away from bepop which tended to smaller groups of musicians and the music from this compilation led to the birth of the cool West Coast Sound of jazz though it originated on the East Coast. Beautiful arrangements and lively tunes. Gil Evans would meet with musicians in his apartment on the top of Chinese laundry and help compose the arrangements. The list of musicians on these recordings includes Miles Davis on trumpet, Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax, Lee Konitz alto sax, Max Roach on drums. A must for any jazz collection and jazz beginner. Gil Evans would later team with Miles on Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain.

A must have for your collection.......2007-03-27

These recordings are a must have for an understanding of the shear evolution of jazz, but not the best.

Good not Great.......2007-03-14

There a few good songs on the ablum but it isn't great

labor of love.......2007-02-16

Having only recently jumped on the Jazz scene as a 24 year veteran of the drum, i don't know as if i am qualified to write a review for those into this boat, but i must say that as a neophyte, i am and will be for a long time to come, a Davis fan. And this, the birth of the cool is an album that i will treasure as one of my own. very smooth sounds, breathy on the horns and completely listenable, a must have for any burgeoning collection.

Average customer rating:

Inspired
A WONDERFUL, SIZZLING MILES DAVIS TRIBUTE BY RON CARTER AND THREE TALENTED FRIENDS.

Dear Miles
Ron Carter
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000QFAF9U
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Gone
Seven Steps To Heaven
My Funny Valentine
Bags' Groove
Someday My Prince Will Come
Cut And Paste
Stella By Starlight
As Time Goes By
Bye Bye Blackbird
595

Amazon.com

Bassist Ron Carter provided the anchor for Miles Davis's band from 1963 to 1969, becoming an indispensable part of one of the trumpeter's greatest bands. While there's plenty of reflection on Davis's music and personality here, the emphasis is squarely on Carter's own long-standing quartet, featuring pianist Stephen Scott, drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Roger Squitero. As you'd expect from that line-up the emphasis is often on rhythm, with Carter's warm-toned, resonant bass pulsing at the heart of the music. Davis's fleet "Seven Steps to Heaven" inspires racing invention from Scott and some vibrantly explosive percussion from Squitero, while "My Funny Valentine" has Scott playing with the kind of spare lyricism that was a Davis hallmark, Carter supplying a beautiful chordal accompaniment. There's even a bell-like elegance to the subtle blues-feel of "Bag's Groove." While much of the material alludes directly to Davis's inspiration, the quartet's also reflects one of Davis's own stylistic sources, pianist Ahmad Jamal's trio. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Inspired.......2007-06-25

The promotional materials accompanying "Dear Miles" quote Ron Carter as saying "I would have been offended 10 years ago if someone had asked me to do a Mile tribute album." Why Carter would suddenly be defensive about a Miles tribute at any point in his career is strange. He's been interpreting Miles materials continually as accompanist and bandleader since leaving Miles' greatest quintet around 1968.

It's not the project that's strange--Ron Carter was a seminal contributor to Miles' creations during Miles' most fertile period, so accusing him of plagiarism would be ludicrous--what's strange here is the choice of material. These are not Miles' heavy hitters. For the most part, they're not tunes associated exclusively with Miles at all. In fact, the track list would prompt many music lovers to put the CD back on the shelf. This is a badly shop-worn setlist. Who wants to hear another "My Funny Valentine"? What's been done with it since Chet Baker that compelled a second listen? "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Stella by Starlight"? It sounds like an "as-seen-on-TV" compilation.

But from the first cut, it's apparent that something remarkable is happening on "Dear Miles". "Gone," one of Gil Evans' finest big band arrangements from "Porgy and Bess," is transmuted in its translation to the quartet format to become something wonderful indeed. "My Funny Valentine" gets an overhaul that rediscovers something at the heart of the tune that is beautiful in its simplicity. And then there's "Bag's Groove," a tune that Carter has beautifully reinterpreted before (notably in a duet with Jim Hall), but never to greater effect on this CD. Even "As Time Goes By" becomes something new and vibrant here.

This is Carter's best work since 1999's Latin-inspired "Orfeu," and his greatest traditional small ensemble work since Miles.

A WONDERFUL, SIZZLING MILES DAVIS TRIBUTE BY RON CARTER AND THREE TALENTED FRIENDS........2007-06-20

Five ENJOYABLE Stars!! Composer, arranger, educator, perennial jazz poll- and Grammy-winner Ron Carter, unquestionably one of the greatest bassists in jazz history, has conjured up a great tribute to Miles Davis, who brought him front and center in the jazz world. Historically, Mr Carter arrived in the quintet after the "Kind of Blue" era, playing from 1963 to 1968 teaming up with Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams to form one of jazz' most stellar rhythm sections, playing many of these very songs. This CD is a wonderful set of Miles associated-songs which are fresh while often maintaining much of the atmosphere of the originals. Mr Carter is joined by the stupendously inventive Stephen Scott on piano, superlative drummer Payton Crossley and master percussionist Roger Squitero. Wonderfully recorded, you can often hear the reverberations of Mr Carter's strings suspending the notes in the air longer than we normally hear.

The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with a song I listened to six consecutive times before moving on: the 5-minute "Stella by Starlight" is a robust, wonderfully-constructed, touching extended bass solo by the 'bassist-extraordinare' with some tasteful piano, percussion and great brush support. And look for Ron's amazing 'mystery note' near the end, in a performance that mirrors the Miles Davis tempo and atmosphere but stands on it's own; ditto for the tempo shifting "My Funny Valentine". "Gone" has some superlative drumming, stout Carter 'walking', great Scott pianism, and great overall interplay. "Seven Steps To Heaven" starts out in a familiar vein but launches into it's own trajectory from there with Scott absolutely on fire and with some muscular bongo playing by 'conguero' Squitero. The waltz "Some Day My Prince Will Come" starts out where we would expect and Scott turns it funky and bluesy in a great performance that almost sounds 'Brubeck-ian' near the end. There are two Ron Carter compositions: the blazing fast "Cut and Paste" with Crossley showing his 'accent' and solo mastery and Carter giving a bass-walking seminar, and the bluesy, almost "So What"-ish "595" which is a showcase for Ron's writing and arranging plus Squitero's background percussive virtuosity. Don't let the song times dissuade you, each satisfying song gets a thorough examination and exposition. Now 70, a fleet-fingered, highly-inventive Ron Carter is as potent a bassist and as vital a composer and group leader as ever, inspiring those around him as evidenced by this disc. My Highest Recommendation. Five WONDERFUL Stars!!

(Note: this review is based on an iTunes digital download.)

Average customer rating:

Shades of Blue
feeling blue...
Classic with a slight engineering problem
Simply Great !!!!
"Footprint on My Soul"

Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00003XAQ5
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

So What
Freddie Freeloader
Blue in Green
All Blues
Flamenco Sketches
Flamenco Sketches [Alternate Take][*]

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

Shades of Blue .......2007-07-08

feeling blue..........2007-06-20

Classic with a slight engineering problem.......2007-06-12

Simply Great !!!!.......2007-05-25

First time I heard Miles Davis was in the Tom Cruise movie Collateral.I simply had to hear more!!!!This CD is very cool and collected jazz.

"Footprint on My Soul".......2007-05-24

Average customer rating:

A Must Have
Broad Spectrum Virtuosity
Cool Pairing for Meyer/Fleck Fans
Bela Fleck + Edgar Meyer = strange mixture
Virtuosity Knows No Musical Boundaries

Music for Two (Bonus DVD)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001XAMS6
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

Bug Tussle
Invention 10, BWV 796
Pile Up
Prelude No.24, BWV 869
Solar
Blue Spruce
Canon
The One I Left Behind
V. Menuet I - II, BWV 825
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Palmyra
The Lake Effect
Largo/Allegro Vivace
Allegro Vivace
Wrong Number
Woolly Mammoth
Wishful Thinking

Amazon.com

On Music for Two, banjo wizard Béla Fleck and stand-up bass maestro Edgar Meyer effortlessly sail through a challenging program that includes compositions by Bach, a sonata by Henry Eccles, a Miles Davis tune, and a number of self-composed finger twisters. The amazing thing about this varied selection is not its eclecticism--which is only to be expected with these two--but that it all blends together so seamlessly. Fleck's jazz-tinged compositions (like "The Lake Effect") and Meyer's bluegrass-inspired tunes (like "Wishful Thinking") sit so comfortably next to Bach's baroque jewels and Davis's cool jazz that it makes you question the entire of concept of musical classification. (In fact, the Bach preludes, inventions, and partitas translate so well to the banjo/bass arrangements, you have to wonder if old JSB might not have had a bit of bluegrass in his soul.) Music for Two was recorded live at a series of 2001 concerts, where Fleck and Meyer proved conclusively that the banjo and the bass were capable of remarkable subtlety and not just twang and boom. --Michael John Simmons

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have.......2007-04-25

These two really sound good together. If you're not so impressed with the music when you first hear it (I don't know if that's possible), check out the DVD that comes with it. You will gain such an appreciation for the music that's being played. Watch out for the guy making the banjo jokes. This CD is really an incredible work, I can't say it enough. Very relaxing music.

Broad Spectrum Virtuosity.......2007-04-23

This album runs the gamut of styles and genre. It is hard to get bored when a musical turn is but a few notes away. The two musicians integrate their instruments with incredible skill. I hate to give it a four star rating. The music is worth the 5. The loooooong, live applause tracks detract from the album. The asides by the musicians are sometimes hard to hear. Minor aggravations aside,this album plays frequently, very frequently, in our home,car, iPods, etc.

Cool Pairing for Meyer/Fleck Fans.......2007-01-02

I've seen both Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck live (unfortunately not together) and I really think this album just captures the magic of their live shows: I can almost see them in my living room together! For those not so familiar with the music of one or both the inclusion of classical tunes with those composed by Meyer/Fleck and other contemporary songwriters is a cool drink of water. Music for Two is a good intro to the world of cozy bluegrass.

Bela Fleck + Edgar Meyer = strange mixture .......2006-11-10

Bela Fleck is one of the my jazz favorites... And hi with combination called Edgar Meyer are... great music!!!

Virtuosity Knows No Musical Boundaries.......2006-10-22

Béla Fleck & Edgar Meyer are both extraordinarily accomplished musicians who spend much of their time in very different worlds: Fleck in his newgrass space and Meyer in a more classical mode. But each has travelled in the other's territory before, and on this CD they connect around more genres than you can shake a stick at. In addition to their own compositions they tackle many of their joint favorites. The affection shows in the passion of the playing and the obvious camaraderie. And the accompanying DVD is a treat. Don't miss this one.

Average customer rating:

Yankee Doodle Dandy Review
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Amazing! Wonderful! Just buy it - you won't be sorry!
What a find!!
A Soundtrack Every American Should Own

Yankee Doodle Dandy
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000066RM7
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Tracks:

Main Title: Warner Bros. Signature/Yankee Doodle/Yankee Doodle Boy/Mary's A Grand Old Name/Off The Record - Warner Bros. Orchestra
Early Years Sequence: Columbia The Gem Of The Ocean/The Dancing Master/While Strolling Through The Park One Day/At A Georgia Camp Meeting - Walter Huston
I Was Born In Virginia - Walter Huston
The Warmest Baby In The Bunch - Sally Sweetland
Harrigan - Sally Sweetland
Yankee Doodle Boy - James Cagney
Little Johnny Jones Sequence: The Yankee Doodle Boy/Good Luck Johnny/Little Johnny Jones Special/Finale Special/All Aboard For Old Broadway/Rocket/Give My Regards To Broadway - James Cagney
Medley: Oh, You Wonderful Girl/Blue Skies, Gray Skies/The Belle Of The Barber's Ball - Walter Huston
Mary's A Grand Old Name - Sally Sweetland
Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway - James Cagney
Fay Templeton Medley: Mary's A Grand Old Name/Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway/So Long, Mary - Irene Manning
You're A Grand Old Flag - Walter Huston
Over There - Frances Langford
Medley: In A Kingdom Of Our Own/Love Nest/Nellie Kelly, I Love You/The Man Who Owns Broadway/Molly Malone/Billie - Frances Langford
Off The Record - James Cagney
Finale And End Cast: Over There/Yankee Doodle Boy - James Cagney
You Remind Me Of My Mother (Outtake) - James Cagney
Medley: Oh, You Wonderful Girl/Blue Skies, Gray Skies/The Belle Of The Barber's Ball (Piano Only Version) - Walter Huston
Give My Regards To Broadway (Rehearsal) - James Cagney
You're A Grand Old Flag (Rehearsal) - James Cagney

Amazon.com

When one thinks of musicals from Hollywood's golden age, the initials MGM come almost instantly to mind. Indeed when veteran song-and-dance man George M. Cohan was negotiating a film based on his colorful life story, his first choice was Metro--until a falling out with studio chief Louis B. Mayer. But L.B.'s loss eventually became Warner Brothers'--and film history's--gain when the Burbank studio's Cohan musical became a massive, patriotic hit in the opening months of World War II. As chronicled in this vibrantly restored, first-ever complete soundtrack for the film, it was a compelling twist of fate. James Cagney turns in one of the screen's most ostensibly unlikely--and ultimately indelible--musical performances (netting him his only Best Actor Oscar ^®), teaming with studio music director Roy Heindorf to update Cohan's once-quaint turn-of the-century patriotic ditties ("You're a Grand Old Flag," "Over There," "Yankee Doodle Boy") and infectious vaudevillian chestnuts ("Give My Regards to Broadway," "Harrigan") with bracing dollops of the studio's '40s orchestral sass--and, just months after Pearl Harbor, some crucial historical parallels. Also included are four bonus tracks that remarkably survived the film's preproduction, including an outtake of "You Remind Me of My Mother" and voice-and-piano-only rehearsal versions of "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "You're a Grand Old Flag" that further underscore Cagney's deceptively effortless ability to sell a song despite his limited musical gifts. It's a long overdue showcase for a true American film musical gem. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Yankee Doodle Dandy Review.......2006-11-03

It's an old movie with an old soundtrack, but I loved the movie, I love the music, and I'm very happy with my purchase.

Yankee Doodle Dandy.......2006-06-30

Excellent in black and white and color. James Cagney also got a medal from a President. (President Reagan!} If you like entertainment...this is it!

Amazing! Wonderful! Just buy it - you won't be sorry!.......2005-03-05

I am so very glad I bought this CD. I own the DVD of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and watch it all the time, so I almost didn't buy this, wondering if I really needed yet another CD.

Well, thank God I didn't pay any attention to that dumb idea!

If you love "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and Cagney, you just have to buy this soundtrack. It's like being able to take the movie with you anywhere ... it's not just the songs - as others have said - but also includes bits of Cagney's voice-overs, even the tap-dancing from the end of "Little Johnny Jones." And since the audio system in my car is better than my TV's, it all seemed even bigger, richer and better. (George M. would love that!)

Wonderful, wonderful stuff!

What a find!!.......2003-06-15

I haven't been able to see this movie on TV since Turner bought it (don't get TCM), but if you've seen the movie several tims, as I have, listening to this CD is very nearly as good as watching it all the way through. (I'm so delighted with it that I'm even willing to forgive TCM for putting a paper ad inside with the disc.)

Monumental effort must have gone into this soundtrack, given the age of the original recordings. The tracks here are crisp, clear, and bright, with no evidence of how long ago they were first put down. The editors were also generous in their inclusion of dialogue that ties some of the tracks together (for example, we hear the man tell Johny Jones to watch for the skyrocket, then we hear the skyrocket as it leads into "Give My Regards to Broadway"). There are a couple of places where the endings are slightly abrupt but this is because, in the movie, the music fades into extended dialogue.

The only bit of dialogue I expected to hear in a song, but didn't, is in "Over There" near the very end of the film, when Cagney/Cohan has fallen in step with the soldiers going off to WWII, as they're singing "Over There", when the soldier nearest him says something like, "What's wrong, old timer, don't know the words?" and Cagney says, "Seems to me I do" and starts singing along. That's minor and pales next to how wonderful the rest of this soundtrack is.

One of the biggest treats on this CD is that we get to hear some of Cagney's tapping, notably in "Give My Regards to Broadway", "You're a Grand Old Flag", and - one of my favorite moments in movie history - when he dances down the White House stairs to "Yankee Doodle" near the end).

The outtake is not a humorous one, simply a track they decided not to use. It and the rehearsal tracks are all just the performers voices with piano accompaniment. I especially enjoyed hearing Cagney rehearsing "You're a Grand Old Flag".

If you like Cagney, if you like Cohan's music, if you like movies "the way they used to make them", or if you're not ashamed to get a little choked up with patriotism once in a while, you will not be disappointed in this CD!

A Soundtrack Every American Should Own.......2002-09-23

Finally! If you own that Hollywood Soundstage abomination of the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" soundtrack you can finally pitch it. Here is the real article. Rhino (Turner Classic Movies Music) lovingly restored the music from the beloved "Yankee Doodle Dandy" motion picture starring James Cagney. This soundtrack sounds astonishing considering it's 60 years old. It's very obvious some loving care was taken in it's production for which we all should be greatful. The liner notes also are great with informative text and wonderful photos from the movie. The marvelous George M. Cohan songs gives one goosebumps and bring tears to the eyes. We all need this type of patriotic pep rally, especially in these tough times. As I've said, this soundtrack belongs in every American's home just as much as that "Grand Old Flag"! I believe there are plans to release the movie on DVD, hopefully soon.

Average customer rating:

Jazz CD
I'd give it 6 stars if I could!!
Cool...Daddio
Darn That Dream
Great Landmark Classic in Jazz, greater w/bonus live tracks

The Complete Birth of the Cool
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006Q6B
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Move
Jeru
Moon Dreams
Venus De Milo
Budo
Deception
Godchild
Boplicity
Rocker
Israel
Rouge
Darn That Dream
Birth Of The Cool Theme
Symphony Sid Announces The Band
Move
Why Do I Love You
Godchild
Symphony Sid Introduction
S'il Vous Plait
Moon Dreams
Budo (Hallucination)
Darn That Dream
Move
Moon Dreams
Budo (Hallucinations)

Amazon.com

Birth of the Cool is the first important leader date from Miles Davis, one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer. An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool expands the original issue with previously bootlegged live recordings of Davis's nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Jazz CD.......2006-11-17

I ordered this CD as a gift. The individual receiving it is a jazz fan and liked the album.

I'd give it 6 stars if I could!!.......2006-02-15

This CD seems to have lots of reviews about Miles, the significance of the sessions, etc., so I won't repeat. Let me just say that this version (in contrast to the other version without the bonus material) is worth the price for the radio broadcasts alone! WAY COOL! I know they're supposed to be an extra bonus, but these are my favorite cuts from the CD.

Buy this CD now, or else!

Cool...Daddio.......2005-03-08

This album is awesome and was the first solo album by Miles Davis(1926-1991). In 1948, Miles left bebop pianeer Charlie Parker to form his own style of jazz and along with Gil Evans(1912-1988) formed a famous nonet featuring the legedary drummer Max Roach. The album was recorded from 1949-1950 but since the jazz audience didn't really "get" this new form in a time when Bebop ruled the jazz clubs and, more importantly, the record sales, the album wasn't released by Capital Records until 1957, after Miles' famous performance at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival and the release of his 5 classic "first great quintet" recordings(John Coltrane(1926-1967)-Tenor Sax, Red Garland-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, and "Philly" Joe Jones(1923-1985) on drums), 4 from Prestige Records-Workin', Steamin', Relaxin', and Cookin' w/ the Miles Davis Quintet, and one from Columbia, the classic 'Round About Midnight. This album is very important in the evolution of modern jazz and this version of the album is made even better with the very rare bootlegged live material from New York's Royal Roost in September, 1948. Unlike the vocal song recorded in 1962 released on the classic second great quintet album, Sorcerer(1967), the vocal on this album is actually sung very well by Kenny Hawgood, I believe, on the song "Darn that Dream." I recommend this album to newcomers and fans of Miles Davis alike, but to those who are just getting into the great world of jazz and consider this one too big a leap, may I suggest the great jazz/fusion trio of recordings(In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and Tribute to Jack Johnson) or the second great quintet(Wayne Shorter-tenor sax, Herbie Hancock-piano, Ron Carter-bass, and the late Great Tony Williams(1945-1997) on drums) or if you want the tried and true sextet classic, go straight to the 1959 jazz landmark, Kind of Blue.

Darn That Dream.......2004-12-28

I'm in total agreement with Robert Kornfeld, Jr., another reviewer of this work, who, like me has listened to this music for a "couple of decades." If it is not obvious from all of the reviews, this collection defines the genre. Selections of this album were even considered for that all time classic "Tyrants From An Other World," but were not included due to production expenses. Time sure flies when you're having fun, ay' Bob?

Great Landmark Classic in Jazz, greater w/bonus live tracks.......2004-09-07

Ahh, Birth of the Cool has just gotten a facelift. There are extra live tracks on it which gives it a great perspective and gives you insight on the 2 dimensions of the Miles Davis Nonet, live and in the studio. This is one of Miles Davis' greatest and most influential recordings and started modern jazz as we know it and was very new for that time since the only type of jazz then was swing and hard bebop. This is definately an essential Miles Davis album This gem is pretty much the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for jazz and most of it still sounds fresh today because it certainly is in most jazz reportoirs. 'Nuff said.

Average customer rating:

One great album
Mike Oldfield approaches pop but makes safe detour
Unique and impressive material!
Five stars out of Five for "Five Miles out"
The high point

Five Miles Out
Mike Oldfield
Manufacturer: Blue Plate Caroline
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000I0G
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Taurus 2
Family Man
Orabidoo
Mount Teidi
Five Miles Out

Customer Reviews:

One great album.......2007-02-04

Born in 85 i wasn't really able to enjoy this music at it's peak, howeve my mom had it on lp and it rocked the house and as i got older i thought that i just have to get this on cd and i was right the whole cd is spectacular my favorite track is of course the 25 minute Taurus II followed by Family man and of course Five Miles Out

Mike Oldfield approaches pop but makes safe detour.......2007-01-03

This is a great collection to listen to while you are working. There is more than enough "Oldfield" here to keep your ears engaged and enough flow to keep a story going. But I have to say, I probably like the first track the best "Taurus II"... Wait... "Five Miles Out" is the last track and I might like that the best (also) (grin).

Unique and impressive material!.......2005-01-24

Reading a lot of reviews about Tubular Bells being the highest score in Oldfield`s career, makes me a lot disagree. Perhaps after the also excellent and refined Tubular Bells 2, Oldfield`s material became rather modern stuff, shaped to suite todays sounds, which made his recent records a bit less adventorous than the previous ones.
FIVE MILES OUT, is my favourite album. The 25 minute Taurus II is of epic proportions. Played loud in a capable hi-fi system will leave you breathless, and leaving you think that you`ve just heard to the best pieces of music one might ever hear. Taurus II, is perhaps the reply to those who say that Mike`s efforts in improving his work over Tubular Bells has been in vain. The progressive and varying rock theme is simply stunning and unique.
Orabidoo, is also another unique material, making (together with Taurus II) FIVE MILES OUT a unique material even in Mike discography. Mount Teidi offers some refined timpani work, while pop sound is exploited in Family Man and in the title track.
This is an album which one must buy without hesitation! Simply outstanding!!

Five stars out of Five for "Five Miles out".......2003-09-21

after more sober and celtic influenced "Qe2" mike rearanged his style adding a lot of heavy guitars and hard drumming and returned with "FIve Miles out" - propably his best album from eigthies.
the opening almost half hour long "Taurus II" is a suprising continuation of QE2 main long track."Taurus II" starts with a heavy main guitar riff and eveloves suddenly into great progressive rock suite with celtic elements,disco beat and a lot of great drumming.it is one of the best Mike's moments in his whole career.
"Family man" is a ironic fast catchy pop song (Maggie Reilly on vocals) that was a big hit across the europe - later covered by Hall and Oates synth pop duet.
"Orabidoo" is another great hypnotic track with a transe drums and vocoder voice singing mysterious lyrics about flying over Katmandu.the coda with piano riff repeated by other instruments is one of the most moving and exciting melodies from his longer tracks."Orabidoo" ends with irish song sung by Maggie.
"Mount teide" is nice instrumental with lovely guitar solo.drums played by mr.Palmer from Emerson,lake and palmer band!!!
finally the title song "Five miles out".intriguing sytnh-pop hit.Maggie's sweet voice sings along with more agressive and angry Mike's singing (i always wondered why he is singing so rarely,he is a really good vocalist).title song is based on Taurus II guitar riff and features some amusing parts (Mike's growling voice - "lost in static 18...") but also very pathetic and memorable chorus.one of my favourite songs.
The album is one if his most extraordinary and interesting items from discography.Mike creates here really rich and colourfull paintings using a lot of instruments and of course his beloved electric guitar.an album which you can't leave behind!

The high point.......2003-09-11

propably mike's bet from eigties...the 25 minutes long "Taurus II" is amazing with it's heavy sound and sudden changes,"Family man" is still a rocking hit,"Orabidoo" hides an endless emtions and "Mount teide" and title track are still gems.
nothing more nothing less.a masterpiece!

Average customer rating:

The Complete Paciffic Jazz Sessions.
Gil Evans
A Stone cold classic. Thanks Blue Note!
Perfect
An absolute jazz classic

The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings
Gil Evans
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FILWDG
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

St. Louis Blues
King Porter Stomp
Willow Tree
Struttin' With Some Barbecue
Lester Leaps In
'Round Midnight
Manteca
Bird Feathers
Davenport Blues
Straight No Chaser
Ballad Of The Sad Young Men
Joy Spring
Django
Chant Of The Weed
La Nevada (Theme)

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Paciffic Jazz Sessions........2007-03-09

Gil Evans clever arrangements and Cannonball Adderly's brillant solos on the first 8 tracks is Jazz at its' best.
All in All an outstanding CD.
Peter Christensen.

Gil Evans.......2007-01-04

This CD is a fine selection by Blue Note which is supposed to be limited. It is the combination of 2 LPs "New Bottle Old Wine" & "Great Jazz Standards" with different musicians on the albums, but all great artists conducted by the master. But you must love classical jazz even with Evans stunning arrangements ... Don't expect the wildness of "Svengali"!
Another interesting CD is the Gil Evans Orchestra "Tribute To Gil" recorded in 1988 in Perugia Umbria Jazz Festival following 2 CDs recorded live by Gil in 1987 as well as "Last Session" Sting & Gil Evans Live at Perugia Jazz Festival - July 11,1987 but if they are still available ...

A Stone cold classic. Thanks Blue Note!.......2006-11-11

Great release by Blue Note, putting together these two albums on one. The first album "New Bottle, Old Wine", might be one of the greatest jazz albums of the 1950's, period. Plus this is of interest to all Cannonball Adderley fans. His playing on that album is just insane, on the same league as the great Charlie Parker, but of course, Cannonball sound is unique. You cant go wrong with Gil Evans, but this is top of the line.

Perfect.......2006-06-22

Frazier has it exactly right (except for misspelling Art Blakey's name). Just to add a few things: this set marks the beginning of the Steve Lacy - Gil Evans musical kinship (there's a remarkable dialogue between soprano sax and piano on "Django"; it has the first recording of Gil's incredible arrangement of "King Porter Stomp" that got electrified on later recordings; it showcases Elvin Jones with Gil for the first time (but certainly not the last); it has some of the most inpsired Cannonball on record; and it shows that Johnny Coles was no mere imitator of Miles. Also, for the purists: it corrects the deficiency of an earlier release of only half of the Pacific Jazz material and remedies the out-of-round pressings that marred the LP twofer release of this stuff. One tiny quibble: these studio recordings are unusually dry in ambience, but on the other hand, you'll hear the music exactly as it sounded when it was played. Finally, the CDs allow us to hear the whole huge dynamic range of Gil's orchestral thinking, from whispers to shouts. Thanks, Blue Note and Michael Cuscuna, for finally getting this one right.

An absolute jazz classic.......2006-06-20

What an amazing record -- I first discovered this music on vinyl years ago after hearing the several classic collaborations between the arranger Gil Evans and trumper Miles Davis. If you have admired the Gil Evans arrangements on the Miles recordings, you owe it to yourself to check this out. These recordings help make the case that Gil Evans was one of great jazz arrangers of all time. Big band arrangements can sometimes degenerate into all-out blastfests; Gil Evans always manages to communicate with a lot more sophistication and nuance, but on these sessions he manages to have fun as well.

Originally issued as two albums -- "New Bottle, Old Wine" and "Great Jazz Standards" -- this is a CD of Gil Evans re-arranging classic jazz standards like St. Louis Blues, King Porter Stomp, Lester Leaps In with some post-bop standards like 'Round Midnight, Joy Spring and Straight No Chaser.

The album was recorded in 1958 and 1959 with Julian "Cannonball" Adderley doing much of the alto saxophone work. The big band included classic NY session pros like Johnny Coles and Ernie Royal on trumpet, and Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Cleveland and Curtis Fuller on trombone. Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakely and Elvin Jones make appearances in the rhythm section, and Steve Lacy plays soprano sax on 4 tracks.

It's so interesting to be listening to these records nearly 50 years after they were made -- this was a "modern" take on jazz tunes that even then were considered classics. Hearing them now, it's like listening to one set of Old Masters interpreting an even more distant set of Old Old Masters. It's a CD that you can enjoy as a peek into modern jazz of the late 50's, or as a set of very interesting big band orchestrations.

High recommended if you want to learn more about this extremely talented jazz orchestrator.

The Best of Miles Davis: The Capitol/Blue Note Years

Average customer rating:

A master
Early Miles, fun hour of charting his progress...
a good introductory recording
nice, but beware....
An excellent collection of Miles davis hard-bop years

The Best of Miles Davis: The Capitol/Blue Note Years
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002V09
Release Date: 1992-02-25

Tracks:

Move
God Child
Budo
Dear Old Stockholm
Donna
Yesterdays
Tempus Fugit
Enigma
C.T.A.
Well You Needn't
It Never Entered My Mind
Weirdo
Somethin' Else
Autumn Leaves

Customer Reviews:

A master.......2003-10-25

This is one of the first discs I acquired when I decided to beef up the jazz presence in my CD collection. Miles Davis is an essential performer and the compilation presents an overview of his fine work in the 50s. The tracks are short but fascinating and moving. Get it.

Early Miles, fun hour of charting his progress..........2002-12-29

This compilation highlights the first ten years of M.D.'s long career, from "Birth of the Cool" through the classic "Somethin' Else" record which officially was led by Cannonball Adderley, but was really a Davis project. While everything on here is worth hearing, and wears well, the 1949 and '52 selections really seem shallow when compared to the 1958 complexity and beauty of "Autumn Leaves" and "Somethin' Else." If you already own that latter CD, you don't need to buy this one unless you are a Miles completist. As an overview of Davis in the 1950's, however, this is great. Consider his Columbia album "Kind of Blue", done in '59 with most of the same help as on "Somethin' Else" as the start of Miles in the '60's. I'm not even a big Miles fan, although I saw him perform in Madison Square Garden around 1970 and owned his "Live at the Blackhawk" on vinyl.You just can't own a classic jazz collection and leave him out, however. The music he created after 1970 does not interest me as much as his '50's and '60's work. If you think like me, you'll like this disc a lot.

a good introductory recording.......2002-09-18

"Yesterdays," "Well You Needn't," "It Never Entered My Mind," "Autumn Leaves"...these tracks represent Miles Davis at his best (not most outlandish, but best). I first got into Miles Davis after acquiring this CD, and I think given its price, this is a worthy introductory recording indeed. If you are a die-hard Davis aficionado and recording collector, you probably won't need this CD. But if you want to devote some space on your record shelf to good jazz music, you simply cannot pass this one up.

nice, but beware...........2000-09-24

In some ways, this lp is a misnomer, as Miles recorded so little on the Blue Note label that all of the songs he did (2 lps worth-both compilations- in the end, other than "Birth of the Cool")are the essential recordings.

Nevertheless, what Miles DID record for the label are gems. The bulk of the recordings were recorded in 2 sessions;

May 1952, featuring JJ Johnson (trombone), Jackie MacLean (alto sax), Gil Coggins (piano), Oscar Pettiford (b), Kenny Clarke (dr) (tracks 4-6 on this cd)...

April 1953: with Johnson, Jimmy Heath (tenor sax), Coggins, Percy Heath (b), and Art Blakey (dr) (tracks 7-11)

Tracks 1-3 are from the "Birth of the Cool"

Tracks 12-14 are from March 1954 with Horace Silver (piano), Percy Heath, and Art Blakey.

The songs are classics, and the playing, while great at moments, belies the terrible heroin habit that Miles and some of the other players (notably MacLean, Jimmy Heath and Blakey) were suffering from; that is why Miles' tone seems very thin at times and other times it seemed like Miles had just started playing again after long stretches of not doing so (which in fact was true).

So, take that all into consideration as you listen to these sides and get this cd. The songs are wonderful and while Miles was a junkie during this period, he could still coax a great performance out of himself, as many of these tracks show.

An excellent collection of Miles davis hard-bop years.......2000-09-08

The best of the Blue note/ Capitol years is a compilation CD of some of the prime work from miles Davis early work as a bandleader and sideman during the 1950's. This colection mostly made up of Miles playing hard bop and really swinging. Much to like here from the uptempo bop tune move to the mid tempo enigma to the almost ballad like autumn leaves. Those are my favorites but even the other cuts are excellent. So why no five stars? There is a box set of miles davis capitol blue note years which contains all of the tunes here and then some. It's a little pricey but definetely wotth it. But for those on a budget that want to get a taste of an young Miles Davis it's definetely worth it.

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