Bags Groove [Import]

Percy Heath, Miles Davis, The Modern Jazz Quartet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000YDT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,644 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Bags' Groove [Take 1]

2. Bags' Groove [Take 2]

3. Airegin

4. Oleo

5. But Not for Me [Take 2]

6. Doxy

7. But Not for Me [Take 1]

Editorial Reviews

The title track of Bags Groove comes from December 24, 1954, the classic date that matched together trumpeter Miles Davis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist Thelonious Monk, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. Davis and Monk actually did not get along all that well and the trumpeter did not want Monk playing behind his solos, but a great deal of brilliant music occurred on the day of their encounter. There are two very different versions apiece of Bags' Groove, and Monk's solo on the first take was one of his best. The rest of the album is taken from a session the previous June that included Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver doing Rollins' own Airegin as well as Oleo and But Not for Me. Timeless music that defies easy classification, this set belongs in every jazz collection. 7 tracks. From the OJC/ Prestige label.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Miles most swinging sessions, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bags Groove (Audio CD)

This piece of music is some of Miles Davis best, being recorded christmas eve 1954, at a time where Miles had just ridden himself of his longlasting drug habit, he entered the studio in company with Milt Jackson and his rhythm section at the time: Kenny Clarke, Percy Heath and for this special occasion, Thelonius Monk. The original recording named Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants contained all the recordings from this incredible session, that is the two takes of Bags Groove plus The Man I Love, Swing Spring and Bemsha Swing. The cd release split the two Bags groove takes and the rest, and made two albums out of it: Bags Groove and the other named Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz giants. Both records are a real treat, but Bags Groove is in my mind Miles entering the higher realms of Jazz music, his solos herein are so beatifully constructed, and the groups team effort ranks among one of Jazz finest moments, it's incredible swingin' and contagious, yet tenderly so. The rest of the tracks on this album although from another session earlier that same year, are great too. Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver makes fine performances here, sheer joy.

Few records are worth buying for the sake of one or two tracks, and although this is NOT the case here, I still would have gotten the record just for the sake of the title track - it truly shines.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic, September 23, 2000

By 

Sean M. Kelly (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bags Groove (Audio CD)

This had to have been a most bizarre session, what with Miles telling Monk to lay out during his solos and all..

BUT Miles was a man with something to prove at this point..he had more or less kicked his heroin habit and was on the road to full musical recovery, as well, when these sessions went down ( 29 June and Christmas Eve 1954).

The tracks are wonderful, with Milt Jackson's famous "Bag's Groove" leading the way. (reocrded X-Mas eve) With the exception of Monk playing in John Lewis' place, this is Miles recording with the original Modern Jazz Quartet (Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke bass and drums, as well as vibraphonist Jackson)- which could also explain why Miles wanted Monk to lay out... The rhythm section is solid, and Miles' playing great, if not inspired. Jackson's vibes hold the piece together nicely. Alas, other takes from that session, including Monk's "Bemsha swing," "Swing Spring," and "The Man I Love," were not included on this cd...

Sonny Rollins' "Oleo" is another highlight (recorded 29 June with Rollins on tenor, Horace Silver on piano, with Heath and Clarke) and shows both Sonny and Miles in great form. Rollins was THE rising tenor star, and this track, as well as "Airegin," "But Not For Me," and "Doxy," prove full well; a year later, Miles would want Rollins to be in his 1st quintet, but Rollins, like many others in that era, had a heroin problem and would retreat( not for the last time) to clean up and "woodshed"... Rollins suggested an unknown named John Coltrane for Miles' group......

The cd is not as critical to have as others, but it is a great time period cd, showing Miles' growth from just a few months earlier, when he was on heroin. His playing is weak at moments, but vastly stronger, as was Miles' will and creativity. He wouldn't have to wait long before he would express his ideas to the world with his 1st great quintet

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All-star lineup produces classic, September 10, 2004

By 

continentalpong (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bags Groove (Audio CD)

Unlike other reviewers on here, I consider this album to be a must-have for anybody's jazz collection. I have always given out Miles' "Kind of Blue" as a jazz primer to any jazz virgins wanting to get into the genre. Bags is another way to ease into jazz discovery. However, "Bags Groove" is an essential album for both the experienced and novice jazz fan alike. Milt Jackson's bopping, almost loungy vibes take us on a relaxing ride back and forth through the spaces while Miles' airy crooning is a perfect compliment. Monk almost feels out of place because when his piano speaks, it almost demands that you listen. This is why Miles asked Monk to lay out, to be sure. As an aside, the story of Monk and Miles almost coming to blows has been pretty much debunked by both sides. Monk wouldn't have been aggressive in a million years, while Miles said it best in his autobiography (paraphrasing): Miles was a scrawny thing while Monk was well over 6' and was an imposing specimen. Miles would have lost the fight before it began.

And for the earlier dolt reviewer who claims "Monk was never that good at his instrument (nor was Miles)," maybe you better tell that to the people at Julliard, where both of them studied. One doesn't just get into Julliard because their daddy's a senator. Another example is of Monk having another musician over to his house one day in the mid-50's. Monk opened his piano and began doing a dead-on Bud Powell impression, whose style obviously would NEVER be confused with Monk's. After a brief example of Bud's style, Monk closed the piano, turned to his houseguest and put his finger to his lips as if to say "don't tell anybody".