Customer Reviews

Bag's Groove

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

CD reissues often bulk up their content by including either session outtakes or alternate versions of the tunes that appeared on the original album. Sometimes the additions fit, and sometimes they undermine the listening experience. Back when the long-playing album first appeared on the scene, with narrow grooves that could hold lots of music played on slowly-revolving discs, music companies did the same thing. Prestige 7109 is one example of such a product.

Side B of the LP presents music from a 29 June 1954 session recorded with Sonny Rollins on tenor and Horace Silver on piano. Unlike the 10" album of this session, the 12" version tossed in a second take of Gershwin's "But Not for Me." For side A, they plucked one lengthy song (the title track) from a 24 December 1954 session that had Thelonious Monk on piano and Bags (aka vibraphonist Milt Jackson) as the other soloist. Rather than adding more music from that session to round it out, they simply doubled up on "Bags Groove" (leaving the other three tunes from that session to make up part of Quintet / Sextet).

The music itself is strong, as the other Amazon reviews attest, but I have a hard time imagining that most people would want to buy it this way. There are more unified Miles albums from the mid-50s, if you're a newcomer wanting to try it out; examples include Musings of Miles to focus on Miles himself, Quintet / Sextet if you want to hear Bags, or New Miles Davis Quintet if you want to hear the "first great quintet" Miles soon would form with John Coltrane). And for collectors who do not mind hearing the same people play the same basic tune multiple times, as well as people buying mp3s a la carte, it makes more sense to go for newer packages that group the music according to when it was played and/or who is performing. Unless you're just in it for the memories, why let the dictates of vinyl govern your digital media?!?

That being said, "Bags' Groove" is a classic, and the session as a whole is significant because Monk participated. (He and Miles reportedly clashed at this session and so far as I know did not record together again in the studio.) If you're buying in pieces, you could grab a copy of each tune from that session: Take 1 of Bags Groove here plus Bemsha Swing, Swing Spring, and Take 1 of The Man I Love from Quintet / Sextet.

The album title is a nod to vibraphonist Milt "Bags" Jackson, who appears on the album with Sonny Rollins (s), Thelonious Monk (p), Horace Silver (p), Percy Heath (b) and Kenny Clarke (d). The seven cuts - including two versions each of Bags' Groove and But Not For Me - clock in at 45:53.

Miles showcases the incredible songwriting talents of Rollins by recording Airegin, Oleo and Doxy. The two takes of the title cut are groove masters, but Rollins takes the spotlight through his work with pen & paper and the sax.

The Prestige-era for Miles has a number of intriguing hard bop sides and this album again demonstrates the fabulous compositions, musicians and studio work that defined a generation.

Best music period of Miles Davis. His improvizations were fresh and he delivered crisp notes.

"Bags' Groove" is an awesome recording. The sheer volume of jazz stars speaks for itself. Miles, Monk, Rollins, Milt Jackson, Horace Silver, Kenny Clarke, and Percy Heath. I think those names spark enough praise on their own. Anyone who's interested in jazz and in particular the bebop movement should pick this album up. Some very swinging, lyrical music. Highly recommended.

This is still not the complete Bags' Groove session. The complete Bags' Groove session, Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk etc. can be found on Thelonious Monk The Complete Prestige Recordings 3CD Box Set in 20 bit. It takes up the whole of the 3'd CD. Bags' Groove - Bemsha Swing- The Man I Love and Swing Spring- ending with 2 alternate takes. CDs 1&2 contain trio tracks as well as other combo tracks with Frank Foster & Ray Copeland - Sonny Rollins & Julius Watkins and some quartet tracks with Sonny Rollins.---- As for the CD at hand - After 2 takes of Bags Groove you get a Miles Davis with Sonny Rollins LO-FI former 10in LP from the early 1950's A far cry from Miles with Coltrane on Prestige HI-FI from the mid 1950's- WORKIN,STEAMING,RELAXIN,and COOKIN. Don't worry, Trane is constrained.