Customer Reviews

Ballads and Blues

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'Ballads And Blues' is nine cuts from 1950,'52,'53,'54, and '58. This is not bop, rather it shows, in the early '50s tunes, Miles in the process revolutionizing jazz by laying the groundwork for what would become known as Hard Bop. This is modal Miles. His cast of players range from Max Roach (1 track only), Art Blakely, Cannonball Adderley, bassist Percy Heath, trombonist J.J. Johnson.....among others. No Coltrane, though. Nevertheless, it is a nice mellow album with solid, dreamy songs. I especially dig "Weirdo" and "Moon Dreams."

Ballads and Blues may not be considered one of Miles's masterpieces, although it is one of my favorite in my Miles Davis collection. This is a great album for folks that are new to Jazz and kind of acts as a Bridge to other great Miles Davis albums like Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, and of course Porgy and Bess.

The music on this album has a hypnotic subtlty to it that helps me unwind after a rough day at the office, or helps make an unpleasant drive, a little less so. If you are new to Jazz and are looking to add a few discs to your collection, you will certainly get your money's worth with this one because it is worth listening to many times. Other Miles Albums I would Reccomend to first time or new Jazz Buyers are in this Order: Kind of Blue, Porgy and Bess, E.S.P., Miles Smiles, Sketches of Spain and the Birth of the Cool. (People may argue about which of those are the best, but they are all great.) Ken Burns also put out a compilation Miles Davis CD, and other artists as well, that feature essential Miles recordings from his excellent Jazz Mini-Series.

Again, while this album may not be considered one of Miles' great masterpieces, I play it more than I do some of his masterpeices. I hope this review helped you.

When you listen Davis playing the first bars of any random work, you are immediatly transported to another level. That kind touch comes from the soul, the spirit and then his fingers work out according this premise. In Davis you will never listen a wrong note; he owned a internal mood that overpassed every possible adjective.

And consider the presence itself elevated automatically the artistic height of every one of his musical partners; Ron Carter, Bill Evans and so many musicians acquired a new dimension becoming true poets in the real meaning of the word; poetry comes from poyesis that in greek signifies creator.

This a superior CD and a reference album in your treasured collection. Don't miss it under no pretext.

Ballads and Blues is a classic collection of some of Davis's finest modal pieces and haunting ballads. There is no unreleased material on this compilation, but that should not deter the potential listener from purchasing this set. Even an owner of much Miles can appreciate this album, as the sampling is wide enough that the compilation does not function as a near facsimile of any previous release. Highlights from this collection include Miles's reworking of Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays," and "Autumn Leaves," originally released on Cannonball Adderly's Something Else; it must be said that in regard to the latter, a jazz group has rarely ever been so tight.

Those who like Davis's cooler, bluesy/modal material will appreciate this. A precursor to "Kind Of Blue," although not nearly as daring and original. Recommended, but not essential.

I really dig this Recording.it lead to even Greater works by Miles.Moon Dreams is a Great song but Autumn Leaves has always been Cystal to my Ears.not to Mention having JJ Johnson on this set.I have always dug his Trombone Playing.Miles just shows that he can Play so-Many different styles.

Other than 1958's "One For Daddy-O" (featuring Cannonball Adderley on alto, Hank Jones, piano; Sam Jones, bass; Art Blakey, drums), the rest of these tracks are all from Blue Note sessions and can be had on any of the Capitol/Blue Note compilation cds that are available.

This cd is for completists only.

Sean from Tucson is wrong about the Blue Note items. although I have earlier compilations, the 3 recorded in Hackensack NJ are clearer, more compelling than the earlier editions. Just listen to "It never entered my mind", and you will hear Miles as persuasive, as profound as you have heard.

My husband has been getting into jazz so I got this for him for his fortieth birthday. He LOVE it!!

Not on lists of great albums by Miles but, if you desire smoooth jazz while working, or a romantic dinner, a tryst in bed, or just nice background music, then you should buy this album because you will play it again and again. These are nine, cool ballads with a touch of blues from 1950, '52, '53, '54, and '58. However, they have are not dated nor have they lost their appeal. More like a good wine that improves with age.

Sidemen on different tracks include Cannonball Adderly, Percy Heath on bass, J.J. Johnson on trombone, Max Roach on drums, Art Blakely and others. Don't be mislead by critics or fans who like Miles in his bop or progressive jazz eras. This is a truly enjoyable album which does not lose appeal with replay.