Customer Reviews

The Complete Prestige Recordings: 1951-1956

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a very, very big fan of the pre-electric Miles Davis. Not to take anything away from Satchmo, Duke, or any of the greats that peaked before this era, but in my mind the golden age of jazz is from about 1955 to 1965. There is a timelessness about the styles of this era, and the assortments of artists in this competitive mix make this a kind of Periclean age for the genre. You could paper a wall with the sleeves of jazz LP's that came out in 1958 or so, throw a dart at the wall blindfolded, and not come away with a booby prize. Still, if after a few throws you did not have something from Davis's first quintet, you might feel a bit cheated. This was not an era during which it was easy to stand out, but this box set includes recordings that are glitteringly exceptional.

On this box set are songs so indispensable that my wife had better grab the kids if the houseboat starts sinking because I don't want to live without the best versions of such songs as "My Funny Valentine", "Diane", and "Surrey with a Fringe on Top" that Davis ever made. Discs Five through Eight, which are the original Miles Davis Quintet recordings, see a developing John Coltrane. Coltrane does not yet show the freedom and emotion of his Prestige box set, nor would Davis have tolerated it, but he was already a brighter talent than many saxophonists could ever hope to be, and he works well within the structured environment of these pre-modal Davis arrangements. (By the end of their collaborations, Coltrane's forays beyond even modal improvisation and his tendency toward the chaos of free jazz made him no longer a good fit with Davis). These discs are the work of perhaps the most legendary assemblage of jazz giants that has ever existed. In my book, this group was topped only by addition of Cannonball Adderley, the frequent substitution of Bill Evans for Garland, and the improved recording technology that had occurred by the time Davis moved to Columbia records and made Kind of Blue.

The quality of sound is an issue with me on this box set. I suspect there is only so much that can be done with recordings made before the advent of stereo or, on the earlier discs, before even the existence of the LP. The sound quality is certainly adequate, but it is a distinct step down from the recent reworkings of Davis's Columbia recordings. Secondly, the first four discs do have some interesting pieces and some interesting sidemen, such as a young Sonny Rollins and even a cameo by the Bird. But if the houseboat sinks, I might trade one for the dog, or even a kid if I don't get another tie for father's day. The work is very uneven and even the best of it does not match the brilliance of the last four discs. Davis was struggling with a substance abuse problem during much of this period and it shows. These two reasons are why I give this set only four stars. I seldom listen to the first four discs, and I am contemplating trying the JVC reworkings of the original quintet recordings to see whether the sound quality makes these rather pricey single CD's worthwhile. The quintet's work is a must have, but if you must have one and only one box set, try the Columbia release of all of the work Davis and Coltrane did on that label.

This collection of Prestige recordings are as much a biographical and historical look at Davis' ups and downs as a man as that of a musician.

The listener has to be aware of Miles' life during the years of 1950-55 to better understand what they are listening to. Alas, much of this period starts and ends with his heroin habit. This habit was all consuming and certainly physically took its toll on Davis. His playing also suffers a lot of the time due to it. There are some sessions where he sounds together, and others (the gut wrenchingly sad "Round Midnight" take with Charlie Parker (a rare tenor sax appearance) right before Bird's death, where both Miles and Bird's playing sounds like they were nodding off on heroin during it) where it is close to disaster. Despite the downs, Miles WAS a professional and while his tone was at points very thin, he gave it his all.

Discs 1-3 showcase that lost period, while discs 4-8 showcase Miles on the rebound from his habits, and the slow and steady recovery of his tone, chops, and musical career with it. Not surprisingly, the tracks, grooves, and voice that we love Miles for, improves dramatically on these discs, and discs 6-8 are the finest efforts, with Miles and his 1st great quintet's "Steamin," "Workin," "Relaxin," and "Cookin" lps featured.

This collection is an amazing journey. If you are willing to take the great with the not so great, then this collection is for you. All Miles completists need this collection for its musical and historic value. At times rough and gut wrenching, and by the end glorious and astounding, but never dull, the set is a gem.

Great bop/hard bop collection. Albums such as the classics "Cookin'" "Steamin'" Relaxin'" and "Workin'" are all included. Coltrane and Philly Joe Jones really shine on these sets.

Even some harder to find albums appear on the first two disks of this set. "Bemsha Swing" from the MODERN JAZZ GIANTS album is a great Monk tune.

Highlights include the jivin' "Trane's Blues," "Aigrin," "Half Nelson," "Night In Tunisia" and "Blues By Five."

Not enough alternate takes for my total satisfaction, but none the less, essential music.

Four and 1/2 stars.

Presented in chronological order, all of Miles' sessions for the Prestige label are here. From the tentative early dates up through the classic 1956 marathon sessions that produced the incredible Cookin', Relaxin, Steamin, and Workin' albums. The set loses half of a star in my book for the so-so sound quality (compared to the more recent gold CD's from DCC and Analogue Productions of the '56 sessions). But it's a bargain at $112 for eight jam-packed discs compared to the gold discs at $25 each for about 40 minutes of music, as great as they sound.

This is a hugely important set of recordings representing the core of Miles Davis' career from the early 50's up through 1956, when he left the Prestige label and signed at Columbia Records. In this recording you can hear the essence of 50's, post-bop jazz - and many of the giants of the era, such as Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson and John Coltrane.

This recording is also a critical part of Miles' biography. During the first of these recordings, he was still addicted to heroin. His playing is sometimes tentative, and a bit muddled, but still worth hearing. Miles then kicked his habit and you can hear his playing and artistry blossom through the rest of these recordings.

Included in hear are many classic albums -- "Bag's Groove," "Cookin'", "Steamin'" and "Walkin'" -- that would see Miles really make his mark on the jazz scene in the 50's.

This was a fantastic "complete" box set when it was released on LP vinyl in the 80's; and again on CD...it then seems to have gone in and out of print. It's great to see it released in the MP3 format so it never has to go out of print. If you don't already have these recordings, it's time to get them..

Miles may not be as known for most of the tracks he did for Prestige Records as the Columbia sessions, but he's really warming up and starting to hit one of his many strides in this box set. At the time these were recorded, Miles couldn't land a record deal because he was kicking his heroin addiction, but you'd never know it here! Great sound quality throughout, and top-notch players accompany him too (Coltrane, etc). A pricey compilation, with 12x12 sized booklet, but worth every penny! Miles just keeps on doing it. An excellent boxed set!

Since this is now out of print there is an alternative. A ten cd set put out by Membran titled Just Squeeze Me. The sound is good,if a little compressed,much like the Prestige recordings. The price is approximately twenty dollars. You get no notes,just song title,time,author and total cd time. This set has ninety songs(not the sixty in the information description) from the Prestige era,selected at random,but all the favorites are here. The outer box is very sturdy cardboard and each cd is in an individual cardboard sleeve. I don't know why all the recordings aren't present,especially with a ten cd set. But the music is outstanding and isn't that what it's all about?

finding this album in mumbai for about 60$ was too good an offer to resist.there is no denying that miles davis was simply superb.a great collection of great artist.u can feel the flow of music pass from one artist to another.hats off to the makers of this box.

Many people consider Miles Davis to be THE key component in American Jazz music. Hard point to argue. Miles was instrumental in the development and expansion of what was and is jazz at every turn in his recording career. These are "straight" jazz recordings , before bop , before electric fusion , before hip-hop and funk , that Miles would later explore and develop. A beautifully assembled and remastered set , that is just one phase of all things Miles. Be forewarned , buy this and you'll need the 8 (yes 8) Columbia boxes.

I had not heard these tunes since the lp days. My interest in jazz has recently rekindled. Prestige has done a wonderful job. So much of Davis' early music is fun and accessible-even to new fans. He has selected many of the finest sidemen each with their own unique style--Milt Jackson, Thelo Monk, Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean, and John Coltrane.

I have to say that the slightly raw quality of the recordings adds abit to the excitement for me. I like the van Gelder sound. It gives an illusion that the performance is live. I virtually always prefer life performance recordings--mistakes and all.

While you lose the unique "concept" quality with the big box reissues, it certainly provides hours of entertainment on full discs illustrated with interesting comments and photographs. This is a great set.

Coltrane on these discs and his other Prestige recordings are some of my favorite.