Dig

Miles Davis

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1951
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000Y02
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,446 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Another example of Prestige's policy of stretching out past the confines of the 3-minute recording, instituted with Zoot Sims in August 1951. It also spotlights three young musicians-Sonny Rollins, Jackie McLean & Walter Bishop-who grew up playing in the same Harlem neighborhood band during the first flowering of bebop. CD features 2 bonus tracks - 'My Old Flame'& ' Conception', with Jackie McLean, Walter Bishop, Tommy Potter & Art Blakey. OJC/Fantasy Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bebop, the Next Generation, May 21, 2004

By	G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This album, recorded in October 1951, features some young musicians who made their names after Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie burst on the scene. These youngsters -- trumpeter Miles Davis, tenorist Sonny Rollins, and teenage altoist Jackie McLean -- would figure prominently in 50s bebop. Drummer Art Blakey was a bit older, but would leave his mark on jazz by leading some stellar hard bop bands in the next decade.

Charlie Parker's shadow looms over this record. He was actually present at the recording. Both Davis and pianist Walter Bishop had played with Parker; McLean was, at this point in his career, a devout ornithologist; and Rollins would pick up the saxophone crown after Bird's death.

The music is nice but doesn't present anything earthshattering. (I'm waffling between 3 and 4 stars.) There are some good tunes and the musicians get to stretch out. On the other hand, the horn players are a bit sloppy and the sound sucks.

This isn't an essential recording. Few of the recordings Miles Davis made in the early 50s during his heroin addiction are classics. But if you have a substantial Davis collection this will fill in a gap. It also gives a portrait of two not-quite-fully-formed future stars (Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins) as well as jazz in transition from bebop to the 50s hard bop style. You probably won't be disappointed if you pick it up.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classy Stuff, January 12, 1999

By A Customer

You really would have to look hard to find a better line up on a jazz album. Besides Miles and Sonny, Jackie McLean (alto sax) and Art Blakey (drums) are also on this album. I am no Jazz expert, but I think this album was released early in these peoples careers, 1951. I personally don't think it is Miles or Sonny's strongest album, but it defiantly has its moments. I really like the second track "It's only a paper moon". Over all I would give it an A-.

4.0 out of 5 stars Digging the New Davis Sound, March 14, 2009

By	Mr. Richard D. Coreno "Mr. C" (Berea, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dig (Audio CD)

The album was initially released in a 10-inch format in 1951 - with Dig, It's Only a Paper Moon, Denial, Bluing, Out of the Blue - and then issued in 1956 as a 12-inch "album" with the addition of My Old Flame and Conception.

Miles has walked away from "cool jazz" and is exploring new avenues of sound with saxophonists Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., drummer Art Blakey and Charles Mingus and Tommy Potter on contrabass.

The soundscapes are works in progress - with McLean delivering the goods - and are an interesting chronicle of Miles expanding his artistry when he could have easily remained on familiar terrain.