Customer Reviews

Dig

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

 

 

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.

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.

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-.

Not essential, unless you collect Miles Davis, in which case you already own this 1951 period piece. The sound is studio quality, but distant. The musicians are young. In Miles' case, he was a heroin addict. Maybe that's why he sounds like he doesn't quite know where he's going with some of his improvs. This is pleasant stuff, not groundbreaking. Cool jazz, personified.

Davis and Rollins are the masters of the "one note stand!" Very few can create such art with such little means. This recording captures such beautiful melodies such as "It's only a paper moon" and "Blueing". Both of these are prime examples of what one note can do with the mind, hands and heart of a genius.

This album isn't bad by any means; the selection of music is nice, and everyone plays relatively well. However, its just one of those recordings that doesn't really click, and Rollins's sqeaky reed doesn't help much. I would rather have Jackie McClean playing on more of the tracks than he does; he is an outstanding alto saxist. Anyway, the album is ok, but not that great.

Dig is great with Miles and Sonny Rollins connecting on "Bluing", to the classy "It's Only A Paper Moon". This is definatly a great Miles record!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This album isn't bad by any means; the selection of music is nice, and everyone plays relatively well. However, its just one of those recordings that doesn't really click, and Rollins's sqeaky reed doesn't help much. I would rather have Jackie McClean playing on more of the tracks than he does; he is an outstanding alto saxist. Anyway, the album is ok, but not that great.