Customer Reviews

Miles Davis: Volume 1

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

 

 

This album contains two sessions: the first 9 tracks are from 1952 (during Miles's heroin addiction), while the next 6 were recorded in early 1954 (his first session after kicking heroin). The song selection is interesting because it contains embryonic versions of several tunes that Miles would record more effectively later in the decade: "Dear Old Stockholm", "Woody'n'You", "Well You Needn't", "Weirdo" (a.k.a. "Sid's Ahead"), and "It Never Entered My Mind". The '52 session is alright; J.J. Johnson's trombone playing is good throughout but Miles and altoist Jackie McLean are really erratic. The '54 session (with Horace Silver, Percy Heath and Art Blakey) is much stronger -- Miles plays strongly on trumpet and you can't argue with his choice of sidemen. It's not on the level of other recordings he made later that year (Walkin', Bags Groove, the Modern Jazz Giants) but is a welcome addition to any Miles fan's collection. Volume 1 isn't as good as Volume 2, but hardcore Miles fanatics should probably pick up both.

These were two solid sessions by Miles. They each stand up very well when compared to the sessions for Prestige done around this time frame; these have a clearer recorded sound and reasonably definitive performances (Miles sounds cool and beautiful).
The highlights here were to be revisited ("Dear Old Stockholm" a few years later on Miles' Columbia debut, and "Weirdo" here becomes "Sid's Ahead" a few years later) but there is still some nice jazz here and very nice ambience to the sessions. Horace Silver's piano on the latter session sparkles.

A lot has been written about this period of Miles' career. I picked this up as I've been reading Milestones (the definitive biography) and wanted to hear something from the infamous 1951 - 1954 years (I'm trying to listen to Miles' recordings chronologically as I read through the book).

This is a solid 4 star release when compared to Miles' later work. This release is made up of two sessions, one from 1952 and one from early 1954. Contrary to what you may have heard or assumed, this is not bad music. It isn't exactly forward-looking and Miles isn't playing up to his ability but his playing is still good, as are the other musicians who participated in these sessions.

It's very interesting to hear the incredible difference between the two sessions, in 1952, Miles was a heroin addict and by the second session, he'd kicked the habit. The 1954 session is far more lively.

If you are interested in Miles' music and tracking his career and development then this release is highly recommended, otherwise, skip it and start at Bags' Groove (recorded at the end of 1954).

I have been looking for this CD that Miles Davis
recorded at his earlier age.
I like this energetic and stimulus sounds in CD.

This cd shows the early stages of the Miles genius developing. This was when he was a struggling musician, I think. He certainly was not srtuggling with his horn. His tone signature is unmistakeable but still somewhat raw in this set. Fabulous listening.