Miles Davis - In Person at the Blackhawk, San Francisco (Complete)

Tanager · June-4th-2003, 04:21 PM

Just got it in the mail from CDUniverse. Spinning disk 1. Loving it. Really loving it.

Fred K · June-4th-2003, 05:13 PM

There seems to be a 4-CD set and a 2-CD set.

Is the 4-CD essential, or can I get by with the 2-CD set?

Tanager · June-4th-2003, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred K
There seems to be a 4-CD set and a 2-CD set.

Is the 4-CD essential, or can I get by with the 2-CD set?

The 4-cd set is simply both of the two 2-CD sets packaged together - each of those covers an entire night - one is Friday, one is Saturday. So going with just one or the other of the 2CD releases isn't really an "excerpt" of the box, as each stands alone in and of itself.

Fred K · June-4th-2003, 05:51 PM

Oh well. I have too many Miles sets and was hoping I pass up this one. I looks like I'll spring for the box.

Tanager · June-4th-2003, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred K
Oh well. I have too many Miles sets

There's such a thing?

BFrank · June-5th-2003, 01:53 AM

Just ordered mine from Amazon.

$35.99 - NO shipping, NO tax.

June-5th-2003, 08:24 AM

I have REALLY been enjoying this one. The sonic improvement is a revelation. You almost feel like you are there.

Damn, that rhythm section just swings its ass off! Wynton Kelly may be the real star of both shows. Essential Wynton!

john williams · June-5th-2003, 09:40 PM

I will have to get this!

Cool cover too.

BFrank · June-6th-2003, 01:31 AM

That's the original cover......AND, that's his wife, Frances.

willy · June-8th-2003, 06:01 PM

Waiting patiently for the Mosaic LP set coming out soon.

Tanager · June-8th-2003, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John L
Damn, that rhythm section just swings its ass off! Wynton Kelly may be the real star of both shows. Essential Wynton!

A few things that have struck me as I've worked my through these sets:

1) Yes, the rhythm section just smokes.

2) Jimmy Cobb deserves more props - he swings the whole room to and fro. It's really great to hear him play with such abandon (in a comparative sense). This is a much more muscular Jimmy Cobb than his studio work would have made me expect.

3) I've always heard that Miles was unhappy with Mobley's playing for being too inside/in the pocket/whatever, but he's a great match here for this band.

Salvador Dali Lama · June-9th-2003, 07:55 AM

That cover is great! Frances looks scared to death.... and she probably was.

To the moon alice!

mke · June-9th-2003, 08:34 AM

She looks scared on the cover of ESP, too.

BFrank · June-9th-2003, 02:41 PM

I think Frances said in that recent bio on TV that the ESP cover was taken just a few days before they split up.

Stuckinagroove · June-9th-2003, 11:31 PM

enough about how the rhythm section sounds, how does Miles sound?

BFrank · June-9th-2003, 11:51 PM

Just got mine today. FAST free shipping from Amazon! They try to get to to pay for express shipping, but I ordered this on Thursday and got it today. I wouldn't WANT it much faster.

Sounds great so far, too!

Early highlight is "Neo" from the Friday Night set. Dynamite combo work and a wicked vamp. Check it out!

Tanager · June-10th-2003, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stuckinagroove
enough about how the rhythm section sounds, how does Miles sound?

Outstanding - aggressive and out front.

June-10th-2003, 08:57 AM

Yes, Miles' playing is very strong throughout. In terms of pure trumpet playing alone, the early 60s are probably my favorite period for Miles.

Darryl G. Thomas · June-22nd-2003, 05:20 PM

There was a time in my life where I probably listened to some Miles once a day, either a CD, LP, or a car tape.

To be honest, this wasn't one of my favorite Miles bands, mainly because of Mobley. He's a homeboy from Philly, but when I think of the saxophonists who preceded and followed him, well...

I needed the contrasts to Miles that 'Trane, Rollins, Coleman, Shorter, and even Sam Rivers offered. Mobley just sounded too "lite".

Saying all that, I really enjoyed this set. i spent all day yesterday listening to it. Miles is Miles, that's all I can say fo that. Mobley sounded better than I remembered (I haven't listen to this set in over a decade). I adore Wynton Kelly, He's always been a favorite of mine.

This was sort of a transition band for Miles, in personnel as well as repertoire which may have played a part in my previous "lack of respect". I can't help thinking of bands from the past and what was to come.

Stuckinagroove · June-24th-2003, 04:38 PM

Is there any difference between the complete, and the volumes 1 and 2 seperately? It look like it's cheaper to buy them seperately for some reason....

mke · June-24th-2003, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stuckinagroove
Is there any difference between the complete, and the volumes 1 and 2 seperately? It look like it's cheaper to buy them seperately for some reason....

That question was answered at the beginning of the thread.

john williams · June-26th-2003, 10:33 PM

Just arrived in the post today - yippee! Boy am I going to have a good weekend. I have never heard any version of this quintet, so it is a new experince for me and fills in a gaping hole in my Miles collection.

June-26th-2003, 11:10 PM

Miles' playing is wonderful on these nights, and the sound quality
is much better than the earlier releases of this.

If you know someone who hasn't experienced live jazz or has no way to see top players, then these live Miles' sets are the way to go. This one isn't as great or as revelatory as The Plugged Nickel box, but this one is far cheaper (obviously) and it's certainly a wonderful thing to listen to.

clinthopson · August-26th-2003, 11:48 AM

Columbia has finally gotten around to releasing the entire 1961 Friday and Saturday sets of Miles, Hank Mobley, Whnton Kelly (the good Wynton), Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb.

Run, don't walk, out and get this set. IMHO this is the best reissue set in many years, in fact maybe the best of any issue since Bill Evan's Village Vanguard "Turn Out the Stars."

I received the set last Friday and have played it about three times so far.

I'm afraid I can't find the superlatives that do justice to the set.

Miles is at the top of his game. Every Hank Mobley solo is brilliant. And what can you say about the rhythm section? It just was one of the best ever.

GO GET IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanager · August-26th-2003, 12:09 PM

I like, but do not love, Mobley. Having said that, Miles is in top shape and in a pretty aggressive mood on these sets, and he sounds great. But the highlight for me is the rhythm section. The way they enter the fray on the first cut of disk 1 ("Oleo") gets my pulse going every time. Cobb and Kelly are tight and swinging hard on this one. Definitely a great set. I ordered mine as soon as it came out and have been loving it ever since.

BFrank · August-26th-2003, 10:03 PM

Thumbs up from me, too.

There are a couple of GREAT versions of "Neo" here, as well.
Right now listening to "So What" on disk 3. It's got to be one of the coolest versions out there. It just cooks for all of 12 minutes and 14 seconds!

There's a LOT of listening to be had in this set. Definitely a worthwhile release from Sony.

Good going!

Tanager · August-27th-2003, 08:35 AM

I had started a thread on this earlier here.

Tanager · August-27th-2003, 08:35 AM

Up.

shrugs · August-27th-2003, 04:34 PM

I say wait for the lp set that is due to ship in a week or so.

BFrank · August-29th-2003, 02:07 AM

This thing just gets better and better.
I think disk 3 my favorite right now, but DAMN, these guys were cooking on both nights.

It's got a great "club" sound, too, which adds a lot to the energy.