Miles Davis All-Stars Featuring John Coltrane – Broadcast Sessions – 1958-59 – Acrobat Music AMACD004, 70:16 ***1/2:
(Miles Davis, trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor sax; Bill Evans, Red Garland, and Wynton Kelly, piano; Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, alto sax; Paul Chambers, bass; Philly Joe Jones and Jimmy Cobb, drums – with special guests, Nat Adderley, Bennie Green, Gerry Mulligan, Barry Miles, and Candido)
It is not often that “radio air shots” get a commercial release, as often the recording quality and musicianship are only fair. However, there are times in which the artists are so well known that the curiosity factor kicks in. Such is the case with Acrobat Music’s current releases of radio broadcasts from the likes of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck with Paul Desmond, Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, Rosemary Clooney and Benny Goodman.
The Miles with Coltrane issue features performances from four venues: Café Bohemia and Birdland in New York; The Mosque Theatre in Newark; and lastly, The Spotlite Lounge in Washington, DC. All but the Newark gig featured either Miles’ quintet or sextet, with Cannonball Adderley added to the mix. Track 8 – “What is This Thing Called Love”- is of special interest as it features an all-star addition of Nat Adderley, Bennie Green, Gerry Mulligan, and Candido. The CD’s title is a misnomer as the Miles Davis All-Stars on all the other tracks were Miles’ group of that time period.
Now as to the music – the song titles shown below are Miles Davis staples of the day and feature no surprises nor wild arrangements. The radio announcers intros are a mix of hyperbole, (…” The controversial Miles Davis, you’ll either love him or not; we feel that after tonight you’ll love him”) and adoration. Recording quality is only adequate for radio broadcasts, especially as to the miking for Miles. The bass and drums are far back in the mix. After all, Miles was the star and Coltrane was just beginning to make a name for himself as a leader, and had not yet begun his “sheets of sound” adventures.
Bye Bye Blackbird is a highlight for Davis’ muted horn. Coltrane gets an extended solo on Walkin’ and you can sense the beginning of the searching quality of what was to come. Blackbird gets another reading in DC in 1958 and you’ll notice Cobb’s drums and Garland’s piano get greater clarity as Miles this time is more to the rear.
What is This Thing Called Love, penned by Cole Porter and recorded at Art Ford’s Jazz Party in Newark, has the most potential interest here with Candido and Chris Nirobe on congas adding spice and Mulligan and Green filling out the group. Unfortunately, Garland’s piano is poorly recorded and the liner notes leave out who was playing bass and guitar. Mulligan and Green have little to say. Candido, though, steals honors and at present age 87, is still going strong, the last survivor of this truly all-star aggregation. The closing two tracks from Birdland have by far the best sound mix and approach a more professional live recording.
I’d have to say that this CD’s appeal would be to air-shot fans and Davis completists only.
TrackList: Four, Bye Bye Blackbird, Walkin’, Two Bass Hit, Sids Ahead, Blackbird #2, Straight No Chaser, What is This Thing Called Love, Bag’s Groove, All of You.
-Jeff Krow
