MILES DAVIS
'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT
Miles Davis-Trumpet, John Coltrane-Tenor Saxophone, Red
Garland-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, Philly Joe
Jonnes-Drums.
Recored New York 1955-6
Columbia/Legacy CK85201
Miles 75th Anniversary
Edition
Crotchet
£8. 99
1. Round Midnight
2. Ah-Leu-Cha
3. All Of You
4. Bye Bye Blackbird
5. Tadd's Delight
6. Dear Old Stockholm
*7. Two Bass Hit
*8. Melonae
*9. Budo
*10. Sweet Sue, Just You
* Bonus Tracks |
 |
These recordings illustrate the music of one of Miles Davis' classic quintets
and mark John Coltrane's first tenure with the band. The material is
an interesting mixture of modern jazz tunes and standards with the exception
of "Dear Old Stockholm" which is a traditional tune perhaps more famously
associated with Stan Getz. This album also marks the debut of Miles
Davis for Columbia Records - a partnership which lasted for the rest of Davis'
life.
The playing of Davis is assured throughouy these recordings. He plays
muted on many tracks and the characteristic pauses and laying back on phrases
are beginning to become more obvious in his performances. He rarely
feels the need to use a multi-noted "bop" style. The title track is
the epitomy of his style at this time -tight-muted, brooding lines complete
with the odd split note but still a masterpiece of melodic economy. On
"Ah-Leu-Cha", written by Charlie Parker, he sounds much more in
control than when he recorded it with the composer. This track features
some interesting contrapuntal lines between the trumpet and the saxophone.
John Coltrane's style of playing was, at this time , very much
in a state of flux. There still many "bop" nuances in the manner of
Mobley, Rollins and Stitt-particularly in his rhythmic patterns. At
other points the beginnings of the "sheets of sound" conceptcan be
heard. After this sojourn with Davis, Coltrane spent the best part
of a year playing every night with Thelonious Monk at the Five
Spot. Subsequently his multi-noted style was much more in evidence and
had achieved greater maturity. Red Garland was simply one of the best
pianists around at this time-both as a solist and as an accompanist. His
contributions here are always apt and stimulating. Chambers and Jones
were as good a bass and drums combination as any available and here interact
to perfection. Philly Joe, in particular, always seemed to
have the ability to drive a band without over-emphasising his role.
The choice of the standards "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Sweet Sue"are almost
worthy, in their obliqueness of selection, of Sonny Rollins. They
are not at all what one would expect from this group at this time. "Sweet
Sue"was recorded for an album by Leonard Bernstein which illustrated an Omnibus
television program explaining the various styles of jazz. It would be
difficult to recognise the tune without prior knowledge, as it is a
complete re-vamp. This album represents essential listening for any
Davis or Coltrane enthusiast or indeed anyone interested in the music of
this era.
Dick Stafford.
D. S. is a professional reed player and teacher living
in Coventry.
CD Reviews
