MILES DAVIS — Birdland Days (aka The Birdland Sessions aka Miles Davis & Stan Getz : Conception) (review)

MILES DAVIS — Birdland Days (aka The Birdland Sessions aka Miles Davis & Stan Getz : Conception) album cover Boxset / Compilation · 1991 · Bop Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
dreadpirateroberts
This compilation has some pretty grand line-ups across its five nights and brings together a charging collection of hard bop from Miles' earlier period, but it does have a flaw in sound quality - which varies from set to set and is not crystal clear by any means. Most nights have that somewhat muffled sound that separates the listener from the music, though it is not on the level of cheaply recorded bootleg - it's definitely a cut above that and you'll still be able to hear all the instruments, just don't expect studio level quality and you'll be fine.

Sorting out who actually plays which dates is a bit of a headache with the liner notes my edition has, but among others, there are appearances from Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey (on all songs) and Charles Mingus and Stan Getz.

Whoever is actually playing on whichever nights, expect a couple of blistering versions of 'Move' and a great 'Half Nelson' along with a few other standouts, including the last two tracks, of which 'Out of the Blue' has Don Elliott's vibes (sometimes a little lost on stage) and a generally better sound quality all round. Earlier on the album, during the June set, the recording gear is too close to Blakey's kit and you get a too-loud kick drum, but it's a minor quibble, and almost simulates being that close in the audience.

Some good and some great hard bop here, definitely worth a look if you're a Davis collector. For the more casual listener, perhaps go for the 'At Carnegie Hall' performance first.
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