MILES DAVIS — Porgy and Bess (review)

MILES DAVIS — Porgy and Bess album cover Album · 1958 · Third Stream Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
darkprinceofjazz
Words can not adequately describe how utterly gorgeous this Music is, Only the experience of it can justify it's reputation. Porgy and Bess, the Gershwin folk opera seen the through the prism of possibly the most important jazz musician of the 20th century Miles Davis, Though must not ever ignore the importance of Arranger Gil Evans, One wonders if Miles really deserves top billing, Evans who in my opinion is a very important figure in the development of Miles Davis the Musician and band leader, Gil Evans, who was one of the few white men that miles really let into the fold, both socially and musically I think it speaks volumes about Evan's the man, and Miles, who had every right to be weary of the white jazz establishment of the late 50's, his own ability to put aside preconceived notions for the good of the music. For me the hight point of Porgy & Bess is "Buzzard Song", the opening fan fare, the way miles comes in with the most hauntingly mournful tone, The Tuba and Bass interplay is irresistible on "Buzzard Song", Porgy is one of those albums that demand complete attention, personally I like to sit on the back deck on a brisk night, enjoying a nice cigar with the best set of cans possible, the colors of Evans arrangements just sparkle through the minds eye, Miles and his soul stirring trumpet reciting the Ira Gershwin Lyrics, No music combines the styles of orchestral classical music and the blues better than Porgy & Bess, Porgy is easily one of the first five Davis albums to get, and just might be the best Orchestral Jazz album ever devised. The CD reissue from '97 I believe, has sound right on par with the original Vinyl, In fact, that reissue is one of the few I wouldn't choose the vinyl over the CD, Porgy is one album you don't want to get interrupted having to turn the record over, I will say, It amazes me, someone could rate this anything less than the 4 stars, especially if you are coming to Miles through the electric door, I believe it to be intellectually dishonest, Just as I think critics like Stanley Crouch, are dishonest in their critique of the electric period of Miles Davis, I shutter to think what my country music loving wife's effect would be on the rating scores of Jazz Music Archives.
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