Miles Davis Porgy & Bess Jazzmp3 320h33tschon55

Original Release Date: July 22, 1958
Audio CD (March 25, 1997)
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Sony
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Take George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, add Miles Davis and arranger Gil Evans, and what do you get? A classic jazz album that--despite the fact that the material has been rendered almost overly familiar due to countless interpretations--still sounds remarkably fresh four decades after its initial release. Miles' soft yet piercing trumpet style is perfectly suited to Gershwin's melancholy melodies, Evans' musical direction of his 18-piece orchestra is impeccable, and their version of "Summertime" may well be the finest ever waxed. Davis and Evans teamed up for several recordings after this one (including the landmark Sketches of Spain), but Porgy & Bess still stands as one of their most successful collaborations. ~ Dan Epstein

The musical and social impact of Miles Davis, his collaborative efforts with Gil Evans, and in particular their reinvention of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess are indeed profound. However, the most efficient method of extricating the rhetoric and opining is to experience the recording. Few other musical teams would have had the ability to remain true to the undiluted spirit and multifaceted nuance of this epic work. However, no other musical teams were Miles Davis and Gil Evans. It was Evans' intimate knowledge of the composition as well as the performer that allowed him to so definitively capture the essence of both. The four dates needed to complete work on Porgy and Bess include contributions from several members of his most recent musical aggregate: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (alto sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Jimmy Cobb (drums). Although the focus and emphasis is squarely on Davis throughout, the contributions of the quartet on "Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus)," "I Loves You, Porgy," and "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York" are immeasurable. They provide a delicate balance in style and, under the direction of Evans, incorporate much of the same energy and intonation here as they did to their post-bop recordings. There is infinitely more happening on Porgy and Bess, however, with much of the evidence existing in the subtle significance of the hauntingly lyrical passages from Danny Banks' (alto flute) solos, which commence on "Fishermen, Strawberry and Devil Crab." Or the emotive bass and tuba duet that runs throughout "Buzzard Song." The impeccable digital remastering and subsequent CD reissue -- which likewise applies to the Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings box set -- only magnifies the refulgence of Porgy and Bess. Likewise, two previously unissued performances have been appended to the original baker's dozen. No observation or collection of American jazz can be deemed complete without this recording. ~ Lindsay Planer, AMG

Look closely to see what is being written about Miles Davis' Porgy & Bess, and see how sometimes words fail us all. You will find words like: "Must-have", "best" superb" and the like. But they simply cannot do justice to this fabulous piece of music.
This may be the best collaboration of Davis and Gil Evans. When you add the gifts that they have shown on their other work to a combination with the Brothers Gershwin, you understandibly come up with something splendid, notwithstanding the fact that Gershwin and Davis could not have been different sociologically as they could have been.

The melodies here are comfortably familiar to anyone with more than a passing knowledge of American music, because they have been done so often by such a diverse group of performers. However, the minimalist playing of Miles Davis, combined with the musical tapestry created by Evans makes this wonderful music new again.

Hearing the trumpet of Miles Davis in the familiar strains of "Summertime" would make both Louis Armstrong and even Gabriel put down their horns and say "wow".

No music collection can be considered complete without this epic. ~ EricV. Moye

Personnel:
Gil Evans (Arranger and Conductor)
Miles Davis (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Louis Mucci (Trumpet)
Ernie Royal (Trumpet)
John Coles (Trumpet)
Bernie Glow (Trumpet)
Willie Ruff (French Horn)
Julius B. Watkins (French Horn)
Gunther Schuller (French Horn)
Jimmy Cleveland (Trombone)
Joseph Bennett (Trombone)
Dick Hixon (Trombone)
Frank Rehak (Trombone)
Phil Bodner (Flute)
Romeo Penque (Flute)
John Barber (Tuba)
Julian "Cannonball' Adderley (Saxophone)
Danny Banks (Saxophone)
Paul Chambers (Double Bass)
Philly Joe Jones (Drums)
Jimmy Cobb (Drums)
Jerome Richardson (Flute)

Miles Davis - Porgy & Bess Tracks:
01 The Buzzard Song 4:12
02 Bess, You Is My Woman Now 5:15
03 Gone 3:42
04 Gone, Gone, Gone 2:06
05 Summertime 3:23
06 Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess 4:33
07 Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus) 4:44
08 Fishermen, Strawberry And Devil Corb 4:10
09 My Man's Gone Now 6:26
10 It Ain't Necessarily So 4:29
11 Here Come De Honey Man 1:26
12 I Loves You, Porgy 3:41
13 There's A Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York 3:29
14 I Loves You, Porgy (Alternate Take) 4:16
15 Gone (Alternate Take) 3:41