From the Vault...

06/04/2006
#997

info
Miles Davis
"Porgy And Bess"


© Columbia/Legacy Records Year of Release: 1958
Rating:

track listing
  • Buzzard Song
  • Bess You Is
    My Woman Now
  • Gone
  • Gone Gone Gone
  • Summertime
  • Oh Bess
    Oh Where's My Bess
  • Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus)
  • Fishermen Strawberry And
    Devil Crab
  • My Man's Gone Now
  • It Ain't Necessarily So
  • Here Come De Honey Man
  • I Loves You Porgy
  • There's A Boat
    That's Leaving Soon
    For New York
  • I Loves You Porgy
    (Take 1
    Second Version)
  • Gone (Take 4)

  • WSVNRadio Archives
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M
    N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    Miles Davis related sites:
    Miles Davis Website
    Wikipedia
    Previous Review: #996
    John Fogerty--Blue Ridge Rangers
    Next Review: #998
    Thompson Twins--Into The Gap
    Miles Davis
    "Porgy And Bess"



    The debut of Miles Davis' music appears on WSVNRadio this week, with his contribution (along with the musical direction of Gil Evans), to George Gershwin's Porgy And Bess. The music of Miles Davis was first brought to my attention with his fusion rock release, Bitches Brew. Yet it would be many years before I would discover more of his music, and his beginning years are undoubtly his finest performances. Porgy And Bess from 1958, definitely captures those fine performances.


    "Buzzard Song" starts off the album, and it is truly a great Jazz composition, and perks the listener to continue listening, as per the next song, "Bess You Is My Woman Now." This song is a great blend of big band & jazz, and has a romantic atmosphere sound. Upbeat Contemporary Jazz with good scat horns and drum solos describes "Gone," as it is nothing like the title. The same can be said on "Gone Gone Gone" -- the full orchestration is in full bloom on this one, having great instrumentation all around.


    "Summertime" is probably the most popular Gershwin song from Porgy And Bess; it has been performed by many artists. Davis' version however, is a bit upbeat, compared to other slower versions (such as American Idol Season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino). Setting the romantic mood, "Oh Bess Oh Where's My Bess" shines in loving, romantic fashion. Mystery novel music (as music heard on Mickey Spillane movies/TV shows) best describes "Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus)"; Davis' horn is the superb highlight.


    "Fishermen, Strawberry And Devil Crab" is very relaxing, as it also has the romantic Jazz style, and full orchestration captures the heart and soul of this particular song. "My Man's Gone Now" is fantastic, having the Romantic Jazz style, and fits the mystery novel soundtrack. "It Ain't Necessarily So" is another great upbeat big band jazz number. "Here Come De Honey Man" is a short, slow moving jazz piece. Likewise, "I Loves You, Porgy" is slow driving, nice, relaxing jazz. The New Orleans Jazz style is heard on "There's A Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York."


    Two bonus tracks are at the end of the CD version: Take 1, Second Verion of "I Loves You, Porgy" continues just as the original, nice and relaxing. Take 4 of "Gone" continues the great orchestration upbeat Jazz jam.


    Porgy And Bess is truly a Jazz Masterpiece, as the liner notes indicate. Excellent Jazz at it's finest, you can visualize the full orchestra performing each track. Miles Davis was a true genius to the music of Jazz. With many great albums to his credit, Porgy And Bess is an album of Jazz greatness, and makes the newly discovered Miles Davis listener want to hear more. George Gershwin's music is also outstanding to discover also, and Miles Davis and Gil Evans tribute to Gershwin's Porgy And Bess will have the Jazz fan/Miles Davis fan agree, that this is a masterpiece in its own right.


    Porgy And Bess -- A True Jazz Masterpice -- Definitely. Finally, Miles Davis has arrived to WSVNRadio.





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    Previous Review: #996
    John Fogerty--Blue Ridge Rangers
    Next Review: #998
    Thompson Twins--Into The Gap