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From the Vault...
06/04/2006
#997 |
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info
Miles Davis
"Porgy And Bess"
© Columbia/Legacy Records
Year of Release: 1958
Rating:
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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)
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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.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Columbia/Legacy Records
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