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MILES DAVIS LIVE IN EUROPE 1956 W/ LESTER YOUNG - Anyone know or have heard this ?


jeffsjazz

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Do you have an actual label and release number for this recording?

Of course I've never heard it but this pairing must come from the "Birdland All Stars" tour across Europe in November 1956. I do remember having read about that tour in period jazz magazines not long ago, and it seems Prez had his share of "off days".
Of course today anybody's MMV ;) but on checking I found the below excerpt of what the reviewer of ORKESTER JOURNALEN (Sweden) had to say about the two shows of the opening concert of that tour on 2 November at Salle Pleyel, Paris:

"And then came Miles Davis - a focused, concentrated Miles with perfect control of his horn who played some of the most outstanding music he has so far come up with. His "Yesterdays" from the second concert was an unforgettable moment: the soft tone and the dizzyingly beautiful phrasing produced a shining texture of mature art. More outstanding jazz was presented in "Night in Tunisia" where he at both concerts filled the break with tightly packed 16th notes just to slip - after a moment's pause - into long, sweeping phrases in his nonchalant, unmistakable manner. Other highlights included the final cadences at half tempo in "Walkin'"" - lively blue bars indeed! But "Yesterdays" remained the biggest musical event of the evening ...
Lester Young turned out to be somewhat of an anticlimax after the fascinating and engaging trumpet artistry of Miles Davis. Besides, Prez was tired from his touring in France and his light, swinging solos did not produce much of the fresh, musical flow of ideas that was characteristic of the improvisations of Davis. A beautiful "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and a swinging" Lester Leaps In" were the pleasant moments of both concerts' Lester. When he joined Miles to finish the first concert with "Lady Be Good" the contrasts between both musicians became all the more evident. Lester certainly isn't finished as a creative artist, but concert stages and long, wearying tours no longer are the ideal forum for him. His routine and balanced temper for the time being are sufficient for him to assert his president status - and that Miles Davis seems to have outgrown his period of sloppy blowing is something we can be grateful for."

 

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There’s also:

- November 2, 1956

Salle Pleyel, Paris (France). RTF radio broadcast

Miles Davis (tpt); Lester Young (ts); René Urtreger (p); Pierre Michelot (b); Christian Garros (d)

Lady Be Good

Issued on Rare Live Recordings RLR 88665

 

 

- November 19, 1956

Kongresshaus, Zürich (Switzerland). Deutsche und Rätoromanische Schweiz radio broadcast

Miles Davis (tpt); Lester Young (ts); René Urtreger (p); Pierre Michelot (b); Christian Garros (d)

Four / Walkin’ / Lady Be Good 

Issued on Jazz Unlimited JUCD 2050, Storyville STA 130467 and Definitive DRCD 11294

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2 hours ago, EKE BBB said:

There’s also:

- November 2, 1956

Salle Pleyel, Paris (France). RTF radio broadcast

Miles Davis (tpt); Lester Young (ts); René Urtreger (p); Pierre Michelot (b); Christian Garros (d)

Lady Be Good

Issued on Rare Live Recordings RLR 88665

 

 

- November 19, 1956

Kongresshaus, Zürich (Switzerland). Deutsche und Rätoromanische Schweiz radio broadcast

Miles Davis (tpt); Lester Young (ts); René Urtreger (p); Pierre Michelot (b); Christian Garros (d)

Four / Walkin’ / Lady Be Good 

Issued on Jazz Unlimited JUCD 2050, Storyville STA 130467 and Definitive DRCD 11294

This latter session is on the above CD, but Pres only plays on Lady Be Good. 

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7 hours ago, John L said:

Actually, the only tracks that both Miles Davis and Lester Young play on together are How High the Moon, Lester Leaps In, and Lady Be Good.   

All of this was originally on "Miscellaneous Miles Davis 1955-1957"JUCD 2050. Sound is ok. 

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