jeffsjazz Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 I am quite enticed by this pairing. I would like to know if anyone has heard these concerts in some form? I really would like to know about the sound quality? Bad recordings really put me off. Thanks Jazz fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Beat Steve Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 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." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Beat Steve Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 If I have a moment tomorrow I might add the translation of the relevant portions of the review of the Stockholm concert of that tour that apeared in OJ the month after. For the moment, suffice it to cite the subheadings of the review: "Miles' horn out of tune" "Tired Lester" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillF Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 I recall the late Chris Albertson writing on this forum that he's been on stage with both Miles and Prez at the same time. Was this the occasion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambrasa Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 Sound quality is quite good for this vintage, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 1 hour ago, sambrasa said: Sound quality is quite good for this vintage, I think. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKE BBB Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted October 9, 2020 Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted October 9, 2020 Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 How High The Moon from 11/12/56 appears on disc 12 of this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted October 9, 2020 Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffsjazz Posted October 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 Thank you all for the input,I appreciate it ! I have since found some of these tracks on You tube,sound quality varies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bichos Posted October 10, 2020 Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 i think, this one has the best Sound Quality! Keep boppin´ marcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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