Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall (1962)

1991 Japanese Import (mono)

Miles didn't want this recorded, but Teo Maceo recorded it anyway, just for a historical artifact. After the show, Miles decided to release it anyway, so what we're stuck with is essentially a soundboard recording. So the sound isn't as good as it could have been, but Miles and the band bring it anyway. It's an interesting idea (but wasn't that always Miles' trademark) to bring his acoustic group and add some tasty support by Gil Evans and his orchestra. Coltrane had left Miles by then, and while no one could possibly replace him, Hank Mobley does a great job and adds his own voice without trying to imitate Trane. This May 19, 1961 concert was one of only two shows Davis and Evans performed together. Great stuff. I'd listen to this more often if the sound were better, but once I get past that, it's all good.

The original album liner notes feature reviews of the May 19, 1961 concert as printed in the New York Times, the New York Herald Tribune, and DownBeat magazine.

Davis - trumpet
Hank Mobley - tenor saxophone
Wynton Kelly - piano
Paul Chambers - bass
Jimmy Cobb - drums
with Gil Evans and his 21-piece orchestra

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "some of the best Miles Davis around"
• High Fidelity: "this is a compelling disc"
• Stereo Review: "The release is an important addition to the Davis discography."
• DownBeat: ★★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #59

Tracks: For me, the highlights are an uptempo So What and a swinging No Blues. Unfortunately, Someday My Prince Will Come is way too short because Miles walked off during a protest against the concert's organizers by Max Roach at the foot of the stage (read Miles' autobiography for more on that).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Purchased in the early 2000's when I thought I had finally figured out Davis enough to appreciate him.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Panthalassa: The Remixes (1999)
This Is Jazz, Vol. 8: Miles Davis Acoustic (1996)
Live Around The World (1996)
Music from Siesta (1987)
Milestones (1958)