Jazz 'Round Midnight

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Issued in a series devoted to jazz at its most romantic, this CD is compiled from several sessions either recorded in Paris in 1955, emphasizing Chet Baker's trumpet with trio accompaniments, or New York in 1965, emphasizing his voice in settings from nonet to duet. He's in good form for all of it, one of jazz's essential ballad artists defining a fine edge between cool detachment and wistful sensitivity. His trumpet is particularly inventive on the relaxed tempo of the extended "Exitus" and simply brilliant on the brief, finely etched "Alone Together." His voice may have been in the best shape of his career in 1965, and the nonet of reeds and rhythm frames it beautifully on "Easy Living" and "Trav'lin' Light." "Sweet Sue," revealing new depths with Baker's surprising ballad treatment, and "You're Mine, You!" are gorgeously spare with just Kenny Burrell's guitar, while a young Bob James adds limpid piano to "The Touch of Your Lips." --Stuart Broomer

Jazz 'Round Midnight, Music, Chet Baker, Cool, Jazz, Jazz Music, Pop, Vocal Jazz, West Coast Jazz

'Round About Midnight
Average customer rating:

awesome quintet...legendary recording..

jazz and why it's hot

It's Miles at his best.....

A Miles Davis Masterpiece (Review Based On Original Tracks Only)

The Beginning and the End

'Round About Midnight
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00005B58W
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

'Round Midnight
Ah-Leu-Cha
All Of You
Bye Bye Blackbird
Tadd's Delight
Dear Old Stockholm
Two Bass Hit
Little Melonae
Budo
Sweet Sue, Just You

Amazon.com

In 1955, Miles Davis signed on with jazz powerhouse Columbia Records. With alto and tenor saxophonists Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane, drummer Philly Joe Jones, bassist Paul Chambers, and pianist Red Garland, Davis released 'Round About Midnight, which evinces even more clearly what a phenomenal unit Davis was nurturing. Stylistically, Midnight encompasses standards (or soon-to-be standards) such as "Dear Old Stockholm," "Bye-Bye Blackbird," Tadd Dameron's "Tadd's Delight," and Jackie McLean's forward-thinking composition "Little Melonae." Miles and company reprise "Budo" from the historic Birth of the Cool sessions. The standout track is Davis's Harmon-muted reading of Thelonious Monk's ballad, "'Round Midnight, which is still a Miles standard bearer. Three alternate takes round out the session: "Two Bass Hit" and "Sweet Sue" feature adventuresome solos by Coltrane that preview his masterpiece "Giant Steps." And Garland moves away from his Ahmad Jamal pianisms with his introspective ivory ticklings. If you want to hear the origins of post-bop modern jazz, this is it. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Album Description

Part of the 'Master Sound Jazz Series'. Japanese reissue of the classic Columbia album originally released in 1955. DSD mastering. Packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. 10 tracks. 2000 release.

Album Details

Dsd Digitally Remastered. Includes Four Tracks Not on the Original Recording.

Customer Reviews:

awesome quintet...legendary recording.........2007-06-20

Miles Davis first recording with Columbia Records. Miles, trumpet, John Coltrane, tenor saxophone, Philly Joe Jones, drums, Red Garland, piano, and Paul Chambers, bass. If there was a jazz Hall of Fame(why isn't there one?) they all would be in it. From that first note of 'Round About Midnight(a Thelonius Monk composition) this album just blows you away. Add this to your jazz collection and you'll find yourself listening to it over and over. A masterpiece. If DaVinci played jazz, it would sound something like this. I put this one along with Porgy and Bess and Kind of Blue as the essential Miles.

jazz and why it's hot.......2007-03-10

This 'Round about Midnight, is not as good as some of the jazz I've heard. It sounds like Miles just got out of a treatment center and he simply asked John Coltrane to help him up.I think jazz should be free flowing improvised and jazz man, you know. Example, John Coltrane's: Love Supreme.

It's Miles at his best............2007-01-10

What can I say...It's Miles at his best.A must have for any jazz lover.

A Miles Davis Masterpiece (Review Based On Original Tracks Only).......2006-08-06

There are great Miles Davis records (Milestones, E.S.P, Sketches of Spain), and then there are unforgettable ones. Along with Kind of Blue, 'Round About Midnight falls into the "unforgettable" category. Why? First and foremost, the title track, while very good performed by Monk, is found in its definitive version on this record. Miles' brooding muted trumpet sets the melody. Suddenly, the track explodes in a burst of energy and Trane completely steals the spotlight with ione of those solos that make him the best saxophonist in history. After that, it's back to the unforgettable melody. Ah-Leu-Cha picks the pace up severely, some very interesting chord progressions on that one. A fine reading of one of Bird's best. Things slow down again with the ballad All of You, again Miles plays the melody expressively, and Trane solos furiously during his spots. Standard Bye Bye Blackbird comes next, and I can say without a shred of doubt in my mind it's the best song on the album. If you can't tell it's a classic by the opening piano solo, you're beyond all help I can give you (which, to be fair, isn't much). Tadd's Delight is the closest this album comes to a weak song, and even then it has a nice melody. Dear Old Stockholm closes things out, and though normally I'm not a fan of Stan Getz, I love the group's reading of this tune (particularly that harmony part... it will stay in your head forever!) The CD reissue comes with four bonus tracks (Two Bass Hit, Little Melonae, Budo and Sweet Sue Just You), which range from brilliant (Little Melonae) to average (Sweet Sue).
One last thing I'd like to comment on is the album's remaster. Up until a few days ago, I had only heard this album on a scratchy old vinyl. And while normally I don't really notice sound quality (except if it's painfully obvious), the remastering job for 'Round About Midnight is excellent.

The Beginning and the End.......2006-07-16

Miles' debut album for Columbia Records - and the last LP by his original quintet - is very much in the same vein as the trumpeter's final Prestige sessions, which were in fact recorded almost simultaneously. There's nothing really new here - even the title track had already appeared on a Prestige LP in a nearly identical version - but the Maestro and his sidemen (John Coltrane on tenor sax, Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums) play with verve and conviction, stamping their collective personality on the last all-covers program in Davis' catalogue. While subsequent releases such as MILESTONES and KIND OF BLUE are undoubtedly superior on all levels, 'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT still deserves a place on any Miles Davis fan's shelf - even if the only thing distinguishing it from its predecessors is the record label.

Average customer rating:

An Artist For All Time
The Best CD By One Jazz's Greatest Musicians
No Nosense JazzGuitar
This is the meaning of "COOL"!
This is one of the very best Burrel recordings.

'Round Midnight
Kenny Burrell
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000009NWJ
Release Date: 1998-08-18

Tracks:

A Streetcar Named Desire
Make Someone Happy
'Round Midnight
I Think It's Going To Rain Today
Since I Fell For You
I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
Blues In The Night

Customer Reviews:

An Artist For All Time.......2006-08-04

Kenny Burrell never had the same recognition as Wes Montgomery. But this often happens with a great musician who stays true to their music and refuses to go commercial.

With selections like "A Streetcar Named Desire", "Make Someone Happy", "I Think It's Going To Rain Today", "Since I Fell For You", "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life", "Blues In The Night", and Joe Sample joining in on "Round Midnight" nothing could be more sublime!

Even today as Kenny performs, his music is as brilliant as ever. As of this writing, Kenny is still going strong performing his great and soulful songs. A must-have cd for any Kenny Burrell fan.

The Best CD By One Jazz's Greatest Musicians.......2003-08-24

I couldn't agree more with the other reviews written here. This is probably Kenny's best all-around recording. Every note is perfect and the mood and vibe he creates lasts from his very first statement all the way until the last note is played. Over the last twenty-five years I have listened to this recording more than any other I have ever owned. Usually over and over without stop. It really is that good. For some reason I cannot fathom it only gets a moderate review in The All Music Guide and that is a shame because that review probably has caused this recording to become somewhat overlooked. Kenny has other great records and recordings like Midnight Blue, Guitar Forms, Ellington Is Forever and the album he did with John Coltrane are classics but even they can't top this one. This is a must have recording!!! Even for those who are not hardcore jazz fans because the music on this recording is so good it can easily transcend genres.

No Nosense JazzGuitar.......2002-11-29

This is jazzguitarplaying when it is at it s best,,,there is no flashy arrangements just 4 muscicians playing from deep within creating beautiful music. Burrell has the blues feeling and deep rhythm combined with harmonic sophistication and the ability to set a mood with his lyricism... this is very evident in tunes like "Make Someone Happy" and " Since I fell for you"
Fellow jazzguitarist Tal Farlow said on Burrell " I can spot his playing anywhere.His chord conception is wonderful and you are always aware of the harmonic movement in his work. That is particulary evident in his single line string solos..he is just one of the greats"
So much for Farlow...I think that this recording is one of the very best Burrell done..it almost reaches his masterpiece "God Bless teh Child" from the year before.
One little interesting thing is that the Randy Newman song "I Think it is going to rain today" was recorded by Larry Goldings and Peter Bernstein 30 years later and appears on Goldings "MoonBird"
I might be wrong..but I think they heard Burrells version prior to that recording.

This is the meaning of "COOL"!.......2002-02-22

I originally bought it on vinyl back in 1973 when it was first issued. I wore out 2 copies of the vinyl and when i went back for my third copy they told me it had been deleted!!--i nearly cried all the way to my bus stop!!
I remember writing to "Fantasy Records" , begging them to release this one on CD. Well, here it is folks,and i've bought about 3 copies of it just in case they start wearing out again!
Please let me state that if it's lightning speed you like in jazz guitar playing don't consider this c.d.
Although Burrell CAN play at frenetic speeds (check out "BLUE LIGHTS" volumes 1 & II , or "All Day Long/All Night Long" ) this is not his aim.
Burrells goal has always been to acheive feel, soulfulness and emotion and he succeeds EVERY time
whereas hundreds of other guitar players fail miserably.
If you are looking for a beautifully,BLUESY, relaxed setting, with plenty of gorgeous Fender Rhodes electric piano (by Joe Sample ) then this one is yours. The atmosphere Kenny creates here well matches the album title 100%! It's high quality "dinner jazz" but with a cool blues edge.
If you are a rock or blues guitarist reading this review please note this is the guy who was a HUGE influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan (listen to Stevies homage to him on the track "Chitlins Con Carne" on his c.d. "The Sky is Crying"!)
and Kenny Burrell influenced Hendrix as well who was noted as saying " if there's anyone i would love to sound like it would be Kenny Burrell" What drew these two rockers into Kenny's space was Burrells unique feel for the Blues. Even though he plays Blues with the sophistication and finesse of a classical guitarist Kenny still maintains a downhome, lonesome edge. Kenny, Herb Ellis and a few others are the only surviving jazz guitarists from the "old school" and constitute a direct link with Charlie Christian . Listen out for the first track " Streetcar Named Desire"...and an INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL lonesome, terrace- top setting for Johnny Mercer's " Blues In The Night". Kenny's adaptation of Randy Newmans classic "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" is soulful.
"Since I Fell For You" has Kenny preaching the Blues again.
You won't be disappointed if you get this CD.

This is one of the very best Burrel recordings........1999-08-13

This often overlooked CD is probably the very best all around recording of Kenny's. It's got everything! It's bluesy and beautiful and the material is very well rounded. The tune "Since I Fell For You" sounds like it could have been written for Kenny and "'Round Midnight" maybe the definitive version of an often recorded masterpiece. Buy this record. You won't regret it.

Average customer rating:

What have I been missing?
The Holy Grail has been found!
Buy it Again, Anyway. It's way, way too good.

'Round About Midnight
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0009MAP4A
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

'Round Midnight
Ah-Leu-Cha
All Of You
Bye Bye Blackbird
Tadd's Delight
Dear Old Stockholm
Two Bass Hit (Bonus Track)
Little Melonae (Bonus Track)
Budo (Bonus Track)
Sweet Sue, Just You (Bonus Track)

Tracks:

'Round Midnight (Live - 1955)
Introduction by Gene Norman (Live - 2/18/56)
Chance It (aka Max Is Making Wax) (Live - 2/18/56)
Walkin' (Live - 2/18/56)
Gene Norman & Miles Davis (Live - 2/18/56)
It Never Entered My Mind (Live - 2/18/56)
Woody N' You (Live - 2/18/56)
Salt Peanuts (Live - 2/18/56)
The Theme (Live - 2/18/56)

Amazon.com

Miles Davis's long relationship with Columbia began with the 1955-56 recordings heard here, as the trumpeter's suddenly rising career curve was consolidated after the move from the independent Prestige label. The band on this CD is the first of Davis's classic quintets, the extraordinary group with John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones that still stands as the definitive ensemble in modern mainstream jazz. The music ranges from the smoldering emotions of Davis's distinctively muted ballad performances to the searching quality already apparent in Coltrane's keening horn, while the band's unique chemistry is apparent on "Dear Old Stockholm" and the novel counterpoint of Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha."

The Legacy Edition contains four bonus tracks from the original sessions, plus a second disc of live material - one track from the Newport Jazz Fest 1955 (with Thelonious Monk), and eight previously unreleased tracks from the 1956 Pasadena concert. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

What have I been missing?.......2006-06-25

Firstly, I am not a jazz fan. This is perhaps because I have heard too many cool people running on at the mouth about the subject (especially about their cult of improvisation), and haven't taken the time to just sit down and have a listen. Well, shame on me! I checked the old rev. of this CD from the library on a whim (there he was, in that devilish red and black light), and wow. I did not hear the novelty of improvisation. I did not hear someone trying to sound different than everybody else. No, I heard sublime interpretations of traditional themes, rather than the chaotic pomposity that my prejudices had warned me against. I had to go buy this marvellous, and quite listenable production, because I didn't want to have to wait to get this breath of fresh air from the library. Buy this for your medicine cabinet; I'm sure the doctor will approve.

The Holy Grail has been found!.......2005-07-08

I never knew that Miles' performance of "'Round Midnight" was recorded. That incredible moment in jazz is caught here and so are LIVE RECORDINGS OF THE FIRST GREAT QUINTET!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is ESSENTIAL Miles Davis!!!!

BUY IMMEADIATLEY!!!

Buy it Again, Anyway. It's way, way too good........2005-06-17

No one should need to have the importance of this disc explained to them and from a sonic standpoint, the quality here is from the same remastered and restored tapes that produced the Miles/Trane box. What takes this elsewhere are the extra tracks from the recording sessions, and they are each terrific, and the second bonus disc with a live date of Miles with Monk delivering an absolutely mystical "Round Midnight," plus a concert from Pasadena California with the Trane quintet.
Regarding the Monk selection, the way that each man inspired the other is perhaps nowhere near so claerly evident as on this track. By itself, it would justify the price. Following with the never before released concert from Pasadena makes the second disc worth releasing on its own merits. The goof-ball MC sounds like such a cornball in his intro to Davis and his band, that you will find yourself squirming in humour. Imagine Jack Benny introducing P Diddy. Actually......
well, anyway, the band kicks in and there is an undeniable energy that they bring to the audience. Hopefully, as is the case with Hendrix, there are lodas of concert tapes from this quintet as well asmany of the other formations Miles put together. Miles was a live player. The studio records were phenomenal, but he knew the dialectics of live performance better than any jazz artist before or after him.
replace your other copies of this essential document. What you are familiar with will delight you, and the new stuff will astound you.