The Complete Birth of the Cool

Amazon.com
Birth of the Cool is the first important leader date from Miles Davis, one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer. An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool expands the original issue with previously bootlegged live recordings of Davis's nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman

The Complete Birth of the Cool,Miles Davis,Blue Note Records,Bop,Cool,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,West Coast Jazz

Average customer rating: Jazz CD I'd give it 6 stars if I could!! Cool...Daddio Darn That Dream Great Landmark Classic in Jazz, greater w/bonus live tracks

The Complete Birth of the Cool Miles Davis Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Complete Jazz at Massey Hall A Love Supreme The Hot Fives & Sevens Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band Lady Day: The Best of Billie Holiday ASIN: B000006Q6B Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

1. Move
2. Jeru
3. Moon Dreams
4. Venus De Milo
5. Budo
6. Deception
7. Godchild
8. Boplicity
9. Rocker
10. Israel
11. Rouge
12. Darn That Dream
13. Birth Of The Cool Theme
14. Symphony Sid Announces The Band
15. Move
16. Why Do I Love You
17. Godchild
18. Symphony Sid Introduction
19. S'il Vous Plait
20. Moon Dreams
21. Budo (Hallucination)
22. Darn That Dream
23. Move
24. Moon Dreams
25. Budo (Hallucinations)

Amazon.com

Birth of the Cool is the first important leader date from Miles Davis, one of jazz's most seminal figures and farsighted practitioners. Having made his reputation in large measure from playing with bop giant Charlie Parker, Davis confounded expectations when he embraced the "cool" arranging style of Gil Evans, an arranger for Claude Thornhill's band. Evans, who was employing unique voicings by adding French horns and tuba to Thornhill's instrumentations, also emphasized a diminished use of vibrato in both reeds and brass, producing a drier, "cool" sound. Two of Evans's arrangements, "Boplicity" and "Moon Dreams," appear on the album. Also involved are baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan, who contributed such outstanding tunes as "Jeru" and "Venus de Milo," and Modern Jazz Quartet pianist John Lewis. The result is a date that has withstood the tests of time, fashion, and Davis's own extraordinary growth as a performer. An enhanced set, The Complete Birth of the Cool expands the original issue with previously bootlegged live recordings of Davis's nonet at the Royal Roost in New York in 1948. Although the sound quality is far from perfect, the performances are remarkable, and worth the additional expense for the serious fan. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Jazz CD.......2006-11-17

I ordered this CD as a gift. The individual receiving it is a jazz fan and liked the album.

I'd give it 6 stars if I could!!.......2006-02-15

This CD seems to have lots of reviews about Miles, the significance of the sessions, etc., so I won't repeat. Let me just say that this version (in contrast to the other version without the bonus material) is worth the price for the radio broadcasts alone! WAY COOL! I know they're supposed to be an extra bonus, but these are my favorite cuts from the CD.

Buy this CD now, or else!

Cool...Daddio.......2005-03-08

This album is awesome and was the first solo album by Miles Davis(1926-1991). In 1948, Miles left bebop pianeer Charlie Parker to form his own style of jazz and along with Gil Evans(1912-1988) formed a famous nonet featuring the legedary drummer Max Roach. The album was recorded from 1949-1950 but since the jazz audience didn't really "get" this new form in a time when Bebop ruled the jazz clubs and, more importantly, the record sales, the album wasn't released by Capital Records until 1957, after Miles' famous performance at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival and the release of his 5 classic "first great quintet" recordings(John Coltrane(1926-1967)-Tenor Sax, Red Garland-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, and "Philly" Joe Jones(1923-1985) on drums), 4 from Prestige Records-Workin', Steamin', Relaxin', and Cookin' w/ the Miles Davis Quintet, and one from Columbia, the classic 'Round About Midnight. This album is very important in the evolution of modern jazz and this version of the album is made even better with the very rare bootlegged live material from New York's Royal Roost in September, 1948. Unlike the vocal song recorded in 1962 released on the classic second great quintet album, Sorcerer(1967), the vocal on this album is actually sung very well by Kenny Hawgood, I believe, on the song "Darn that Dream." I recommend this album to newcomers and fans of Miles Davis alike, but to those who are just getting into the great world of jazz and consider this one too big a leap, may I suggest the great jazz/fusion trio of recordings(In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and Tribute to Jack Johnson) or the second great quintet(Wayne Shorter-tenor sax, Herbie Hancock-piano, Ron Carter-bass, and the late Great Tony Williams(1945-1997) on drums) or if you want the tried and true sextet classic, go straight to the 1959 jazz landmark, Kind of Blue.

Darn That Dream.......2004-12-28

I'm in total agreement with Robert Kornfeld, Jr., another reviewer of this work, who, like me has listened to this music for a "couple of decades." If it is not obvious from all of the reviews, this collection defines the genre. Selections of this album were even considered for that all time classic "Tyrants From An Other World," but were not included due to production expenses. Time sure flies when you're having fun, ay' Bob?

Great Landmark Classic in Jazz, greater w/bonus live tracks.......2004-09-07

Ahh, Birth of the Cool has just gotten a facelift. There are extra live tracks on it which gives it a great perspective and gives you insight on the 2 dimensions of the Miles Davis Nonet, live and in the studio. This is one of Miles Davis' greatest and most influential recordings and started modern jazz as we know it and was very new for that time since the only type of jazz then was swing and hard bebop. This is definately an essential Miles Davis album This gem is pretty much the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for jazz and most of it still sounds fresh today because it certainly is in most jazz reportoirs. 'Nuff said.

Average customer rating:

Complete Birth of the Cool Miles Davis Manufacturer: Definitive Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Complete Jazz at Massey Hall Study in Brown Sketches of Spain ASIN: B00004W0YK Release Date: 2001-01-02

Tracks:

1. Move
2. Jeru
3. Budo
4. Godchild
5. Venus de Milo
6. Boplicity
7. Israel
8. Rogue
9. Moon Dreams
10. Deception
11. Rocker
12. Darn That Dream
13. Overtime
14. Victory Ball

Tracks:

1. Theme
2. Move
3. Why Do I Love You?
4. Godchild
5. S'il Vous Plait
6. Moon Dreams
7. Hallucinations (Budo)
8. Darn That Dream
9. Move
10. Moon Dreams
11. Hallucinations (Budo)
12. 52nd Street Theme
13. Half Nelson
14. You Go to My Head
15. Chasin' the Bird

Album Description

Digitally remastered and expanded definitive edition of the most influential sessions in Modern Jazz! The Complete Birth Of The Cool contains all the original tracks from Birth Of The Cool plus 13 previously unreleased live versions of those tracks. The Complete Birth Of The Cool is a landmark collection that simply must be included in any true Jazz aficionado's library. Not only have the original twelve sides by this legendary group been expertly restored, but out-takes and the long awaited live radio cuts from their only real gig have been found and included. Together they form an indispensable documentation of the group that almost single-handedly transformed the Bebop of the '40s into the 'Cool Jazz' that became a West Coast sensation in the early '50s. 29 tracks. Definitive. 2007

Average customer rating:

Complete Birth of the Cool Miles Davis Manufacturer: Definitive ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000056MRT Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

1. Move
2. Jeru
3. Budo
4. Godchild
5. Venus de Milo
6. Boplicity
7. Israel
8. Rogue
9. Moon Dreams
10. Deception
11. Rocker
12. Darn That Dream
13. Overtime
14. Victory Ball

Tracks:

1. Theme
2. Move
3. Why Do I Love You?
4. Godchild
5. S'il Vous Plait
6. Moon Dreams
7. Hallucinations (Budo)
8. Darn That Dream
9. Move
10. Moon Dreams
11. Hallucinations (Budo)
12. 52nd Street Theme
13. Half Nelson
14. You Go to My Head
15. Chasin' the Bird

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