Miles & Sonny & Bird
Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD contains two different recording sessions for Prestige, one made in January 1953, the other in March 1956; both feature Sonny Rollins (ts) (Charlie Parker is also on the earlier date, playing tenor). The 1953 date, thanks to Bird, is controversial: apparently he was pretty sloshed, to Miles' great annoyance. Both men play better solos than ensemble passages; in fact, the solo work on COMPULSION is very impressive.
In general, the three sides made in '56 are better. Their version of Dave Brubeck's IN YOUR OWN SWEET WAY is excellent - everyone plays beautifully. The other two tunes are blues; NO LINE is exactly that: it sounds like it starts in the middle of a piece and ends on a fade. Rollins seems greatly motivated to play as lyrically as Miles on this date. A good CD, worth getting."