Search - Miles Davis :: Musings of Miles

Forgotten Musings of Miles.

Louie Bourland | Garden Grove CA | 07/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Musings of Miles" from 1955 is an often overlooked album in the vast catalog of the great trumpeter Miles Davis. In fact, I was unaware that it even existed until its recent reissue as part of the ongoing Van Gelder remastered series. Despite it not being better known, "Musings" is a classic Miles Davis album and even more importantly, an historical one for within a few months after its recording, he would assemble what would come to be known as his First Great Quintet with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones.

Garland and Jones are already in place on this album with bass duties being handled by the legendary Oscar Pettiford. Davis's trumpet is the sole horn to be heard here but the stylings of what was to come are already apparent. His warm muted sound is heard in remarkable beauty on the ballad "I See Your Face Before Me" and the swinger "A Gal in Calico". On the original "I Didn't" (based on Thelonious Monk's "Well You Needn't") and Dizzy Gilespie's "A Night In Tunisia", Miles and his quartet let it all come loose with some great improvisation. Likewise goes for the remaining two tracks, the opening laid-back "Will You Still be Mine" and the burning blues closer "Green Haze" (which is my personal favorite on the album).

With this album having been remastered and reissued, maybe "The Musings of Miles" will start to become better known. It certainly is in every way as good as the classic quintet albums that would follow and in my opinion, it also ranks up there with "Kind Of Blue". If you love the music of Miles Davis, you'll definitely love the six "Musings" heard on this album.

35 minutes of classic Miles Davis from 1955 goes a long way.

Highly recommended!!!"

Walking the Extra Miles

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 03/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Red Garland (p), Oscar Pettiford (b) and Philly Joe Jones (d) join Miles on this June 7, 1955, release that should be shuffled to the top of any collector's library.



The six selections clock in at 35:47, with each number being an exploration in unbridled artistry; the soundscapes capture special subtleties that makes for classic short stories. The standouts are Will You Still Be Mine?, A Night in Tunisia and Green Haze.



Each musician is walking the extra miles to deliver bebop that are for Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'."

The musings of miles

Edward J. Omalley | 10/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is my favorite period of miles davis, mid to late 50's. this album made just before his teaming with clotrane features just him and rhythm. but the rhythm includes pettiford. a very enjoyable listen as miles comes into his prime. if you like this period for miles, you will enjoy this."