Search - Miles Davis :: Muted Miles

Miles, sliced and diced

P. Gleeson | Los Angeles | 06/16/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"OK, it's Miles and so, really, beyond criticism--I mean Shakespeare wrote some plays that were better than others, but the point remains that he's acknowledged to be the best playwrite in the history of the English language. Similarly, Miles. My gripe with this begins, specifically, with the editorial quote: "THIS HAND PICKED COLLECTION IS THE FIRST EVER TO SHOWCASE MILES DAVIS'S PERFORMANCES ON PRESTIGE," which is just nonsensical hype. I'm holding in my hot little hand "Miles Davis, Prestige Profiles" with some of the same tunes and almost all the players mentioned in the blurb--this one's got Paul Chambers or Percy Heath on bass instead--hardly a drastic fall-off in musicality or starpower. And I think I can remember several pre-CD Prestige collections that drifted out of my record library and into other libraries at various points in the last twenty-five years or so, which always happens with the very best records you used to own.



So buy this great record and enjoy it, but as your Miles Davis collection grows keep track--the record companies are slicing and dicing poor Miles so many different ways you'll end up buying the same delicious tunes and even the same performances over and over, sometimes, like this one, hyped as "a first." Not so."

Essential for any Miles fan--a classic

Johnny Boy | Hockessin, DE | 06/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a die-hard Miles Davis fan. But I'm kind of different than any other Miles fan. Unlike most fans, my favorite sides are his Prestige sides. And 'Muted Miles' documents Miles' best sides on the Prestige label, and it features talents such as John Coltrane, Red Garland and Charles Mingus.



This collection features many of Miles' best sides on the Prestige label. I absolutely love 'Surrey With The Fringe On Top.' It's one of his all-time classic tunes.



I absolutely love Miles' take on 'In Your Own Sweet Way.' I've heard almost everybody cover that song, but Miles' version is very original. Great trumpet work throughout, one of his best Prestige sides.



During his career, Miles did many versions of the jazz standard 'Round Midnight.' This version, however, is slightly inferior to the Columbia version. It's still great, but I would recommend listening to the Columbia version over this one.



I love the opening track here, 'Just Squeeze Me.' Duke Ellington wrote this song during the early years of his career, and Miles definitely does the song justice. I think I may prefer this version over Duke's version. It's that good.



And his version of 'My Funny Valentine' is essential to any jazz fan. It's one of his best ballads, actually. The trumpet work is great throughout, and Miles' version of the song is essential to anyone's record collection.



Overall, this is highly recommended for any Miles fan. His Prestige sides are often overlooked, which is a real shame. If you have never heard his Prestige sides, than start here. This is the ideal Prestige collection. Pair it with 'Prestige Profiles' and you have a great Prestige years Miles collection.



Highly recommended for any Miles fan. A great compilation. ENJOY!!!"