Porgy and Bess

by Miles Davis

Overview

Tomes are available annotating the importance of this recording. The musical and social impact of Miles Davis, his collaborative efforts with Gil Evans, and in particular their reinvention of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess are indeed profound. However, the most efficient method of extricating the rhetoric and opining is to experience the recording. Few other musical teams would have had the ability to remain true to the undiluted spirit and multifaceted nuance of this epic work. However, no other musical teams were Miles Davis and Gil Evans. It was Evans' intimate knowledge of the composition as well as the performer that allowed him to so definitively capture the essence of both. The four dates needed to complete work on Porgy and Bess include contributions from several members of his most recent musical aggregate: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (alto sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Jimmy Cobb (drums). Although the focus and emphasis is squarely on Davis throughout, the contributions of the quartet on "Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus)," "I Loves You, Porgy," and "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York" are immeasurable. They provide a delicate balance in style and, under the direction of Evans, incorporate much of the same energy and intonation here as they did to their post-bop recordings. There is infinitely more happening on Porgy and Bess, however, with much of the evidence existing in the subtle significance of the hauntingly lyrical passages from Danny Banks' (alto flute) solos, which commence on "Fishermen, Strawberry and Devil Crab." Or the emotive bass and tuba duet that runs throughout "Buzzard Song." The impeccable digital remastering and subsequent reissue -- which likewise applies to the Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings box set -- only magnifies the refulgence of Porgy and Bess. Likewise, two previously unissued performances have been appended to the original baker's dozen. No observation or collection of American jazz can be deemed complete without this recording. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	03/25/1997
Label:	Legacy
UPC:	0074646514122

Tracks

1. The Buzzard Song
2. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
3. Gone
4. Gone, Gone, Gone
5. Summertime
6. Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?
7. Prayer (Oh Doctor Jesus)
8. Fisherman, Strawberry and Devil Crab
9. My Man's Gone Now
10. It Ain't Necessarily So
11. Here Come de Honey Man
12. I Loves You, Porgy
13. There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York
14. I Loves You, Porgy
15. Gone

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Miles Davis   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Miles Davis Quintet   Primary Artist
Dick Hixon   Trombone
Joseph Bennett   Trombone
Danny Banks   Saxophone
Richard Hixon   Trombone
John Barber   Tuba
Bill Barber   Tuba
Johnny Coles   Trumpet
Percy Heath   Bass
Horace Silver   Piano
Jerome Richardson   Flute,Clarinet,Flute (Alto)
Julian Adderley   Sax (Alto)
Willie Ruff   Flugelhorn,French Horn
Joe Bennet   Trombone
Kenny Clarke   Drums
Frank Rehak   Trombone
Phil Bodner   Flute,Clarinet,Flute (Alto)
Jimmy Cobb   Drums,Percussion
Jimmy Cleveland   Trombone
Milt Jackson   Vibraphone
Thelonious Monk   Piano
Cannonball Adderley   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Gil Evans   Conductor,Orchestra
Gil Evans Orchestra   Orchestra
Louis Mucci   Trumpet
Gunther Schuller   Horn,Flugelhorn,French Horn
Danny Bank   Flute,Flute (Alto),Sax (Baritone),Clarinet (Bass)
Paul Chambers   Bass
Bernie Glow   Trumpet
Billy Barber   Tuba
Ernie Royal   Trumpet
Romeo Penque   Flute,Clarinet,Flute (Alto)
Julius Watkins   Flugelhorn,French Horn
Philly Joe Jones   Drums
Sonny Rollins   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Rene Arsenault   Production Assistant
Charles Edward Smith   Liner Notes,Original Liner Notes
Teresa Alfieri   Design
Tom "Curly" Ruff   Engineer
Cozbi Sanchez-Cabrera   Art Direction
Roy de Carava   Photography
Randall Martin   Reissue Design
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer,Lyricist
DuBose Heyward   Composer,Lyricist
Phil Schaap   Editing,Liner Notes,Remastering,Restoration,Reissue Producer
Seth Rothstein   Project Director
Bernard Lee   Liner Notes
Don Hunstein   Photography
Frank Laico   Engineer
Mark Wilder   Editing,Preparation,Remastering,Restoration
Miles Davis   Performer
Gil Evans   Arranger,Composer
Cal Lampley   Producer
Ray Moore   Engineer
Bill Kirchner   Liner Notes