Album Bluing - Miles Davis Plays The Blues 1951-56 by Miles Davis Review
One of the great legendary moments took place during the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival (the very first), when Miles Davis unexpectedly sat in on a jam session and (with Thelonious Monk playing behind him) constructed a brilliant solo on "'Round Midnight". Davis had been in danger of being forgotten, but that moment - which took place before many of the top jazz critics - was a minor sensation and gave momentum to his career. Now the performance (which also includes versions of "Hackensack" and "Now's the Time" with a sextet featuring baritonist Gerry Mulligan and Zoot Sims on tenor) has been made available for the first time, and it lives up to its legendary status. Also on this essential CD are three numbers on which Miles plays with the René Urtreger Trio (the great Lester Young sits in on "Oh Lady Be Good"), two songs with his 1957 quintet with Bobby Jaspar on tenor, and three tunes in which Davis is backed by a European orchestra. This Danish import is highly recommended.Review by allmusic.com
