MILES DAVIS - WALKIN

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Miles Davis - Walkin'

Miles Davis

Walkin'

PRLP 7076 [also issued on Prestige PR 7608]

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, April 3, 1954

Personnel:

Miles Davis (tp)

Dave Schildkraut (as)

Horace Silver (p)

Percy Heath (b)

Kenny Clarke (d)

559 Solar

560 You Don't Know What Love Is

561 Love Me Or Leave Me

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, April 29, 1954

Personnel:

Miles Davis (tp)

J.J. Johnson (tb)

Lucky Thompson (ts)

Horace Silver (p)

Percy Heath (b)

Kenny Clarke (d)

568 Blue 'N' Boogie

569 Walkin'

---------------------------------------------

Tracks

1. Walkin' [Carpenter] 13:28

2. Blue 'N' Boogie [Gillespie/Paparelli] 8:20

3. Solar [Davis] 4:45

4. You Don't Know What Love Is [DePaul/Raye] 4:24

5. Love Me or Leave Me [Donaldson/Kahn] 6:56

Review by Lindsay Planer

The undeniable strength and conviction present in Miles Davis' performance on Walkin', underscores the urgency and passion with which he would rightfully reclaim his status as a primary architect of bop. Davis is supported by his all-stars, consisting of his primary rhythm unit: Horace Silver (piano), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums). The sextet featured on the title track, as well as "Blue 'n' Boogie," adds the talents of J.J. Johnson (trombone) and Lucky Thompson (tenor sax). Davis' quintet includes the primary trio and Dave Schildkraut (alto sax). Perhaps not an instantly recognizable name, Schildkraut nonetheless made some notable contributions to Stan Kenton's Kenton Showcase EPs, concurrent with his work with Miles. Walkin' commences with the extended title track, which follows a standard 12-bar blues theme. While the solos from Johnson and Thomson are unique, Miles retains a palpable sense of extrication from the music — as if the song was an extension of his solo instead of the other way around. The lethargic rhythms reiterate the subtle adornments of the horn section to the basic trio. In direct contrast to "Walkin'" is a full-tilt jumper, "Blue 'n' Boogie." The improvisation yields some truly memorable solos and exchanges between Davis and Johnson — who can be heard clearly quoting from Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning." "Solar" maintains a healthy tempo while drawing the listener in to the delicate interplay where the solos often dictate the melody. Horace Silver's piano solo is Ellington-esque in it's subdued elegance. The final track, "Love Me or Leave Me," gives the most solid indication of the direction Miles' impending breakthrough would take. So swift and certain is each note of his solo, it reflects the accuracy of someone thinking several notes ahead of what he is playing. Walking is a thoroughly solid effort.

Review by Doug Payne

This bop-era classic finds trumpeter Miles Davis (1926-91) leading two groups from two sessions in April 1954: a superb sextet and a compelling quintet. Both groups center on a blue-chip rhythm section consisting of pianist Horace Silver, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. But despite the rock solid foundation and substantial decoration these three provide, Walkin' is all about the horn players. Trombonist J.J. Johnson and tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson (returning to music after the first of one of his absences) help Davis helm the sextet for Richard Carpenter's title song - a 12-bar blues that turned into a genuine jazz standard after its first reading here - and Dizzy Gillespie's "Blue 'N' Boogie." The quintet, featuring the Bird-like alto of the little known Dave Schildkraut, takes leave of the blues for some of Davis's craftiest playing — interestingly, hereafter, with his trumpet muted. Starting with "Solar," the group seems to be able to handle whatever trick Davis plays any quirk he pursues. This is most apparent on the lovely, but rather spiky version of "You Don't Know What Love Is" and the set's closer, the surprisingly sprite "Love Me Or Leave Me." Throughout, Davis sounds grand: comfortable, authoritative and well within his gamely element. His partners seem well teamed with him too, ready to walk - or run — to Davis's beat. Walkin ' offers at least two jazz essentials ("Walkin'," "Solar") and it serves as an excellent place to begin — or continue — appreciating the trumpeter's bop significance, shortly before he contributed greatly elsewhere.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8jo2gjs4j7sb7zc