First Miles

First Miles
Compilation album by Miles Davis
Released 1990
Recorded April 24, 1945 (#9-16)
WOR Studios, New York City
August 14, 1947 (#1-8)
Harry Smith Studios, NYC
Genre Jazz music, bop music
Length 44:50
Label Savoy
Producer Teddy Reig
Miles Davis chronology
Aura (1989) First Miles
(1990)
The Best of Miles Davis: The Capitol/Blue Note Years (1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

First Miles is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in July 12, 1990 by Savoy Records. The album includes tracks from Davis's first recording session, backing singer Rubberlegs Williams on April 24, 1945,[2] and the first session produced under his name, leading the members of Charlie Parker's band on August 14, 1947.[3]

Davis plays no solos in the session with Rubberlegs Williams, only being heard as part of an ensemble. He says in his autobiography he was so nervous on his first ever recording he could hardly play, and he forgot most of the details as he put the experience out of his mind.[4]

Davis had already recorded several sessions by 1947 as a member of Parker's band for the Savoy and Dial labels, but whereas Parker usually recorded with no rehearsals, Davis had the group rehearse the material twice before recording. Davis wrote and arranged all four tracks, which were released as 78rpm singles under the name "Miles Davis All-Stars".[5] The four tracks have also been compiled on numerous Charlie Parker Savoy compilations, including Bird: The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes) (SJL 2201).[6] Davis' next recording session as leader would be the first of the Birth of the Cool sessions in 1949, after having left Parker's band.

Track listing

Savoy Jazz – SJL 1196:[7]

Side one
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Alternate Take 1)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle 3:03
2. "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Alternate Take 2)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle 3:10
3. "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Master Take 3)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle 3:14
4. "Pointless Mama Blues"  Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams 2:48
5. "Deep Sea Blues"  Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams 3:13
6. "Bring It on Home" (False Start Take 1)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams 0:15
7. "Bring It on Home" (Alternate Take 2)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams 2:47
8. "Bring It on Home" (Master Take 3)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams 2:48
Side two
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Milestones" (False Start Take 1)Miles Davis 0:09
2. "Milestones" (Master Take 2)Miles Davis 2:36
3. "Milestones" (Alternate Take 3)Miles Davis 2:45
4. "Little Willie Leaps" (False Start - Incomplete Take 1)Miles Davis 0:51
5. "Little Willie Leaps" (Alternate Take 2)Miles Davis 3:09
6. "Little Willie Leaps" (Master Take 3)Miles Davis 2:50
7. "Half Nelson" (Alternate Take 1)Miles Davis 2:50
8. "Half Nelson" (Master Take 2)Miles Davis 2:44
9. "Sippin' at Bells" (False Start - Incomplete Take 1)Miles Davis 0:55
10. "Sippin' at Bells" (Master Take 1)Miles Davis 2:23
11. "Sippin' at Bells" (False Start - Take 3)Miles Davis 0:06
12. "Sippin' at Bells" (Alternate Take 4)Miles Davis 2:26
Total length:
44:50

Original 78rpm Singles

The master takes of the tracks on this album were originally issued on the following 78rpm singles:[8][9][10]

Personnel

Tracks 1–8

Miles Davis All-Stars, August 14, 1947, Harry Smith Studios, NYC

Tracks 9–16

Herbie Fields Band with Rubberlegs Williams, April 24, 1945, WOR Studios, NYC

Production

References

  1. Yanow, Scott (2011). "First Miles - Miles Davis | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  2. April 24, 1945 Session Details, Miles Ahead: A Miles Davis Website, accessed June 26, 2014
  3. August 14, 1947 Session Details, Miles Ahead: A Miles Davis Website, accessed June 26, 2014
  4. "Miles: the Autobiography", Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe, 1989, pg.66
  5. "Miles: the Autobiography", Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe, 1989, pg.105
  6. Bird: The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes), at AllMusic, accessed June 26, 2014
  7. "First Miles". Discogs. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  8. Savoy 500 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
  9. Savoy 5500 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
  10. Savoy Bop 900 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
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