First Miles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WOR Studios, New York City
August 14, 1947 (#1–8)
Harry Smith Studios, NYC
| First Miles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
First Miles is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released on 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 78 rpm 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.
| No. | Title | Writer(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 |
| 9. | "Milestones" (False Start Take 1) | Miles Davis | 0:09 |
| 10. | "Milestones" (Master Take 2) | Miles Davis | 2:36 |
| 11. | "Milestones" (Alternate Take 3) | Miles Davis | 2:45 |
| 12. | "Little Willie Leaps" (False Start – Incomplete Take 1) | Miles Davis | 0:51 |
| 13. | "Little Willie Leaps" (Alternate Take 2) | Miles Davis | 3:09 |
| 14. | "Little Willie Leaps" (Master Take 3) | Miles Davis | 2:50 |
| 15. | "Half Nelson" (Alternate Take 1) | Miles Davis | 2:50 |
| 16. | "Half Nelson" (Master Take 2) | Miles Davis | 2:44 |
| 17. | "Sippin' at Bells" (False Start – Incomplete Take 1) | Miles Davis | 0:55 |
| 18. | "Sippin' at Bells" (Master Take 1) | Miles Davis | 2:23 |
| 19. | "Sippin' at Bells" (False Start – Take 3) | Miles Davis | 0:06 |
| 20. | "Sippin' at Bells" (Alternate Take 4) | Miles Davis | 2:26 |
- Subsequent reissues often combined false start takes and reordered the Davis tracks first. A 2003 reissue CD contained bonus track "Now's The Time"[8]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | "Now's the Time" (Master Take 4) | Charlie Parker | 3:15 |
