MILES DAVIS
Collector's Items (Original Jazz Classics)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Miles Davis. What is there new to say about one of a handful of true giants in the history of jazz. Even average recording by Davis were superior to most other artists best efforts. He was "arguably the most influential musician and bandleader who emerged after Charlie Parker." Collector's Items is Davis at the top of his game.

The music to Collector's Items was recorded in two separate sessions three years apart. The first meeting included Davis on trumpet, Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker on tenor saxophones (this was only the second time Parker had recorded on tenor), Walter Bishop on piano, Perch Heath on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. This group played "The Serpent's Tooth" (two takes), "Round Midnight", and "Compulsion". The second session was Davis on trumpet, Sonny Rollins tenor, Tommy Flanagan piano, Paul Chambers bass, and Arthur Taylor drums. They contributed "No Line", "Vierd Blues", and "In Your Own Sweet Way". If you're thinking that this sounds like the "Who's Who" of 1950's jazz, you are absolutely right. The personnel for these two sessions were consummate players at the pinnacle of their profession.

Davis plays in a delicate, bluesy style, his solos confident and bold. Davis might have pioneered "cool jazz", but he was anything but for these sessions. His trumpet playing is passionate and intense throughout. Listen to his playing on "Round Midnight". It communicates a level of wistful sadness that leaves one's heart aching. Rollins and Parker are also excellent. Sonny was especially focussed and on fire for these recording. On the two takes of "The Serpent's Tooth" the 23 year old Rollins quotes a passage from "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," sending a pointed message to Parker (who had about two years left to live). Both rhythm sections play near perfect backup, spurring the soloist on to greater heights.

This is 50s bop at its absolute best. Regarding the 1956 session, Davis would soon stun the jazz world with a series of four quintet albums featuring another titan on tenor saxophone - John Coltrane. Collector's Items is vintage Miles. The playing is poignant, original, and evocative. It belongs in any serious jazz collection.

© 2000 - Ron Saranich