Search - Miles Davis :: Jazz at the Plaza

Wayne L. from VANCOUVER, WA
Reviewed on 9/30/2006...

Like NEW condition!

Smokin' Hot Ignore the Recording Quality Whiners

Talking Wall | Queen Creek, AZ | 12/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an extremely good set by what is probably the greatest group of talented individuals ever assembled to play "jazz". I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the 2 and 3 star ratings. Let me remind you that in 1958, live recordings were very rare. In fact, I have some live recordings from earlier dates by Charlie Parker and they are FAR worse than Jazz at the Plaza. The record companies did not have the methodology down nor did they have the technology to record live events and make 'em sound spectacular.

Why do you listen to music like this anyway? Do you wet yourself over the fidelity? No, you wet yourself over the incredible licks laid down by Miles, Trane, Cannonball, and Evans. Good Lord, two stars. Obviously those reviewers do not understand the significance of that little bit of plastic spinning 'round in the CD player.



Ok, enough of that. I own over 80 Miles Davis CDs. I am well read on the man's life and his music. I won't say I'm an expert but I probably know far more about this music than most of the reviewers out here. So trust me, this is a great great great session. These guys blew the roof off The Plaza on the evening of September 9, 1958. In fact, when this recording was made, it was not meant to be a commercial release. It was recorded as a kind of keepsake by Irving Townsend. Music by this Miles' sextet is exceedingly rare if you think about it. We have just a few sessions available for our enjoyment. Thank God Columbia decided to release this date. Thank you Columbia (Sony)!



So, is the recording quality great? No. Is it terrible to the point of distraction and painful listening? Heck no! Yes, Miles is a bit off mic here and there. One reviewer claims the background players are louder than Miles. I sure don't hear it that way, but if you do find this to be true, that's what equalizers are for. Two stars indeed. If one is so concerned about fidelity, one should pick up some of those stereo demonstration recordings used in stereo shops and listen to those all day."

Sony got it right

Henry Rosner | Huntingdon Valley, Pa United States | 02/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After it's original LP release by Columbia Records in the late 70s with the tracks out of order, the room where it was recorded incorrectly listed not to mention the recording date altogether wrong, Sony finally got it right. Tweaked the sound a bit as well. This is the raw power of the Evans/Coltrane/Cannonball Miles Quintet. Not for the audiophile, but for those who love the music."