Miles Davis' seminal album, 'Round About Midnight, is a masterclass in jazz innovation, weaving together intricate melodies and improvisational genius. Released on 18 March 1957, this iconic record showcases Davis' unique ability to blend cool jazz, hard bop, and bebop, creating a distinctive sound that would go on to influence generations of musicians.
Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones, the album is a testament to the chemistry and camaraderie of Davis' legendary quintet. From the opening notes of the title track, 'Round Midnight, it's clear that this is an album that will push the boundaries of jazz, with complex time signatures and virtuosic solos.
The tracklist is a veritable who's who of jazz standards, with standout performances on Ah-Leu-Cha, All of You, and Bye Bye Blackbird. The live recordings, captured at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, add an extra layer of energy and spontaneity to the album, with Davis and his bandmates feeding off the audience's enthusiasm.
With a duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, 'Round About Midnight is a generous helping of jazz excellence, with Davis' trumpet playing taking centre stage throughout. The album's diverse range of styles, from the introspective balladry of It Never Entered My Mind to the frenetic bebop of Salt Peanuts, is a testament to Davis' boundless creativity and his ability to craft an album that is at once cohesive and eclectic.
On 'Round About Midnight, Miles Davis cements his status as a jazz legend, and the album remains an essential listen for fans of the genre. With its unique blend of styles, exceptional musicianship, and historic live recordings, this album is a must-have for anyone looking to experience the best of jazz.
Tracks
'Round Midnight (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Ah-Leu-Cha (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
All of You (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Bye Bye Blackbird (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Tadd's Delight (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Dear Old Stockholm (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Two Bass Hit (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Little Melonae (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Budo (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Sweet Sue, Just You (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones)Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
'Round Midnight (feat. Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath & Connie Kay) - Live at the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, RI - July 1955Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, Percy Heath, Connie Kay
Introduction by Gene Norman (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Chance It (aka Max Is Making Wax) (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Walkin' (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Gene Norman & Miles Davis (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
It Never Entered My Mind (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Woody 'N You (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
Salt Peanuts (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
The Theme (feat. John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones) - Live at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA - February 1956Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones
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Bass and Trumpet Brilliance
5 out of 5 stars
TaxhuruxuiFrance🇫🇷
Fantastic record quality. Awesome equalization with powerful bass, sharp trumpet sounds.
Reissued Vinyl Gem
5 out of 5 stars
OpjWebrcUnited States🇺🇸
Absolutely fantastic reissued vinyl record, preserving the original mono-mix and track order. The bass is spot-on and the vinyl is eerily quiet. A solid, budget-friendly option compared to a Columbia pressing if you happened to get one as a Christmas gift. Just thought I'd mention it...
Classic Re-release Shines
4 out of 5 stars
sirljijcexUnited States🇺🇸
Solid re-release. This classic album sounds great on this version.
Great Value, Solid Sound
4 out of 5 stars
TunzvzgUnited States🇺🇸
Truthfully, this is pretty great, I don't have anything else to match it up with, solid separation and detail. You do need to crank it up a tad as it's a bit low in volume but that might be because it's mono. If you manage to snag it for a steal with or without the obi, it's not a bad deal.
Best Sounding Record Ever
5 out of 5 stars
bobvesvtbueepaqUnited States🇺🇸
Hands down, this is one of the best sounding records I've ever owned. I grabbed it last year from Acoustic Sounds and the price was a steal. Highly recommend it to anyone!