No one so far has mentioned the 24-cut 1956 session from which came the
Prestige LPs
Cookin' Relaxin' Workin' & (maybe) Steamin'. (One person did
mention Workin', I think)
Along with 'Round About Midnight on Columbia, this batch lets you hear how he
first projected a band style that was as unique as the styles of the
individual players. Some of the tactics were his choice of tunes, his use of
mutes, having the piano (or piano & drums) not play during certain parts of a
performance.
On the Relaxin' set, a few of Miles's comments are preserved. Most tellingly,
at the beginning of the old pop ballad "You're My Ev'rything," you can hear
him stop the intro and tell the pianist "Block chords, Red." Jazz is based on
spontaneity, but Miles knew that the totality of the peformance would leave
an impression on the listener and he was far from unwillingly to mold things
for what he felt was the best effect.
DAVID LAHM
