Insightful review! I never got to hear Cannonball in person, but I did hear his brother Nat play at Yoshi’s old Night Spot in 1990. That night he told a story about waking up one morning in the New York apartment he shared with his brother. Cannonball was packing his alto to head out the door. Nat asked him where he was going. Cannonball said he had a gig. Nat began to pack his horn too, but Cannonball said, “No, I’ve already got a trumpet player.” The gig was the recording session for Somethin’ Else, and the trumpet player was Miles Davis. Nat acknowledged wryly to the audience that Miles was a fine trumpet player “for those who like that sort of thing.” He then announced to the audience that they were going to play something from that album next: Miles Davis’ arrangement of “Autumn Leaves.” The band that night included Vincent Herring, alto saxophone; Bob Bargad, piano; Walter Booker, bass; and the great Jimmy Cobb, drums. Nat played beautifully.
This is a crazy record and it is funny I stumbled on this vid of yours going through your index looking to see if you covered this. I ran across this on TH-cam a week ago and became obsessed with it. I have never heard anything like this from any of my other jazz albums….it reminded me of a compilation of different bands that were not from the same genre. I started looking for this and found out it is fairly rare. I ended up finding a Japanese copy and a promo copy that was located in Mexico. The Japanese copy was close to 80 bucks and the OG was just under 150.00. I really wanted the og even though I love Japanese copies (quite) so I messaged the dude in Mexico and he knocked 40 bucks off. Needless to say it is heading my way and due to shipping and taxes one of the most expensive records (single) I have purchased! I really hope my excitement over it doesn’t vanish after a few times of listening. Great vid! Take care!!
Nice work. I mean, it depends on one's definition of "rare" as there are 100+ vinyl issues! but of course the number of pressings that might be on one's shortlist would be a lot smaller than that. Love to hear your impressions of it when it arrives.
You are correct…..I only looked at M- and VG+. Like I said I hope I’m not disappointed in it, I notice I seem to pull the trigger on stuff late at night……need to think about a day or two! Turning into my wife!!!
I’ve long been curious about Miles’ involvement with this album and whether he was the _actual_ leader as often suggested. I mean, he‘s all over it. Autumn Leaves is clearly his arrangement (adapted from Ahmad Jamal‘s, as always-check that intro), he wrote a tune for the album, and his famous comments „is that what you wanted, Alfred?“, heard on the record itself are a clear indication that he was pretty much in control. There is also a released alternate take of Autumn Leaves where at the end he is heard saying „that was good, let‘s do another one“ (if I‘m hearing correctly). On the other hand, the record in general is much less adventurous for Miles, even for his 1958 standards. If you listen to his version of Love of Sale recorded that same year for Columbia, it‘s much more „Miles-ian“. So I tend to agree with you, that this was a record with two leaders.
Classic album, quintessential jazz record! Humble suggestion. It be nice to hear you speak a little bit about the album art/photography especially on jazz records!
I have the new 45rpm Mofi Ultradisc. My favorite jazz album of all time!
Insightful review! I never got to hear Cannonball in person, but I did hear his brother Nat play at Yoshi’s old Night Spot in 1990. That night he told a story about waking up one morning in the New York apartment he shared with his brother. Cannonball was packing his alto to head out the door. Nat asked him where he was going. Cannonball said he had a gig. Nat began to pack his horn too, but Cannonball said, “No, I’ve already got a trumpet player.” The gig was the recording session for Somethin’ Else, and the trumpet player was Miles Davis. Nat acknowledged wryly to the audience that Miles was a fine trumpet player “for those who like that sort of thing.” He then announced to the audience that they were going to play something from that album next: Miles Davis’ arrangement of “Autumn Leaves.” The band that night included Vincent Herring, alto saxophone; Bob Bargad, piano; Walter Booker, bass; and the great Jimmy Cobb, drums. Nat played beautifully.
What a great story. Thanks for sharing that.
One of the all time classic jazz albums. Great review as always!
Great review
Love your work. Thank you so much
Have a wonderful one
Somethin' Else contains some of Miles Davis' greatest performances. It's an unofficial top 5 Miles Davis album for me.
Very good. A great album! Thoroughly enjoyed the vid.. thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
This is a crazy record and it is funny I stumbled on this vid of yours going through your index looking to see if you covered this. I ran across this on TH-cam a week ago and became obsessed with it. I have never heard anything like this from any of my other jazz albums….it reminded me of a compilation of different bands that were not from the same genre. I started looking for this and found out it is fairly rare. I ended up finding a Japanese copy and a promo copy that was located in Mexico. The Japanese copy was close to 80 bucks and the OG was just under 150.00. I really wanted the og even though I love Japanese copies (quite) so I messaged the dude in Mexico and he knocked 40 bucks off. Needless to say it is heading my way and due to shipping and taxes one of the most expensive records (single) I have purchased! I really hope my excitement over it doesn’t vanish after a few times of listening. Great vid! Take care!!
Nice work. I mean, it depends on one's definition of "rare" as there are 100+ vinyl issues! but of course the number of pressings that might be on one's shortlist would be a lot smaller than that. Love to hear your impressions of it when it arrives.
You are correct…..I only looked at M- and VG+. Like I said I hope I’m not disappointed in it, I notice I seem to pull the trigger on stuff late at night……need to think about a day or two! Turning into my wife!!!
I’ve long been curious about Miles’ involvement with this album and whether he was the _actual_ leader as often suggested. I mean, he‘s all over it. Autumn Leaves is clearly his arrangement (adapted from Ahmad Jamal‘s, as always-check that intro), he wrote a tune for the album, and his famous comments „is that what you wanted, Alfred?“, heard on the record itself are a clear indication that he was pretty much in control. There is also a released alternate take of Autumn Leaves where at the end he is heard saying „that was good, let‘s do another one“ (if I‘m hearing correctly). On the other hand, the record in general is much less adventurous for Miles, even for his 1958 standards. If you listen to his version of Love of Sale recorded that same year for Columbia, it‘s much more „Miles-ian“. So I tend to agree with you, that this was a record with two leaders.
Agree on all counts. And really, given Miles' stature and how much longer he'd been on the scene, can one imagine otherwise?
Classic album, quintessential jazz record!
Humble suggestion. It be nice to hear you speak a little bit about the album art/photography especially on jazz records!
Noted! That’s not always readily available but I will tuck that idea away.
Another succinct critique (try saying that after four glasses of Pinot!)
Thanks Karl, much appreciated.