On
November 30, 1957, the late jazz icon Miles Davis performed at the
Olympia in Paris. This performance was recorded live and was later
released on double vinyl, but has now been released in its entirety on
CD for the first time. And that based on the original remastered tapes, with excellent sound quality. Bruno Coquatrix, the owner and manager of the Olympia, arranged this sold-out concert at the time, through jazz promoter Marcel Romano, who also produced the recordings.
After being in storage for more than 60 years, Romano's cousin discovered the tapes and sold them to Fresh Sound Records. The music here is a nice testament to Miles' style. Miles himself on trumpet, was assisted here by Barney Wilen (tenor sax), René Urtreger (piano), Pierre Michelot (bass) and Kenny Clarke (drums). Miles had come to Paris to record the soundtrack for the French film noir 'Ascenseur pour l'echafaud', but first performed this concert. He had previously released 'Miles Ahead' and overcame his heroin addiction.
The CD contains 12 tracks, starting with 'Solar', which comes across soft and somewhat dreamlike, after which 'Four' is rather up-tempo. He varies in tone on 'What's New?'. He then covers Sonny Rollins' 'No Moe', followed by 'Lady Bird'. His own 'Tune Up' makes him swing, followed by the equally swinging 'I'll Remember April'.
'Bags' Groove' sounds groovy, after which the well-known 'Round Midnight' by Thelonious Monk is covered. 'Now's the Time' by Charlie Parker goes in a blues direction, but on 'Walkin'' he sounds more soulful. Closing track 'The Theme' is another original track.
Miles' influence would only increase over the next 30 years. In the meantime you can enjoy this historic concert.
Tracks:
Solar
Four
What’s New?
No Moe
Lady Bird
Tune Up
I’ll Remember April
Bags’ Groove
‘Round Midnight
Now’s the Time
Walkin’
The Theme