First Miles

First Miles is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released on July 12, 1990 by Savoy Records. The album includes tracks from Davis's first recording session, backing singer Rubberlegs Williams on April 24, 1945,[2] and the first session produced under his name, leading the members of Charlie Parker's band on August 14, 1947.[3]

First Miles
Compilation album by
Miles Davis
Released1990
RecordedApril 24, 1945 (#9-16)
WOR Studios, New York City
August 14, 1947 (#1-8)
Harry Smith Studios, NYC
GenreJazz music, bop music
Length44:50
LabelSavoy
ProducerTeddy Reig
Miles Davis chronology
Aura
(1989)		 First Miles
(1990)		 The Best of Miles Davis: The Capitol/Blue Note Years
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Davis plays no solos in the session with Rubberlegs Williams, only being heard as part of an ensemble. He says in his autobiography he was so nervous on his first ever recording he could hardly play, and he forgot most of the details as he put the experience out of his mind.[4]

Davis had already recorded several sessions by 1947 as a member of Parker's band for the Savoy and Dial labels, but whereas Parker usually recorded with no rehearsals, Davis had the group rehearse the material twice before recording. Davis wrote and arranged all four tracks, which were released as 78rpm singles under the name "Miles Davis All-Stars".[5] The four tracks have also been compiled on numerous Charlie Parker Savoy compilations, including Bird: The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes) (SJL 2201).[6] Davis' next recording session as leader would be the first of the Birth of the Cool sessions in 1949, after having left Parker's band.

Track listing

Savoy Jazz – SJL 1196:[7]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Alternate Take 1)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle3:03
2."That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Alternate Take 2)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle3:10
3."That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Master Take 3)Buck Ram & Noble Sissle3:14
4."Pointless Mama Blues"Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams2:48
5."Deep Sea Blues"Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams3:13
6."Bring It on Home" (False Start Take 1)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams0:15
7."Bring It on Home" (Alternate Take 2)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams2:47
8."Bring It on Home" (Master Take 3)Teddy Reig & Rubberlegs Williams2:48
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Milestones" (False Start Take 1)Miles Davis0:09
2."Milestones" (Master Take 2)Miles Davis2:36
3."Milestones" (Alternate Take 3)Miles Davis2:45
4."Little Willie Leaps" (False Start – Incomplete Take 1)Miles Davis0:51
5."Little Willie Leaps" (Alternate Take 2)Miles Davis3:09
6."Little Willie Leaps" (Master Take 3)Miles Davis2:50
7."Half Nelson" (Alternate Take 1)Miles Davis2:50
8."Half Nelson" (Master Take 2)Miles Davis2:44
9."Sippin' at Bells" (False Start – Incomplete Take 1)Miles Davis0:55
10."Sippin' at Bells" (Master Take 1)Miles Davis2:23
11."Sippin' at Bells" (False Start – Take 3)Miles Davis0:06
12."Sippin' at Bells" (Alternate Take 4)Miles Davis2:26
Total length:44:50

Original 78rpm Singles

The master takes of the tracks on this album were originally issued on the following 78rpm singles:[8][9][10]

  • Savoy 564: Rubberlegs Williams – That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch / Pointless Mama Blues
  • Savoy 5516: Rubberlegs Williams – Deep Sea Blues / Bring It On Home
  • Savoy 934: Miles Davis All-Stars – Milestones / Sippin' at Bells
  • Savoy 951: Fats Navarro & Leo Parker – Goin' To Minton's / Miles Davis & Charlie Parker – Half Nelson
  • Savoy 977: Charlie Parker – Chasin' the Bird / Miles Davis All-Stars – Little Willie Leaps

Personnel

Tracks 1–8 Miles Davis All-Stars, August 14, 1947, Harry Smith Studios, NYC

Tracks 9–16 Herbie Fields Band with Rubberlegs Williams, April 24, 1945, WOR Studios, NYC

Production

References
  1. Yanow, Scott (2011). "First Miles – Miles Davis | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  2. April 24, 1945 Session Details, Miles Ahead: A Miles Davis Website, accessed June 26, 2014
  3. August 14, 1947 Session Details, Miles Ahead: A Miles Davis Website, accessed June 26, 2014
  4. "Miles: the Autobiography", Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe, 1989, pg.66
  5. "Miles: the Autobiography", Miles Davis with Quincy Troupe, 1989, pg.105
  6. Bird: The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes), at AllMusic, accessed June 26, 2014
  7. "First Miles". Discogs. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  8. Savoy 500 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
  9. Savoy 5500 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
  10. Savoy Bop 900 series, at the Jazz Discography Project, accessed July 2, 2014
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