Miles Davis - Chronicle
The Complete Prestige Recordings
1951-1956
released 1987

8 Disk set w/scans

Thought I'd get in on the Mile Davis action :)


All EAC > LAME 3.96  VBR


Here's a review I didn't write.
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This collection of Prestige recordings are as much a biographical and historical look at Davis' ups and downs as a man as that of a musician.

The listener has to be aware of Miles' life during the years of 1950-55 to better understand what they are listening to. Alas, much of this period starts and ends with his heroin habit. This habit was all consuming and certainly physically took its toll on Davis. His playing also suffers a lot of the time due to it. There are some sessions where he sounds together, and others (the gut wrenchingly sad "Round Midnight" take with Charlie Parker (a rare tenor sax appearance) right before Bird's death, where both Miles and Bird's playing sounds like they were nodding off on heroin during it) where it is close to disaster. Despite the downs, Miles WAS a professional and while his tone was at points very thin, he gave it his all.

Discs 1-3 showcase that lost period, while discs 4-8 showcase Miles on the rebound from his habits, and the slow and steady recovery of his tone, chops, and musical career with it. Not surprisingly, the tracks, grooves, and voice that we love Miles for, improves dramatically on these discs, and discs 6-8 are the finest efforts, with Miles and his 1st great quintet's "Steamin," "Workin," "Relaxin," and "Cookin" lps featured.

This collection is an amazing journey. If you are willing to take the great with the not so great, then this collection is for you. All Miles completists need this collection for its musical and historic value. At times rough and gut wrenching, and by the end glorious and astounding, but never dull, the set is a gem. 
