Additional information
All tracks on this album come from the six-CD MILES DAVIS & GIL EVANS: THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO RECORDINGS box set on Columbia (67397). Personnel includes: Miles Davis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gil Evans (arranger, conductor); Steve Lacy (soprano saxophone); Lee Konitz, Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Louis Mucci, Taft Jordan, Johnny Carisi, Johnny Coles (trumpet); Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Bennett (trombone); Tom Mitchell, Dick Hixon (bass trombone); Willie Ruff, Tony Miranda, Julius Watkins, Gunther Schuller, Earl Chapin (French horn); Bill Barber (tuba); Romeo Penque, Phil Bodner, Jerome Richardson, Sid Cooper, Eddie Caine, Danny Bank, Jack Knitzer, Bob Tricarico, Garvin Bushell (woodwinds); Janet Putnam (harp); Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Arthur Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb (drums); Elvin Jones (percussion). Producers: George Avakian, Cal Lampley, Teo Macero, Irving Townsend. Compilation producer: Michael Cuscuna. Engineers: Harold Chapman, Fred Plaut, Frank Laico, R.G. Recorded at 30th Street Studio, New York, New York and Columbia Stuios, Hollywood, California between May 1957 and October 1963. Includes liner notes by Bill Kirchner. Despite the daunting prospect of editing the six-CD collection of the complete 1957-63 studio works of Davis and Evans into a one-hour sampler, the compilers chose wisely. Nine of the 12 selections are familiar master takes of classic Davis-Evans works. Five are from the duo's biggest popular success, 1958's PORGY AND BESS, three are orchestral tracks from 1957's MILES AHEAD and the stunning 16-minute interpretation of the Adagio movement of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" from 1960's SKETCHES OF SPAIN sparkles like a jewel. These well-known pieces sound brand new, thanks to a brilliant remastering job. The last three cuts whet the appetites of those intrigued by the box set's hours of outtakes and rarities: alternate takes of "Wait Till You See Her" and "Corcovado" from 1962's QUIET NIGHTS, as well as an excerpt from Davis and Evans' masterful but rarely-heard score for the 1963 play "The Time of the Barracudas." This is essential music.
