Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" recording sessions

Here is an interesting story from NPR Music show "Between Takes" on reviewing the recording reel tapes from the legendary Miles Davis classic "Kind of Blue" recorded in 1959. You could hear artists exchanging conversations during the sessions, evident of displaying their chemistry with collaborative mix and approach in a very simple and easy manner for the album now had become the modern standard of the history of Jazz. This year marks 50s anniversary of the album, so Sony Legacy is releasing CD/DVD box set.

Between Takes "Kind of Blue Session"

Philly Joe Jones "Blues for Dracula", Riverside 1958

Philly Joe Jones gained much fame as one of the most sought drummers in Hard Bop, especially by playing for classic Miles Davis Quintet in mid 50s, but surprisingly did not release many albums under his own name. Compared to other drummers like Art Blakey or Max Roach who led own group or recorded with various styles of music, Jones became important and popular sidemen for soloists, a major force behind many records from Blue Note, Riverside, and Prestige.

This one is his debut release, after leaving from Miles' group in the same year. On this album, what you can hear is not only Jones' strong drum solos and fiery , but also introduction to then up-and-coming talents that would become well known in the world of Jazz including Nat Adderley, Johnny Griffin, Tommy Flanagan (listen to "Tune-up" for intense and hard-driven powerful solos). The album begins with unusual and unexpected opening track, "Blues for Dracula" with several minutes of Jones' ad lib impersonation of the horror-film icon Bela Lugosi.

Personnel:
Philly Joe Jones - Drums, Vocals
Johnny Griffin - Tenor Sax
Nat Adderley - Cornet
Julian Priester - Trombone
Tommy Flanagan - Piano
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
Orrin Keepnews - Producer

Tracklists:
Side A:
1. Blues For Dracula (8:14)
2. Trick Street (3:50)
3. Fiesta (10:25)

Side B:
1. Tune Up (8:04)
5. Ow! (12:12)