Bags & Things [Import]

bags & things [import]

Track Listings

1. Dream On

2. Cross My Mind

3. Of All the Things

4. Rock & Roll Mood

5. Somebody Found Her (Before I Lost Her)

6. So Little Time

7. Ashes to Ashes

8. Bags and Things

9. Something to Remember You By

10. I Didn't Sing (In the New York Subway)

Bags and Things,Dennis Lambert,Dreamsville Japan,Pop,Rock

Bags & Things [Import]

Average customer rating:

(3.5 stars) As a document of Miles finding his feet, this isn't bad
bags groove
Davis Bags and Monk
hot swingin' jazz
Decent Early Miles with Sonny Rollins

Bags Groove
Miles Davis & Modern Jazz Giants
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants
Steamin' With the Miles Davis Quintet
Blue Haze
Miles Davis and Milt Jackson Quintet/Sextet
Miles Davis & the Modern Jazz Giants (20 Bit Mastering)

ASIN: B000000YDT
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Bags' Groove (Take 1)
Bags' Groove (Take 2)
Airegin
Oleo
But Not For Me (Take 2)
Doxy
But Not For Me (Take 1)

Album Description

The title track of Bags Groove comes from December 24, 1954, the classic date that matched together trumpeter Miles Davis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist Thelonious Monk, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke. Davis and Monk actually did not get along all that well and the trumpeter did not want Monk playing behind his solos, but a great deal of brilliant music occurred on the day of their encounter. There are two very different versions apiece of Bags' Groove, and Monk's solo on the first take was one of his best. The rest of the album is taken from a session the previous June that included Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver doing Rollins' own Airegin as well as Oleo and But Not for Me. Timeless music that defies easy classification, this set belongs in every jazz collection. 7 tracks. From the OJC/ Prestige label.

Customer Reviews:

(3.5 stars) As a document of Miles finding his feet, this isn't bad.......2007-07-09

For the most part, Bags' Groove is nothing more than standard-issue bebop. I stress "for the most part" because of the colossal title track, an eleven minute groove that sinks in and never lets go. Guest appearances by Milt "Bags" Jackson and Thelonious Monk are not wasted. At all. Nor do they overshadow Miles. The chemistry between them is perfect - great song to get lost in. Now, most of the other songs here are just, um... they happened, they existed, now what? - a flaw I find in several early Davis albums, Birth of the Cool aside. Still, they're tasteful, they're never annoying, nicely performed, and one of 'em's actually pretty good - I'm a fan of "Airegin", though it can never hope to match the title song, which actually overshadows a lot of Miles' pre-Coltrane career ("Walkin'" and about half of Birth of the Cool aside). Oh, "If Not For Me" is nice enough, I guess. "Oleo" and "Doxy"? I could take them or leave them. Regardless, Miles' career would later reach much higher heights.

bags groove.......2006-12-21

miles' trumpet on the title cut(s) is smooth as velvet and well worth the price of the cd.

in his memoir, miles and me, quincy troupe devoted three pages to the title cut and concluded '...before miles recorded bags groove he had secretly gone to his father's farm in millstadt, illinois, to kick his habit. that's why he played so great, because he was drug-free, really clean.'

Davis Bags and Monk.......2006-07-16

Basically, the entire CD is excellent, but since two inital numbers (two takes of "Bags' Groove") are so much superior to the rest of the CD, I simply loose interest in the follow-up songs...
The reasons for this are simple - not only do the rest of the songs lack Milt Jackson ("BAGS" who wrote the first tune), on the rest of this fine CD Thelonious Monk is replaced by Horace Silver who (although a great player) is simply not that kind of genius.

The most bizarre thing is that Miles didn't like Monk's playing! He insisted that Monk kept his hands of the piano during the leader's solos! However, this is not so strange - great minds often disagree and, in addition to that, Miles' approach to the trumpet sound throuoght the greatest portion of his carreer (prior to his fusion-rock-electronics phase) is quite lyrical in nature. Monk's wry and cynical analysis of tunes he played is anything but lyrical.

Nevertheless, Monk sounds equally brilliant while soloing and while accompanying Milt Jackson (and he did a fine job as Clark Terry's sideman on another great album) so I guess he might have worked well with Miles as well, making this somewhat incoherent album quite historical...

hot swingin' jazz.......2005-08-07

This record is pretty hot. I've read all the preceding reviews, I do not understand how some people say that this record isnt in some way or another top-notch. Sure, this isn't like the Miles Davis recording "Kind of Blue", but I believe it wasn't supposed to be. "Kind of Blue" seemed to have a somewhat different mood and certainly backing players with much different styles than ones appearing here. I wouldn't recommend this record as an introduction to real jazz or to Miles Davis ("Kind of Blue" is probably best for that), but people who already like hot, swinging jazz and need not be introduced to Miles Davis really should have this record. I did not get the feeling that the quality of playing was any less than stellar. One reviewer seems to imply that because this material came from the Prestige Label which is known to pay the artists the day of the recording, the musicians were just trying to throw something together in order to make a quick buck to spend on drugs or whatever. This does not sound like a recording of this sort. It just might take a couple of listens to really start getting into it and interpreting it. Also, I bought a non-remastered version, and the sound is just alright, but I definitely suggest buying a remastered version of this CD.

The first two tracks (two different takes of Bags Groove) are just joy to listen to, and I could listen to those over and over. Even though he is not listed in the credits for some reason, Thelonious Monk is playing the piano on both takes of Bags Groove. His piano sound and style is immediately recognizable, and it is essential Monk, in my opinion. These two first tracks came from the Chrimas Eve jam session, the rest of which is on another CD called "Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants". I can't wait to hear that disc also because I love Monk's piano, and I want to hear more of the unique and rare Monk/Davis collaboration. Other tracks on the "Bags Groove" CD are enhanced with Sonny's sax and sound great. Track 3 is burnin'! The rhythm section (bass and drums) is amazing - it gives rock-solid backing to the great improvisations of other players.

Decent Early Miles with Sonny Rollins.......2005-05-08

This is a nice little album featuring Milt Jackson (Bags), on two takes of the title track. He is masterful on vibes, and it's a shame he didn't do much more on this release. The other tracks are pretty much fillers. One of my favorite songs from the time is "Airegin" written by Sonny Rollins (which is really just Nigeria spelled backwards). However, this version is nowhere near as good as the take on the album, "Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet." The latter version is hard bop and this one is a lot more tame. Honorable Mention goes out to "Oleo" but I would look elsewhere for early Miles.

If you read up on jazz history, you'll find out that PRESTIGE was a label for heroin addicts who needed fast cash to score a fix and it shows in the majority of the recordings I own on the label. Apparently, the musicians got paid in cash on the day of the recording, but were only allowed two takes at the most. There are some highpoints on the label, though, and "Bags Groove" is one of them.

Average customer rating:

Stairway to the Stars
This much gold for ten bucks!
Good Straight Ahead Jazz Album!!!!!!
Not nSynch (thank goodness)
Better than snake oil.

Bags and Trane
Milt Jackson & John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bags Meets Wes!
The Big 3
Wizard of the Vibes
Very Tall
Bean Bags

ASIN: B000002I57
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Stairway To The Stars
Late Late Blues
Bags & Trane
Three Little Words
The Night We Called It A Day
Be-Bop
Blues Legacy
Centerpiece

Customer Reviews:

Stairway to the Stars.......2007-03-09

This classic album opens with a wonderfully moody ballad, aptly titled, for this disc is a stairway leading into the musical genius of some of the brightest stars in jazz history, John Coltrane and Milt Jackson. There is not a bad track on this album, and the supporting cast, including Paul Chambers and Connie Kay, could not be better. Perhaps my favorite tune is "The Late Late Blues" which has a very catchy bass line/melody. This recording dates from 1960, a transitional period for Trane, after his fruitful period in the Miles Davis quintet, but before the final years leading his own group. He has that soul-searching, searing sound. Overall, one of the most satisfying jazz discs you'll ever hear!

This much gold for ten bucks!.......2007-02-11

This collaboration has been a favorite of mine since I discovered the vinyl in high school 40 years ago. The soul of jazz, and in particular, of these two splendid musicians, is laid bare. The "sheets of sound," mentioned by another reviewer, are used sparingly as Coltrane uses his horn economically to give us only the notes that are needed. Even the boistrous "Bebop" leaves us wanting for some jazz archaeologist to dig up a "first take" that might last 15 minutes longer. Milt Jackson can make you laugh, cry, or just plain get hypnotized with the magic of the mallets. No more words needed. Get this CD!

Good Straight Ahead Jazz Album!!!!!!.......2004-06-22

There's no special arrangements on this album, like there are on MJQ albums that Milt Jackson is associated with, but it has some good grooves on it. One highlight is Bags' original blues, "Late Late Blues." It's a got a good drum beat and a perfect 12 bar blues format. One other highlight here is Connie Kay's drum solo, a real rarity. I only heard Kay solo on three albums, Blues On Bach, MJQ Last Concert, and this one! A real treat! Milt Jackson shines here, but Trane's mic. was a little too close during the session. When he comes up to solo, I get a "dizzy" feeling, because the sound of his sax is all over the place, in volume and sound. This album is good for any hard bop jazz fan!

Not nSynch (thank goodness).......2004-05-21

I passed on the original LP, but this reissue with twenty additional minutes of music by, on the one hand, the quintessential jazz blues player and, on the other, the most influential jazz innovator of the past half century, led me to reconsider my decision of 40 years ago (I was poorer then, too).

Listening to the album again, I'm finding that the source of my reservations at the time are now a source of pleasure. Not only are the primary players conscious of their different musical styles, but each brings a "second" for support: Coltrane has Paul Chambers, his colleague from the Miles Davis Group, and Jackson has Connie Kay, his associate from the the Modern Jazz Quartet. The result is a rhythm section that is never quite in synch. Paul lays down as powerful, unflappable a bass line as I've ever heard from him while Connie Kay reminds me of a trailer or dinghy faithfully in tow. Coltrane leans forward on the time, keeping up with his man, while Bags waits on the beat, as though listening to his own accomplice.

Is there a "winner"? The advantage is definitely Coltrane-Chambers. On the other hand, Hank Jones is so effective in bridging the gap, playing in the "middle" of the beat, that the whole thing works. In fact, the undeniable tension in the rhythm along with the players figuring out ways to deal with it create a whole new layer of musical interest.

I'm really inclined to four and a half stars, but the principals, not to mention the performance of the roadbuilder, Paul Chambers, forbid it.

Better than snake oil........2002-11-06

Milt Jackson and John Coltrane complement one another marvelously in this collection of quintet recordings from 1959. The rhythm trio features Hank Jones on piano, assisted by Paul Chambers on bass and Connie Kay on drums. Jackson is here in familiar territory with a group that isn't far from MJQ. The differences are Coltrane and the interplay. The disc commences with a bonus track, the standard "Stairway to the Stars." Here is Coltrane in his best ballad form, excercising restraint and what is as close to lyrical as he gets. Milt Jackson spins his filligrees, nets of sound, as usual, and Coltrane answers seemingly from a distance, with clarity. The next track is Bags' "The Late Late Blues," a simple theme that Coltrane explores in his legendary sheets of sound. His clarity is such that you can hear the patterns evolve within the sheet. Paul Chambers' bass is prominent both in its steady line and in solo. "Bags & Trane" begins with a simple call and response. Bags' intricate solo is followed by Trane's brief statement, again exemplary of his improvisational skill. Hank Jones piano solo proceeds Paul Chambers' arco solo followed by traded breaks by Bags and Trane. "Three Little Words" is a mid-tempo tune that cooks. It begins with Bags' statement of the theme and then Trane establishes the groundwork for his solo and goes to the invention--arabesque variations built on the theme. Trane's solo here is exemplary--worth studying for insights into his method. Jackson's extended solo illustrates his inventiveness and Hank Jones continues into traded fours between Trane, Connie Kay, and Bags. Which leads one to extoll Connie Kay's gifts. Here is a consumate professional at work. He is delicate and tasteful when necessary, but he swings explosively as well. "The Night We Called It a Day" is a quiet ballad, but Jackson's lyrical solo and Coltrane's lengthy invention are masterful. Again, Trane's solo is an object lesson in his method. But these guys can blow the roof off. That's apparent in Dizzy Gillespie's "Be-Bop" where Bags starts off at breakneck speed and Coltrane blows hard and quick--probably the only tenor player aside from Johnny Griffin who blows as hard and fast as Bird with coherence. This is sheets of sound--a style that can become "cerebral" that euphimism for boring when you want your jazz visceral. The Jones solo arrives apace with Chambers and Kay cooking in the background down to Bags and Trane trading breaks. Cerebral doesn't happen here. A hard bop classic. The remaining tracks, "Blues Legacy" and "Centerpiece" follow suit. The first is a simple call and response blues riff with some gigantic solos. The last is an old favorite of mine, but despite Bags' wonderful solo it doesn't have Annie Ross, alas. Nevertheless, this is a very good CD. Highly recommended, too.

Average customer rating:

A Great Memorial To Some Jazz Greats
Stunning
Homage to past Vibes Masters based on Variable Content
Burton's great..and so's the band!
Burton's new album a tribute to himself, as well

For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal
Gary Burton
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Departure
Next Generation
Generations
Virtuosi
Libertango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla

ASIN: B000056JSE
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Afro Blue
Bags' Groove
Move
Midnight Sun
Flying Home
Django
Back Home Again In Indiana
Body And Soul
Godchild
Joao
Hole In The Wall
Dance Of The Octopus

Amazon.com

With For Hamp, Red, Bags, and Cal vibist Gary Burton salutes four other masters of the mallet--Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Milt Jackson, and Cal Tjader. He captures the essence of each player's genius while allowing himself space to demonstrate his own. For the three Tjader cuts Burton uses musicians expert in Latin rhythms, whereas for Hamp and Bags he uses pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Lewis Nash for fresh and imaginative readings of classic tunes such as "Flying Home" and "Django." But it is, rather surprisingly, the five Norvo tributes that shine most brightly. Three of them feature a drumless trio completed by guitarist Russell Malone and McBride. The drive they achieve on "Back Home Again in Indiana" is awesome. The remaining two are duets with pianist Makoto Ozone, featuring Burton on xylophone for "Hole in the Wall" and marimba on "Dance of the Octopus," the latter proving a suitably arresting finale to the session. Burton's previous Concord release, Libertango, was one of the outstanding jazz records of 2000, and in its very different way this is every bit as resplendent. --Richard Palmer

Customer Reviews:

A Great Memorial To Some Jazz Greats.......2004-05-30

Good listening. An excellant example of what Jazz is really all about. Some lessons for the so called Jazz Artists, and Producers today.

Listen, really listen to the timing, and the rhythm, and just let the music soothe away all the stress.

Stunning.......2001-12-07

We saw Gary Burton live at Yoshi's in Oakland Ca. with the all stars. It's hard to explain the tremedous talent all these musicians displayed at this show. I guess I can only say they just knocked the crowd out. All four guest musicians were nothing less than outstanding and Burton was at the top of his game. Yes the cd rates 5 stars but live is ten. Christian McBride is Ray brown incarnated 35 years ago. The group obviously enjoys playing together as they smiled and laughed through a wonderful set of tunes that left the crowd wanting much more. We felt this group was worth every dollar paid plus some. Yoshi's club has the rare distiction of drawing great talent backed by comfortable suroundings and acoustics. Catch them live if you can.

Homage to past Vibes Masters based on Variable Content.......2001-10-17

Gary Burton is one of the towering figures of living Jazz and undisputedly the master of the Vibes. How fitting that he should create this production as a homage both to the modern instrument and to the greatest exponents who brought it to it's current elevated level. Hence the Hamp/Red/Bags/Cal of the title. In terms of showcasing these past masters and highlighting the progression of the instrument and it's arrangements Gary Burton succeeds uncategorically.

However...and I'm sorry to spoil the party...I do not particulary like to listen to this CD. Why? Because the material is weak and doesn't engage with the listener. Yes, a few of the tracks are good but I believe that Gary Burton has compromised his usual very high standard of material here by relying on some rather (let's be brutally honest here) substandard and dated material just so that he could justify the concept. There, I've said it!

There are much, much better productions from Mr Burton, including (but not limited to)the work he has done with Messrs. Metheny, Ozone and Corea. I'd recommend these above "For Hamp, Bags etc...".

This one is for completists and the terminally nostalgic only!

Burton's great..and so's the band!.......2001-03-17

What marks out this new Gary Burton album for me is the backing band that he's assembled to help him out on what is clearly a project close to his heart. Not only does Burton himself turn in some loving interpretations, he adds something to tunes that you might think had nothing new to give.Special mention for the guitar work of Russell Malone who produces a range of guitar styles to compliment the frontman."Godchild"provides a real opportunity to stretch out, but he's inventive on all three of the tracks he plays on. Christian McBride provides a dense,pure and solid bass sound on the 7 tracks he appears on. Burton used no less than three pianists for the sessions, and adds extra percussion for tracks 1,8 and 10 from Luis Quintero. The overall quality of the recording is excellent, and I have to agree with another reviewer that "Flying Home" is perhaps the outstanding cut. An excellent project.

Burton's new album a tribute to himself, as well.......2001-03-15

Gary Burton's new album, a tribute to the four vibraphonists who have had the biggest influence on him, is one of his best works to date. The band members that he assembles on this album are top notch, one must exceptionally note the wonderful playing by lewis Nash on some of the tracks. Bag's Groove is perhaps the best track on the album, with a great unison line played over top of the melody. If you are a jazz fan, or even just a music fan, this album is a must-have. BUY IT NOW!

Average customer rating:

ZGT is psychobilly madness!!

Glad Rags & Body Bags
Zombie Ghost Train
Manufacturer: Hairball 8
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Monster Formal Wear
Life Is a Grave & I Dig It!
Curse of the Coffin
God Save the Sin
Hellbound

ASIN: B000N69P3Y
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Glad Rags & Body Bags
R.I.P.
Dark Times
Dark Times
Black White And Dead
Deadcat Rumble
Girl U Want
Alone
Night Time Crawling
Zombie Beach
Gone
Buried Next To The King
You're My Baby

Customer Reviews:

ZGT is psychobilly madness!!.......2007-05-28

Awesome band!! Top Songs are Black & White Dead, RIP, and Gone. Wooooo!!!

Average customer rating:

A Sad Surprise

Ballads & Blues/Bags & Flutes
Milt Jackson
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Ellington Album"All Too Soon"
The Jazz Skyline
Wizard of the Vibes
Ain't But a Few of Us Left
Ballad Artistry of Milt Jackson/Vibrations

ASIN: B00000IJTC
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

So In Love
These foolish Things
Solitude
The Song Is Ended
They Didn't Believe Me
How High The Moon
Gerry's Blues
Bright Blues
Bags' New Groove
Sandy
Midget Rod
I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over
Ghana
Sweet And Lovely
Connie's Blues

Customer Reviews:

A Sad Surprise.......2007-07-09

"The song "Hello" from the album Ballads and Blues does not appear on this CD due to time restrictions." This is the info I got on the CD AFTER I bought it. Any fan of Bags will be sorely disappointed that the beautiful duet with Lucky Thompson and Milt is absent. Luckily for me I have the original album, which, of course, I have downloaded to CD.

Average customer rating:

Bags of Soul
Milt Jackson
Manufacturer: Proper Box UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000PDZH4G
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

Third Song
Red Shoes
Bebop Blues
Royal Wedding
Find and Dandy
Milt Meets Sid
D & E
Yesterdays
Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
Autumn Breeze
Moving Nicely
`Round About Midnight
Bluesology
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Love Me, Pretty Baby
Heart and Soul
True Blues
Tahiti
Lillie
Bag's Groove
What's New?
On The Scene
Opus De Funk

Tracks:

Wonder Why
I Should Care
My Funny Valentine
Stonewall
Moonray
The Nearness Of You
Opus De Funk
Opus Pocus
You Leave Me Breathless
Opus and Interlude

Tracks:

Come Rain or Come Shine
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Wild Man
Soulful
Fred's Mood
Flamingo
Bright Blues
How High the Moon
Lover
Can't Help Lovin' That Man
The Lady Is a Tramp

Tracks:

Angel Face
Sometimes I'm Happy
Now's the Time
Ellington Medley: In A Sentimental Mood/Mood Indigo/Azure
Minor Conception
Soul in 3/4
So In Love
They Didn't Believe Me
Solitude
The Song Is Ended
Gerry's Blues
These Foolish Things

Album Description

2007 four CD Proper Box set from the legendary Jazz vibraphonist. These four discs contain some of Milt's finest performances, showcasing his unique style that has influenced many Jazz musicians over the decades. 59 tracks including 'Red Shoes', 'Fine And Dandy', 'Yesterdays', 'Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' and many more. Proper.

Album Details

Milton (Milt) Jackson was an American Jazz Vibraphonist and One of the Most Important Figures in the Hard Bop Style. A Very Expressive Player, Jackson Differentiated Himself from Other Vibraphonists in his Attention to Variations of Dynamics and Rhythm. He was Particularly Fond of the 12-bar Blues at Slow Tempos. He Preferred to Set the Vibraphone's Oscillator to a Low
3. 3 Revolutions Per Second (As Opposed to Lionel Hampton's Speed of 10 Revolutions Per Second) for a More Subtle Vibrato. Jackson was also a Capable Pianist, and Sometimes Performed Professionally on that Instrument. He was Discovered by Dizzy Gillespie, who Hired Him for his Sextet in 1946.

Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Pair
My "Desert Island" Album!!!
Milt & Wes
Classic
Great Minds Think and Play Alike

Bags Meets Wes!
Milt Jackson , and Wes Montgomery
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bags and Trane
The Big 3
Wizard of the Vibes
The Further Adventures of Jimmy and Wes
The Wes Montgomery Trio

ASIN: B000000YD5
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

S.K.J.
Stablemates
Stairway To The Stars (take 3)
Stairway To The Stars (take 2)
Blue Roz
Sam Sack
Jingles (take 9)
Jingles (take 8)
Delilah (take 4)
Delilah (take 3)

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Pair.......2007-03-23

This has to be one of my all-time favorite jazz albums, hands down. As the very first notes and the soothing sounds of Philly Joe's brushes come alive, the listener quickly becomes aware that you are entering a realm of pure musical bliss. Wes Montgomery and Milt Jackson complemented each other so well, as they they both loved the blues and added a subtle poignancy to every note they played, especially on "Stairway to the Stars" and also "Delilah". One of the great forgotten records in jazz history that you will go back to again and again.

My "Desert Island" Album!!!.......2006-02-17

'Bags Meets Wes' was one of the first jazz LPs I acquired way back in the 60s, and it's still my all-time favorite. I never tire of listening to the masterful virtuosity and interplay of Wes, Milt, and Wynton Kelly with the able support of Sam Jones and Philly Joe Jones. The opening riff of the first track, S.K.J. (Mrs. Jackson's initials) always blows me away, and keeps me there throughout the rest of the tracks.

You can tell from the grins on Milt's ("Bags") and Wes' faces on the cover photo that something special was going on here when Riverside's brilliant producer, Orrin Keepnews, got these two pals together to record in New York in December 1961.

I have an extensive collection of Wes' recordings, and they're all great, especially his early small group albums for Riverside. Even the later Verve sessions with heavy-handed Oliver Nelson arrangements of sappy pop tunes still show what he could do with lesser material and the confines of a large orchestra chart. But this album is the one I always come back to.

Any fan of jazz guitar, small combos, or aspiring jazz guitarist needs to listen to this album.

Milt & Wes.......2005-11-17

Since this album first came out in 1962, I have seen it come under fire as being a failure of two great (jazz) minds not at their best, not coming together well, but I've never been able to agree with that assessment. I think it's a great album.

The opener, S.K.J., is a medium-slow blues and is not only the highlight of this session, but one of the best things either Milt or Wes ever recorded, in my book. It's a simple A-A-A blues based on a descending scale, and the solos by everyone are as relaxed and natural as could be. Drummer Philly Joe Jones's tasty brushwork is the icing on the cake. BLUE ROZ and SAM SACK are other blues pieces, the latter taken medium-up and featuring the rhythm section. Benny Golson's STABLEMATES gets a nice up-tempo reading, kicked off by a short Jones drum solo, follwed by excellent solos by Wes, Milt, and Barry Harris on piano. This is a solid date all around.

Classic.......2005-09-24

This is a classic work where two genuise collaborate to make magic. It is worthy of any serious jazz collectors' stash.

Great Minds Think and Play Alike.......2004-12-04

A warped vinyl copy finally prompted replacement. Though a purchase of necessity for me, the bonus tracks and judiciously remastered sound of the CD reissue make it an attractive pick-up even for an owner of a vintage LP copy.

To state that Bags makes a more satisfying complement to Wes' musical voice than to Coltrane's (which is not to say that the Jackson-Coltrane session is without its own merits) may be obvious, given their mutual love of that common ground of blues and basic, pretty melodies that, for lack of a better term, was synonymous with "soul jazz" in the late 50's/early 60's. Small wonder that even the normally unfailingly hip, often "in-a-hurry" Philly Joe can't resist providing a big back-beat to the no-holds-barred funk of the three lead soloists (once he settles in behind Wyn Kelly on "Blue Roz," you wish they'd keep it going for another couple of rounds). And listen to Wes comping behind Bags on "Sam Sack," supplying not just chords but infectious riffs.

It's fascinating to hear how this particular rhythm section meshes. Paul Chambers was the paragon of bass players, but listening to Sam Jones' gritty, more focused tone and more unforgiving pulse reminds me that he wasn't far behind the master. And whereas Paul could occasionally lose concentration, going along with the speed-up pulse of Philly Joe or the occasionally yielding one of Jimmy Cobb, Sam keeps Philly Joe in the pocket through all of the musical proceedings here.

Finally, Riverside did admirably by players like these (not to mention Bill Evans and the Adderley brothers). The drums and cymbals may not be as "forward" and the bass and piano as blatantly present as on a Blue Note-Van Gelder date. But the important sonorities have been captured, allowing for a "truer" sound from all of the principals, perhaps most notably Kelley's deft piano touch. The music stays in over-drive, not for an instant wearing out its welcome.

The fact that the bonus tracks are barely distinguishable from the masters hardly matters: more of the same is plenty good enough. (Either take is superior to all other versions--including Clifford's--of Victor Young's "Delilah.")

Average customer rating:

A Celebration of Hunger
The Spider Bags
Manufacturer: Birdman
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000PHW2C2
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Tracks:

Bad Complexion
Waking Up Drunk
Blood For You
It's You
Alphabet City Blues
So Long a Rope
Swanson's Waltz
The Bottle
Bleed For You
I am Sorry I
Wide Open
Darkness In My Heart
Devil When I Go
My Oh My

Average customer rating:

Bags Meets Wes!
Milt Jackson , and Wes Montgomery
Manufacturer: Riverside
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Wes Montgomery Trio
Things Are Getting Better
Smokin' at the Half Note
Caravan
Brilliant Corners

ASIN: B00067RF5U
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Tracks:

S.K.J.
Stablemates
Stairway to the Stars [Take 6]
Stairway to the Stars [Take 2][*]
Blue Roz
Sam Sack
Jingles [Take 9]
Jingles [Take 8][*]
Delilah [Take 4]
Delilah [Take 3][*]

Average customer rating:

Out of Different Bags
Marlena Shaw
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BR2NZC
Release Date: 2005-12-26

Tracks:

Nothing But Tears
Will I Find My Love Today?
Eyes of Love (Carol's Theme)
It Sure Is Groovy
I've Gotten over You
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Ahmad's Blues
Couple of Losers
I Stayed Too Long at the Fair
Alone Together
Somewhere in the Night [Naked City Theme]

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing has been remastered and comes in a miniature LP sleeve. Argo. 2005.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music