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In A Silent Way: Sessionography/Discography

45Apr24

Historicaly important because these recordings document Miles' first known recording session. This is a jazz blues vocal studio session spotlighting shouter "Rubberlegs" Williams. Miles serves in a supportive role here, playing ensemble parts and obligatos behind the vocalist. Miles' muted trumpet is heard throughout the session, however, plays open horn on the opening of "Pointless Mama Blues". Davis plays no solos and much of what he plays is at low volume or perhaps slightly off microphone. The four master takes were only breifly issued on two 78 RPM records in 1945 (all shown below). Not until a 1987 single sided LP (dubbed from 78 RPM sources) of the four songs and a 1988 U.S. LP issue (which also rescued some previously unissued alternate takes) did a larger audience get the opportunity to hear this music.

Session Information:

Date: April 24, 1945
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Venue: WOR Studio
Location: New York City, New York
Recording: professional studio, mono

Performers:

  • Rubberlegs Williams, vocals
  • Herbie Fields, tenor saxophone, clarinet (on "Deep Sea Blues"), leader
  • Miles Davis, trumpet
  • Teddy Brannon, piano
  • Leonard Gaskin, bass
  • Ed Nicholson, drums 
    Surviving/Issued Session Material (TT = 21:36)

1. That's The Stuff You Got To Watch (take 1)           - 3:05
2. That's The Stuff You Got To Watch (take 2)           - 3:12
3. That's The Stuff You Got To Watch (take 3, Master)   - 3:16
   (Battle, Sissle, Meredith, Ram)
4. Pointless Mama Blues (Master)                        - 2:51
   (Williams, Reig)
5. Deep Sea Blues (Master)                              - 3:15
   (Reig, Williams)
6. Bring It On Home (Take 1, false start)               - 0:16
7. Bring It On Home (Take 2)                            - 2:49
8. Bring It On Home (Take 3, Master)                    - 2:48
   (Reig, Williams)


Program:
1.) That's The Stuff You Got To Watch
2.) Pointless Mama Blues
3.) Deep Sea Blues
4.) Bring It On Home
    Discography Information:

    The four master takes originally released as 78 RPM discs:


    That's The Stuff You Got To Watch/Pointless Mama blues
    Savoy 564

    Deep sea blues/Bring it on home
    Savoy 5516


    First LP release:
    "Miles Davis First Recording"
    - Savoy K18P 6461 (King Records Japan)
    - issued 1987
    - performance program contains the four master takes
    - from 78 RPM disc sources
    - one-sided disc
    - mistitles "That's The Stuff You Got To Watch" as "That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch"


    First US LP release:
    as part of "First Miles"
    - Savoy SJL 1196
    - issued early 1988
    - performance program includes the eight selections documented above
    - from acetate disc and 78 RPM disc sources
    - Mistitles "That's The Stuff You Got To Watch" as "That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch"

    First CD Release:
    as part of "First Miles"
    - Savoy SV-0159
    - issued 1990
    - CD format of Savoy SJL 1196 LP

    Some Reissues:

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