Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine (2005) [Columbia/Legacy]

Review by Scott Yanow (AMG)
Miles Davis' concert of February 12, 1964, was originally divided into two LPs, with all of the ballads put on My Funny Valentine. These five lengthy tracks (which include "All of You," "Stella by Starlight," "All Blues," "I Thought About You," and the title cut) put the emphasis on the lyricism of Davis, along with some strong statements from tenor saxophonist George Coleman and freer moments from the young rhythm section of pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. This hour-long LP complements the up-tempo romps of Four & More. The original CD issue was as a double disc with extra material. Thankfully, Legacy issued this as a single disc in 2005 as it appeared on LP, keeping the integrity of the original release.

Outside tray notes
There are nights when the musicians play so well, individually and collectively, that it seems as if they're simultaneously having an out-of-body experience. Feb. 12. 1964, at Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall in New York, was one of those blessed nights, as the great trumpeter-bandleader Miles Davis' quintet performed with an incandescent beauty rare even for such a brilliant ensemble. Davis (1926-1991) was joined on the front line by tenor saxophonist George Coleman, "the Memphis Monster," who played with a sense of supple lyricism that matched his surpassing technical prowess. Pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and 18-year-old drum phenom Tony Williams were at the beginning of blazing a trail that would be followed for decades to come by rhythm sections the world over. And Davis, whether playing with an open horn or his trademark Harmon mute, was the absolute master of mood. These extended performances of four standards and the oft-covered Davis original "All Blues," illustrate how the truly great improvisers can take us out without losing the material's thread, before bringing us safely home. How lucky we are that the tape deck was rolling on the evening of Lincoln's Brithday, 1964. As a special added attraction, bassist Ron Carter's revelatory new liner notes offer new insights into the creative processes and interpersonal dynamics of a band for the ages.

Musicians:
Miles Davis - trumpet
George Coleman - tenor saxophone
Herbie Hancock - piano
Ron Carter - bass
Tony Williams - drums

Tracks list:
01 My Funny Valentine 15:01
02 All Of You 14:54
03 Stella by Starlight 12:59
04 All Blues 8:54
05 I Thought About You 11:15