Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Miles Davis

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Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Review

by Matt Collar

Director Stanley Nelson's comprehensive 2020 documentary Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool works to illuminate the trumpeter's expansive musical journey from his early years as a bebop acolyte of Charlie Parker to his groundbreaking work as a modal jazz innovator and fusion pioneer. To accomplish this, he interviewed numerous Davis associates, weaving their first-hand experiences alongside rare and classic footage of Davis, as well as his classic recordings. Nelson took the same approach when constructing the documentary soundtrack, offering a loosely structured timeline of Davis' work from the '40s to the '80s. In between each track he also inserts penetrating commentary by individuals interviewed for the film, including insights from Herbie Hancock, George Wein, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, and others. While Nelson certainly includes landmark recordings like 1958's "Milestones," 1959's "So What," and 1967's "Footprints," he also side-steps obvious cuts like "All Blues" and "My Funny Valentine" in favor of highlighting more finely curated choices like "Moon Dreams" off 1954's Birth of the Cool, "The Pan Piper (Alborado De Vigo)" off 1960's Sketches of Spain, and "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down" off 1970's Bitches Brew. Also included is a newly produced track, "Hail to the Real Chief," which was constructed out of previously unreleased Davis recordings by the trumpeter's fusion-era bandmates, including drummer Lenny White and drummer (and nephew) Vince Wilburn, Jr. Although it's not presented chronologically, the soundtrack does paint an ever-developing picture of Davis throughout his career, and each song is nicely complemented by the preceding commentary. Admittedly, some people looking for a purely musical listening experience may not want to hear the commentary tracks more than once. That said, by including the commentary here, Nelson has crafted an mini-aural history that offers context for Davis' expansive creative life. Even if you only have a passing understanding of his musical contributions, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool will help you get a good sense of who Miles Davis was and why he was important.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:22	Amazon
2	Milestones Miles Davis	Miles Davis	05:42	Amazon
3	Greg Tate [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:19	Amazon
4	Donna Lee Miles Davis / Charlie Parker	Miles Davis feat: Charlie Parker	02:32	Amazon
5	Ashley Kahn, Symphony Sid Introduction [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:37	Amazon
6	Moon Dreams Chummy MacGregor / Johnny Mercer	Miles Davis	03:16	Amazon
7	George Wein [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:28	Amazon
8	Round Midnight Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams	Miles Davis	05:55	Amazon
9	Carlos Santana [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:20	Amazon
10	It Never Entered My Mind Richard Rodgers	Miles Davis	05:22	Amazon
11	Vincent Bessières [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:44	Amazon
12	Générique [Mono Version] Miles Davis	Miles Davis	02:47	Amazon
13	Jimmy Cobb [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:21	Amazon
14	So What Miles Davis	Miles Davis	09:05	Amazon
15	Gil Evans [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:11	Amazon
16	New Rhumba Ahmad Jamal	Miles Davis	04:35	Amazon
17	Frances Taylor Davis [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:37	Amazon
18	The Pan Piper Traditional	Miles Davis	03:55	Amazon
19	Jack Chambers [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:22	Amazon
20	Someday My Prince Will Come Frank Churchill / Larry Morey	Miles Davis	09:02	Amazon
21	Wayne Shorter [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:34	Amazon
22	Footprints Wayne Shorter	Miles Davis	09:45	Amazon
23	Carlos Santana, Quincy Troupe [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:27	Amazon
24	Miles Runs the Voodoo Down [45-rpm Single Edit] Miles Davis	Miles Davis	02:49	Amazon
25	Marcus Miller [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:17	Amazon
26	Tutu Marcus Miller	Miles Davis	05:14	Amazon
27	Erin Davis [Commentary]	Miles Davis	00:13	Amazon
28	Hail to the Real Chief Miles Davis / Lenny White	Miles Davis	03:40	Amazon