# Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess is fuckin awesome **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 26, 2000, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914 "2000-07-26T15:26:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/1 "2000-07-26T15:26:17Z")
I just got it this past weekend and I’m completely in love with this album. I love Gershwin in general and Miles’ rendition of his opera (is it ‘opera’) is absolutely brilliant. I can’t stop listening to it. IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Grendel69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7bcc69/32.png) [@Grendel69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grendel69)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/2 "2000-07-26T18:34:55Z")
Moe: Try “Sketches of Spain”. It’s damn incredible. Especially on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a good cigar. ---
**Author:** ![lunapark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/278dde/32.png) [@lunapark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lunapark)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/3 "2000-07-26T18:37:56Z")
Oh yeah. Miles Davis is the best. Get Sketches of spain, kind of blue, and bitches brew. If you don’t already. ---
**Author:** ![rundogrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@rundogrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rundogrun)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/4 "2000-07-26T19:08:16Z")
Add “Birth of the Cool” to that. Gerry Mulligan released a version called “Rebirth of the Cool” after Miles died as a tribute album. Awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/5 "2000-07-26T19:30:11Z")
I am definitely going to get Sketches of Spain very soon. Luna - I am a huge fan of the fusion stuff and have been for some time so I certainly own Bitches Brew, In a Silent Way, Live at the Fillmore, plus have a bootleg video of one of the live at the Fillmore shows. I actually own the 4 cd re-release of Bitches Brew which has 2 CDs worth of unreleased material from those sessions, invluding some sitar and tabla, though the names of those musicians escape me at the moment. Great stuff. Kind of Blue I love as well. Birth of the Cool might be a bit difficult for me to listen to. I’ve heard it, but I dunno, I may have to try it again. That’s from the 40’s no? My jazz interests usually start from early 60’s, maybe late 50’s, in general. But I’m getting more open to earlier stuff as I continue to listen and learn. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/6 "2000-07-26T19:32:20Z")
**Moe** - yeah **Grendel** - yeah **lunapark** - yeah **rundro** - yeah Just to warn ya’ll, though, there are a few Miles Davis haters on the board. Check out the “Jazz is Crap” thread in the pit awhile back. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/7 "2000-07-26T19:40:25Z")
I remember it well. I especially remember your entrance into the discussion: IIRC “I’m…trying…to…breathe” Don’t ask me why I remember that. It just cracked me up, because it’s exactly what I was thinking.😉 ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/8 "2000-07-26T20:10:48Z")
Miles Davis Rocks! One of the best saxophonists out there playing some of the best classical crossover music out there. I love you Porgy. It is kind of weird that you bring this up since I have been singing “Nice Work If You Can Get It” most of the day here. I love that tune. I also love “I love you Porgy” and “Bess, you is my woman.” Porgy and Bess is an opera. You had that correct. Incidently, it was the first piece that hit the mainstream that featured all black characters as the leads. Some say it may have been Carmen since Carmen has often been played by black women in the past to show her dark Gypsy heritage. This however features the black people as black and won great acclaim by everyone who saw it. HUGS! Sqrl ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/9 "2000-07-26T20:14:07Z")
I am so stupid I typed saxophone when I saw sax face show up. I can’t believe I didn’t proofread enough to type TRUMPET. STUPID ME! TRUMPET!!! TRUMPET!!! SqrlCub hangs his head in shame. Sqrl ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/10 "2000-07-26T20:24:46Z")
Figured I come back and post a link to that thread Sax mentioned. Just watch Uke go: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=7756&pagenumber=1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=7756&pagenumber=1) Oh and Sqrl, its “I love **s** You, Porgy” 😉 Now pick that head up, discard that useless shame! We’re all jazz fans here. ---
**Author:** ![rundogrun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@rundogrun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rundogrun)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/11 "2000-07-26T20:39:05Z")
Not to hijack the thread…but if you love trumpet, give Chet Baker a whirl. Man, I can listen to him for hours. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/12 "2000-07-26T21:00:05Z")
If you like _Porgy and Bess_ and _Sketches of Spain,_ allow me to respectfully point out that you’re primarily enjoying the work of Gil Evans, rather than Miles Davis. And if you love trumpet and want to try some amazing instrumentalists who never got to be famous on a Miles Davis/Chet Baker level, here’s an incomplete list of my favorites in no particular order: Harry “Red” Allen Roy Eldridge Johnny Coles Donald Byrd Harry “Sweets” Edison Bobby Hackett Buck Clayton Fats Navarro Shorty Rogers Ruby Braff Dupree Bolton Conte Candoli Thad Jones Art Farmer Nat Adderley ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/13 "2000-07-26T21:03:33Z")
Sqrl - that’s what I figured, too. I had no idea I had that power. WOW. Anyway, not to hijack, but I tried calling you last night. I’m going to be in DC from Thursday to Sunday. Let’s hang out! Oh, and listen to some jazz. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/14 "2000-07-26T21:22:17Z")
Thanks Uke, I knew it was just a matter of time before you showed up, but could you narrow down the list a tad, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. BTW, I’m not familar with most of those names but if they’re not the most contemporary in your collection, I’d much rather here about the what’s-happening-now guys. Sax, have good time in DC. I’ll talk to you when you get back. (BTW a shame you’re not going a week later, I’m gonna be in MD next weekend) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/15 "2000-07-27T01:56:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Moe \* > \*\*I’d much rather here about the what’s-happening-now guys. \*\* **EEEEEEVE!!!** You back from Seattle yet? Here, I’ll hold **Moe’s** arms, you can have the first crack with the baseball bat. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/16 "2000-07-27T15:13:42Z")
Oh no. Whadisay? ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/17 "2000-07-27T17:44:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ukulele Ike \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Moe \* > > \*\*I’d much rather here about the what’s-happening-now guys. \*\* > > **EEEEEEVE!!!** You back from Seattle yet? > > Here, I’ll hold **Moe’s** arms, you can have the first crack with the baseball bat. \*\* Oh my, I just realized. :o I used “here” rather than “hear”. Silly me. ---
**Author:** ![writefetus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9de053/32.png) [@writefetus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/writefetus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/18 "2000-07-27T18:26:18Z")
…y’all need to go and get The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings then,the Gil Evans stuff, just wonderful… you get not only the orig. recordings (Miles Ahead , Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain and Quiet Nights) in little mini reproductions of the LP jackets and a book of background info but you also get a very comprehensive collection of alternate takes and studio chatter and overdubbing takes and and flubs and the like…worth every $ it costs, I have had these since they came out in 96 and I return to them again and again, always fresh. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/19 "2000-07-27T18:31:53Z")
Nah, I don’t give a shit about misspellings or typos or whatever, as long as the post is semi-literate. It was the use of “what’s-happening-now guys.” It reeks of “Oh, boy, I love Joshua Redman, because he wears a shiny suit and Warner Bros. is pouring a ton of ad/promo money into his career and HEY! He just blew a HIGH NOTE on his saxophone, I gotta pump my fist in the air like that’s a really hard thing to do with a saxophone!!! Lester Young? Who’s he? His hat looks funny! He looks like my grandpa! He can’t POSSIBLY have anything relevant to say to ME because I’m a child of the 21st century and he was some old drunk from the 1930s! Isn’t it great to be young and hip and swinging? MY generation must be the first one to ever have felt that way!” I invoked **Eve** because she’s even pricklier about this sort of thing than I am, except mostly for movies. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7bcc69/32.png) [@Grendel69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grendel69)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914/20 "2000-07-27T18:57:01Z")
Semi-Hijack: Speakin’ of old school musicalgeniuses… Anybody seen Sweet and Lowdown??? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miles-davis-porgy-and-bess-is-fuckin-awesome/26914.md?page=2)