Dec 27, 2012

Miles Davis Someday My Prince Will Come (1961)

1961's Someday My Prince Will Come is one of the underrated albums in the discography of Miles Davis.

A transitional album if there ever was one. John Coltrane appears on two tracks, the title track and the Epic "Teo", the latter being my personal favorite solo from Coltrane during the Davis era.

Someday My Prince Will Come is also known as the album where the usually stellar and underrated tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley is upstaged by Coltrane.

Indeed Mobley does seem over matched head to head, but Mobley pound for pound was a very capable melodic player, and it is unfair he is compared to Coltrane.

I must say, I believe Mobley was out of place with Davis, after all it took Miles 4 years to find Wayne Shorter after Coltrane left the band for good in 1960.

"Someday" leads off with the title track, taken from the 1937 film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  This track features solos by Coltrane and Mobley. Mobley doesn't embarrass him self, but next to Trane it's not fair.

Is Coltrane's Best Solo on "Teo"?

"Teo" is a droning modal track that Mobley sits out completely on. Coltrane just searches and searches the minor key, and plays with such an earnestness, that you get caught up with the Coltrane oratory.

You feel like a something extra is happening here, beyond your typical jazz saxophone solo.  The minor key adds to the exotic vibe, but Coltrane pleading his case to such an awesome extent really is breathtaking. 

I've also felt the vibe was very much in line with his masterpiece A Love Supreme, remarkable the probing style that he uses here.

One of the best .99 cent buys you'll ever make.




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