Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951–1956

Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951–1956
Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951–1956
Box set by Miles Davis
Released	1988
Recorded	1951 to 1956
Genre	Jazz, cool jazz
Label	Prestige Records

Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951–1956 is a box set of 8 CDs with compiled recordings of the American jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis, made in sessions between 1951 and 1956 for Prestige Records. It was issued in 1988.^[1] The box set contains a 64-page illustrated booklet that includes rare photographs, full discographical details, and an analysis of each session by Dan Morgenstern, Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.^[2] It is a re-release of the 12 vinyl discs records on 8 CDs in 1980.

Background and recording[]

The box set is a retrospective compilation of Miles Davis' 17 sessions recorded on the Prestige label between 1951 and 1956. The collection represents a fairly mix of ballads, hard bop, and cool jazz featuring his collaborations with major contemporary jazz artists.

Most significant are the group on discs six, seven, and eight containing performances by Davis’ first classic quintet with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. Among the others featured in this collection are some of the most influential Jazz artists of that time including Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson, Charles Mingus and Jackie McLean. One historic moment is Round About Midnigh which was recorded with Charlie Parker just days before his death.^[3]

Track listing[]

CD 1
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Morpheus" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	02:24
2.	"Down" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	02:54
3.	"Blue Room (Take 1)" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	02:51
4.	"Blue Room (Take 2)" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	03:04
5.	"Whispering" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	03:05
6.	"I Know" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Roy Haynes	1951-01-17	02:35
7.	"Odjenar" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Lee Konitz, Sal Mosca, Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkind, Max Roach	1951-03-08	02:54
8.	"Ezz-Thetic" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Lee Konitz, Sal Mosca, Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkind, Max Roach	1951-03-08	02:54
9.	"Hibeck" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Lee Konitz, Sal Mosca, Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkind, Max Roach	1951-03-08	03:07
10.	"Yesterdays" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Lee Konitz, Sal Mosca, Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkind, Max Roach	1951-03-08	02:28
11.	"Conception" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	04:04
12.	"Out of the Blue" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	06:17
13.	"Denial" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	05:42
14.	"Bluing" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	09:56
15.	"Dig" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	07:36
16.	"My Old Flame" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	06:36
17.	"It's Only a Paper Moon" (Apex Studios)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Sonny Rollins, Walter Bishop Jr., Tommy Potter, Art Blakey	1951-10-05	05:24
Total length:				73:53

CD 2
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Compulsion" ()	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Walter Bishop Jr., Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones	1953-02-19	05:45
2.	"The Serpents Tooth (Take 1)" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Walter Bishop Jr., Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones	1953-02-19	07:01
3.	"The Serpents Tooth (Take 2)" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Walter Bishop Jr., Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones	1953-02-19	06:18
4.	"'Round About Midnight" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, Walter Bishop Jr., Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones	1953-02-19	07:05
5.	"Tasty Pudding" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Leonard Gaskin, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Truitt	1953-02-19	03:21
6.	"Willie the Wailer" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Leonard Gaskin, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Truitt	1953-02-19	04:27
7.	"Floppy" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Leonard Gaskin, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Truitt	1953-02-19	06:02
8.	"For Adults Only" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davis, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, John Lewis, Leonard Gaskin, Kenny Clarke, Sonny Truitt	1953-02-19	05:35
9.	"When Lights Are Low" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Max Roach	1953-05-19	03:26
10.	"Tune up" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Max Roach	1953-05-19	03:53
11.	"Miles Ahead" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, John Lewis, Percy Heath, Max Roach	1953-05-19	04:28
12.	"Smooch" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, Charles Mingus, Percy Heath, Max Roach	1953-05-19	03:06
13.	"Four" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Art Blakey	1954-03-15	04:01
14.	"Old Devil Moon" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Art Blakey	1954-03-15	03:23
15.	"Blue Haze" (WOR Studios)	Miles Davies, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Art Blakey	1954-03-15	06:07
Total length:				74:00

CD 3
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Solar" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Dave Schildkraut, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-03	04:44
2.	"You don't Know what love is" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Dave Schildkraut, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-03	04:24
3.	"Love me or Leave me" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Dave Schildkraut, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-03	06:58
4.	"I'll Remember April" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Dave Schildkraut, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-03	07:55
5.	"Blue 'n Boogie" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, J. J. Johnson, Lucky Thompson, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-29	08:18
6.	"Walkin'" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, J. J. Johnson, Lucky Thompson, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-04-29	13:28
7.	"Airegin" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-06-29	05:00
8.	"Oleo" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-06-29	05:13
9.	"But Not For Me (Take 1)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-06-29	05:45
10.	"But Not For Me (Take 2)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-06-29	04:37
11.	"Doxy" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-06-29	04:52
Total length:				71:16

CD 4
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Bags' Groove (Take 1)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	11:11
2.	"Bags' Groove (Take 2)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	09:21
3.	"Bemsha Swing" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	09:27
4.	"Swing Spring" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	10:39
5.	"The Man I Love (take 1)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	08:02
6.	"The Man I Love (take 2)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke	1954-12-24	07:57
7.	"I Didn't" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	06:02
8.	"Will You Still Be Mine?" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	06:20
Total length:				68:59

CD 5
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Green Haze" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	05:50
2.	"I See Your Face Before Me" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	04:46
3.	"A Night in Tunisia" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	07:24
4.	"A Gal in Calico" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Oscar Pettiford, Philly Joe Jones	1955-07-07	05:16
5.	"Dr. Jackle" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Milt Jackson, Ray Bryant, Percy Heath, Art Taylor	1955-08-05	08:54
6.	"Bitty Ditty" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Ray Bryant, Percy Heath, Art Taylor	1955-08-05	06:38
7.	"Minor March" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Jackie McLean, Milt Jackson, Ray Bryant, Percy Heath, Art Taylor	1955-08-05	08:17
8.	"Changes" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Ray Bryant, Percy Heath, Art Taylor	1955-08-05	07:14
9.	"In Your Own Sweet Way" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor	1956-03-16	04:38
10.	"No Line" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor	1956-03-16	05:42
11.	"Vierd Blues" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, Art Taylor	1956-03-16	06:52
Total length:				71:33

CD 6
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"Stablemates" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	05:21
2.	"How Am I to Know?" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	04:41
3.	"Just Squeeze Me" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	07:27
4.	"There is No Greater Love" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	05:20
5.	"The Theme" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	05:50
6.	"S'posin'" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-03-16	05:16
7.	"In Your Own Sweet Way" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1957-05-11	05:45
8.	"Diane" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1957-05-11	07:50
9.	"Trane's Blues" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1957-05-11	08:30
10.	"Something I Dreamed Last Night" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1957-05-11	06:13
Total length:				62:15

CD 7
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"It Could Happen to You" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	06:28
2.	"Woody 'n You" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	04:53
3.	"Ahmad's Blues" (Van Gelder Studio)	Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	07:21
4.	"Surrey with the Fringe on Top" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	09:02
5.	"It Never Entered My Mind" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	05:20
6.	"When I Fall in Love" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	04:21
7.	"Salt Peanuts" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	06:06
8.	"Four" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	07:11
9.	"The Theme (take 1)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	01:57
10.	"The Theme (take 2)" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-05-11	01:02
11.	"If I Were a Bell" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	08:05
12.	"Well, You Needn't" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	06:14
Total length:				68:10

CD 8
No.	Title	Music	Date of original release	Length
1.	"'Round About Midnight" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	05:19
2.	"Half Nelson" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	04:37
3.	"You're My Everything" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	04:50
4.	"I Could Write a Book" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	05:11
5.	"Oleo" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	05:55
6.	"Airegin" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	04:27
7.	"Tune Up" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	05:44
8.	"When Lights are Low" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	07:32
9.	"Blues by Five" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	10:01
10.	"My Funny Valentine" (Van Gelder Studio)	Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones	1956-10-26	06:01
Total length:				59:51

Notes and references[]

Information about song details is taken from the box set.

^ Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951 - 1956 Retrieved 2021-10-25.
^ Miles Davis – Chronicle Retrieved 2021-10-25.
^ Music Review: Miles Davis The Chronicle Retrieved 2021-11-15.

[1] Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951 - 1956 Retrieved 2021-10-25.

[2] Miles Davis – Chronicle Retrieved 2021-10-25.

[3] Music Review: Miles Davis The Chronicle Retrieved 2021-11-15.

[1]

[2]

[3]

Chronicle: The Complete Prestige Recordings 1951–1956

Box set by Miles Davis
Released	1988
Recorded	1951 to 1956
Genre	Jazz, cool jazz
Label	Prestige Records