In Person Friday and Saturday Nights At the Blackhawk - Complete (Live)

The Complete Friday and Saturday at the Blackhawk is one of the surprise recordings in recent years. It really sets so many wrong things right, especially for Hank Mobley whose solos were edited out on so many tunes in the previous LPs and CDs. Mobley proves that he was the right choice for Miles at that time. Mobley blended with Miles and his band so well. Mobley fitted this band like a hand in glove! Forget what Miles said about Mobley not inspiring him. Miles' problem was with himelf and what he was personally going through (particularly musically) back then. If Mobley was such a drag, why was he there for almost 2 years? And when he left what did Miles do? Went out and hired another tenor player who sounded and played almost like Mobley, George Coleman. This CD certainly makes the case that Hank Mobley was also an innovative tenor saxophonist who personified the hard bop tenor style. The rhythm section of Kelly, Chambers and Cobb sound sublime. Perhaps it was here that they realized their strength together that eventually let them to go out on their own as a trio? As mentioned above, Miles picked up the slack of no longer having the innovative John Coltrane in his band. Miles in essence becomes the most innovative force in the band and one can hear the next evolution in his playing that culminated later with the Shorter, Hancock, Carter & Williams version of this band. All in all this is one fine recording that will continue to reward with repeated listenings. I for one can't get enough!

On a late Sat. night in April, 1961, I got pushed out onto Turk & Hyde sts. in SanFrancisco because I'd been standing at the bar too long. I still remember what was playing-"I thought about you". Since the rest of the night got lost in time ,this set really brings back that exact time in my life.. You can't believe how powerful all these sides are for me.It's too bad that this group which Miles assembled couldn't have had more sessions together.I even love much of the background noise(maybe me being thrown out?) Great collection. Thanks.