Silly me, I would have thought that it would be far more interesting (and friendly) to have a discussion about an interesting topic and in the process to try and understand what the reason that someone has a different opinion on this topic might be, instead of challenging it by shutting the door in a heavy handed way. An opinion, btw, originally expressed and not meant as any kind of challenge to anyone else’s. It might also be an opportunity to look at the very interesting topic of band leader/sideman dynamics. I’ll go ahead and push the door open anyway and hope that there might be positive discussion. Here’s why I (and others) feel this way; that the record is IN MANY WAYS a Cannonball date in name only:
-By the time “Somethin Else” was recorded (1957) Miles was already a very established leader and universally considered a giant in Jazz. Importantly, the size of his ego was well known. Cannonball was a relative newcomer and had recorded his first record as a leader less than two years prior. He had been recruited by Miles as a sideman and was part of Miles’ then current band.
-Even the liner notes point out that it was Miles, not Cannon, who chose most of the material.
-It was Miles, not Cannon, who composed the title cut “Somethin Else”.
-It was Miles, not Cannon, who makes the first significant musical statement on the record, on the opening cut “Autumm Leaves”.
-Haven’t counted, but Miles plays many of the first solos on the record.
-It is Miles, not Cannon, who is heard at one point addressing producer Alfred Lions and asking “is that what you want Alfred?”. A role that is usually reserved for a leader not a sideman.
Fantastic record made two years BEFORE “Kind Of Blue” (1959). Two years was an eternity in the history of Miles’ ever changing styles. The music on the record is very much like what Miles was doing at that time (1957), so the fact that it doesn’t sound like KOB and its groundbreaking modal sound is irrelevant.
Just an opinion; it does have Cannonball’s name on the cover.
-By the time “Somethin Else” was recorded (1957) Miles was already a very established leader and universally considered a giant in Jazz. Importantly, the size of his ego was well known. Cannonball was a relative newcomer and had recorded his first record as a leader less than two years prior. He had been recruited by Miles as a sideman and was part of Miles’ then current band.
-Even the liner notes point out that it was Miles, not Cannon, who chose most of the material.
-It was Miles, not Cannon, who composed the title cut “Somethin Else”.
-It was Miles, not Cannon, who makes the first significant musical statement on the record, on the opening cut “Autumm Leaves”.
-Haven’t counted, but Miles plays many of the first solos on the record.
-It is Miles, not Cannon, who is heard at one point addressing producer Alfred Lions and asking “is that what you want Alfred?”. A role that is usually reserved for a leader not a sideman.
Fantastic record made two years BEFORE “Kind Of Blue” (1959). Two years was an eternity in the history of Miles’ ever changing styles. The music on the record is very much like what Miles was doing at that time (1957), so the fact that it doesn’t sound like KOB and its groundbreaking modal sound is irrelevant.
Just an opinion; it does have Cannonball’s name on the cover.