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Miles Davis — It Ain't Necessarily So
Album: Porgy & Bess
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2236









Released: 1958
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(Instrumental)
Comments (180)add comment
It's depressing reflecting on how today's mainstream music has lost that element of class, like what we hear in this song.
 
I mean in 1960 near a city, there was a good chance you could turn on the radio and hear something like this coming through the airwaves.  Now you'd turn it on and chances are it's going to be either bro country, gangsta rap, or Tejano.
 idiot_wind wrote:

Probably the last time you saw Miles smile in public. 

This was probably taken before he got his head bashed in by NYC cops, for standing outside of the night club he was headlining. 


So I looked this story up. Bad case of racism there. About that incident Miles said he became cynical again about the state of the country at that time.

It wasn't the reason though Miles almost never smiled in public. Miles had a chronic hip problem causing pain and discomfort all the time. He was an heavy alcohol and drug user up to the point that it disabled him too much to work.  Also he kept trying to innovate and a lot of the time he refused to play older music discarding it as dead and uninspiring. He was the textbook case of an perfectionist and by modern standards he was chronic depressed too.
 kingart wrote:

Posted 2 years ago by On_The_Beach:Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever?

Top ten without question, and a strong argument could be made for number one.

I believe Miles himself once said it was Louis Armstrong.  It takes one to know one. 


You can't say you are the greatest so Miles' answer is logically someone else.
Armstrong was obviously a great artist but I think Miles was a better and more innovative composer.
 lizardking wrote:

I'll drink to Much Jazz!!

And to my ears, BillG doesn't play too much jazz at all.
Cheers and Long Live RP!!



I Agree!!
Probably the last time you saw Miles smile in public. 

This was probably taken before he got his head bashed in by NYC cops, for standing outside of the night club he was headlining. 
He's the man.
ah good, I did have this rated a 10. Relieved that my hearing hasn't gone to hell
Not a word of praise to that drummer keeping a beat with the cymbal? Well there is now.
EXCEPTIONAL!!  Thanx RP!   
 Edweirdo wrote:

We have other people too, like Jacob Collier, Steven Wilson, Dirty Loops.  Lots and lots of really, really good stuff happening.



Yes! I am 67 & think that Billie Eilish has a GREAT voice. I like some of her stuff, not all of it.
 reallylost wrote:

Just genius - but instead we have Billie Eilish.


We have other people too, like Jacob Collier, Steven Wilson, Dirty Loops.  Lots and lots of really, really good stuff happening.
 sfoster66 wrote:

I worked graveyards at a hotel front desk that played jazz as the taped lobby music.  Month one was complete misery.  By month 3, I was in love with Miles.  Stole the tape outta the deck on my last shift...couldn't bear to part with it...  


@sfoster66...this is one of my favorite RP song comment stories ever.  

My workplace theft story isn't music related, but makes me smile 25 years later that I snagged the ashtray from the smoking section of the call center where I met my wife, and I don't even smoke anymore!  

Long Live RP and funny work-place-theft-stories?!!
 sqqqrly wrote:


I wish there was a Jazz channel on RP.  I am sure that is not a simple request for @BillG to implement...  One can hope though.

The reason is that when I listen to an FM Jazz program, I usually do not like it so much.   On RP, I do.   I love this....9.


yes it would be amazing to have RP run a Jazz channel!
Just genius - but instead we have Billie Eilish.
I worked graveyards at a hotel front desk that played jazz as the taped lobby music.  Month one was complete misery.  By month 3, I was in love with Miles.  Stole the tape outta the deck on my last shift...couldn't bear to part with it...  
Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever? My vote is in the Miles column as well
 billjacky wrote:

awful racket



for the love of god....
Wow.

This sounds like a precursor to Kind of Blue.  
 sqqqrly wrote:


I wish there was a Jazz channel on RP.  I am sure that is not a simple request for @BillG to implement...  One can hope though.

The reason is that when I listen to an FM Jazz program, I usually do not like it so much.   On RP, I do.   I love this....9.




I definitely agree, an RP jazz channel would be great.
Until that time, there is

kmhd.org
 lizardking wrote:

I'll drink to Much Jazz!!

And to my ears, BillG doesn't play too much jazz at all.
Cheers and Long Live RP!!


I wish there was a Jazz channel on RP.  I am sure that is not a simple request for @BillG to implement...  One can hope though.

The reason is that when I listen to an FM Jazz program, I usually do not like it so much.   On RP, I do.   I love this....9.
awful racket
Miles could play Happy Birthday and it’d be a 10. We need a different metric.
Late on a Friday , COVID locked. Solid groove.solid Miles.
 phlattop wrote:
Not one of Gershwin's greatest (though still up there) but Miles just elevates it. Can't think of another version that comes close to this.
 
Miles has a way of grabbing a tune and playing it like he is the only person capable of interpreting it fully.  Amazingly talented.
'king gorgeous....
Just checked to see if I'd rated this. Yep. Solid 8, pushing 9.
c.
Not one of Gershwin's greatest (though still up there) but Miles just elevates it. Can't think of another version that comes close to this.
Godlike! His control and phrasing are just awesome.
Not a jazz fan but man I really like this
Posted 2 years ago by On_The_Beach:bryanbeatson wrote:

Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever?


Top ten without question, and a strong argument could be made for number one.


I believe Miles himself once said it was Louis Armstrong.  It takes one to know one. 
Everything about this is 'king gorgeous...
Where is my martini?
 cc_rider wrote:
To much Jazz! {#Wink}
 
I'll drink to Much Jazz!!

And to my ears, BillG doesn't play too much jazz at all.
Cheers and Long Live RP!!
Prince of Darkness
 
I have been working my way through his catalogue for the last several months.  What a daunting task it has been.  Incredible musician. 
Perfect. Thanks Bill!
To much Jazz! {#Wink}
I would attempt to dance to this in a hip fashion, but I would probably hurt myself. 
So love {#Heartkiss} this complete album

Just sweet.
 bryanbeatson wrote:
Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever?
 
Top ten without question, and a strong argument could be made for number one.
 fredriley wrote:
I prefer the original, raw and raucous song, to this jazzed-up version, though I suppose it appeals to hip dudes, daddy-oh.

 
the 'original' for me was on the album,  Herbie Mann live at the village gate. Still my benchmark.
I prefer the original, raw and raucous song, to this jazzed-up version, though I suppose it appeals to hip dudes, daddy-oh.
 Skydog wrote:
never enough Miles

 
Absolutely! {#Good-vibes}{#Music}{#Cheers}

{#Cheers}

so smooth ..... so chilling ...... one of the reasons I love listening to RP ... they just throw these gems in ....  


 n4ku wrote:
Listening to this is almost a reason to believe in Jesus.

 
Amen
 idiot_wind wrote:
And please note the subtle but provocative album cover for 1950s America.    

 
I was just noticing that. Interesting ...
 bryanbeatson wrote:
Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever?

 
Yes, subjective! But damn good on the brass!!
Obviously subjective ... but, damn, greatest US musician ever?
Groov'in
 
never enough Miles
Swank!
And please note the subtle but provocative album cover for 1950s America.    

Davis and Evans were such a great combination. Classic fifties daddy-o!


Sei il migliore Miles!!!
yes, I have had it for 15 years still in my rotation.
cohifi wrote:
I guess I should buy this, too.  Thanks RP!

 
Great idea, a part of the vibe in my life!
Listening to this is almost a reason to believe in Jesus.
It's not from blue
 idiot_wind wrote:
Are your sure this tune is from the "Blue" album?  I don't hear Cannonball, Evans, or Coltrane. 

I've listened to that album a hundred times and this song ain't on it. 

This sounds like something from "Birth of Cool"...a bigger band sound. 

 
It's from Porgy and Bess.
 cohifi wrote:
I guess I should buy this, too.  Thanks RP!

 
Great idea, a part of the vibe in my life!
I guess I should buy this, too.  Thanks RP!
Are your sure this tune is from the "Blue" album?  I don't hear Cannonball, Evans, or Coltrane. 

I've listened to that album a hundred times and this song ain't on it. 

This sounds like something from "Birth of Cool"...a bigger band sound. 
Ah, I feel my sonic envelope has expanded just a bit. 
 
he did a lot of Gershwin, and the Porgy and Bess album is fantastic - his version of Sumertime is amazing. And, of course, Miles being Miles, it's not like anyone else's version.


MassivRuss wrote:
Didn't know Davis ever touched Gershwin. {#Devil_pimp}

 


 MassivRuss wrote:
Didn't know Davis ever touched Gershwin. {#Devil_pimp}

 
Just about everyone does at some point.  This track was originally on his album "Porgy and Bess".
Didn't know Davis ever touched Gershwin. {#Devil_pimp}
I was just thinking the same thought !
 

amprich wrote:
hmmm...didn't know I liked Miles Davis...this is nice...

 


hmmm...didn't know I liked Miles Davis...this is nice...
Herbie Mann killed this on "Live at the village Gate" but this is sweet.
PLEASE PLAY THE ENTIRE KIND OF BLUE ALBUM!


You can get a buzz off that album.   
 
It IS necessarily so, just so.

This dates from the era when MD actually faced the audience BTW. 
Ah, Miles Davis. Nice.
 Sasha2001 wrote:


It's hard to argue with a statement like this because it's your opinion and because Miles was so HUGE. However, for all of music, much less jazz in particular, this view is problematic. Miles was never the guy who invented new styles or genres, he really was a genius at observing what was going on around him musically and than trying to bring that to a more main stream audience - as was the case with "Kind of Blue" which didn't invent modal jazz, but it brought it into the living rooms of the Frank Sinatra set. Also remember, without Bill Evans on Piano, there is no KOB.

As far as musicians go, I think even Miles would admit that he stood on the shoulders of giants like Armstrong, Parker, and Gillespie.

But perhaps your central point has more to do with Miles' vast and unique career as a one-of-a-kind collaborator. To that point he arguably stands alone among 20th century musicians - but than all music has an element of collaboration. Can you see why your statements are problematic?
 

Appreciate your comment and taking the time to reply...but... you have totally missed what i was saying .. he Delved into all genre's of music I did not say he created them  He did not stay in the one genre but experimented with all kinds with Jazz being the main theme. this he continued all his life never standing still stuck in one form of music. And as for saying the Bill Evans made the Album 'Kind Of Blue' that is not an appropriate statement Bill played piano, Miles played trumpet and together they created the Album so to take either away there of course would be no Album, and I dont agree that they created the Album to target the Frank Sinatra etc. market now that statement to me is 'Problomatic'  But you are entitled to your opinions ...and thanks to Bill (RP Bill) I have now dug out the 'Porgy & Bess' Album and am  taking it with me on a road trip today. Good listening to all.  °º©©º° KJ
 Toke wrote:
Without doubt Miles was THE  musician of this past century, his expertise knows no bounds. I have been an ardent follower of him since the 60's. he never ever stood still and delved into all forms of music and the last  studio session he cut an Album with a rap star Easy Mo Bee. I first came accross this track on 'Porgy & Bess' and I urge all serious music fans to buy a copy and follow link to AMG to gain some knowledge of this amazing guy.
 



It's hard to argue with a statement like this because it's your opinion and because Miles was so HUGE. However, for all of music, much less jazz in particular, this view is problematic. Miles was never the guy who invented new styles or genres, he really was a genius at observing what was going on around him musically and than trying to bring that to a more main stream audience - as was the case with "Kind of Blue" which didn't invent modal jazz, but it brought it into the living rooms of the Frank Sinatra set. Also remember, without Bill Evans on Piano, there is no KOB.

As far as musicians go, I think even Miles would admit that he stood on the shoulders of giants like Armstrong, Parker, and Gillespie.

But perhaps your central point has more to do with Miles' vast and unique career as a one-of-a-kind collaborator. To that point he arguably stands alone among 20th century musicians - but than all music has an element of collaboration. Can you see why your statements are problematic?
Some people have talked about Miles' "discordant" arrangements.  Actually, I'm pretty sure that Gil Evans was the arranger on this and several other famous cuts.  They collaborated on at least three albums.  Miles did his improvisational thing within structures that were created (and directed) by Evans.  And I agree with several others here...the arrangements are sublime.
 jadewahoo wrote:
Miles Davis, May 26, 1926
 
He looks pretty good there for just being born.  The color is also great for 1926....  {#Lol}
 Toke wrote:
Without doubt Miles was THE  musician of this past century, his expertise knows no bounds. I have been an ardent follower of him since the 60's. he never ever stood still and delved into all forms of music and the last  studio session he cut an Album with a rap star Easy Mo Bee. I first came accross this track on 'Porgy & Bess' and I urge all serious music fans to buy a copy and follow link to AMG to gain some knowledge of this amazing guy.
 
{#Cheers}
Wow a MD track I almost liked!

Oh yes it is.
 
Miles Davis — It Ain't Necessarily So

Oh yes it is.
 Canlistener wrote:
Like others here I'm not a jazz fan, but I really enjoy this.  The big band sound is nice and it's not 'too jazzy' if that even makes sense?
 
Not very much so, if you ask me.

Edit:

Well, yes, it does, etymologically, if you understand jazzy as a synonym of wild; because a Big Band usually sounds rather smooth. Yeah, I can see what you mean.

Like others here I'm not a jazz fan, but I really enjoy this.  The big band sound is nice and it's not 'too jazzy' if that even makes sense?
Wow.
Just wanted to rate it 1but i already did..god!!..i hate jazz...
Great, I like also the big band tunes.
Not a big Jazz Fan, but this is nice!
Miles Davis, May 26, 1926

 Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant?

Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
 

OK, here's my take, for what it's worth: Miles' playing is pure and sublime, and when the big band chimes in, it is a loud and complicated sound. So the juxtaposition is jarring. I love it, but I can understand that it might not be to your taste. 
 Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
 
Sorry, but unless my musician's ear has suddenly gone dead—and both my wife and daughter have asserted this lately when I sing Christmas carols—but, I'm sorry, I just don't hear one discordant chord in this. Yes, Miles charts some minor thirds and fifths in otherwise major chords, but all that does is make another chord. You want discordant, try Stockhausen or some free jazz. This is pretty tame by those standards.

 randerse10 wrote:
*adverbs. Fun with adverbs. :D

 
Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
 
 
{#Lol}

*adverbs. Fun with adverbs. :D

 
Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
 


 pdjpirate wrote:
Proof that there is a God!

Bill, you need to add Miles' "So What!" with Coltrane...THE ULTIMATE!! Here is the Video on You Tube.... (click here)
 

Hey Thanx PD for the link am DL'ing now. How Cool is that man . Takes a smoke break whilst Coltrane is doing his piece..lol... that was the days before 'Chewing Gum' lol

Without doubt Miles was THE  musician of this past century, his expertise knows no bounds. I have been an ardent follower of him since the 60's. he never ever stood still and delved into all forms of music and the last  studio session he cut an Album with a rap star Easy Mo Bee. I first came accross this track on 'Porgy & Bess' and I urge all serious music fans to buy a copy and follow link to AMG to gain some knowledge of this amazing guy.
Aegean wrote:
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooring! {#Puke}

Instead of blaming the song, why don't you just admit that you don't like jazz?

Very nice follow-up for Moondance, about 5 tunes back.
Can we have the original Gershwin number from Porgy and Bess (I think it was), rather than this super-jazzified, positively baroque version? I remember playing Gershwin numbers in our school band back in the day and they were fun, all raucous energy and couldn't-give-a-stuff-ness. This is supercool, daddy-o, but the sort of thing that you sit in some smoky bar clicking your fingers and nodding your head to with all the other cool jazz fans. Us non-sophisto plebs prefer the get up and boogie version :)
Pretty damn faultless all round, Miles lets it all hang out and the band support superbly
*taps toes*
 redeyespy wrote:


Miles was always looking to break with convention, and the only tradition from which this could derive is the very one that tries to subvert the rules, including this popular notion that music has to be euphonious.

If this is "bloody jarringly...." to you, you might also want to avoid the works of Albert Ayler, Brotzman, even later period Coltrane.

 
Man, I just don't hear it — this song is beauty musicified to my ears. Maybe my ears are tuned to discordant. . .? {#Think}

Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
Miles was always looking to break with convention, and the only tradition from which this could derive is the very one that tries to subvert the rules, including this popular notion that music has to be euphonious. If this is "bloody jarringly...." to you, you might also want to avoid the works of Albert Ayler, Brotzman, even later period Coltrane.
Xeric wrote:
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
OK, I will give this one a go. I think that Miles was magnanimous when it came to music, especially inviting a select few to play with him. There in lies the fallacy, I would propose that no one could play with Miles. Thus, any attempt would be discordant. Now, I do not necessarily believe this shit, I just think it may help you explain yourself, when you bring this topic up over cocktails!
Okay, jazz people, I gots a question. When this is just Miles on the trumpet, it's pretty cool. Why, then, when the rest of the band comes in, is it necessary that they play chords that are so bloody jarringly gratingly awfully murderously horrendously discordant? Fun with adjectives, by my question is serious. Anybody know where this part of the tradition came from?
The definition of .
This song really bugs me! I can't stop my feet from tapping the floor. I can't stop twisting back and forth in my chair. I can't stop playing air drums. I can't stop flipping my head to the right side every time that stick hits the snare. I can't rate it any higher than a 10. Frustrating I tell ya, frustrating!
Proof that there is a God! Bill, you need to add Miles' "So What!" with Coltrane...THE ULTIMATE!! Here is the Video on You Tube.... (click here)
I totally agree with physics genius. Traffic paintings are food and well presented ears are noise.
buddy wrote:
90% of this post is crap.
Well the guy did say "All jazz sucks, without exception." in a post about Dave Brubeck's "Take Five", so what do you expect?
physicsgenius wrote:
This is like judging food not based on taste or nutrition, but on presentation. Why not just put out paintings of food at that point? Likewise, if jazz isn't constrained by rhythm or melody, why not just play 10 minutes of traffic noise and call it music? It's just as easy on the ear and a lot cheaper to produce.
You're obviously eating paintings and noting that passing traffic is melodic. Such a serious insect.
lmic wrote:
Oy. That squishing sound you hear is Julia Child rolling over in her grave. First: Presentation is *crucial* in cuisine. Second only to smell in creating what we know as "taste." Second: Since music is, if you will, "only" presentation - having no "tangible" component, it is the essence of the craft. Sheesh. Don't know whether I'm more frustrated by that silly comment, or by my getting finally drawn into a PG-generated fake controversy. Miles lives.
Don't get frustrated, get even. Didn't you mean Miles lives
pherthyl wrote:
*sigh* I guess I just don't get the appeal. It's like when someone says they don't like tomatoes and I just can't understand why. I mean, what's not to like? Apparently there is a substance in tomatoes that only a few people can taste and it tastes bad. Well it seems there is something about jazz that tastes bad to me but most people apparently can't taste it. Ahwell, I'll leave the tomatoes to you guys to appreciate and munch on my cucumber instead. Well that came out wrong, but you get the idea.
I understand completely. I think it's the horn that just goes straight through to a portion of brain matter that sends it into a frenzy and not a good frenzy.
Some may notice that part of the bassline/rhythm riff here was stolen by Van Morrison for "Moondance"--not that I blame him for stealing from the best.
Miles Davis virgin, and slightly embarassed by that fact *listening intensely*
pherthyl wrote:
*sigh* I guess I just don't get the appeal. It's like when someone says they don't like tomatoes and I just can't understand why. I mean, what's not to like? Apparently there is a substance in tomatoes that only a few people can taste and it tastes bad. Well it seems there is something about jazz that tastes bad to me but most people apparently can't taste it. Ahwell, I'll leave the tomatoes to you guys to appreciate and munch on my cucumber instead. Well that came out wrong, but you get the idea.
Not really, I hear ya. I've got plenty of years of classical music training, but I, for the life of me, can't get into opera or ballet. I know it's probably beautiful, and on a purely performance scale it's fascinating. But I'm quickly bored to tears at a performance and wonder what the heck they're dancin' and wailin' about.
Jacksonstat wrote:
You and Bill must think alike! He followed this up with Moondance today.
One of the things that made Van Morrison a genius is that he only stole from the best.
It ain't necessarily Moondance, listen to the melody he's belting out- the old blues number is almost intact, under layers of cool. Cool. Moondance starts in the same key, but its a totally different progression, and definitely not as cool, cool tho' it art, as cool it ain't. Miles has Van on Cool. Van may have Miles on Mysticality. But there's only a hundred or so other tunes that sound like what Moondance was derived from. But don't ever look at Song for My Father by Horace Silver and Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" as chicken-or-egg... nope.
*sigh* I guess I just don't get the appeal. It's like when someone says they don't like tomatoes and I just can't understand why. I mean, what's not to like? Apparently there is a substance in tomatoes that only a few people can taste and it tastes bad. Well it seems there is something about jazz that tastes bad to me but most people apparently can't taste it. Ahwell, I'll leave the tomatoes to you guys to appreciate and munch on my cucumber instead. Well that came out wrong, but you get the idea.
newwavegurly wrote:
Okay, so I know Miles Davis was making music first, but does anybody else hear some underlying orchestration that sounds like "Moondance" by Van Morrison?
You and Bill must think alike! He followed this up with Moondance today.
lmic wrote:
Sheesh. Don't know whether I'm more frustrated by that silly comment, or by my getting finally drawn into a PG-generated fake controversy. Miles lives.
Know exactly what you mean. Reacting to something that exists only to evoke a reaction. There's nothing as sweet as the sound of Miles' horn, despite what Whiner-boy says!
physicsgenius wrote:
This is like judging food not based on taste or nutrition, but on presentation.
Oy. That squishing sound you hear is Julia Child rolling over in her grave. First: Presentation is *crucial* in cuisine. Second only to smell in creating what we know as "taste." Second: Since music is, if you will, "only" presentation - having no "tangible" component, it is the essence of the craft. Sheesh. Don't know whether I'm more frustrated by that silly comment, or by my getting finally drawn into a PG-generated fake controversy. Miles lives.
...wow...
physicsgenius wrote:
This is like judging food not based on taste or nutrition, but on presentation. Why not just put out paintings of food at that point? Likewise, if jazz isn't constrained by rhythm or melody, why not just play 10 minutes of traffic noise and call it music? It's just as easy on the ear and a lot cheaper to produce.
hmmm, now exactly WHICH painting of food do you mean?