Seven Steps to Heaven

1. Two Rbs

2. Seven Steps to Heaven

3. Dejection Blues

4. Thumb

5. My Romance

6. Cotton Tail

7. Samba de Orfeu

8. No Greater Love

9. In a Sentimental Mood

10. Stella by Starlight

11. Things Ain't What They Used to Be

Seven Steps to Heaven,Ray Brown,Telarc,Bop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

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Average customer rating: A very "warm" album Essential '60s Miles Davis 4 1/2 stars-- Davis in transition.

Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: My Funny Valentine Sorcerer E.S.P. The Melody At Night, With You Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim ASIN: B0007OP2BQ Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

1. Basin Street Blues
2. Seven Steps To Heaven
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
4. So Near, So Far
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Joshua
7. So Near, So Far
8. Summer Night

Amazon.com

By early 1963, Miles Davis was still casting for a new band and this recording accurately reflects Miles' search for his "new sound." Seven Steps to Heaven is the product of two separate sessions recorded during this transition. Davis already had bass player Ron Carter on board. After pianist Victor Feldman, who played on half the set, declined the job Davis enlisted the young Herbie Hancock to fill the seat. The even younger Tony Williams, just seventeen, joined on drums for the second round of sessions. Finally, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, though included on this entire recording, would soon be replaced by Wayne Shorter completing one of the most important quintets in jazz history. For a project borne out of transition, this is a very strong album that moves along seamlessly. More than forty years on, the title track remains intoxicatingly fresh, and all the more so with the warmth and clarity of this stellar remastering. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

A very "warm" album.......2007-05-17

In some ways, this is Miles's most relaxed album. Not in terms of tempos, but there's very little to prove here. The ballads don't despair too much, the burners wink and nod (so near so far is a very hip tune), and Basin Street/Baby Won't You Please Come Home find him investigating some old-school sources. I Fall in Love Too Easily, which was in his book for decades, sounds sensitive but very assured, and all of these recordings could have been released in 1990 or so--it is all clean, but not too clean.

Essential '60s Miles Davis.......2007-03-13

Miles Davis was one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of our time. His need for change, exploration, and experimentation will remain his legacy. I think anyone who plays or listens to jazz owes it to themselves to check out Miles Davis. That being said, "Seven Steps To Heaven" is a one of his greatest recordings of the 1960s.

Recorded in 1963 in Los Angeles and New York, this recording remains a somewhat overlooked album in Davis' vast discography. The reason I think it is overlooked is because it features Miles playing more ballads. I believe ballads are what made Miles Davis great and that's why if anyone loves ballads, then "Seven Steps to Heaven" would be a great purchase. Of course, tunes like the title track and "Joshua" are both uptempo adn feature some really swinging rhythms and hot soloing. "Seven Steps To Heaven" also feature three of the greatest musicians from contemporary jazz: Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. This is the first time they played with Miles Davis on record.

The musicians on this album are all stellar and are given plenty of room to stretch out. Here is the lineup for this album:

Miles Davis - trumpet
George Coleman - tenor saxophone
Herbie Hancock - piano (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
Victor Feldman - piano (all other tracks)
Ron Carter - bass
Tony Williams - drums (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
Frank Butler - drums (all other tracks)

Despite what people say and what they feel is the greatest Miles album, I feel that "Seven Steps To Heaven" is right there with some of his best work. I own 35 albums by Miles Davis and I can't believe I waited so long before I bought this album. Hearing albums like "Workin," "Relaxin," "Cookin," "Round About Midnight," "Miles Ahead," and "Kind of Blue," made me a fan, but nobody should overlook anything Miles did in the mid 50s to mid 60s. It was an amazing period for Miles and when listening to "Seven Steps To Heaven" makes me appreciate him even more.

To the reviewer who said this record was a "transitional" record, all I really have to say is that every album Miles made was a transitional record. That's just apart of his music. Miles was always looking towards the future and that's evident in everything he has done.

Buy this album and don't let mixed reviews scare you. This is a classic jazz album that deserves to be heard.

4 1/2 stars-- Davis in transition........2005-11-03

In 1963, Miles Davis was reeling a bit-- the Wynton Kelly Trio (Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb) had just quit, leaving the trumpeter without his stellar rhythm section, and with both John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley breaking ties the band, there was no one left from the band that recorded the triumph of "Kind of Blue". "Seven Steps to Heaven" tracks the evolution of Davis' working band over three sessions in early 1963-- the last studio work he'd do until early 1965.

The first two sessions recorded here find Davis in the company of tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Frank Butler. The pieces from this session are primarily standard ballads-- "Basin Street Blues", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" and "Summer Night" (a bonus track originally issued as part of "Quiet Nights". All four feature Davis superbly lyrical-- he seems particularly inspired by the somewhat underrecognized Feldman, whose lovely and emotive frameworks set up simply fantastic environments for Davis to solo and the ever-brilliant Carter to counter. This is all particularly obvious on the stunning reading of "I Fall in Love Too Easily", destined to stay in Davis' live repetoire for over seven years (extraordinarily rare for Davis, he tended to play songs live no more than a couple years, sometimes even less) and still featured into his "fusion" period. Coleman's only appearance from this session is the performance of "So Near, So Far" (again a bonus track originally issued on the odds-and-ends album "Directions"). The performance is pretty lifeless, with neither Davis nor Coleman particularly inspired.

A month later, Davis entered the studio, again with Coleman and Carter, but with two steps closer to forging his next great band, with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Tony Williams. The change at the drum seat is obvious-- Williams, a young prodigee at this point, is explosive, powerful and yet never in the way. They perform three pieces-- another reading of "So Near, So Far" and two originals-- Victor Feldman's "Joshua" and the Feldman/Davis-penned title track (interestingly enough, all three were attempted at the previous session). Again, Davis seems inspired, but this time with an ecstatic energy-- his playing on the title track (a bouncey hard bop piece) is agile and mercurial, leading into a brief, stunning drum break and a frantic solo by Coleman reminiscent of Coltrane's work in the Davis band. "So Near, So Far" gets a vastly superior reading-- the theme statement split around the two horns is fluid and intriguing, and Davis pours his heart into his horn on his solo-- exploring his horn's registers and expressiveness (and listen to Carter behind him who is fantastic enough to nearly steal the show, and he is perhaps even moreso under Hancock's solo). "Joshua" gets an intriguing reading-- it's bizarrely lryical and yet maintains a sort of exciting frantic energy, and again the performances are superb throughout.

Something stops me from thinking of this one among Davis' best, but it's an awfully good album, with great performances throughout. This remaster adds great sound to the mix as well-- could have been recorded yesterday. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating: Cool disc Heavenly Indeed! A pity that this is over-looked, it's an awesome album. The road to future greatness Pure and Simple a Great Album

The Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim The Melody At Night, With You Nefertiti My Funny Valentine E.S.P. ASIN: B00000286C Release Date: 1992-04-21

Tracks:

1. Basin Street Blues
2. Seven Steps To Heaven
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
4. So Near, So Far
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Joshua

Amazon.com

By early 1963, Miles Davis was still casting for a new band and this recording accurately reflects Miles' search for his "new sound." Seven Steps to Heaven is the product of two separate sessions recorded during this transition. Davis already had bass player Ron Carter on board. After pianist Victor Feldman, who played on half the set, declined the job Davis enlisted the young Herbie Hancock to fill the seat. The even younger Tony Williams, just seventeen, joined on drums for the second round of sessions. Finally, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, though included on this entire recording, would soon be replaced by Wayne Shorter completing one of the most important quintets in jazz history. For a project borne out of transition, this is a very strong album that moves along seamlessly. More than forty years on, the title track remains intoxicatingly fresh. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Cool disc.......2005-02-02

Lemme say I'm a admirer of my main man Miles Davis. He's such an powerful inspiration to me that make me join to play the trumpet. I'm such a huge fan to his music and hope I'll continue that to the fullest. He lives on in my hearts and souls. This is a classic right here u must go copy b/c of the melody and the sounds and stuff. SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN will get you in a lifetime of music.

Heavenly Indeed!.......2004-08-29

Although "Seven Steps To Heaven" is one of Miles Davis's lesser known releases, it is one of his greatest. The music is from two 1963 recording sessions separated by a month and a country: one session went down in New York City, the other in Hollywood. The New York date features Miles, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. The Hollywood session features Miles, Coleman, and Carter with pianist Victor Feldman and drummer Frank Butler. Most jazz recordings start with an uptempo swinger. "Seven Steps To Heaven" leads off with a moody "Basin Street Blues." It alone is worth the price of this CD. Miles never played a ballad better and that's saying something! He is lyrical and sparse; there is not a wasted note. Victor Feldman follows with an equally memorable piano solo. All of the other cuts are of the same high quality. If I had to choose a second it would be the swinging "Joshua." It's a Victor Feldman composition but it was one of the cuts recorded in New York with Herbie at the keys. Another joy on this recording is the underrated George Coleman. It has been reported that Tony Williams did not like his playing in the group and wanted George out and Wayne Shorter in. While I do love Wayne, I'm glad George had the chance to shine here. I have talked to Mile Davis fans who have heard of but never actually heard "Seven Steps To Heaven." If you are in this category don't delay, get and enjoy this classic.

A pity that this is over-looked, it's an awesome album........2003-12-18

This album, which was recorded in 1963 by Miles with two separate groups, seems to have a bit of a transitional feel to it. However, don't let that fool you. This is a gem. The Los Angeles studio group is quite excellent, with Victor Feldman on piano (who is absolutely AMAZING on this album), Ron Carter on bass and Frank Butler on drums. The other group is Miles's second great Quintet minus Wayne Shorter with George Coleman on tenor saxophone. I love how there is a contrast throughout this album. Slow tune, faster tune. It's a brilliant pattern. I was extremely surprised by Miles's haunting rendition of "Basin Street Blues", a song Louis Armstrong made famous. However, Miles puts his own spin on it, with his harmon mute and a slow, ballad feel. Victor Feldman plays the most beautiful piano solo here also, just butter. He swings like crazy. The title track is a speedy hard bop classic featuring Miles and Coleman bouncing off of each other's ideas and Herbie Hancock holding everything together brilliantly. The energy here is astounding. Miles is almost struggling to keep up with these young cats, because they're real sparkplugs. "I Fall In Love Too Easily" is another beautiful ballad that became a part of the standard repertoire for Miles. He went on to record this piece several times (see the Fillmore live albums). He plays it with the harmon here and it's wonderful. "So Near, So Far", is a brilliant mid-tempo piece which is perfectly titled. It swings soulfully. Miles really uses some excellent upper register in this solo and gets up there very nicely. Coleman is in his usual form and Herbie sounds cool as ever. "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" is yet another look at the muted ballad style of Miles. Very relaxed, yet ready to split at any minute he would choose to. "Joshua" is the final piece and is a speedy romp which really looks forward to what the Quintet would be doing in the future. Fine hard bop.

If you're looking for a good Miles album from the 1960's with the type of sound he had back then, this is a good one to look at. Very under-rated work.

The road to future greatness.......2001-09-29

In 1963, the Kelly/Chambers/Cobb rhythm section packed up and left, leaving Miles Davis without a band. Despite being at an age when most musicians would rather sit on their laurels and play on some giants of jazz tour, he decided to assemble a new working band. This CD shows that assembly in progress. The three ballads were recorded in LA with George Coleman (tenor sax), Victor Feldman (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Frank Butler (drums). "Basin Street Blues" is very different from Louis Armstrong's version -- Davis's trumpet playing is much sadder, merging abstraction and the blues. But the real treasures in the set are the three tunes recorded one month later with Carter, Coleman, and two younger musicians: pianist Herbie Hancock and drumming prodigy Tony Williams. Williams, only 17 years old here, generates an incredible level of excitement on "Joshua" and the title track. These may be the most exciting up-tempo tracks Davis had recorded since "Two Bass Hit" and "Straight, No Chaser". The quintet with Coleman, Hancock, Carter and Williams would soon evolve into one of the trumpeter's greatest groups, and this is where they got started.

Pure and Simple a Great Album.......2001-02-24

Short and to the point. This cd has grown on my like a vine in a hot summer. WHAT a backup group. You will be humming these numbers in your head and you'll be amazed that you can keep it all in there.

Average customer rating: GLAD THEY GOT THEIR HANDS ON HIM IN TIME IN TIME

Seven Steps to Heaven Francesco Cafiso Manufacturer: Tokuma ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000LPRLHO Release Date: 2007-03-12

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Customer Reviews:

GLAD THEY GOT THEIR HANDS ON HIM IN TIME IN TIME.......2007-06-03

I can't believe this guy is 18 years of age. He's a freak of nature. If you love alto sax, you're going to be glad that this guy came around. This is an EXCELLENT CD. The material, the musicians ( Cafiso on Alto Sax, Andrea Pozza on Piano, Aldo Zunino on Bass, and Nicola Angelucci on Drums) the recording quality. WOW. This CD was recorded only two months after his other CD called "Happy Time". That one contains all material written by Cafiso. So many new artists make that mistake. Sure, we all like getting a royalty check, but trying to be a master of all trades on your first CD is sometimes a mistake. I have a feeling, someone set him straight and picked the RIGHT material to show off the skill of a GENIUS. He IS a Genius. This is the CD to have by him. You will love every minute of it. And you will feel the energy and love the style of playing on this CD. If you love people like Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker etc, then you will LOVE Cafiso on this CD. Get this one, "SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN" and skip "HAPPY TIME", unless you really love his playing. It is NOT up to par with this CD.

Average customer rating:

A Night in Tunisia, A Week in Detroit Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Detroit Symphony Orchestra | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Fusion | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Art of the Groove 4 + Four Turtle Island String Quartet: A Windham Hill Retrospective Danzón Skylife ASIN: B000000AVY Release Date: 1994-11-29

Tracks:

1. Spider Dreams: Spider Dreams
2. Spider Dreams: Waterfalls With Blenders
3. Interchange: Introductions
4. Interchange: I Solisti
5. Interchange: Dialogue
6. Interchange: Tutti
7. A Night In Tunisia
8. Blue In Green - Seven Steps To Heaven
9. Bach's Lunch
10. Who Do You Think You Are?

Average customer rating:

The Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis , and Gil Evans Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000HBK1VU Release Date: 2006-10-09

Tracks:

1. Basin Street Blues
2. Seven Steps to Heaven
3. I Fall in Love Too Easily
4. So Near, So Far
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Joshua

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Sony. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Ray Brown: Triple Play - Bassface, Seven Steps To Heaven, Live At Kuumbwa Jazz Center Ray Brown Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Box Sets | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Three Dimensional Soular Energy ASIN: B00000FDBH Release Date: 1998-11-24

Tracks:

1. Freddie Freeloader - Ray Brown
2. En Estate - Ray Brown
3. You're My Everything - Ray Brown
4. But Not For Me - Ray Brown
5. Bye, Bye Blackbird - Ray Brown
6. If You Only Knew - Ray Brown
7. Whirlybird - Ray Brown

Tracks:

1. Milestones - Jeff Hamilton
2. Bass Face - Jeff Hamilton
3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning - Jeff Hamilton
4. Tin Tin Deo - Jeff Hamilton
5. CRS - CRAFT - Jeff Hamilton
6. Taking A Chance On Love - Jeff Hamilton
7. Remember - Jeff Hamilton
8. Makin' Whoopee - Jeff Hamilton
9. Phineas Can Be - Jeff Hamilton

Tracks:

1. Two RBs - Ray Brown
2. The Thumb/Blues For Wes - Ray Brown
3. Dejection Blues - Ray Brown
4. Seven Steps To Heaven - Ray Brown
5. My Romance - Ray Brown
6. In A Sentimental Mood - Ray Brown
7. Samba De Orfeu - Ray Brown
8. Stella By Starlight - Ray Brown
9. No Greater Love - Ray Brown
10. Things Ain't What They Used To Be - Ray Brown
11. Cotton Tail - Ray Brown

Average customer rating: Another gem from this legendary bassist.

Seven Steps to Heaven Ray Brown Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Don't Get Sassy Some of My Best Friends Are Guitarists Soular Energy ASIN: B000003D58 Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. Two RBs
2. The Thumb/Blues For Wes
3. Dejection Blues
4. Seven Steps To Heaven
5. My Romance
6. In A Sentimental Mood
7. Samba De Orfeu
8. Stella By Starlight
9. No Greater Love
10. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
11. Cotton Tail

Customer Reviews:

Another gem from this legendary bassist........1999-08-05

It's very easy to review this piece of mastery from Mr Brown & Co.Just hit play and take in the first track composed by Brown titled "Two RB's". The great WES influence coming through Ulf Wakenius and Ulf being nicely supported by Benny Green on Piano and Gregory Hutchinson on Drums.And of course under all this Mr Brown neatly installing some 4 string thick bass underlay.The other tracks worth a listen are "Dejection Blues" , Seven Steps to Heaven" and catch the unusual intro to the standard "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" and Ray's creative bass lines ! all great stuff!!!! Spend your bucks and add it to your collection ....you won't regret it !

Average customer rating:

Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis Manufacturer: Msi Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005ULHC Release Date: 2002-07-15

Average customer rating:

The Seven Steps to Heaven Miles Davis , and Gil Evans Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005LPEG Release Date: 2001-08-22

Tracks:

1. Basin Street Blues
2. Seven Steps to Heaven
3. I Fall in Love Too Easily
4. So Near, So Far
5. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
6. Joshua

Album Description

Japanese DSD remastered reissue of 1963 album, packaged in a standard jewel case. Sony.

Album Details

DSD digitally remastered

Average customer rating:

Seven Steps to Heaven ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0009J8H8E Release Date: 2001-08-28

Album Description

Japanese DSD remastered reissue of 1963 album, packaged in a standard jewel case. Sony.

Jazz Music:

1. Shine on Me
2. Shuckin' 'N Jivin' [Live]
3. Soul
4. Soul
5. Soulful Saxophone of Stanley Turrentine
6. Speed Demon
7. Straight Ahead
8. Straight Ahead
9. Surrender to the Air
10. Swing's the Thing

Jazz Music

jazz music