I've spent a lot of time with the Blackhawk recordings this summer, spinning all four discs I don't even know how many times. The whole live date (two nights) has really grown on me. The highlight (for me) is Miles. His solos are incisive and often surprising—top form for what he was doing in 1961. Like most here, I love Mobley, but I don't think he's hitting on all cylinders here. There's absolutely nothing "wrong" with his solos, they're just not as focused or inspired as they were elsewhere. Listen to the Carnegie Hall concert, as an example—he's hitting on ALL cylinders there; excellent Hank. Also (back to The Blackhawk), notice that when Miles finishes his solo and Hank steps up to the microphone, Jimmy Cobb ups the volume (this happens more than once) as if to spur Hank on.
I really like these live recordings. I do often fantasize about a frontline with Miles and Wes Montgomery—especially for this 1961 gig. I think Wes may have provided the fire that Miles needed.