Jazz albums: completely redone by others, or (re)built from alt-takes

[Rooster_Ties]

Was listening to the first one of these discs today, which got me thinking about starting this thread...

"Another World" was LaVerne's first-ever leader date, recorded in 1977 with Mike Richmond (bass) and Billy Hart (drums). "Another World, Another Time" is LaVerne's 1997 re-recording of all of the same material from "Another World" (sequenced the same too, I think), with the exact same rhythm section - with the addition of Tim Hagans (trumpet). Both dates are fantastic, IMHO. BTW, all the tunes were LaVerne originals.

Another favorite of mine is the "alternate" version of the complete "Miles Ahead" suite - found on the complete "Miles and Gil" box-set. Some may cry heresy, but I find the alternate version incredibly interesting and enjoyable.

Alos, I understand that there is a recording available of some Scottish big band redoing the complete "Miles Ahead" suite, with Ingrid Jensen taking the lead trumpet role. (I've not heard this myself, but would like to find it someday. Has anyone here ever heard it?)

Then there's always this, which I haven't heard in years. I remember it having its moments, but overall being a mixed bag.

What other jazz albums have been completely redone by others (or even by the original artist), or full-length alternate versions can be assembled from alternate takes from the original session(s).

And of course -- which ones work, and which ones don't??

Edited December 16, 2005 by Rooster_Ties

[Rooster_Ties]

Nearly-complete remakes mostly count too, so why not mention them as well...

There's Wynton's remake of more of the "A Love Supreme" suite (released under Elvin's name, if I remember right). I actually kind like this one (believe it or not ), if only because it makes me wish that Woody Shaw had redone the entire "A Love Supreme" suite with just a piano trio backing him. It's nowhere as good as Woody would have done it, but it's better than I was expecting from Wynton -- I'll say that much.

And there's Miles' own revisiting of the Gil Evans material with Quincy Jones. None of the suites were performed in their entirety (as I recall), but long stretches of the original material were performed in their original sequence.

[Rosco]

There's Wynton's remake of more of the "A Love Supreme" suite

And Branford's too...

[medjuck]

There's Gil's redo of his Helen Merrill album. The alternate version of Miles Ahead would be the Teo Macaero produced first cd release in stereo. That's a remix and re-edit but the the Gil Evan's Helen Merrill is a re-recording. And can we count Gerry Mulligan's re-recording of Birth of the Cool entitled Re-Birth of the Cool.

[ghost of miles]

Ellington's 1958 revisitation of Black, Brown & Beige.

[ghost of miles]

Not jazz, but by a jazzman's daughter--let us not overlook Petra Haden's THE WHO SELL OUT.

[Chuck Nessa]

Easier than a new idea?

[Daniel A]

This doesn't exactly count (three of the six tracks from the earlier recording are remade with the same personnel (minus Garrison), but anyway:

1959:

1993:

Then there's this one:

and this:

[Rooster_Ties]

How's the Flanagan remake of Giant Steps?? Can't imagine it being anything short of wonderful.

FWIW, the AMG gives it 4½ stars (AMG review by Bob Rusch, Cadence)

[Chuck Nessa]

Back in the day, I got a freebie and passed it on to someone else.

[Don Brown]

Clark Terry's version of Porgy and Bess using the arrangements Gil Evans did for Miles Davis.

[Kalo]

June Christy re-made her own Something Cool when Stereo came in...

[brownie]

Walt Dickerson's 'To My Queen' (New Jazz) was an old favorite.

'To My Queen Revisited' (SteepleChase) turned out to be even better

[Free For All]

Clark Terry's version of Porgy and Bess using the arrangements Gil Evans did for Miles Davis.

I'm curious about this one. It's gotten some pretty good reviews.

I've played with that band and know that Jeff Lindberg and Charles Harrison are very good at transcribing from recordings. How'd they do on this one? Transcribing Gil is a whole 'nother thing AFAIC.

Does this live up to the hype? I love Clark, does he seem to be comfortable with the music?

[Steve Gray]

A 'Kind of Blue' remake

'Kind of New' by Donald Harrison on Candid.

Very good IMO, but I am a big DH fan.

[ejp626]

Mal Waldron and Jackie McLean Left Alone and Left Alone 86. Not a track for track remake but a number of songs from the original are revisited on the longer album recorded in 1986. It's been a long time since I listened to either.

[Gary]

8 May 1965: Stan Tracey Quartet

Stan Tracey (p), Bobby Wellins (ts), Jeff Clyne (b), Jackie Dougan (d)

Cockle Row (6:50) Columbia EMI SCX 3589/33SX 1774

Starless And Bible Black (3:45) -

I Lost My Step In Nantucket (3:15) -

No Good Boyo (5:00) -

Penpals (3:45) -

Llareggub (4:50) -

Under Milk Wood (5:55) -

A.M. Mayhem (6:50)

1976: Stan Tracey Quartet

Stan Tracey (p), Art Themen (ts), Dave Green (b), Bryan Spring (d), Donald Houston (narrator)

Cockle Row RCA PL 25073

Starless And Bible Black -

I Lost My Step In Nantucket -

No Good Boyo -

Penpals -

Llareggub -

Under Milk Wood -

A.M. Mayhem

[mikeweil]

June Christy re-made her own Something Cool when Stereo came in...

That may have happened more often than we think .... not to mention the many stereo versions where single tracks were re-done for technical reasons.

MJQ's Fontessa on Atlantic is an example for the latter.