Controversial Classics Vol. 2 DVD

Controversial Classics Vol. 2 DVD for sale On paper it seems as if such titanic and distinctive musical personalities as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane might not mix very well, but this stellar set, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1957, plays almost like a blissful extended duet between the two (with support from a sensitive yet hard-swinging bassist and drummer). The opener, "Monk's Mood," for example, features the composer/pianist's typically brilliant, idiosyncratic playing, while Coltrane floats over the top in the most lyrical of modes. Monk, in particular, is a master of tension-and-release tunefulness, creating rhythmic and harmonic intricacies that seem to spur Coltrane's saxophone exploration to new heights. The quartet shines on ballads ("Sweet and Lovely"), but the leaders display their best chemistry on the Monk's thorny, uptempo bop numbers. "Evidence" and "Epistrophy," for instance," have Monk adding rhythmic, dissonant punctuation to Coltrane's torrential stream of ideas, creating a thrilling push-pull balance. A superb date, and a must for fans of both artists, AT CARNEGIE HALL captures two of jazz's most important figures working in perfect symbiosis. Recording information: Carnegie Hall, New York, NY (11/29/1957). Personnel: Thelonious Monk (piano); John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Ahmed Abdul-Malik (bass ...

Controversial Classics Vol. 2 movie Initial pressings of SEVEN STEPS are packaged with a deluxe metal spine. Also includes a 92-page booklet with rare photos, complete discography and essays by Michael Cuscuna and Bob Blumenthal. All tracks have been digitally mastered using 24-bit technology. In the 1960s, trumpeter Miles Davis became a star outside of the jazz world, first with what history refers to as "the Quintet" with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, then with his highly influential post-BITCHES BREW electric bands. But there was a "transitional" period, after John Coltrane left Davis's employ and before the Shorter/Hancock era, which the SEVEN STEPS box set based around the SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN album documents in its entirety, often in a live context. Davis was seeking the right combination of musicians for his sonic flights, where hard-bop and modal styles could be combined with a wide-open, increasingly elastic sound. Before settling on Shorter (present here), he tried the conventionally hearty, blues-accented bop approach of saxophonist George Coleman and the rippling, somewhat more avant-garde Sam Rivers. Both soar and sear at their respective best, providing remarkable contrast to Davis's magically cool horn. UK-born pianist Victor Feldman plays on some tracks, Hancock on others; the drum chair features Tony Williams (also an explorer of avant expression) and Frank Butler (a crackling, swinging mainstream bopper). SEVEN STEPS includes material originally available on the early-'60s albums IN EUROPE and FOUR & MORE, among others, with (attention, collectors!) the inclusion of eight previously unreleased tracks. Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); Miles Davis; Ron Carter (double bass); Tony Ruption Williams , Tony Williams (drums); George Coleman, Sam Rivers, Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone); Victor Feldman, Herbie Hancock (piano); Frank Butler (drums). Audio Remixer: Mark Wilder. Liner Note Authors: Michael Cuscuna; Bob Blumenthal. Recording information: Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, Germany (04/16/1963-09/19/1964); Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York, NY (04/16/1963-09/19/1964); Columbia Studios, LA (04/16/1963-09/19/1964); Kohseinenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan (04/16/1963-09/19/1964); Philharmonic Hall, New York, NY (04/16/1963-09/19/1964); The Festival Mondial Du Jazz Antibes, Juan-Les-Pins, Fr (04/16/1963-09/19/1964). Introduction bys: Billy Taylor ; André Francis; Terry Isono; Mort Fega. Photographers: Vernon Smith; John Wilkes; Ted Williams ; Joe Alper; Jan Persson; Roger Marshutz; Lee Tanner; Chuck Stewart.

Controversial Classics Vol. 2 video A classic account of the misadventures of a group of amateurish crooks. The hapless and bungling group of burglars try to break into a store from an apartment next door -- only to find they've drilled through a wall to another room in the same apartment. Each thief comes to the job with a distraction, and the gang's technical expert, who proffers an elaborate burglary lecture, retires to the bathroom when it comes time to do the actual work. After this arduous all-night heist attempt, dawn breaks and they all decide to go home. 106 minute foreign feature film DVD starring Vittorio Gassman. An all-star cast and jazzy score highlight this charming comedy, a deft satire of classic caper films like "Rififi," hilariously detailing the plight of a sad-sack group of bumbling thieves and their desperate attempts to pull off the perfect heist.