I ordered this CD as a gift. The individual receiving it is a jazz fan and liked the album.

This CD seems to have lots of reviews about Miles, the significance of the sessions, etc., so I won't repeat. Let me just say that this version (in contrast to the other version without the bonus material) is worth the price for the radio broadcasts alone! WAY COOL! I know they're supposed to be an extra bonus, but these are my favorite cuts from the CD.

Buy this CD now, or else!

This album is awesome and was the first solo album by Miles Davis(1926-1991). In 1948, Miles left bebop pianeer Charlie Parker to form his own style of jazz and along with Gil Evans(1912-1988) formed a famous nonet featuring the legedary drummer Max Roach. The album was recorded from 1949-1950 but since the jazz audience didn't really "get" this new form in a time when Bebop ruled the jazz clubs and, more importantly, the record sales, the album wasn't released by Capital Records until 1957, after Miles' famous performance at the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival and the release of his 5 classic "first great quintet" recordings(John Coltrane(1926-1967)-Tenor Sax, Red Garland-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, and "Philly" Joe Jones(1923-1985) on drums), 4 from Prestige Records-Workin', Steamin', Relaxin', and Cookin' w/ the Miles Davis Quintet, and one from Columbia, the classic 'Round About Midnight. This album is very important in the evolution of modern jazz and this version of the album is made even better with the very rare bootlegged live material from New York's Royal Roost in September, 1948. Unlike the vocal song recorded in 1962 released on the classic second great quintet album, Sorcerer(1967), the vocal on this album is actually sung very well by Kenny Hawgood, I believe, on the song "Darn that Dream." I recommend this album to newcomers and fans of Miles Davis alike, but to those who are just getting into the great world of jazz and consider this one too big a leap, may I suggest the great jazz/fusion trio of recordings(In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, and Tribute to Jack Johnson) or the second great quintet(Wayne Shorter-tenor sax, Herbie Hancock-piano, Ron Carter-bass, and the late Great Tony Williams(1945-1997) on drums) or if you want the tried and true sextet classic, go straight to the 1959 jazz landmark, Kind of Blue.

I'm in total agreement with Robert Kornfeld, Jr., another reviewer of this work, who, like me has listened to this music for a "couple of decades." If it is not obvious from all of the reviews, this collection defines the genre. Selections of this album were even considered for that all time classic "Tyrants From An Other World," but were not included due to production expenses. Time sure flies when you're having fun, ay' Bob?

Ahh, Birth of the Cool has just gotten a facelift. There are extra live tracks on it which gives it a great perspective and gives you insight on the 2 dimensions of the Miles Davis Nonet, live and in the studio. This is one of Miles Davis' greatest and most influential recordings and started modern jazz as we know it and was very new for that time since the only type of jazz then was swing and hard bebop. This is definately an essential Miles Davis album This gem is pretty much the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for jazz and most of it still sounds fresh today because it certainly is in most jazz reportoirs. 'Nuff said.