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- Released: October 2004
- Rating: 10/10
- Cat.no.: C7K90840
To be hot and cool at the same time takes some doing.
Few musicians ever achieve it, but in the Jazz world one name stands out abovethe rest.
Miles Davis is a genius, and if that reputation needs consolidatingthen this magnificent collection does exactly that. Chameleon-like Miles DeweyDavis was born into a middle class family, in Alton Illinois, May 26, 1926.Mother and sister were both musicians, so it was inevitable they would rub offon young Miles.
He began playing trumpet from age nine and went on to be arguably the mostinventive musician of his generation. Having played with a succession of greatmusicians such as Charlie Parker, Gil Evans and Lee Konitz, it was in 1960that he reinvented himself again after the departure of John Coltrane from hisband. He took stock and eventually reassembled what is regarded as the second great quintet.The first great quintet (1955-56) included Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambersand Philly Joe Jones.
During an intense 18 month period the new line-up visited France, Japan, andGermany, playing live and recording in their home country as well.
With 50 tracks on offer, you get the full picture of their masterclassexploits spread over seven CDs. The core of the band was Ron Carter on bass,Herbie Hancock on piano, seventeen year old drummer Tony Williams and tenorsaxophonist George Coleman, although other musicians like Wayne Shorter, Sam Rivers,Victor Feldman and Frank Butler make outstanding contributions. Shorter was tobecome a sensation as he filled in for Coleman, after he quit the band.
This collection isnt all about Davis himself though,because its aboutcapturing some of the greatest moments in Jazz history through their collectivecreativeness and input.
They forged ahead at alarming and often dangerous rates, with their new foundadventure, and bursting with fresh ideas. Freshly minted phrases,stunning bandinterplay along with his trademark haunted tone, they became the toast of NewYork, and Paris in particular, where he was adored by the chic set.
The studio based tracks are predictably wonderful, as are the radio concerts,but its the big ones at the Philharmonic New York and Antibes France whichimpress the most. They display all their guile and craftsmanship, doing themedium and slow pieces, with Davis unearthly playing of starkness of phraseand feeling, that you truly get a grasp of their immensity. Strangely, he wasnever regarded as a virtuoso trumpeter, but more than made up for his supposedtechnical limitations, by emphasising his strengths with his ear for ensemblesound,unique phrasing and his distinctive sound.
There are eight previously unreleased tracks, with three tracks in un-editedform. It comes with a fabulous 92 page booklet, including complete discographyof time period, many rare and previously unpublished B&W photos. Sonicallysuperior 24-Bit digitally remastered,this is a must for every Miles Davies fan, and beyond.
Highlights: Joshua CD1 track 1, Bye Bye Blackbird CD3 track 4,All Blues CD5 track 3, and my all time favourite, the ten minute plusof So What, Disc 7 track 3.
For a complete track listing, check the Amazon link above.
Visit the website:Miles-Davis.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.