Seven Steps: The Complete Columbia Recordings 1963-1964 - Miles Davis Box Set Review
Photo:Jeff Sedlik - link
Box Set Review
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 above the rest.
Miles Davis is a genius, and if that reputation needs consolidating then this magnificent collection does exactly that.Chameleon like Miles Dewey Davis 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 off on young Miles.He began playing trumpet from age nine,and went on to be arguably the most inventive musician of his generation.Having played with a succession of great musicians such as Charlie Parker, Gil Evans and Lee Konitz, it was in 1960 that he reinvented himself again after the departure of John Coltrane from his band.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 Chambers and Philly Joe Jones.During an intense 18 month period the new line-up visited France, Japan, and Germany,playing live and recording in their home country as well.With 50 tracks on offer, you get the full picture of their masterclass exploits spread over seven CD's.The core of the band was Ron Carter on bass,Herbie Hancock on piano,seventeen year old drummer Tony Williams and tenor saxophonist George Coleman,although other musicians like Wayne Shorter, Sam Rivers, Victor Feldman and Frank Butler make outstanding contributions.Shorter was to become a sensation as he filled in for Coleman, after he quit the band.This collection isn't all about Davis himself though,because it's about capturing some of the greatest moments in Jazz history through their collective creativeness and input.
They forged ahead at alarming and often dangerous rates, with their new found adventure, and bursting with fresh ideas. Freshly minted phrases,stunning band interplay along with his trademark haunted tone, they became the toast of New York, 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 it's the big ones at the Philharmonic New York and Antibes France which impress the most. They display all their guile and craftsmanship,doing the medium and slow pieces,with Davis' unearthly playing of starkness of phrase and feeling,that you truly get a grasp of their immensity.Strangely,he was never regarded as a virtuoso trumpeter,but more than made up for his supposed technical limitations,by emphasising his strengths with his ear for ensemble sound,unique phrasing and his distinctive sound.
There are eight previously unreleased tracks,with three tracks in un-edited form.It comes with a fabulous 92 page booklet, including complete discography of time period, many rare and previously unpublished B&W photos.Sonically superior 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 plus of So What, Disc 7 track 3.
You may be interested in
- Tue 14th Oct 2008
- Wed 15th Oct 2008
- Thu 16th Oct 2008
- Fri 17th Oct 2008
- Sat 18th Oct 2008
- Sun 19th Oct 2008
- Tue 21st Oct 2008
- Wed 22nd Oct 2008
- Thu 23rd Oct 2008
