dht@druri.UUCP (Davis Tucker) (05/01/85)
MILES DAVIS - 4/23 Denver, CO - The Rainbow Music Hall Wow. In case you were wondering, he still has it, every last little bit. This show was filled with more soul and heart than anything I've seen since... well, since the last one of his I saw 2 years ago. While his new band wasn't quite up to the incredible standards of his last one, Miles more than made up for it by assuming a very dominating role. His rhythm section was even better than last time, including a very hot and very young bass player, Darryl Jones. Miles' nephew, Vincent Wilburn, played drums, Steve Thornton was the percussionist, and Robert Irving played keyboards. There's a lot of opinion on the subject of Miles Davis in concert; many think he's lost his touch and is just noodling around while better musicians play their hearts out all around him. Others, such as myself, see him as settled in to his new style of music, and performing a vital function of showcasing new talent, while still kicking it out when he wants. He started off with "What Is It" from his latest album. Great cut, really - fusion at its greatest, played by a master. John Scofield, his guitarist, really kicked it out on this cut. Miles wailed and screamed and just in general cut it all up. Sometimes Miles in concert will come across as tentative, trying out notes and lines and never really deciding on anything. This wasn't the case last night - he was very sure of himself, really punching the riffs out, very much in evidence in the musical mix, very much in command. Very rarely did he lie back and wait for someone else to fill in - this was very much a *Miles Davis* show, not a group one. His composing and arranging skills are still very evident, despite the semi-improvisational nature of his performances. Initially, I had a hard time not laughing when he started into Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" - but once he got going, it was absolutely beautiful, just like honey poured into your ears, every note dripping. "Human Nature", off Michael Jackson's "Thriller", was just as pretty - it was a real treat to listen to Miles play a melody of someone else's and work with it until it was his. No randomness, no screaming wails, just plain and simple and elegant. And of course, he roared when he wanted to - "Jean-Pierre", though the central riff was barely recognizable, was downright boss. As with most of his shows, it doesn't matter if you remember or recognize a tune - it will become something else anyway, that's what is so magical about his performances. He is still the King Of Fusion, whenever he wants to be. His band was very... focused on the fusion numbers, very tight, although Scofield displayed his tendency to wail off into no-man's land as he is wont to do, and Bob Derg, his sax player, kept walking away from the mike. Still, they were both on target. Scofield was hot, hot, hot, very technically accomplished, and pulled out some great licks, it's just that he got a little carried away. I guess that's the nature of the beast. It's unfortunate that he was tentative at times, but then he's never been a commanding presence in that sense. It didn't matter - the guy's a real stylist, and when he does shine through with something beautiful it makes up for the failed attempts. I had a fantastic time, it was an incredible show, and if he comes to your town or anywhere near it, go see him. I could go on for hours and hours, but believe me - it's worth whatever it costs. Whether or not you like jazz is immaterial - he's so good it doesn't matter what kind of music he's playing. Just go, and you'll be convinced. Joe Bob says check it out. Davis Tucker AT&T Information Systems Denver, CO
jcp@osiris.UUCP (Jody Patilla) (05/03/85)
> > > MILES DAVIS - 4/23 Denver, CO - The Rainbow Music Hall > > Wow. In case you were wondering, he still has it, every last little > bit. This show was filled with more soul and heart than anything > I've seen since... well, since the last one of his I saw 2 years > ago. While his new band wasn't quite up to the incredible standards > of his last one, Miles more than made up for it by assuming a very > dominating role. His rhythm section was even better than last > time, including a very hot and very young bass player, Darryl Jones. > Miles' nephew, Vincent Wilburn, played drums, Steve Thornton was > the percussionist, and Robert Irving played keyboards. > > Davis Tucker > AT&T Information Systems > Denver, CO How is he relating to the audience these days ? It used to be that Miles would turn his back and ignore the audience entirely throughout the show (not that this has any effect on his music !) but there have been signs of late that he has been warming up. -- jcpatilla "'Get stuffed !', the Harlequin replied ..."
Braun@his-phoenix-multics.arpa (Bonnie Braun) (05/08/85)
I saw Miles 4/26/85 in New Orleans (part of the Jazz and Heritage Festival). He was billed with Wynton Marsallis (sp). Miles had top billing and chose to go on first. He was great! I have to agree with everything D. Tucker said. I haven't seen him since 1983. He still played with his back to the audience a bit but he also played directly to the audience, "posed" for pictures and played more soulful ballads than i've ever heard him do. He blew Wynton away (which i think was his intention). After Miles, hearing Wynton was dull. I left halfway through his set. Apparently many other people did the same.