Miles Davis - Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis

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Music reviews of Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis

Music Review: The tip of the cool...
Rating: 4 Stars

This CD does sample a number of important Davis achievements. DONNA LEE (1947) is from Davis' first session as leader, and features saxophone legend Charlie Parker (who somewhat mentored Miles). BOPLICITY is a memorable track from Davis' 1949-50 BIRTH OF THE COOL nonet sessions. WALKIN' (1954) is an anthemic infusion of the blues into modern jazz, while GENERIQUE (1957) is a minimalist effort from Davis' unique, all-improvised soundtrack to a French movie.

The legendary Miles Davis/Gil Evans large-ensemble series of classics is represented by I LOVES YOU PORGY (1957). SO WHAT (1959) is the leadoff track from KIND OF BLUE, Davis' most popular album, and representative of his first great combo (with John Coltrane, etc.). MY FUNNY VALENTINE is one of several expansive 1960s-vintage live versions, while GINGERBREAD BOY (1966) offers an example of Davis' second great combo (with Herbie Hancock, etc.). By 1969 Davis had added electric instruments and ideas adapted from progressive r&b/soul/rock...MILES RUNS THE VOODOO DOWN (1969) is an inviting entry point into this controversial era. Davis' last decade prior to his death in 1991 is represented by TUTU (1986), where he makes contemporary studio production work to his advantage.

Though some claim that Miles turned his back on jazz in his later years, I hear his electric-era music as a sincere effort to have jazz reflect its era of creation, rather than becoming insulated from it. Whatever your perspective, this CD opens the blinds for the newcomer to peak into the width and depth of Davis' lengthy and consistently-productive career. The music itself is all FIVE stars...I docked the CD a star because one disc cannot adequately reflect the entirety of Davis' career. However, this CD comes as close as possible.

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