Bitches Brew

Miles Davis | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: May 25, 1992
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Columbia/Legacy
• Copyright: Originally Recorded 1970, Originally Released 1970 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
• Total Length: 1:45:59
• Genres:
• ASIN: B00136NUAC
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (191 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,301 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change...a blessing or a curse? (I would say the former), August 12, 2001

By 

J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bitches Brew (Audio CD)

If you are considering purchasing this album and are not familiar with this period of Davis' career, be prepared for a unique listening experience. Note from the other reviews that b-BREW isn't universally loved...but its supporters now considerably outnumber the detractors. Nonetheless, newcomers are taking a chance, just as Davis and his sidemen did when they went into the studio to record b-BREW in 1969. If you do purchase this, allow 3-5 listens for it to sink in...few people really get it on their first exposure. Whatever you think it will sound like beforehand...it likely wont sound anything like that!

There are a number of misconceptions about this album. For one, Miles was not selling out his musical talent (he was expanding his audience via performing at pop venues and modifying his albums cover art; he did everything to make more money EXCEPT sacrificing the integrity of his music). Second, he wasn't tripping on substances (this era was actually the most drug-free, mentally strong, and physically healthy Davis was in his lifetime). Thirdly, Miles didn't retreat from spotlighting his sidemen and himself (there are plenty of distinctive solo improvisations that float above and within the loose ensemble playing). Fourth, this is not a rock or pop or a jazz/rock album (despite the electronic instrumentation, the music maintains a controlled abstraction that is more in line with that era's modern jazz than with most pop groups. Davis' means to this open end included many influences...rock & funk among them). Fifth, b-BREW was not widely rejected by music buyers (I believe it is Davis 2nd all-time best-selling album behind KIND OF BLUE).

Davis was actually in one of the most inspired and productive phases of his entire career, going into the studio often to work on musical concepts that in this case was not that abrupt a shift from his recording projects of the last several years. The bottom line, if Davis wanted to contrive a hit, he'd have been better off going into the studio with Blood Sweat & Tears or Chicago...and had Quincy Jones produce. Contrary to what some have asserted, this album didn't lead jazz down a blind alley, it just built a new turnpike in and around existing paths. Its okay not to like it...but if its okay to love it and consider it one of the centurys foremost aesthetic milestones, count me in! I can't imagine wanting any intrinsically-rewarding result from a music project that isn't delivered on this album.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth it for the DVD alone, September 4, 2010

By 

Steve the Engineer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition - CD / DVD Combo) (Audio CD)

This review is for the DVD only. The music on the CDs has been written about extensively for 40 years but the few out-takes are great discoveries from the vaults.

The DVD is a satisfying 70 minutes long and encompasses an entire performance by the Miles Davis Quintet of November 1969, in Copenhagen. The public wouldn't hear the recorded Bitches Brew material for several more months. At this time Miles's band consisted of Wayne Shorter on tenor and soprano sax, Chick Corea on Fender Rhodes, Dave Holland on acoustic bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums and Miles himself on trumpet. This is an artist in the midst of a great transformation. Gone are the suits of respectable jazzmen of the mid-1960s and in are the clothes of the hippy generation but not to the degree that would come in the following years when Miles would adopt his Sly Stone-type look. The music is almost entirely original, with only a short performance "I Fall In Love Too Easily" making it into the set. The only electric instrument present is the Fender Rhodes, which Chick Corea is becoming comfortable with at this point. This performance is a taste of what's to come in the next few months. This seems relatively tame compared to the Live at the Fillmore East from March 7th, 1970. That's why this is such a great document: A well-recorded video performance of a band that was changing every few months. The Isle of Wight concert from the next summer is even more unbridled, albeit with a few changes in the band.

The video quality is very good. The sound is good, except that the bass is mostly absent. It sticks out in some places but it's hard to hear (sorry Dave Holland fans). Overall it's a great presentation. The performance is top notch. A transitional step into Miles' electric age. This would be worth it for the DVD alone.

I did some casual comparisons of the Complete Bitches Brew Sessions CDs versus this. The differences were not vast. They both sound very good. The Bonus DVD and the (2) out-takes in this set make it worthwhile and a good buy. The "super deluxe collector's edition" coming out later this month looks enticing but not for the cash. This seems to be the best bargain. I'm hoping that the 3rd CD in the collector's edition set is released on its own in the future.

53 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This IS Jazz!, October 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bitches Brew (Audio CD)

Jazz is a remarkable musical style because of its innovation and adaptability. The man who personifies this the most is Miles Davis, for the groundbreaking Bitches Brew is, in every sense, fantastic!! I listened to the album for the first time last night and got blown away! Davis's masterful trumpet playing and Wayne Shorter's soprano sax, coupled with occasional clarinet from Bernie Maupin, give the album a wonderful horn section, Chick Corea and Joe Zawinul lend their keyboard talents, John McLaughlin plays an unparalelled guitar, and the rest of the band is superb! I think Disc 1 is slightly stronger then Disc 2, but the album is great when put togther. Pharoah's Dance and Bitches Brew are incredible experiments from an incredible band, Spanish Key and Miles Runs the Voodoo Down are joyous improvisations, John McLaughlin is a unique duet, and Sanctuary gives it a peaceful finish. But the most amazing part off this album is the attitude. These men must have known that the only way to make this LP good was to pour their heart into the music. The result was a milestone in both jazz and rock, a record that brings emotion to all who listen to it, and it all came from one man's head. Thank you, Miles.