Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West [Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Live]

Miles Davis, Dave Holland | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1970
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording reissued, Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002AH3
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,781 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 80 Minutes of Electronic Mayhem, October 28, 2001

By 

G B (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West (Audio CD)

This April 1970 concert is the second of three 2 CD sets featuring Miles Davis at the Fillmore, the other two being It's About that Time (March '70) and At Fillmore (June '70). It is also the second in terms of musical quality; while it doesn't have the disjointed edits of At Fillmore, the replacement of saxophonist Wayne Shorter by the young and inexperienced Steve Grossman is a serious drag on the music. Grossman's playing on the soprano is unimaginative and in all likelihood you will just listen to the rhythm section during his solos. The rhythm section of Dave Holland, Chick Corea and Jack DeJohnette is still really exciting, whether they are riding a groove or engaging in free jazz conversations. Miles plays plenty of searing upper register trumpet on tunes like "Directions" but also takes a breather for a gorgeous duet with Corea ("I Fall in Love too Easily"). The performances aren't quite as tight or focused as those on It's About That Time, but they still burn. If you like this electric, intense approach to free jazz, then you will probably want to pick up Black Beauty.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, harsh, sublime and grating all in one package, February 13, 2003

By 

Muddy Moe (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West (Audio CD)

Chick Corea's liner notes to this album point out the futility of aesthetic critiques when the music is, after all, sitting right there for a listen. And while I generally find a lot of value in "reviews" I think he has a good point with respect to a live improvisational experience like this album. Nobody can really tell you whether you'll love or hate or be indifferent to this album. It's just not that easily evaluated.

This music is sometimes beautiful and sublime and sometimes provocative or even intentionally atonal and harsh. If you're new to Miles Davis or merely curious, there are much safer bets that you'll enjoy his earlier works such as "Kind of Blue" or "Miles Smiles" or "Milestones." Here Davis' group is making full use of electric instruments and exploring the bounds of music without throwing the audience a lot of melodic lifelines to hold on to. Chick Corea's Fender Rhodes often sounds like an electric guitar. And, indeed, Corea's playing is in the spotlight for much of this double CD. I also think the rhythm section, particularly David Holland on bass, is exceptional.

This album is atmospheric and provocative. It's not always an easy listen. And some will find it outright grating, particularly if their ear is not accustomed to free jazz. Personally I find it haunting and strangely relaxing.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raw Beautiful Funky Electric Miles, July 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Beauty: Miles Davis at Fillmore West (Audio CD)

I find this album one of the most accessible of all the live Seventies stuff so far released - I liked it instantly I heard it. This is not difficult music to enjoy. Put it on and crank it up loud - a classic Miles funk groove bubbles up out of the hiss of the live recording and the distorted electric piano, and immediately you're immersed in the thick aural treacle of Miles' own particular brand of voodoo.

This is not smooth music. It is raw, earthy, confronting stuff, sometimes funky, sometimes beautiful, occasionally touching (like the brief echo from the past of 'I Fall in Love Too Easily'), but always hip, and always sexy.

A definite favourite that only gets better with repeated listenings.