Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis

Miles Davis, Ken Burns JAZZ Collection | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000050HVP
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,561 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The tip of the cool..., November 10, 2000

By 

J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis (Audio CD)

Seriously consider this CD if you're new to the art of Miles Davis...everybody else will find this set too limited in scope. KEN BURNS JAZZ is the audio equivalent of reading the back-cover jacket of a book--this CD does give you a soundbite-sized view of what all of the fuss is about. There is arguably no greater innovator in jazz than Miles Davis, and only a handful are AS great.

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.

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An uneccesary sampler, January 9, 2001

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis (Audio CD)

Why buy this album, when you can get the newly remastered originals? This albums takes the tunes out of their original context and delivers substandard versions. And to what end, other than putting a few bucks in Ken Burns' pocket?

If you're a newcomer interested in Miles, go buy the newly remastered versions of "Kind of Blue", "Birth of the Cool" and "Sketches of Spain".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Great, but 'So What'?, March 17, 2006

By 

Thomas D. Ryan "American Hit Network" (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Miles Davis (Audio CD)

Before I start, I should make it clear that I think a `Miles Davis' Greatest Hits' CD is a ludicrous idea. His career has gone through so many different stages that any greatest hits collection is bound to suffer from lack of continuity. Besides, each of his classic stages are already represented by albums that should be owned outright, and not excerpted (Birth of the Cool, Walkin', Kind of Blue, Miles Smiles, Bitches Brew).
Nevertheless, some people might appreciate hearing a few highlights back to back, and the Ken Burns disk certainly makes for great listening. If you're a Miles freak, this is extraneous, but if you want to get a fair overview, this disk is a great place to dive in. - Tom Ryan