Customer Reviews

Miles Davis - Live from the Montreal Jazz Festival

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have watched this video a bunch of times and have always thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't have any idea what the other reviewers are hearing when they call this 'smooth jazz'!!! I mean, listen to Bob Berg's solos for crying out loud. And Miles'. And Scofield's. These guys are clearly burning their butts off. If your idea of "Jazz" is only acoustic-straightahead-retrobebop then don't buy this. But if you're into "Music" in the broader sense that doesn't pigeonhole you into stylistic categories, then buy this. It's great music.

This highly recommended June 28, 1985 Montreal concert--previously issued in Japan--helps reopen the case for recognizing much of the music of Miles' final years as a reiteration of his trademark strengths, albeit perhaps without a stunning creative landmark on the order of KIND OF BLUE or BITCHES BREW. Maybe LIVE IN MONTREAL is that mid-80's signpost--if not, it's very close! The level of inspiration, commitment to excellence, and turning the future into the present is what you would expect of Miles at any point in his career!

Davis' acumen for picking talented, individualistic sidepersons is glaringly evident on this Montreal date. John Scofield is of course a premier electric guitarist who makes very distinctive contributions, while reedman Bob Berg is a similiarly inspired soloist. Synthman Robert Irving III is the playmaker who doesn't shoot the ball much (i.e., no solos) but dishes out assist after assist to the overall group sound, via subtle textures that sometimes achieve the spirit if not the letter of the orchestrated Gil Evans sound that Miles seemed to desire after 1983. Darryl Jones puts those ping-ponging, thumb-popping notes in just a little bit better place than most other bassists. Vincent Wilburn Jr. provides a full sound and solid beats, thankfully without forgetting that his is a supporting role, and percussionist Steve Thornton also plays what is needed, where it is needed.

Included are expansive versions of the two most notable ballads of this era (HUMAN NATURE, TIME AFTER TIME), while the funk/r&b/soul idiom is covered via D-Train's SOMETHING'S ON YOUR MIND. Don't be concerned if you're not a fan of the then-current YOU'RE UNDER ARREST or DECOY albums which provded the bulk of the material for this tour: they were merely blueprints for the passionate live renditions heard here.

By TIME AFTER TIME, CODE M.D., and a Spain-sketched reworking of JEAN PIERRE, Miles Davis' playing is in a ZONE, absolutely burning with a passion he rarely surpassed--before or after! Davis' solos are marked by extended length, great endurance, and confidence in all ranges of his horn. Unless you absolutely cannot stand electric instrumentation and contemporary pop-culture music influencing a jazz-rooted perspective, LIVE IN MONTREAL is a must-have!

If anybody needed more proof that Wynton Marsalis, Stanley Crouch and Peter Watrous are full of s... about Miles not playing challenging great music at the highest level in the 80ties, this DVD will show a Miles who once again has the cream of the crop sidemen in his band, with Scofield playing one of the greatest solos you'll ever hear on the first track! Miles, however, is particularly inspiring even around such fantastic musicians he remains the center of attention, his solos have that otherworldly "where did that come from" mystique yet totally logic that is the realm of the true greats. This is timeless jazzmusic on the highest level, even if Ken Burns and Wynton can't recognize that.

I am so happy I just picked this DVD out from the store. I had NO IDEA as to what to expect. Well, maybe a little, when I saw the credits on the back said "John Scofield - guitar" I knew it was going to be some of davis' later work, fusion. Anyways, I've had this DVD for about 4 hours now, I've already watched it two times over. All I can say is that this is simply amazing. I like all the tracks, they're all great and cater to many sorts. Scofield's solo's make you hold your breath, break out in sweat, and make you want to scream for joy. The same goes for Davis'. The first couple o' tracks have a HELL OF A rythm section totally giving it they're all, the latter doesn't have the same power, but is still great. If you have an extra 20$ lieing around, buy this.

in the summer of '85 , those who were lucky enough witnessed miles & co. transform the stage of the theatre st. denis into downtown manhattan , so electrifying was the vibe they created . yes , i was at this concert and it was one of the best montreal jazz fest shows that i've been to ; as usual , the good folks at spectel video captured the essence of that vibe in splendid fashion ; i've seen miles in concert four times and this is still my favorite performance of his ; i've seen john scofield live several times and , wow , was he " on " that evening ; well done !

I was a bit unsure whether this would be any good due to some bad reviews. Anyone saying this is 'Smooth Jazz' needs their ears examined!

Much better than 'Live In Paris' DVD (boring, and Miles isn't in great health i would say), never did get 'Foley' on lead bass although K Garret is good. However back to Montreal 85....

Scofield and Berg are out of this world. Sco' absolutely rips on the first track. Anyone saying he is too loud needs togo back to their little world of Miles pre 60's.

Sure some of it is a little bit cold but only a little. I forgot what a great album Decoy was.

You have got to laugh at Miles, how many times have you seen him go in front of the speakers with his radio mic' resulting in feedback! Doh!

I'm not a big Miles Davis historian but have always loved his music - and to see him perform live on this DVD is a real joy. The video portion is not top notch but considering it's age is still very good and the audio is better than expected. Scofield's and Berg's performances are outstanding and Davis really gets into a groove, especially in the later numbers. Any Miles Davis fan needs to have this.

This is Miles, late in his career. More band leader and mentor, still experimenting musically and sartorially, spending evermore time with his back to his audience, sound is OK. If you are a completist, this is worth consideration, but I find his earlier performances much worthier of consideration, they are uniformly brilliant and consistent and worth returning to again and again.

Miles Davis legacy from when he was a much younger lad never translated to good performances when aged. This DVD literally blows. It is the single worst performance I've ever purchased.

Absolutely brilliant. Much better than Live In Munich. John Scofield shines brightly on this DVD. So does Miles of course. Listen to the duet playing of Miles and John on Time After Time. Just delicate.