Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis [Paperback]

Philip Freeman (Author), Miles Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

This book reassesses Miles Davis' "electric period" and analyzes its continuing influence on contemporary music. While jazz purists often revile this phase - which encompasses the entire second half of his career, from 1967 until his death in 1991 - this book takes a new, appreciative look at this music and shows its importance to Davis' career and to jazz as a whole. The author also reveals surprising connections between Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, particularly the ways they fed each other's creativity. This book will stir up the longtime debate about this important music and give Davis' legions of fans refreshing insights into his work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308281
• ISBN-13: 978-0879308285
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Subject but Not the Definitive Book, July 23, 2006

By 

directions "neuralbuddhist" (Space Time Foam) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis (Paperback)

"Running the Voodoo Down" is an interesting exploration into Miles' electric period, its formative years in the late 60's, full blossoming in the 70's and its ultimate wash out in his return from retirement in the 80's. However, it is not as effective as "Miles Beyond" by Paul Tingen which was obviously researched with great detail. For example, "Running the Voodoo Down" states that there were no studio sessions from 1973 while "Miles Beyond" mentions them (even though they have never been released to the general public officially or otherwise) and discusses briefly from an interview with a Miles alumnist what they might have sounded like as well as the interview with Chick Corea that discusses the very first electric concert in 1968. These are minor details but details such as this are what makes a work of musical history. By now, everyone is giving long overdue praise to Miles' electric period but its the detailed facts and unknown stories and descriptions of what was going on beyond the scenes that wets people's appetite for the next Miles archival reissue and lets bands give due for their influences. Also "Miles Beyond" was written like a work of archaeology whereas "Running the Voodoo Down" is filled with overly hyperbolistic rock critic cliches. For the casual listener or the phillistine who puts aside anything from "In a Silent Way" and beyond as derivative of rock and not really jazz, it is essential. For the true jazz fanatic, it is mostly a familiar story.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Running the Voodoo Down, January 26, 2006

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Gary Mairs - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis (Paperback)

Contentious, provocative and idiosyncratic, Phil Freeman's Running the Voodoo Down is an attempt to come to terms with the most difficult and misunderstood work of Miles Davis' career. He applies his knowledge of hard bop, heavy metal and funk, drawing unlikely connections and making this dense, often impenetrable music accessible. Every page has a risible assertion, and you may find yourself enraged with Freeman even as you pull out Agharta and On the Corner to see if he's actually on to something. He almost always is.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Brew, March 15, 2006

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Phil Nugent "Phil Nugent" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis (Paperback)

The music Miles Davis made in the period this book grapples with was unpredictable, contentious, sometimes maddening, often exciting, and on occasion, the most thrilling thing on Earth. The book itself is a fit match for its subject. Faced with a body of work that's inspired more than one sensible critic to throw up his hands, Freeman just rolls up his sleeves and digs in, addressing the material with just the right balance of scepticism and enthusiasm. Those new to Miles Davis will get their eyes and ears opened wide; old-timers will be reminded what it's like to encounter some much-needed fresh thinking on an old favorite .