Tribute to Jack Johnson

Miles Davis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027GU
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,194 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #62 in Music > R&B > Funk > Jazz Funk
  • #86 in Music > Pop > Tributes

Track Listings

1. Right Off

2. Yesternow

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite studio Miles, October 29, 2002

By 

a superintelligent shade of the color blue (minneapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribute to Jack Johnson (Audio CD)

This is the most *relaxed* of Miles' electric albums. It takes the vamp-based open structures of his great electric period (1968-75) and puts them in a warm blues context, rather than the heady big-band jazz experiments of Stockhausen-funk of later bands. The band is small, clean, and tight. The album opens with a pounding chord from John McLaughlin, dropping into an E blues shuffle that sounds more like Mississippi than NYC. McLaughlin, Cobham, and Henderson pave a groove like a red carpet for the Dark Magus, with only the occasional diminished passing chord to remind us that this is, indeed, a jazz album and not Muddy Waters. Then Miles comes in, not as the madman, just stretching his legs out on the deep bed of rhythm. Miles may play different at times, but he don't play any better than this. Then Herbie Hancock attacks with a horrible little Farfisa organ that sounds about to explode, and the game turns into a battle.

My god, this is good! The second track, Yesternow, is more expansive, more thoughtful. Sonny Sharrock's uncredited but unmistakable abuse of an Echoplex should be the stuff of legend, taking bluesy guitar to the exotic planes McLaughlin only hinted at.

This is the album to get for that blues-rock fan who just doesn't get the appeal of jazz. Miles doesn't expect us to suffer in order to understand, the way he often did with his best electric music. There's no harsh tones (well, maybe some!), no obscure harmonies, none of the stuff that makes jazz boring and hard for the uninitiated. And it will MOVE them.

I think the ultimate sound of this album is best summed up by a quote from the film, at the very end of the album... "I'm Jack Johnson. I'm black, and they never let me forget it. I'm Jack Johnson. I'm black, and I never let them forget it."

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars astounding, September 23, 2000

By 

Sean M. Kelly (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tribute to Jack Johnson (Audio CD)

This is one of the most amazing albums I have ever heard. Miles definitely was on a creative roll when he did this tribute lp. As a former boxer, as well as a prominent member of the black community, Miles could easily understand what fomer Boxing champ (and the 1st black boxing champ) Jack Johnson went through and what he meant to his community.

Like Johnson, Miles held back no punches on this powerful lp. Miles, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Steve Grossman, and Michael Henderson created a powerful rock and roll album that rivaled, and surpassed, many of the lps of its time- a straight ahead, no holds barred attack complete with blistering guitars, and powerful drumming and bass work by Cobham and Henderson. The stage was set, and Miles, Herbie, and Grossman wasted little opportunity to vamp and solo over the tight rock and roll grooves.

While not as earth shattering as Tony Williams' first Lifetime lp "Emergency!", "Jack Johnson" is nevertheless a powerful album of true fusion jazz. Miles' journey would lead him down the road to very dark Sly Stone-esque funky murky African based grooves (surely, his friend Jimi Hendrix's untimely death also signaled the death of Miles' rock and roll period) that lacked the crispness and overall urgency of this album, which, while rewarding in its own right, is also a shame, because Miles could rock.

An amazing feat and a very interesting sidebar in the Miles Davis canon, "Jack Johnson" is a true fusion lp that sounds as fresh today as it did then.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Davis And Other Greats..Excellent Stuff... But...Newer CD Is Out, June 25, 2006

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Tribute to Jack Johnson (Audio CD)

This review refers to "A Tribute To Jack Johnson"/Miles Davis

Originally released in 1971, this album really cooks.The two tracks on this album, were written by Miles Davis, and are from a documentary of boxer Jack Johnson's bio. The sound is incredible.First of all, you will really feel the emotions of the fighter in the ring. Davis' trumpeting, although a rock-jazz style, is definitive of his immense talent. Extraordinary solos that will have you immersed in every note. And what's more check out some of the talent he brings with him. Herbie Hancock on Organ(amazing), John McLaughlin on Guitar(soooo good), Steve Grossman on Soprano Sax, Billy Cobham on Drums and Michael Henderson on Electric Bass. Whoa..Whole lotta greatness there! They are all superb, and their combined talents make this album a real treat and treasure for fans.

An amazing production job,the recordings were produced over a 16 week period in 1970. The 2 tracks are "Right Off" and "Yesternow", for a total of about 53 minutes of heaven. This CD from1992 (with a red border) is an older edition.There is a much newer edition of the remastered original recording that came out in 2005: A Tribute to Jack Johnson It costs a little more, but it is an excellent quality, with every note and sound coming through the speakers beautifully. It also includes a nice 15 page booklet with facts on Davis, the musicians, the recording sessions, and a history of jazz in brief(and also a few pix).

Recommended for Jazz fans, and Rock fans leaning towards the jazzy side. Incredible stuff! Wonderful Tribute...Enjoy.....Laurie