Tribute to Jack Johnson [Original recording remastered]

Miles Davis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00074CBFG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,301 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great disc by one of the all-time greatest artists!, January 29, 2005

By 

J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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

For those who aren't aware, this JACK JOHNSON soundtrack was compiled from 1970 studio sessions by Miles Davis for a rarely-seen documentary of the legendary boxer. The 2005 Ken Burns-directed UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS documentary with music by Wynton Marsalis is an entirely different audio/video project. Although Davis' music i.m.o. certainly evokes the spirit of Johnson, it also stands on its own musical merits as arguably one of the most outstanding Miles albums of his entire career (which is saying something because Miles' career is loaded with classic, timeless performances).

As I wrote of the boxed set of the JACK JOHNSON sessions, if ever progressive strains of jazz, rock, blues, and funk found common ground -- without selling any of the above short -- I'd argue it was in the early-1970 sessions from which this album was pasted together. JACK JOHNSON rocks steady, gets on the good foot, and does so with jazz intuition and blues feeling. Miles' playing is awesome, and I would consider his opening solo on "Right Off" to be as brilliant as any I've heard by him at ANY point in his career, finding a perfect, unpredictable balance between basic and abstract improvisational phrases. The rhythm section -- including John McLaughlin on guitar, Michael Henderson on electric bass, and Billy Cobham on drums -- throws down a steady beat that reacts to and pushes Miles onward and upward. Reedman Steve Grossman, keyboardist Herbie Hancock, more from Miles, and finally McLaughlin manage to keep this lengthy cut interesting, while some spliced-in segments from related sessions by producer Teo Macero keep the listener off-balance to good effect.

"Yesternow" builds slowly off of a Henderson bass motif, beginning quietly but eventually erupting into a electrifying riff that at one point has frequently uncredited guitarist Sonny Sharrock creating joyful noises that are apt to forever remain edgy as future generations discover this already 35-year old album. Those who are unfamiliar with JACK JOHNSON may have to make some adjustments to fully appreciate this album, given that it is comprised of two long tracks, spliced to their 20-plus minute lengths from various sessions (which btw are heard in unedited form on the excellent COMPLETE JACK JOHNSON SESSIONS boxed set). Also, there are no pre-written melodies as the music focuses mostly on solo statements by -- and the interaction of -- the musicians. If you can accept this album on its own terms, you're likely to be rewarded with an inspired listening experience no matter how often you play it. Which one can say of dozens of Miles Davis albums!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Man, it's funky!, March 11, 2005

By 

Stuart Hartley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

I was totally blown away when I first heard this. This is Miles at his funkiest, loudest and bluesiest. It sounds like so much fun!

Every musician on this album is in top form and the aggressive, raucous soloing is indescribable. It's a great privilege to hear these guys settle into a groove.

The cutting and pasting technique involved in making the original long jams more palatable can be a bit annoying at times but I wasn't going to buy the 'Complete Jack Johnson Sessions' when I hadn't heard one note of this album before. That's the only complaint I have with this great piece of work.

Overall, it was incredibly enjoyable!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The life of Jack, August 16, 2008

By 

Robert Jackson "rjack58" (Edinburg, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

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

This album and the songs contained, cover the rise and fall of Jack Johnson America's MOST infamous and 1st Black Heavyweight Champion. The up tempo beginning of "Right Off" is Johnson striving to fullfill the ambition of his youth and overcome the staggering imbalance forced upon him by America's racist foundations. The tempo changes during the piece to express the "flat spots" and the "downs" that even a powerful man such as Jack Johnson experienced while being the most SUCCESSFUL Black man of his era. "Right Off" ends like it begins with a bang. "Yesternow" seems to be the manifesto of a man begging for acceptance from the world in general and America in particular. It tells the world who this man is and that his being is not up for debate, it is a "take it or leave it" pronouncement! "Accept me as I am or not at all", I will survive and thrive in either case!