Another Jack Johnson thread....

[tonym]

I've searched half heartedly the numerous threads covering this and Miles' albums and box sets, but, I've just bought this today (bit of a bargain) and I'm wondering where to start.

I'm not familiar with the original album although I own a fair bit of post - Bitches Brew Miles. So, do I spend a few weeks getting the finished cuts into my head, then explore the alternates and other stuff? (I did this with the quintet stuff as I had the 'original' albums on cd. Then I bought the remastered stuff; freaked me out when I heard Nefertiti's out-takes.)

Or, do I just wade in from the top, as if I were there?

Sorry if this has been a topic before but I'm a bit overwhelmed by this one.

Help. Tonym

[jazzbo]

Pick one of the cds and put it in the player. Just explore this stuff in any way you feel like. I've never been a big fan of the original lp which seems to be a heretical position here, but it was the most boring of his electric stuff to me, too straigh ahead rock like; there is a Clapton jam in the Derek and the Dominoes box set that has a very similar groove. . . nothing special to me. But the Big Fun material, the takes of Willie Nelson, the material with Pascoal, and especially the versions of The Mask. . . I really enjoy those. Lots of material here to really explore. . . . I really personally don't think you have to go about it in one way or another.

[.:.impossible]

Are the Miles Davis box sets offered at discount through Columbia House Music Club? Outtakes from Nefertiti, and BIG FUN, are tempting me.

[Alexander]

I'd start with the original album (last disc, I think). Listen to that several times and get to know it well, then the rest of the set will be more revealing.

[danasgoodstuff]

My suggestion: load 'em up in the multi-changer, hit random play, go about your business and don't even look at the credits, at least not until you hear something you really like. Not how I did it, but just a thought.

[BFrank]

Are the Miles Davis box sets offered at discount through Columbia House Music Club? Outtakes from Nefertiti, and BIG FUN, are tempting me.

BMG is carrying it for $27.99. Even with the added shipping, this is a good deal.

[Rooster_Ties]

I would start with the last two tracks on the last disc -- which is the original "Jack Johnson" album, as it was originally released. Then, as some others here have suggested, if you have a multi-disc changer -- I would load all five discs (or three of the five discs), and play all the discs in multi-disc "random" mode.

If you start with disc 1, you'll get 6 or 8 takes of the very first tune. It's an interesting tune, and I love most of the "Jack Johnson"-related material. But listening to those 6 or 8 takes, back to back, as a place to start with this material --- is not the place to start (in my book).

IMHO, start with those last two tracks on the last disc (particuarlly the one called "Right Off" - and give it a good spin first. Also, the 2nd disc (the one with the track(s) "Go Ahead John" might also be a good place to go (after the last disc).

Also, you might stay away from disc #4 for a while. It's much more "moody" - and less like most of the rest of the "Jack Johnson" material.

[medjuck]

In an earlier thread on "Jack Johnson" I had 2 queastions: 1) How was the music used in the film. I found the answer to that on Peter Losin's excellent Miles site. But I've never found an answer to my 2nd question:

When did those involved know that this particular music was going to be used in the film? Or to put it another way: Does anyone know if Miles recorded this music specifically for the film? Or was he making music for a record that just happened to be used in the film?

[GregK]

I wasn't very familiar at all with most of the non-LP stuff on this box, and I simply played the box in order from disc 1. Seemed like the best way for me. I like the many takes of Willie Nelson after hearing them a # of times

[Big Al]

I finally am hearing it, and oddly enough, I'm really getting into the repetition of the groove. It's almost like something to just move through the day with.

[PHILLYQ]

The suggestion to start with the original album, particularly since you're not familiar it, sounds like a good way to start IMHO. If you have a multi-disc player, by all means, load it up and go random-there are gems throughout the set. I started with disc one and played it a bunch of times, then moved on disc by disc, playing anything that struck me repeatedly. I carried the set in my bag for three weeks, listening on a discman while riding the subways back and forth to work, then catching some at home every evening. it is a set that definitely rewards repeated listening, and McLaughlin ROCKS!