Miles Cellar Door Update

[Guy Berger]

Onto disc 4 -- wow, this set is in general much more free than the earlier ones. The band really pushes beyond the regular grooves on "Honky Tonk" and "What I Say".

Guy

[B. Clugston]

It's a great set that holds up well.

Keith Jarrett had always whined about Live-Evil not being as good as the McLauglin-less version of the band. I never believed him, as I never liked the 1971 post-DeJohnette version, but I actually enjoy the four discs without McLaughlin far more than the final two with him.

I wonder if Disc 1 is the last time Miles played with a quintet?

I agrees "Yesternows" is fantastic and I am amazed how much the band gets out of a tune as simple as "Honky Tonk."

Also dig how Michael Henderson quotes "Power to Love" near the end of "Directions" on Disc 4, which is my favourite disc of the set. Incredible intensity.

DeJohnette is a monster; the band was never the same without him.

[jazzbo]

I think you'll find the odd quintet configuration in the final decade.

I've got to agree that this is a great set that holds up well. . . and I too like the material without John a lot (like the material with him as well). So glad this was finally released!

[sal]

I love this music as well, and I listen to it pretty often, especially during these warmer, sunnier months. And what makes this set even better every time I pull it out, is that I'm reminded of the sweet $39 pre-order price I got it for!

[Guest Bixieland]

I was suprised by the listenability of this set. The intensity of the jams is great, and very infectuous. I understand how some can say they find Miles trumpet the least interesting at times...it's as if everybody was lettin' loose, and Miles was more tinkering with ideas...one hand on his horn, the other turning knobs.

Then again, that's why he booked the dates, I guess! Not that he doesn't find comfort zones and get into it. But everyone else is gettin' grity and soulful, playin' their tails off...cauze that's what the man paid them to do! Entertain the folks why I mess around behind the curtain... quite nice of hime to do, when you look at it like that.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Bixieland

[Chalupa]

I love this music as well, and I listen to it pretty often, especially during these warmer, sunnier months. And what makes this set even better every time I pull it out, is that I'm reminded of the sweet $39 pre-order price I got it for!

I got the Cellar Door box from YM for $35.94

and the 7 Steps box was a whopping $34.93

Edited May 11, 2007 by J.H. Deeley

[Ron S]

I got the Cellar Door box from YM for $35.94

and the 7 Steps box was a whopping $34.93

Hey, what the hell have you done with Chalupa???

[Cliff Englewood]

I would agree with all the positive comments on this set, I was suprised how much I enjoyed it myself, and would endorse the, "I was suprised by the listenability of this set" comment.

It's not as mad as you might think. I bought it after getting "Live Evil" and thinking this is great, it's like Fela Kuti, and since getting the Box Set, I would agree that the McLauglin-less shows do seem to have a slight edge, and again, there is definitely something special about Disc 4.

Oh, and I paid a load of cash for it but it was worth it.

[Chalupa]

I got the Cellar Door box from YM for $35.94

and the 7 Steps box was a whopping $34.93

Hey, what the hell have you done with Chalupa???

Chalupa should be back in 620 days or so.

[JohnBlutarski]

Anybody else feel beaten up by Jack's bass drum?

Boom, boom, b-b-boom, b-boom, boom, boom, boom...

cool T-shirt !!!!! (green, with "Down With It " on it!)

JB

Edited May 23, 2007 by JohnBlutarski

[Guy Berger]

It's a great set that holds up well.

Keith Jarrett had always whined about Live-Evil not being as good as the McLauglin-less version of the band. I never believed him, as I never liked the 1971 post-DeJohnette version, but I actually enjoy the four discs without McLaughlin far more than the final two with him.

Not sure I agree. Jarrett's whining is quite understandable -- he had to adjust to McLaughlin's presence more than any other musician in the band. The end result isn't better or worse, just different. Disc 5 sounds a lot like the other discs with guitar added on; by disc 6 the band is more adventurous and starts adopting a more guitar-oriented style.

Some noteworthy parts w/McLaughlin in the band -- the last few minutes of "Directions" on disc 5 (excerpted as "Sivad" on Live/Evil), the magnificent "Honky Tonk" on disc 5 (some of Miles's best playing on this set), the great "What I Say" on disc 5, Bartz's solo over McLaughlin and Henderson's start-stop rhythms on the disc 6 "Inamorata".

Guy

[Guy Berger]

Giving this set a lot of listening this week.  Spectacular music, some of the best Miles ever made.

[sambrasa]

These shows were attended by Jan Garbarek.