Rooster_Ties Posted October 15, 2003 Report Posted October 15, 2003 (edited) The first time I listened to disc #1 of the new box, I was also a little put off by that many takes of "Willie Nelson" --- though I'm an admitted Miles fanatic, especially of most of the "Jack Johnson"-era music. But I'm mean, there's 52 minutes of versions of "Willie Nelson" based mostly on that same vamp - so it's bound to get a little old... ...and it sure did the first time through (for me). BUT, then I listened to all of disc #1 again (several days later, while I was making dinner --- so it was semi-focused listening, although I was doing something else at the same time too), and somehow I really connected with this music, nearly all 52 minutes of it, actually. I think part of it was that I started focusing on the individual instruments, particularly on Jack DeJohnette (man, his playing is deceptively simple at times, but always DEEP!!), and also on Sonny Sharrock and/or John McLaughlin (although I think it was Sharrock that captured my attention more so.) Man, this music really has some kick to it (at times). Not quite a kick like "Right Off" or "Go Ahead John", but still - there's a strange forward momentum to this music (even with the 'starts' and 'stops' at times) that really is a bit of a mind warp. So simple, yet so complex. All that said - the "Jack Johnson" box in general, and all the "Willie Nelson" takes in particular, would probably be better with all the discs in a 5-disc changer, on 'random' mode. Still, I have been very impressed by this box set. Of the 5 hours of material, I think fully 4 hours of it stands up very strongly. Only disc #4 (most of the slow, moody, and 'pulse'-less tunes by Hermeto Pascoal ) leaves me fairly cold. A little goes a long way with that kind of Miles (for me anyway)... ...but I think nearly all the previously unreleased material is highly interesting, and very worthy of release. And overall, I think the "Jack Johnson" box stands right up there with any of the Miles Box sets. In fact, my three favorites probably are the "1965-68" box, the "Miles & Gil" box, and the "Jack Johnson" box (all three being about equal, collectively in 1st place for me). Then I'd probably put the "In A Silent Way" box in 2nd place, followed by the "Miles & Coltrane" and "Bitches Brew" boxes in 3rd place (together). And I'm sure I'll rank the "Seven Steps To Berlin" box in 4th place (which is my 'last' place position in this ranking). For a time I wasn't even sure if I was going to get every Miles box (particularly the "Seven Steps To Berlin" box), but now that I've got all of them (so far), so I'm sure I'll take the plunge and get the last one too (especially if I can get it used and cheap sometime). Anybody know why they're NOT going to do a box for the studio material recorded after the "Jack Johnson" box????? (I understand that the "Jack Johnson" box is the last (chronologically) in the series. I really dig "On The Corner" (though I didn't right at first - but it grew on me quite a bit, over time), and I would love to hear more of that material. Edited October 15, 2003 by Rooster_Ties Quote
nmorin Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 (edited) Anybody know why they're NOT going to do a box for the studio material recorded after the "Jack Johnson" box That is indeed bewildering. Looking at Peter Losin's killer Miles Ahead Sessionography, it appears there must be five or six CDs worth of studio material from 1972 to 1975. I don't remember if it was here or on AAJ, but someone mentioned that in Paul Tingen's "Miles Beyond: The Electric Explorations of Miles Davis" he says one is in the works, but that contradicts eveything else. LON -- is that a cool-looking Philip K. Dick as your avatar? Edited October 16, 2003 by nmorin Quote
Gary Posted October 16, 2003 Author Report Posted October 16, 2003 [bI don't remember if it was here or on AAJ, but someone mentioned that in Paul Tingen's "Miles Beyond: The Electric Explorations of Miles Davis" he says one is in the works, but that contradicts eveything else. that was me ! I said In the excellent Paul Tingen book 'Electric Miles - the explorations of Miles Davis 1967-1991' when discussing the On the Corner sessions he briefly mentions Columbia are to release a box set of the On the Corner sessions (page 139). If theres money to be made from Miles's legacy I cant see Columbia putting a full stop to the releases . Quote
jazzbo Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 I agree, if there is a dollar to be made on Miles, Columbia will get to it. I see them soon enough releasing previously only bootleg recordings with the estate's permission. Yes, my last two avatars have been PKD. I'd never seen this photo before; it's pretty cool! Has to be mid-fifties I think. Quote
JSngry Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 I agree, if there is a dollar to be made on Miles, Columbia will get to it. I see them soon enough releasing previously only bootleg recordings with the estate's permission. Start here, please. Quote
jazzbo Posted October 16, 2003 Report Posted October 16, 2003 Yeah, Jim, I revisited this at your suggestion, and you're right: this would make a nice monster of a Columbia reissue! This stuff is right on. . . ! Quote
Gary Posted October 16, 2003 Author Report Posted October 16, 2003 Ive only ever seen that once - it was on Ebay at the time i was only on line at work. The bid ended at the weekend so when i left work on the Friday i (naively) left a bid for roughly £20 ($33) . Got back to work on Monday , crossed my fingers & logged on . It had eventually sold for £120 ($201). Quote
jazzhound Posted October 31, 2003 Report Posted October 31, 2003 does anyone know anything about a 12" being put out of "sugar ray" b/w "little high people?" i have seen scans on someone's web site of the record label (one of those great photos of miles in the ring at the gym). any place to order this online? local vinyl shop has no idea of it's existence. i think i heard that it's clear vinyl, too ... This is a promo for the Sony box set. Unlikely to find it online, maybe in a inde record store that sells demo copies. Quote
king ubu Posted October 31, 2003 Report Posted October 31, 2003 What's the best deal to get the box in Europe? Amazon France has it for 60 Euros. Cheaper than that anywhere? ubu Quote
Gary Posted November 10, 2003 Author Report Posted November 10, 2003 (edited) This is worth keeping an eye out for. Edited November 10, 2003 by Gary Quote
Claude Posted November 10, 2003 Report Posted November 10, 2003 (edited) What's the best deal to get the box in Europe? Amazon France has it for 60 Euros. Cheaper than that anywhere? That's a good price. Elsewhere in Europe it is 80-90 Euro. I bought mine from CD Universe for $50, but had to pay VAT on it. Zweitausendeins usually has the lowest prices on box sets, but those are temporary offers and it is not sure if and when they get the Jack Johnson set. Edited November 10, 2003 by Claude Quote
king ubu Posted November 13, 2003 Report Posted November 13, 2003 Thanks, Claude. Here in Switzerland it sells for around 80-90 Euros, too... You think zweitausendeins will get it? ubu Quote
PHILLYQ Posted November 13, 2003 Report Posted November 13, 2003 Have you considered Ebay? I've seen the set for around $40-$50, and with shipping it's still a lot less than 80-90 Euros. Quote
GregK Posted December 1, 2003 Report Posted December 1, 2003 Has anybody had any problems with disk 3? I hear what sounds like a digital skipping sound on Track 3 at about :39. It's at a place where there's a lot of organ and electric piano, so it "almost" sounds like it's part of the tune. Could it be my CD player? yes I noticed this too, the first time I listened to it. I went back and listened to the passage over and over, and from what I can tell it's part of the music. It almost sounds like a skip, but the timing on the CD player doesn't register any skip (the time flows normally, in other words). I believe it is just from the Farfisa Herbie is playing Quote
Tjazz Posted December 15, 2003 Report Posted December 15, 2003 (edited) I'll sell my box set for $35 plus $5 shipping (within USA). Edited December 15, 2003 by Tjazz Quote
GregK Posted December 15, 2003 Report Posted December 15, 2003 I'll sell my box set for $35 plus $5 shipping (within USA). just curious: Why you sellin? Quote
Tjazz Posted December 16, 2003 Report Posted December 16, 2003 I'll sell my box set for $35 plus $5 shipping (within USA). just curious: Why you sellin? Gave it a listen and it didn't excite me. I have all the other Miles box sets. I'll probably dump the 20-CD live box set too. B) Quote
wesbed Posted April 24, 2004 Report Posted April 24, 2004 (edited) I just purchased my copy of The Complete Jack Johnson box. This is great 'driving' music. I drove across town, from where I purchased the box, to where I live. I was nearly in a trance by the time I got home. I've listened to only a couple of the disks. Yes, the first disk, with the 'Willie Nelson' collection, does get a bit tiresome on a play straight through. However, I don't believe the music was intended to be listened to this manner. At the same time, it's interesting to see how the music progressed on each alternate take. I wonder what inspired Miles to use the term Willie Nelson? The 'Go Ahead John' set, on the other hand, is quite good. Whether these songs are alternate takes or not, every take is unique and very good. Edited April 24, 2004 by wesbed Quote
GregK Posted April 24, 2004 Report Posted April 24, 2004 I wonder what inspired Miles to use the term Willie Nelson? I read somewhere that he admired Willie's singing, something about his phrasing was similar to Miles' own phrasing Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted April 24, 2004 Report Posted April 24, 2004 I wonder what inspired Miles to use the term Willie Nelson? I read somewhere that he admired Willie's singing, something about his phrasing was similar to Miles' own phrasing Miles and Willie became friends when they were both handled by the same agent. Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted April 25, 2004 Report Posted April 25, 2004 I think that would mean it was named long after it was recorded, a not uncommon occurence for jazz instrumentals. And yeah, I think it fits, in a nicely nonobvious sort of way. Pity they didn't ever work together... Quote
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