Miles Davis: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3

[Rooster_Ties]

I got my copy yesterday and listened to Disc 1. Liked the performances and sound on the main tracks, but like others here have said I do not get the bonus tracks ---- whatever magic there is in bonus track performances is very much obscured by the poor sound quality.

Funny, the SQ of the bonus tracks doesn't bother me a whole lot, and I'm still glad they're there (the interest factor definitely trumps the SQ issues for me).

I mean, "Footprints" in 1970, are you kidding me??!!! Never in a billion years did I expect to hear one of Miles' 70's bands playing "Footprints".

[CJ Shearn]

I got my copy yesterday and listened to Disc 1. Liked the performances and sound on the main tracks, but like others here have said I do not get the bonus tracks ---- whatever magic there is in bonus track performances is very much obscured by the poor sound quality.

Funny, the SQ of the bonus tracks doesn't bother me a whole lot, and I'm still glad they're there (the interest factor definitely trumps the SQ issues for me).

I mean, "Footprints" in 1970, are you kidding me??!!! Never in a billion years did I expect to hear one of Miles' 70's bands playing "Footprints".

Right, those two tracks at the end of disc 1 are great performances. The reviews at Amazon complaining about the sound of the remixed set are interesting. We all have different ears and preferences, but for me this music unedited and remixed (as I'm spinning disc 2 now) sheds a picture I really enjoy. To say that this new box sucks and purely a money grab (as one Amazon buyer wrote) represents more of an issue with the listener than what's actually here. I consider Lon's point about the reasons around the edits, but the murk of the mix and the constant jump cuts, never did anything for me on the original double album, which I had as the 1997 reissue previously.

Edited April 8, 2014 by CJ Shearn

[jazzbo]

Well, I'd be more interested in having the bonus cuts there if I didn't have them elsewhere, I just wish I had four discs that were the four evenings each on one disc, instead of only two, and two with bad sounding cuts on the end.

I never have considered the original mix (which I know mostly via the original lps, and also on a Sony MasterSound edition) as "murky." I really like the original sound. . .I've listened to it so long.

Such a great reissue!

[Rooster_Ties]

Thing is, most folks (including - I would venture - most folks here) *don't* have those bonus tracks elsewhere. And even if I did, I appreciate the editorial decision to 'highlight' them by their inclusion here, essentially elevating them above the rest of the material from whence they came (which I'm sure was a good call).

But I understand, different strokes for different folks.

As far as the SQ of the main material, I am beyond thrilled with the clarity of mix/remix. One of THE most stunning recordings of any live Miles I've yet heard (from any decade).

[CJ Shearn]

Well, I'd be more interested in having the bonus cuts there if I didn't have them elsewhere, I just wish I had four discs that were the four evenings each on one disc, instead of only two, and two with bad sounding cuts on the end.

I never have considered the original mix (which I know mostly via the original lps, and also on a Sony MasterSound edition) as "murky." I really like the original sound. . .I've listened to it so long.

Such a great reissue!

It sure is! When did I ditch the 2 disc reissue? a few years ago...... I think?. it came out when I was in high school, I remember the ads in Downbeat for the 1997 double disc sets, I wasn't ready for them then, but this new reissue just presents the music in so much detail that I really love how it sounds. The At Fillmore 2 disc reissue was definitely a lot "hotter" with the original mix, I like the expanded dynamic range in this complete presentation, too. The section with Jack launching into swing time behind Keith from June 18th makes a lot more sense IMO then it did on the original album. Killing stuff!

Thing is, most folks (including - I would venture - most folks here) *don't* have those bonus tracks elsewhere. And even if I did, I appreciate the editorial decision to 'highlight' them by their inclusion here, essentially elevating them above the rest of the material from whence they came (which I'm sure was a good call).

But I understand, different strokes for different folks.

As far as the SQ of the main material, I am beyond thrilled with the clarity of mix/remix. One of THE most stunning recordings of any live Miles I've yet heard (from any decade).

I am thankful for the bonus tracks as well. Sure, they sound less than stellar but the soloing and interaction on "Paraphernalia" (one of my fav. Wayne tunes ever) and "Footprints" is just too good to even care.

Edited April 9, 2014 by CJ Shearn

[skeith]

I have finally listed to all four discs and have to say I like this better than I was expecting. There are certainly some very fine moments on every disc and the Jarrett/Corea interactions seem to be what is unique about this set. I think it is good to have the unedited versions.... but not sure I needed all four nights. I need to listen to it again sometime soon... so these are just initial reactions.

Given the huge excitement about this set before its release....I would have to say that the response on this Board appears to be a muted with the exception of a few very enthusiastic posters.

[jazzbo]

Yes, it's too bad Stanley Crouch didn't write the notes after talking with Wynton Marsalis about the concerts. That would generate some comments!

I'm still excited about it and the good news for me is that my jazz listening time is so limited, and I do have to listen to other things. . . I can still be excited spinning these for many more listenings.

Still haven't opened my set from Amazon.co.uk and done a comparison to the Blu-Spec 2 version from Japan. . . . Maybe soon.

[Rooster_Ties]

I was initially on the fence about getting this set (at least now, cuz I figured eventually I'd probably get it. As much as I've enjoyed vols 1 & 2, I was thinking, do I really need 4 more disks of electric live Miles?

Well, vol 3 has done nothing but exceeded my expectations (too), and I was really surprised how much I've enjoyed this new material.

[skeith]

the other thing I find odd is that nowhere in the liner notes does Cuscuna discuss the music played on the four discs in the set....unless I missed it... a lot about the sixties ....about personalities etc...but nothing about these sets

[xybert]

FWIW i ended up cancelling my pre-order as i needed the money for other things (Dexter Gordon obsession) at the time, hence why i haven't posted. I've been following the posts and would really like to get this set at some point.

[Rooster_Ties]

the other thing I find odd is that nowhere in the liner notes does Cuscuna discuss the music played on the four discs in the set....unless I missed it... a lot about the sixties ....about personalities etc...but nothing about these sets

I think all the musical discussion was in an essay by Carlos Santana (2,200 works, by one account) -- which didn't end up in the final version of the liners.

[xybert]

Finally purchased this set (thanks Lon!) and i am seriously digging this music. Worth noting that i had never heard any of this material before, this is my first exposure, un-edited or otherwise. This is instant favourite stuff for me, sort of blows any arguments about whether we should be listening to new stuff or old stuff out of the water. To me this music makes the most sense out of any of the post Bitches Brew stuff i've heard. It just works. 'Call it anything' etc but i guess free funk is as good a descriptor as any, it's just so funky and abstract, reminds me a lot of the way that the free bop of the Tony/Wayne/Ron/Herbie group was so swinging and abstract. This feels like a natural progression.

Sound quality of the main event is excellent, the bonus tracks sound rough but apart from a quick 10 second listen i've skipped them so far (i'll get to them, i know they'll be worth listening to, just don't want to interrupt the main trip right now!).

Anyway, loving this, don't really feel like listening to anything else right now. This is not a 'for hardcore fans only' live release or 'for completists only, you can live without it' thing. Utterly compelling, essential music in my opinion.

Edited May 9, 2014 by xybert

[jazzbo]

Glad you're digging it Chris. Yeah, it's funky and free and though it doesn't blow my mind the way it did those first years in the 'Seventies, this music still jazzes me!

[GA Russell]

I see that this is now up on Spotify.

[xybert]

My enthusiasm hasn't wained; the music on these four discs is by far my favourite post Bitches Brew Miles. I guess mileages will vary, but man, this has really hit the spot for me.

[Rooster_Ties]

My enthusiasm hasn't wained; the music on these four discs is by far my favourite post Bitches Brew Miles. I guess mileages will vary, but man, this has really hit the spot for me.

It's right up there for me too -- and I generally really love most of Miles' output post-Bitches (pre-semi-retirement). By which I mean nearly as anything I've ever heard from him in the 70's.

[danasgoodstuff]

Finally got this from the library where I work, listened to disc one, and while I dug the main part it was the bonus/earlier material that really knocked me out - a bonus disc of that full performance might have been nice but it would have pushed the price up. I guess I feel about Chick and Keith with Miles the same way I do about McLean and Mobley (with Lee or whomever) - either one by themselves is better than the two of them together...the counter example would be Konitz and Marsh - so much more than the sum of their parts, but that's a rather special case...Not sure if I'm gonna buy this, probably but not in any great big hurry.

[jazzbo]

Next release: I didn't see this one coming:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/30/miles-davis-at-newport-a-four-disc-set-coming-in-july/?_r=0

[king ubu]

Looks like a bit of a ragbag ... wonder if that crosses out a 1971 tour release, but I surely hope not.

[erwbol]

The 1955 (how long ?) and 1969 (just the three previously released tracks ?) performances probably fit on one disc. That leaves three discs for the 1975 material? Strange.

Squares will be thrilled.

Edited April 30, 2015 by erwbol

[jazzbo]

There's supposedly more to it, including one of the discs as a DVD.

From a London member at the Steve Hoffman forum:

Looks like this definitely contains Newport 55, Dietikon 71 (one or both sets?), and New York 1 July 75. As for the rest, apparently there's something from Berlin and something from Summer 69. Newport 69 & Berlin 69 (DVD) have already been released but I assume one or both will be on there.

[erwbol]

You're right, Lon:

A four-disc set of live recordings, it traces the history of Davis’s concerts at the various Newport Festivals — in Newport, R.I., as well as in Berlin; Dietikon, Switzerland; and New York City. (About three-quarters of the tracks have not been commercially released.)

Edited April 30, 2015 by erwbol

[xybert]

Thanks for the heads up. After getting over the initial 'what the...?' i'm quite looking forward to this. It'll be a fun listen.

[king ubu]

Both sets of Dietikon would fill at least three discs, so I guess only parts of it ... Newport 1969 has been out, why bring it back again? Newport 1955 is, in my opinion, overrated ... it's short, it's somewhat disjointed, and no way it's any kind of comeback in a musical way (possibly in a public perception way? you old guys tell me, I wouldn't know if it was more than mere marketing) - Miles recorded tons of better music in 1954.

Here's Losin's entry on the 1955 set:

http://www.plosin.com/MilesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=550717

It's been in circulation on Jazz Unlimited and more recently on a 2CD set by Storyville combining their two MD pd(/boot?) releases - the second disc of which has been surplussed by the TCB release of the 1960 Zurich concert (which I like quite some, though it's worlds apart from the tension of the Paris show or the Stockholm set - a very relaxed affair ...).

[king ubu]

Berlin shows, according to Losin:

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=640925

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=671104

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=691107

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=711106

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=731101

plus two more post comeback (actual comeback!) and thus from beyond the time scope:

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=831029

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=851101

And here's Dietikon:

http://www.plosin.com/milesAhead/Sessions.aspx?s=711022

So this might, in one go, rule out a 1971 AND a 1975 set? That's not exactly great news, I'm afraid - even more so if they throw in known stuff (Newport 1955 and 1969, though having the former in an official version is nice of course).