Search - Miles Davis :: Bitches Brew

Worth it for the DVD alone

Steve the Engineer | 09/04/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This review is for the DVD only. The music on the CDs has been written about extensively for 40 years but the few out-takes are great discoveries from the vaults.



The DVD is a satisfying 70 minutes long and encompasses an entire performance by the Miles Davis Quintet of November 1969, in Copenhagen. The public wouldn't hear the recorded Bitches Brew material for several more months. At this time Miles's band consisted of Wayne Shorter on tenor and soprano sax, Chick Corea on Fender Rhodes, Dave Holland on acoustic bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums and Miles himself on trumpet. This is an artist in the midst of a great transformation. Gone are the suits of respectable jazzmen of the mid-1960s and in are the clothes of the hippy generation but not to the degree that would come in the following years when Miles would adopt his Sly Stone-type look. The music is almost entirely original, with only a short performance "I Fall In Love Too Easily" making it into the set. The only electric instrument present is the Fender Rhodes, which Chick Corea is becoming comfortable with at this point. This performance is a taste of what's to come in the next few months. This seems relatively tame compared to the Live at the Fillmore East from March 7th, 1970. That's why this is such a great document: A well-recorded video performance of a band that was changing every few months. The Isle of Wight concert from the next summer is even more unbridled, albeit with a few changes in the band.



The video quality is very good. The sound is good, except that the bass is mostly absent. It sticks out in some places but it's hard to hear (sorry Dave Holland fans). Overall it's a great presentation. The performance is top notch. A transitional step into Miles' electric age. This would be worth it for the DVD alone.



I did some casual comparisons of the Complete Bitches Brew Sessions CDs versus this. The differences were not vast. They both sound very good. The Bonus DVD and the (2) out-takes in this set make it worthwhile and a good buy. The "super deluxe collector's edition" coming out later this month looks enticing but not for the cash. This seems to be the best bargain. I'm hoping that the 3rd CD in the collector's edition set is released on its own in the future."

Best Brew ever

Aragon | TX | 08/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How does one even review this timeless work of art? Amazing music. The quality of the recording is the best I've heard. Now I'll qualify that statement by admitting that I have not heard a good vinyl copy of the title. I find the SACD reproduction substantially better than the CD. Cymbals have that non-tizzy quality. I guess I'll risk crucifixion by saying it sounded very analog to me. Five stars all the way around. Worth the price."