Miles Davis and his Bitches Brew

Enough has been written about the crazinessness of Chic Corea’s piano, the tightness of the band, the wild flights of fancy the takes you on a trip past some heavy Egyptian caper in the opening Pharoah’s Dance, past the beguiling intoxication of Bitches Brew, Miles chasing an idea or a vibe, confusing, counter cross beats drawing you in closer in Miles Runs the Voodoo Down, before you reach the Sanctuary of the penultimate track, which opens out into the plains of the sonorous counter-play of the percussion and wind instruments sparse and empty, the spaces filled with Maupin’s clarinet and Mile’s tumbling revile, hooting like an animal baying for mercy.

I could not listen to Bitches Brew in it’s double album entirety for the longest time, until it finally burst into my playlist, grumbling and yowling at the light. I suppose I was ready to listen, after years of failed attempts. Listening to what the more populist artists of the period were doing, the Patti Smiths, Lou Reeds and Bowie’s, even the flights of fancy of Pink Floyd in some of their more instrumental and fanciful moments, I now can’t help but hear how Miles Davis branded himself upon the consciousness, and pushed music forwards into a place where none of us were quite ready. What I really would have liked to have heard was Jimi, if he had lived, and Miles Davis getting together and playing off each other’s genius. Since we don’t have that, perhaps give Bitches Brew a try and see if it fits this dark pandemic moodscape of 2021. Sock it to me, Miles….it is good medicine.

16 Comments

    1. The Paltry Sum

      I would like to hear it on vinyl, I think it deserves a better listen. It was Patti Smith that broke through the barrier for me, I was listening to Radio Ethiopia and bam, there was Miles Davis, I could hear her recreating his ideas…stealing really….Have a good evening!

      1. The Paltry Sum

        You would never think that it would work, would you! Patti and the Bruce, but it really does. They even had some cool chemistry. I watched her sing Because the Night with Michael Stipe, it just didn’t work. No spark, just him puppy dogging at her like a fanboy.

      2. cincinnatibabyhead

        I have a friend in NY that digs her also. Has his own internet radio show. Roots Rock Radio 365 The Grand. Usually Friday nights. Great stuff. Never been to the big city. maybe one day. No pull at the moment.

      3. The Paltry Sum

        Ill have to check that out, sounds like we have similar taste in music. The Gimmie Shelter cover was incendiary! Thank you! …New York is a bit fast for my abilities at this point, I do better out here in SF.

      4. cincinnatibabyhead

        That cut cooks. Jools really had some great guests and they always delivered for me. SF huh? Was there when I was a kid. I’m just north of there across the border in Canada. Ill get back to your station in the next while . Thanks for the chat and stopping by. Later. CB.

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