Miles Davis Complete Concert 1964: My Funny Valentine + Four & More CD

Originally released on 2 separate LPs: MY FUNNY VALENTINE and FOUR AND MORE: LIVE IN CONCERT.

This legendary 1964 concert was originally edited down and issued as two separate albums: MY FUNNY VALENTINE was a romantic compilation of ballad moods, while FOUR & MORE was a selection of the band's bright, swinging material, taken at brisk, equestrian tempos. Little did Lincoln Center patrons realize that they were witnessing the end of an era, and the beginning of the most adventurous period of Miles' career.

That's because Miles' bold young rhythm section was just about ready to bust. In a little over a year they would redefine the parameters of "freedom" in the '60s, as individual stylists, improvisers, and composers. But from the richly detailed variations of "My Funny Valentine" through the fierce straight-ahead groove of "Seven Steps To Heaven," Miles had developed a powerful, swinging approach to jazz standards and popular songs. Miles recruited Memphis standout George Coleman to replace Hank Mobley and the tenor's keen boppish conception and mach-tone fitted Miles' approach to a "T," particularly his lavish melodic reading of "I Thought About You."

But 18-year old drummer Tony Williams was now the lightning rod for the Miles Davis band. Compare his polyrhythmic conception with predecessor Jimmy Cobb's straight ahead soul grooves on tunes like "All Blues." Williams, Carter and Hancock were moving towards a more radical conception of harmony and group improvisation, and when Wayne Shorter arrived it liberated them. Still, it's a delight to hear them stretch those young legs on chestnuts like "So What" and "Walkin'."

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Lincoln Center's Philharmonic Hall, New York, New York on February 12, 1964. Includes liner notes by Chip Defaa.

Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet); George Coleman (tenor saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano); Ron Carter (bass); Tony Williams (drums).

Producer: Teo Macero.

Reissue producer: Nedra Olds-Neal.Q (8/93, p.107) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...A sizzling show....Effectively, a compilation of Miles' concert standards up to that point, it's a career summation anyone would be proud of..."
Down Beat (9/92, p.42) - 4.5 Stars - Very Good Plus - "...A half star is deducted due to the package's incorrect song order....Davis plays some of his most impassioned trumpet on record....The soul of a man sounds revealed through crying treatments of "Valentine," "Stella By Starlight" and "I Thought About You"..."