Miles Davis Live Around The World CD - Import

2002 remastered reissue of 1996 live release featuring material recorded on two tours from 1985-91. Includes Kenny Garrett & Foley & Adam Holzman. The closing track, 'Hannibal', comes from the very last performance of Davis' life. Digipak. Warner Jazz.

LIVE AROUND THE WORLD was recorded during Miles Davis' final concert tour and includes a track from his last performance.
Personnel: Miles Davis (trumpet, keyboards); Kenny Garrett (alto saxophone, flute); Rick Margitza (tenor saxophone); Robert Irving III, Kei Akagi, John Beasley, Deron Johnson, Adam Holzman, Joey DeFrancesco (keyboards); Benny Rietveld, Richard Patterson, Foley (bass); Ricky Wellman (drums); Marilyn Mazur, Munyungo Jackson (percussion); Erin Davis (electronic percussion).
Compilation producers: Adam Holzman, Gordon Meltzer.
Engineers: Patrick Murray, Don Kurek.
Principally recorded between August 7, 1988 and July 20, 1990. Includes liner notes by Gordon Meltzer, Benny Rietveld, Foley, Adam Holzman and Erin Davis.
This single CD gives one a definitive look at Miles Davis' live show from his last three years. Using funky but unpredictable rhythm sections and leaving space for plenty of solos, Davis created a unique brand of fusion that has yet to be satisfactorily duplicated. Among his more notable sidemen during this era are altoist Kenny Garrett, Foley on lead bass (which he used as a lower-toned guitar), one or two keyboardists chosen from Joey DeFrancesco, Adam Holzman, Robert Irving III, Kei Akagi, and John Beasley, various bassists, drummers, and percussionists, and on "Amandla," the tenor of Rick Margitza. Davis is in consistently strong form throughout the numbers, which include "In a Silent Way," "New Blues," "Human Nature," "Tutu," and "Time After Time." Quite often the live versions of these songs are more creative and exciting than the ones previously issued. This highly recommended CD (released in 1996) concludes with one number ("Hannibal") from Davis' final performance; it is not given a date but is most likely from just a few weeks before his death at age 65. No Miles Davis collection is complete without this important set. ~ Scott Yanow
Miles Davis upset many a fan with his drastic career changes, yet he always remained true to himself. Nowhere is this better documented than in LIVE AROUND THE WORLD. Taken from Miles' final tour, these performances show him still to be doing what he had done all his life: following his muse and pushing the limits of jazz.
From his early years mastering bebop and jazz standards, through his cool, modal, post-bop, electric and funk periods, there was always a strong sense of direction and a singular voice in the middle of the fray. That essence remained through Davis' final years; he still offered beautiful songs, wisely chosen and intelligently arranged. Miles traditionalists will appreciate the first track here, in which he breathes new life into "In A Silent Way." That quickly leads into "Intruder," a blowing vehicle for the venerable and impressive saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Garrett and bassist Richard Patterson proceed to go crazy on the frenetically funky "Wrinkle." Tunes like "New Blues" and "Tutu" reveal the sophistication of the master himself as a composer, as well as his finesse on trumpet. Another standout player here is the insanely expressive Foley, sounding like Jimi Hendrix, only funkier (and on bass).

Down Beat (8/96, p.54) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...documents Davis' last working groups from 1988 through 1991....Performances of tunes from TUTU, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST and AMANDLA are often superior to the studio versions....Davis' once-controversial covers of pop tunes benefit from expansions and improvements..."
JazzTimes (9/96, p.97) - "...This Davis group...is tight. Ricky Wellman's driving beat is steady and forceful but it's saxophonist Kenny Garrett, whose solos on alto and flute serve to elevate the proceedings..."
Musician (9/96, p.85) - "...It's clear from...LIVE AROUND THE WORLD that Davis was evolving a fresh ensemble style, couched in the raiments of contemporary rhythm and electronic technology, but firmly rooted in 40 years of melodic and harmonic wisdom..."