Miles In Europe, A Forgotten Classic
Charles A. Haynes | Chico, CA USA | 11/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Unbelievably, one of Miles' best overseas concerts is only available as an import, and it's not even mentioned in the Miles Davis discography at Tower Records! The music soars with experimental flights of imagination, featuring George Coleman, Ron Carter, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock and the Prince of Darkness at the height of their powers. "Autumn Leaves" alone is worth the price of admission, with surprising work by Herbie on piano and even a bowed bass solo from Ron Carter, something not often heard on Miles' recordings of this period. "Milestones" and "Joshua" are also included on this set, among others, and the audience is noticeably a part of the festivities, lending their respectful applause at the right places. The record is as much a time capsule of Miles Davis' band of 1964 as it is a reflection of the Antibes Jazz Festival crowd at Juan-Les-Pins, France. There is an almost palpable hipness that permeates the recording, which remains very faithful to Miles's ultra-modern vision and boasts high production values. It is frankly a damned shame that Columbia pulled this title from its usual Miles roster. This concert ranks easily with "Four and More" or "My Funny Valentine" as primary source material for the man who even Gil Evans once called a "sensational singer of songs", i.e., the maestro Miles. Thank God, the Japanese haven't forgotten this LP, even if some American record executives have. Very important music by Miles, before a very receptive crowd and in the company of giants. Easily 5 stars, if not more."
New box set will arrive sooner or later...
E. Macomber | 01/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree that this is one essential Miles live recording, but in answer to the other reviewers:
It would be pointless to re-release this on CD now, because this one will obviously be part of the "Seven Steps To Berlin"-Box-Set, which will be released hopefully in fall 2004. This will cover the 63/64-live-recordings (Europe, Berlin, Tokyo, New York) plus the studio output of that era (mainly "Seven Steps To Heaven").
So, just wait for that set and don't pay large amount of dollars for some import CD... (maybe with the release of the box there will also be remastered re-releases of the single albums with bonus tracks - as they did with the other box-sets - so one can decide whether to buy the whole set or not)"
Our shame!
E. Macomber | New Bern, NC United States | 08/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is no logical reason why the most significant recording Miles ever made is becomming so extinct. I cannot imagine where SONY's genius' allowed this one to become so extinct. And look at the facts, [the] is COMPLETELY out of this one, THAT should speak volumes to you. Get it, and let no one borrow it!"
