Best Miles Davis Album
Miles Davis is one of the most significant musicians of the twentieth century. He singlehandedly managed to change the directions in music…
Miles Davis is one of the most significant musicians of the twentieth century. He singlehandedly managed to change the directions in music at least three or four times. His most fertile period encompasses the span of almost 20 years — from mid 1950s to mid 1970s.
Some argue that Miles Davis produced his best body of work in the period from 1964 til 1968. Others argue that his best body of work got made in the period from 1969 til 1975. I belong to this latter group of fans; I hold that Miles Davis gave us his best work during his so-called ‘electric period’.
Miles Electric Period
Now, the 6 years span, starting in 1969, wasn’t a monolithic stylistically uniform period we call ‘electric period’. Miles kept experimenting, incessantly changing everything about his music. He was obviously searching, with various results, of course.
It all started when Miles released his album “Files De Kilimanjaro” in 1968. He plastered the brand phrase on the album cover that read “Miles Davis Directions in Music”. That phrase signalled the beginning of Miles’ relentless search. While “Files De Kilimanjaro” did contain some electric instruments (electric piano and electric bass guitar), the vibe on that album was still acoustic jazz.
The following year Miles released “In ASilent Way” which finally departed from the tired acoustic jazz formula and entered the waters of pop music. That LP was almost an inaugural album of ambient music. Even to modern ears, the music on that album sounds hip, contemporary, as if it’s happening right now.
But Miles kept searching. After he cut “In a Silent Way” in February 1969, he reconvened in the studio in August the same year to cut a much more ambitious “Bitches Brew”. Edgier, darker than “In ASilent Way”, the double LP “Bitches Brew” was a triumphant arrival on the rock scene for Miles. And a great commercial success as well.
Emboldened by the success of his new directions in music, Miles embarked on a tireless touring schedule, and the following year released three live albums. All three live albums released in 1970 were double LPs. And all those live albums contained face-melting music. The sound Miles was dishing during these performances was unprecedented.
The hectic touring schedule continued for Miles and he spent the following year touring incessantly. But no new material was released that year for Miles.
In 1972 certain ideas that Miles was working on seemed to have crystallized for him, and he cut another studio album. It was a single LP (“On The Corner”) which introduced an almost 180 degrees turn for Miles. Gone were any references to European music, and all that was left were stripped down grooves. On that album, no one was soloing and everyone was soloing at the same time.
On the heels of “On The Corner” Miles released another double LP containing live performance he did on September 29, 1972. That concert was at the New York Philharmonic Hall, and was appropriately titled “Miles Davis In Concert”.
Following that, Miles had an automobile accident and was forced to lay low, to recuperate from his injuries. He picked up the steam during the latter part of 1973 and revamped his band by dismissing with the keyboard player replacing him with another guitarist. Not satisfied with having two electric guitarists in the band, Miles hired a third electric guitarist! With that new constellation, he was ready to conquer the famous Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.
On March 30, 1974, Miles and his bandmates recorded a stunning album that was released under the title “Dark Magus”. Being way too daring for the mainstream audience, that album was originally only released in Japan.
Finally, in January 1975 Miles and his band went on the tour in Japan. After playing in several cities, the decided to record two concerts that they played on February 1 in Osaka. The matinee concert was recorded and released as a double LP under the title “Agharta”. The evening concert was also released as a double LP titled “Pangaea”.
After that, Miles continued playing a few gigs but eventually hung up his trumpet and went into a six years long retirement.
The Best Album?
OK, after this brief history of the New Direction in Music by Miles Davis, which of his many albums can we say is his best? It’s tough to decide, keeping in mind all those masterpieces, from “In A Silent Way”, “Bitches Brew” and “Jack Johnson” to “On The Corner”, “Get Up With It” and all the live albums from that period.
My personal preference is for his live albums. On those albums, Miles and his band got to stretch and show us his full vision. So there are seven live albums to choose from:
Black Beauty (recorded at Fillmore West on April 10, 1970)
Live At Fillmore (recorded at Fillmore East in June 1970)
Live/Evil (recorded at the Cellar Door, Washington DC in December 1970)
In Concert (recorded at the New York Philharmonic Hall on September 29, 1972)
Dark Magus (recorded at the Carnegie Hall in Manhattan on March 30, 1974)
Agharta (recorded in Osaka, Japan on February 1, 1975)
Pangaea (recorded in Osaka, Japan on February 1, 1975)
My vote goes for “In Concert”, recorded on September 29, 1972. By far, it’s his best sounding record. It was the golden period on Miles’ creativity. He just released his most daring record ever (“On The Corner”) and was presenting his new vision to his audience. The music on the double album is a treasure trove of inventive, original, unprecedented beauty. The grooves are hypnotic and relentless, the instrumental textures are absolutely to die for. Miles seems to be on the ball throughout the evening, barely ever stopping his playing to catch a breath. Other musicians are absolutely on fire. Everything is gelling 100%, the band is firing on all cylinders, and the group sound is one of the most beautiful sounds human ears have ever heard.
Your choice will no doubt be some other album. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.