Miles Davis
Live At Montreux Highlights 1973-1991
Eagle Eye Media dvd
www.eaglerockent.com
By George W. Harris

If you’re not willing to shell out a gazillion bucks for the complete
collection of Miles Davis’ concerts at Montreux, this concise single
dvd is definitely what you’re looking for. It covers The Sorcerer’s
career just before his “retirement” in ’73 and picks up at his comeback
and farewell concert where, for the only time in his life, he was
retrospective.

The 1973 concert is quite fascinating, with Davis on trumpet and
keyboard, looking VERY hip performing “Ife” from his Big Fun album with
Dave Liebman/ss, Al Foster/dr Michael Henderson/b and a collection of
guitarists and percussionists. His 84 team included Bob Berg/sax, and a
fairly hirsuit John Scofield/g along with other highly funkified
musicians rocking through “Speak…” while the ’85 concert with “Code MD”
and “Pacific Express” show some impressive trumpet chops at this stage
in the game. The 88 version here of “Jean Pierre” includes some
impressive guest appearances by Robben Ford/ and David Sanborn/as who
sounds very comfortable in this groove. Lots of percussion flies around
on the ’89 “Jo Jo” and ’90 Hannibal, with Kenny Garrett’s alto bouncing
off the ceiling.

The most intriguing music is the 1991 concert that had Miles returning
to his famous Sketches of Spain music, the only time he eschewed
Satchel Paige’s famous line, “don’t look back; something may be gaining
on you.” Looking more professorial than dangerous, Davis works through
“The Pan Piper” and “Solea” but is backed up by Wallace Roney’s horn,
who as the bible says, covers over a multitude of sins. It’s one of the
few times that Davis actually looks vulnerable and mortal, as he
finally met his Maker later that year. An interesting bonus is the
interview with Carlos Santana, which puts Davis’ life and music in
perspective. If you want to see what cool looks like in color, here’s
an interesting place to start.