Miles Davis
That’s What Happened
Eagle Rock DVD

Charles Mingus
Epitaph
Eagle Rock DVD
By George W. Harris

Eagle Rock Productions has been putting out a slew of remarkable DVDs of some of the most important jazz artists ever. These two latest releases help us understand and retrospectively appreciate the works of two modern jazz giants.

Miles Davis was in full throes of his comeback by the time he took the stage at this Munich concert in 1987. By this time, he had put out the landmark “Tutu” album, and was at an artistic ascent for his then present style. I had seen him in concert during this time, and came away quite unimpressed. In retrospect, I realize that it was due to the volume of the electrical instruments, because, thanks to the sound quality of this recording, the music is quite vibrant and incisive. Along with the stellar supporting team that includes Kenny Garrett/as-fl and Darryl Jones/b, Davis and company tear through a white hot “One Phone Call/Street Scenes/That’s What Happened” with verve and alacrity. Miles is on his game here, and is articulate and uncanny in his choice of notes. “Tutu” is performed with haunting textures, and the gentle Cindy Lauper-penned “Time After Time” displays Davis’ tone still having the ability to send chills down your spine. Impressive concert, and the bonus feature interview is an added plus. This period of Davis was better than I first thought, and will cause me to look for his later releases for a second chance.

Performed and debuted at The Lincoln Center on June 3, 1989, Charles Mingus’ magnum opus “Epitaph” had one of those intriguing histories in that it was the volatile bassist’s last composition, and he never got to hear it in completed form. This 30 piece jazz orchestra, conducted by no other than Gunther Schuller, includes a who’s who of artists (just to mention a few like Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Joe Wilder, Snooky Young, John Handy, George Adams and Bobby Watson). This Vistavision epic shows a lot of vision and visceral turmoil, unfortunately the music is simply to unwieldy for such a large orchestra. The music sounds way too muddled at times, a nd plods around aimlessly for far too long, with the solos seeming to have little to do with the composition. Until they strip down to a smaller band and burn through “Better Get It In Your Soul,” the stallions seem too tightly harnessed. Interesting historically, at least.