2020 Album Draft- Round 1- Pick 1- Cincinnati Babyhead selects- Miles Davis- Bitches Brew.
Cincinnati Babyhead’s blog can be found at- https://cincinnatibabyhead.wordpress.com/
I have to jazz up my stash so this going with me. It will fill my need for bunch of similar music. I wont bore you all the names. Bitches Brew was a door opener for me. It was one of the records that nudged me into the jazz world. A world where I spend most of my music listening time. Of all the jazz records I have why this one? I dont know, I guess I like it. Lots of music and musical ideas. Plus if I’m living on an island i’ll need some “Voodoo”. Hans is tagging my original take on this record. When I did the take I was trying to cast myself back to the time and place of my first experience with Miles.So bear with CB’s fooling around.
Cincinnati was well on his way in his musical discoveries. He was expanding his tastes. He had an idea about the jazz thing. His dad had exposed him to Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong. This doesn’t mean CB was sitting down and paying a lot of attention just that he had a passing knowledge of this music and he didn’t mind it. So when he was turned onto the music of Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra he was dipping his toe into an ocean of this thing. It was different than his dad’s jazz (CB would clue into the ties later on when he went back to the roots and discovered all the great music there) but it was still labelled under that genre.
My friend George who was my connection to this (and a lot of other) kind of music pointed me towards ‘Bitches Brew’ by Miles Davis. I’d heard the name but was not hip to his music. So I got a copy at a used record shop where the clerk looked at me like “Do you know what your getting into kid?”
There is too much music here for CB to try and write about but from the opening cut I could hear some of the music that was similar to the Weather Report I had listened to. I guess it was the electronic piano and the groove. Different instruments pop into the groove, sax, guitar, then the trumpet. I’d heard horns before but not like this. I was digging Davis’ sound right away.
I will keep this short. Babyhead did not have the musical knowledge to break down what he was hearing. What he did know was Davis and the musicians got into an intense groove for over 90 minutes of record. Different musicians coming and going throughout. CB was getting to know some of the players from his limited knowledge, Shorter, Zawinul, McLaughlin, Maupin. They and the rest involved all contribute to this album in a big way. It’s like some far out orchestra with Davis as the leader. CB locked in for the ride
‘Bitches Brew’ is an intense record. Definitely a new direction. It has a pulse, a funk a lot going on. A big door opened after this one. One long jam session. It is a bitches brew, a Miles Davis brew. “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down’ would have worked as the title also. CB was (and is) an album guy. He got his fill with this one. But he was going to search out more Davis music, that was for sure. (Really cool cover. Liner notes by Ralph J. Gleason that educated Babyhead a bit)
So listen to 4 sides of this great album. I double dog dare ya!
slicethelife 
Miles!- I was thinking of Miles- but a different album- not that this one isn’t a great selection. Glad to see a Miles Davis album selected.
I’m not gonna pretend, Miles Davis isn’t exactly in my core wheelhouse. But I just read some background on “Bitches Brew” in Wikipedia, and no matter how you feel about the music, it’s remarkable how Miles apparently was pushing the envelope on this album. For this in and of itself, he deserves respect.
Yeah from what I understand he alienated a lot of folks with this record. Similar to Dylan when he plugged in.
I admire him- he would have just stuck to what he was doing- but he took chances- put it out there. Didn’t play it safe.
Like I said in the take, I went on to find where he came from. And ate all that up (and still do) also. But this was my entrance. The album fills my craving for this kind of music. I love it.
This is the jazz album I have listened to the most…still not enough. I need to listen to it straight through. Once you let this music seep through…it really can move you. The level of musicianship floors me.
Love the review CB.
I am still waiting for the first norwegian death metal album to be taken…
It’s early yet!
Maybe Lisa will surprise us with a Burzum album~
lol!
Thanks Max. Jazz is such a big pool. I thought this would sound good on the island. You know, while I’m busing lying there soaking up the rays, smoking a big cigar and having a beverage. How do you get the sun tan lotion onto those tricky places by yourself?
Yes it would go perfect on the island. I want headphones on there also. Those big seventies cans…if the world was blowing up you wouldn’t know it. Jazz is great through those.
That is where Mary Ann comes into play…I’m still looking.
Perfect. We all have the music to while away the hours
Geez, do folks here also have the same jazz albums? 🙂 Coincidentally, I’m listening to Miles’s “Porgy and Bess” disc as I read this. “Bitches Brew” was an acquired taste for me, but once it stuck, it stuck for good. I celebrated its 50th anniversary on my blog back in March. I love that early 70’s electric jazz.
I prefer the 50’s -60’s Miles- but what an interesting artist. And even though he’s been dead for nearly 30 years – I wouldn’t say anything bad about him- just in case.
Lol, yes!
I was just listening to PB the other day. I’ll be over to check that out (along with other takes). Yeah I moved over into that style after all the King Crimson, Yes, Zappa etc I was listening to.
An unexpected pick! One of those albums that I think every music fan has heard OF but many of us haven’t heard. I’m just listening to the first video that was added in to your piece now- quite good. Bet it would have been wonderful to have seen him play it in a club back in the day. thanks for expanding our listening range, Cinci.
We’ve had a few “unexpected picks” and I’m sure there will be more to follow. Dave, this is just a genre of music that I like. I like extended jams and that’s what this record is. Miles was always good at not stealing the spotlight. He gives the musicians lots of room to play. Small clubs are the best for most music . Later.
Do you know what you’re getting into kid?
Well that was the look, he didnt actually say it. He had no problem taking the legal tender from a young CB.
I’ve never devoted enough listening time to it. In A Silent Way is an all-time favourite though.
“Devoted” the time is the thing. So much music we have to pick our poison.
Silent Way is the predecessor to BB. You’re hearing where he was going. I think he took all the musicians from SW with him to the next recording. What a lineup.
This is one of two mentions of Miles Davis I heard today. The other also put Davis on a must-listen-and-keep-with-you level. His music is not my taste, which is clearly my own defect, gauging from the number of people who savor it. Great write up about this music that means much to you and many others.
No “defect” involved. Just personal tastes. Our ear grabs certain music. I get that this is noise to some folks but to me it really grabs my ear in a good way. Stick with what you did. Lots of common ground with music. Good comment RSR.
I don’t know enough about jazz to even begin to articulate my thoughts about it, though I do like a good deal of what I’ve heard from Miles Davis and others over the years. I certainly do appreciate their masterful musicianship. But the best thing about this write-up is the passion you express for it CB that makes me want to give this album a listen. And that’s what I believe this whole series is about at the end of the day.
Well said.
You’ve got me interested in listening to the album. A friend of mine from way back when said the key to listening to Miles Davis is to not to listen to what he plays but to notice the spaces between the notes. I don’t understand what that means but you probably do.
I dont understand that either though I’ve heard that said. He does play sparsely at times. On this record he drifts in and out. I think he does some keyboards as well. Jumps in when he feels it. Different bird but I like his musical ideas.