Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site druri.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!drutx!druri!dht
From: dht@druri.UUCP (Davis Tucker)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: MILES DAVIS - Denver, 4/23
Message-ID: <1084@druri.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 1-May-85 14:23:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: druri.1084
Posted: Wed May  1 14:23:09 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 2-May-85 02:58:30 EDT
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 71



MILES DAVIS - 4/23 Denver, CO - The Rainbow Music Hall

Wow. In case you were wondering, he still has it, every last little
bit. This show was filled with more soul and heart than anything 
I've seen since... well, since the last one of his I saw 2 years
ago. While his new band wasn't quite up to the incredible standards
of his last one, Miles more than made up for it by assuming a very 
dominating role. His rhythm section was even better than last
time, including a very hot and very young bass player, Darryl Jones.
Miles' nephew, Vincent Wilburn, played drums, Steve Thornton was
the percussionist, and Robert Irving played keyboards.

There's a lot of opinion on the subject of Miles Davis in concert;
many think he's lost his touch and is just noodling around while
better musicians play their hearts out all around him. Others,
such as myself, see him as settled in to his new style of music,
and performing a vital function of showcasing new talent, while
still kicking it out when he wants. 

He started off with "What Is It" from his latest album. Great
cut, really - fusion at its greatest, played by a master. John
Scofield, his guitarist, really kicked it out on this cut. Miles
wailed and screamed and just in general cut it all up. 

Sometimes Miles in concert will come across as tentative, trying
out notes and lines and never really deciding on anything. This
wasn't the case last night - he was very sure of himself, really
punching the riffs out, very much in evidence in the musical mix,
very much in command. Very rarely did he lie back and wait for
someone else to fill in - this was very much a *Miles Davis* show,
not a group one. His composing and arranging skills are still 
very evident, despite the semi-improvisational nature of his
performances. Initially, I had a hard time not laughing when
he started into Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" - but once he
got going, it was absolutely beautiful, just like honey poured
into your ears, every note dripping. "Human Nature", off Michael
Jackson's "Thriller", was just as pretty - it was a real treat to
listen to Miles play a melody of someone else's and work with it
until it was his. No randomness, no screaming wails, just plain
and simple and elegant.

And of course, he roared when he wanted to - "Jean-Pierre", though the
central riff was barely recognizable, was downright boss. As with
most of his shows, it doesn't matter if you remember or recognize
a tune - it will become something else anyway, that's what is so
magical about his performances. He is still the King Of Fusion,
whenever he wants to be. His band was very... focused on the
fusion numbers, very tight, although Scofield displayed his
tendency to wail off into no-man's land as he is wont to do,
and Bob Derg, his sax player, kept walking away from the mike.
Still, they were both on target. Scofield was hot, hot, hot, very
technically accomplished, and pulled out some great licks, it's
just that he got a little carried away. I guess that's the nature
of the beast. It's unfortunate that he was tentative at times,
but then he's never been a commanding presence in that sense.
It didn't matter - the guy's a real stylist, and when he does
shine through with something beautiful it makes up for the
failed attempts.

I had a fantastic time, it was an incredible show, and if he
comes to your town or anywhere near it, go see him. I could
go on for hours and hours, but believe me - it's worth whatever
it costs. Whether or not you like jazz is immaterial - he's
so good it doesn't matter what kind of music he's playing. 
Just go, and you'll be convinced. Joe Bob says check it out.

Davis Tucker
AT&T Information Systems
Denver, CO