"In A Silent Way," what were the odds you'd pick my favorite LP of any type? It fits any mood I'm in. I never get tired of it. It's like highly distilled Miles. Was Tony Williams ever better? Bravo!
Yes Miles had many fine albums. My favorite Trane album is Live from Japan, but there are many others like A Love Supreme, Lush Life, Om, My Favorite Things,etc. His recently deceased wife Alice also recorded some great albums I still have on vinyl.
Second Great Quintet is my favorite Miles era hands down. Just one record after the next. Nefertiti, Miles in the Sky, ESP, Sorcerer and Miles Smiles are all stone cold classics, I love Nefertiti in particular
I thought I was the only one!!! that in between of the loose wandering of Miles In The Sky and the tight but hypnotizing In A Silent Way is just so different from anything else ever. Chick Corea was so perfect on it
I think it has to do with one's age. It is my No. 1 Miles album too and I trace it back to an outstanding review it got in Rolling Stone in 1969. In those days, many of us read RS like the Bible it truly was. I was into rock at the time almost exclusively but that review caused me to buy In a Silent Way -- and I played the hell out of it until it was as much part of my DNA as the Dead's Dark Star from 1969 and the Band's first two albums were/are.
Ascenseur pour l’échafaud is a masterpiece, a beautiful record. I recommend the movie as well, the pictures and the music melt together. It's brilliant art. That soundtrack is amongst my Top 3 of Miles. Soooo coooool.
Agree 100%. What’s interesting is that my top 5 Miles albums don’t show up at all on Mazzy’s top 12 (not in order, but My Funny Valentine, ESP, Miles Smiles, Sorcerer and Nefertiti).
Lovely vid Mazzy.. thanks.. its great to see your passion and enthusiasm especially when you link to your past.. thanks. ABSOLUTELY love Somethin Else!!!. Gorgeous
All great selections. I bought Quiet Nights and Sketches of Spain at the same time in the 90’s. Those two are always linked in my Miles timeline. I enjoy the Gil Evans orchestral records, in addition to the rest of his catalog. Love the channel ⚫️
Thank you for sharing your top 12 at the time you made this video! Epic pics of the legend at the end of the video! Really cool you got to see him play live!
He recorded Steamin, Cookin, Relaxin, and Workin - 4 LPs in two days - to fulfill his contract with Prestige to take a more lucrative contract with Columbia.
I played Bitches Brew on 4 Track reel to reel on a quad system in an Army office while stationed in Saigon. Combined Intelligence Command Vietman, (CICV). After hours hanging out. A friend had bought one of those tilted Sony Ferrite head decks. Talk about chilling out. I still have that tape.
Excellent one Mazzy, Miles was my entry into Jazz and I would rank " In A Silent Way" at the top one, love that one. Missing a few but got most of the important ones, also dig his funky period. Thanks for this!
Norman, thanks for your Miles list. How refreshing to see In A Silent Way in the top spot instead of Kind Of Blue. Here's my top 4 Miles list... 1. Nefertiti 2. In A Silent Way 3. Kind Of Blue 4. Sketches Of Spain
what a nice surprise! Thanks for your list Norman. I love the fusion years but would also add 'Bags Groove' and 'Round About Midnight' and the LP with Milt Jackson 'Quintet/Sextet' !
I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. Your list of 12 best Miles Davis albums is fantastic. And of course, it's very difficult to rank the output of such an accomplished artist. But I find that his electric output of the 70s and 80s got a little bit shortchanged. I would have included Dark Magus, Agharta and Pangaea on my list, or maybe I would have expanded the list to 15 instead of 12. To me, these three albums are among the best that fusion jazz ever produced. Raw anger and raw beauty side by side. I'm gonna have to watch your other videos...
BTW; That iconic album cover for “Bitches Brew”, credit Mati Klarwein the great painter and illustrator. As you know, he also did the famous “Abraxas” album cover for Carlos Santana.
The artist has a great website up displaying their works with detailed information, including use by musicians for music packaging. Search for Mati Klarwein Official
I was really happy you picked Silent Way as #1. I agree with you 100%. What a beautiful album. Masterpiece!! I would also add Amandla to the list somewhere.
Fantastic Miles list! Spain didn't get the love that it deserved & im glad it made your list. I personally would have to add Water Babies in my top 10. Thanks for the video 😊
By the way! I love a man/woman who’s touching into so many of the artists snd genres i really love and grew up with. Also what i may will come to love in a not too distance future. And you do Mazzy. Thank you so much. I was born in 1966, the first album i ever heard was Rubber Soul, so i’m the Rubbersoulboy. Anyway. I love your channel. I’m from Norway. Far from home, but home.
Great video that I have enjoyed a lot. Miles Davis is certainly this monolith that keeps moving closer and closer to me. But your video probably generated the final necessary nudge to get on with it. Intuitively I feel like I am going to start with "In A Silent Way". It certainly has the biggest concentration of my favourite musicians. Anyway, awesome presentation.
Thanks for sharing, Norman. I'm still on my Personal Jazz Discovery Journey -- for the past forty-one (41) years. I've never taken Heroin, but "Blue In Green" (from Kind of Blue, 1959) sure must feel like "shootin' up": remember the scene in Lady Sings The Blues, with Ross "Boss" (Diana): she shoots up, then you see her floating on the clouds... must be a nice view from Up There.
great video, and I would actually agree with you on # 1-2-3 ... I tuned in with a "alright, let's see what this guys ranks as the top 3" -- AGREED !!! Your albums are mint !!!! Did you hear the CD - complete 'In a Silent Way" ? -- as compared to the 'Brew' complete CD , silent way CD set is outstanding. I must add I would put 'Agartha' at #4 -- very dynamic and very brave no holds bared Davis barrage.... Well which was his groundbreaking ground shaking style.
Really enjoyable as always and great choices. If you don't already have them, the Live at the Plugged Nickel (second quintet) and Complete Live at Montreux (focusing on his later electric period) boxed sets are essential (the sound is better on the Mosaic vinyl set of Plugged Nickel, but it will cost you). So glad you included "On the Corner" - I also really like "Star People".
Very nice selection. Top 12 always going to be tough . Appreciate your love for the music and not being hung up on the “perfect audiophile pressing” very happy to see Birth Of The Cool and Sketches Of Spain, both genuine game changers. My top 12 would include ESP, Filles and My Funny Valentine
My dad was a jazz trombonist, composer and tenured PHD in music who taught for decades and did alot in education. Anyways, Miles was one of his heroes as a young man and I inherited his album collection. Lots of Miles and Count Basie and many others. Recently i got my dad’s speakers hooked up from storage and bought a new record player. There is a particular Miles album i think you would really enjoy called The Man With The Horn..
Got a weak spot for catching a buzz off hallucinatory (or psychedelic) music, so Agharta, On the Corner, (which got 2 and a half stars from Downbeat) and Jack Johnson are apex for me. These have psycho-active properties that can do a brain melt like the best Can, Mahavishnu, Holdsworth, Hendrix and Mwandishi albums. Just a small facet of Davis, but that's the lens i got for now.
Check out the Gratetful Dead live performances. You might like their music too. Playing for Change has Buddy Guy doing his classic "Skin Deep" and the PFC band is outa sight Sorry I can't spell any more. I'm deaf and 77 years old.
Really good review Mazzy. I recently bought 'Blue Moods' on OJC which is an 80s pressing of a 1955 recording. Has Elvin Jones (drums), Charles Mingus (bass), Britt Woodman (trombone), Miles Davis (trumpet) and Teddy Charles (vibes). Well worth getting if you haven't got it already. I really like 'Sketches of Spain'. It is compositional as opposed to Blues based, but it is a great chill-out LP.
Can’t quibble too much with your list. In a Silent Way is my go to late night jazz album. It’s mesmerizing. One under the radar album I would submit for consideration is Miles Smiles. Footprints and Freedom Jazz Dance are faves.
Thanks Mazzy! I'm looking forward to watching your new video about Jazz Boxed Sets. I'm finding, pretty quickly, that Box Sets can really save me money on artists that I really want to listen to frequently. I just purchased a Tom Petty Live Retrospective. I saved over 50% off the list price by purchasing them new...one at a time.
Great video!!! Love the cover of Sketches in Spain. Spanish colours. I never understood Bitches Brew. I like the artwork but very difficult to listen to. I'd love to love it. Totally agree with your number one! I just like the fact the drummer just hit the high-hat for something like 30 minutes! It's electronic Miles BUT gentle with it! There is a wonderful subtlety!
People talk about Miles’ fusion period being rock-influenced but I think the only thing “rock” about it is electrification and amplification. The music itself is a wild blend of jazz-funk and avant-garde electronics in the vein of Stockhausen. It’s really nothing like anything else, including other jazz fusion bands, with the possible exception of Herbie Hancock’s Sextant period, which was influenced by Miles.
One of the few bands in rock that is even close to this period of Miles is Can's Tago Mago album, which I highly recommend to anyone who likes adventurous music.
Oh wow! I'm surprised how much our rankings are alike. I don't have Birth of the Cool yet so I would put Nefertiti in its place. In A Silent Way is probably a top 10 album of all time for me. Have a great week.
Hi Mazzy, Thanks for responding to my post. I do a lot of mindful/active listening to my small collection of Import CD Reissues. It has been a lot of fun. I have a vintage high quality revealing stereo system. Regarding jazz CD, thanks for the tips that you provided. I have a used copy of a Columbia Records Legacy Remastered CD of 'Kind of Blue' It sounds quite impressive on my stereo IMO. I have had pretty good luck taking a chance on used import CD from France, Germany, Holland, The Netherlands & Canada. I just purchased a Japanese CD that I won at auction for around $20.00 It's been shipped. Mo-Fi CD's get great reviews from fellow audiophiles but I don't want to spend that kind of money on a CD unless it's one of my absolute fav albums. I also won a few obscure jazz titles on CD that are Japanese Imports. I listened to them online to be sure that I liked them enough to add to my collection. That can be a fun process too...to discover new jazz, pop or classical music. I will look into the individual jazz CDs & Box Sets that you recommended. I also read the comments your viewer's leave. There can be a wealth of info there..especially recommendations for certain albums on certain labels. Are you going to do a video on jazz Box Set Reissued Recordings? That wouldn't be greatly appreciated. I'll check your past videos to see if you have discussed jazz and popular music box sets. Thanks Again, David-
These are rock solid choices. I especially love Ascenseur Pour l’échafaud. The first time I heard In a Silent Way it was the Complete Sessions record, opening w/ the beautiful 16min Mademoiselle Marby. Lately, it’s I’ve been listening to Big Fun on repeat. I think it’s been sampled a bunch but Handsome Boy Modeling School/Dan the Automator come to mind. Plus what a name! Big Fun is even tattoo worthy if that’s yer gig. BTW, ya know what might make a great ranking…. Live at Montreux jazz records, like Cecil Taylor-Silent Tongues. So many great free-jazz performances to that end! Great channel, duders!
Awesome vid. I hope you pick some the constant, dedicated side-men and do a favorites list. I've seen Max Roach play live and bought some of his records. I know he was on a lot of the great albums, which are the ones where he stands out?
Thank you Mazzy. I'm a bit late to this video. It's funny, I've been ripping many of my CDs to an SSD and there was a lot of Miles to be converted. I had a friend who bought Bitches Brew at the time and I did not get it. That got fixed a couple of years later. I eventually came around. One of the great disappointments in my life is I bought tickets to see Miles at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle (a great, intimate venue) and we went to the show and Miles was ill and was a no show. This would have been around 1981. So I missed my chance to see him live. So much great music, whether the "cool" jazz early on or the great quintets or the funk or the acid jazz (Agharta, Pangaea)...it's all wonderful listening.
You chose the correct record as your number one :) But Miles made so many terrific records, making a top 12 is tough... I love many of the live albums as well
My favorite on Vinyl and then one I wish they did a one step of would be The Man With the Horn … So much subtlety, composer, yet so much going on, lots of improvisation, space between the instruments, balance and flow, nothing but flow. Love the hints of electric guitar aswell. I’m so surprise this wasn’t in your list, listen to it; When I talk to people, not many have given it a listen, and when they do they fall in love.
Love Davis. I have a cd Columbia box with 20-25 cds of original albums. They really sound good. On Lp I have the one with Miller from 88? Live evil, star people, under arrest, the amazing on the corner!! Wow. One of my favourites. Some 7 inches as well. Love him. Like Dylan. Never get tired of Davis.
Nice video - thank you! An interesting ranking, I'm wondering there is only one record from the iconic second quartet included (#12- Miles in the Sky). In the Silent Way is pure magic! 😊 Unbelievable what Teo Macero and Miles did with only 27 minutes music. My top 5 in no particular order - In the Silent Way, Kind of Blue, Sorcerer, Agharta, Jack Johnson.
Intersting list...enjoyed it very much! I must say my list would be very different, but I enjoy your perspective on things. I came into jazz as a kid from a pure jazz/be bop/swing perspective (rather than the rock influenced Bitches Brew stuff many did), so I tend to favor the earlier, "pure jazz" material - such as that on Prestige, Blue Note, etc. Which isn't to say "In A Silent Way" isn't great - it obviously is. But I'd have "Birth of the Cool", Miles Davis volumes 1 and 2 on Blue Note, "Cookin'," and so on ahead of it (if we're talking personal favorites). Was happy to see "Milestones" on this list....love that one.
I'm impressed. Long time jazz listener who loves Miles. I figured I would disagree with you, which I did somewhat, but thought your list was well presented and quite logical. And excellent. It was an interesting, satisfying exercise. Thank you.
Great video. In A Silent Way would be my choice as well. I think the beginnings of that sound are heard on Kilimanjaro. Anyone who enjoys it should follow up with John Abercrombie's Timeless which is in the same vein. The ECM reissue is all analogue and sounds fantastic. Impossible to narrow down to twelve, though I would have to include Nefertiti somewhere.
Hey Mazzy! Once again, peas in a pod ... My introduction to Miles was via John McLaughlin's My Goals Beyond. My sisters boyfriend had it, didn't care for it so gave it to me. This is probably around '74. I was floored and wanted more of that. At the time, Rasputin's Records in Pleasant Hill had the huge paper cross reference volumes out where you could use them. Looking up what else McLaughlin had done I bought In a Silent Way unheard. My world turned upside down I went back the next day and bought Bitches Brew went back the day after that and bought Jack Johnson. So from those three Miles albums I became a fan of all the other players, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Lenny White etc, etc. Later that year I started going back in Miles' catalog, 2nd quintet, 1st quintet, Gil Evans. I pity the fool who doesn't dig Sketches of Spain, a true masterpiece. If asked I have typically said Kind of Blue is my favorite album, It always calms me down, replay until you are in an appropriate state of Zen. However, although very different, In a Silent Way has the same effect on me. Plus it was the first Miles album I purchased so I applaud your making it your #1. Got to see Miles a couple of times, once on a beautiful summer evening at Concord Pavilion with Carlos, He did a long rendition of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time, and jammed with Carlos. I could go on! Love you, Doug
Thanks Mazzy for this informative and fun video on your fav Miles records. I really enjoyed it What are a few of your modern jazz audiophile recordings? I have tried and tried to enjoy Jazz Fusion & Hard Bop but I don't care for them. I much prefer medium swing tunes and Jazz ballads. Thanks Again. Keep up the great work!
I discovered how wonderful vinyl records are after being a digital person forever. Never had a decent system as a child. My mom had a RCA console that probably had a ceramic stylus. Then, I was coming of age as cassettes ruled the day. Enter the Pandemic and I can no longer play live music with the songwriter trio. I buy a semi-decent turntable and powered speakers, and play Miles Davis Kind of Blue Reissue, and my mind was blown. Then, I gave that turntable to my daughter, got a better one and better everything, then started acquiring records that were important to me and nostalgic from my childhood. Mind kept being blown by the quality of the sound. I haven;t counted, but I have a few hundred records now. I focus on getting 1st pressings when I can. Bob Dylan and Miles Davis seem to have taken the lead in the number of records I have. Thanks for helping me learn Mazzy. Appreciate the videos.
@Kyle Cholewinski Lol yeah, I just didn’t want to put it that way. There is an interview with McLaughlin on YT where he talks about how much Tony was in demand and how he and Miles and others would compete to get Tony in their respective bands. I’m not a drummer but the records Tony plays on are really good.
In a Silent Way is, in large part, Teo Macero's record. Macero cut and spliced a lot of tape of the musicians doodling around into recognizable "cuts." These edits became the established songs after the fact. Miles never conceived the final arrangement or the mix of the music. Macero did. Credit where credit is due.
Also applied in the Bitches Brew, Live Evil...Te'o was the cut master and the responsible of these collages of sound. The right pill to swallow and digest all that mess... He deserves more credit, hats off!!!
They were hardly doodling around. The Complete In a Silent Way shows that initially a "suite" was envisaged. Teo pared it down and created a very different piece of music.
i got to see miles live on his last tour...he was fairly subdued by then....i love your list...can't disagree with any of it....my list may have also included seven steps to heaven, and number one probably would have been birth of the cool....but like you always say...tomorrow could be different....keep the peace my friend...rocky
Bitches Brew was also my entry point into jazz back in the 1980s and one of my all time favs. I was taking vocal lessons for my rock band from a jazz singer and wanted a way to get into jazz and started with that one. It’s a meditation
Thanks for your input--I had never heard of some of the albums, like the French soundtrack--but what about 1974's "Get Up With It"? I am currently playing this as much as possible--great outragous jazz/funk/hard rock fusion--i am loving the songs "Calypso Frelimo," "Honky Tonk," and "Red China Blues" etc., etc.!--Thanks again--Anne Leonard
Silent Way is certainly a very acceptable choice of number 1. Personally I would have chosen Filles de Kilimanjaro - but it's just a matter of personal taste. Silent Way is absolutely superb, I agree.
Very good list Norman, I feel your choice shows less is more( no mention of CDs etc.). I would have found room perhaps for at least one of these albums: Miles Ahead, Miles Smiles,, E.S.P., or Filles de Kilimanjaro. Still I like your choice too. I think in some way In a Silent Way may be his best( better than Bitches Brew). Liked your mention of Birth of Cool, the reaction vs. bebop, that leads on to some of his best sextet/quintet groupings. You mentioned in discussing Kind of Blue that Miles didn't give Bill Evans credit on So What. This seemed a habit of his of making use of other musicians' compositions in his many groups and just saying it was by Miles Davis. The truth is he had a large part in the final recording of the music, so it in effect became his. He was a dark shaman. Although I liked your anecdotes about the records you don't speak much about how the music was technically or emotionally, apart from saying 'modal' once and 'fusion' a few times.
Thanks for the list. I'd personally make room for Miles' great live lp's: Blackhawk, Philharmonic Hall, Plugged Nickel, Festival Hall in Osaka, ... Plus, the Gil Evans lp's defintely deserve their spot in any jazz list: Miles Ahead (probably my No. 1), Porgy & Bess, Star People, ...
Once you hear What I Say on Live Evil, and the ending of side two, with that cauldron of stew coming in after the voice, well. No one has ever come near this power. It is the gold standard.
Great choices.. your number 1 is the same for me.. very special album.. My only other addition I would add would be The Cellar Sessions.. Thanks for the video..
I agree with Val below in as much as you can't underestimate Teo Macero's contribution with his ears, skill, vision and great editing (there's a whole section that comes back verbatim - cut and paste from earlier in the piece, structurally this is very important). but, having said that, this is not a criticism at all as the end justifies the means and this is a truly great record!
I love Miles. I only have 30 of his albums, but there will be more. I bought my first Miles record i 1982, that was Miles & Coltrane. Great ranking. I would have placed Miles Smiles in there, and also Miles Ahead.
"In A Silent Way," what were the odds you'd pick my favorite LP of any type? It fits any mood I'm in. I never get tired of it. It's like highly distilled Miles. Was Tony Williams ever better? Bravo!
Quiet Nights is another good one.
Miles Smiles, Sorcerer, Nefertiti and ESP all deserve a shout. Agharta and Pangaea are other ones that I really enjoy.
Yes yes yes!
Kind of blue is #1 been playing it for years at least once a week. It never gets old it's weird. Every time I hear it it's like the 1st time.
Yes Miles had many fine albums. My favorite Trane album is Live from Japan, but there are many others like A Love Supreme, Lush Life, Om, My Favorite Things,etc. His recently deceased wife Alice also recorded some great albums I still have on vinyl.
Second Great Quintet is my favorite Miles era hands down. Just one record after the next. Nefertiti, Miles in the Sky, ESP, Sorcerer and Miles Smiles are all stone cold classics, I love Nefertiti in particular
spot on! I'd throw Files De Kilimanjaro on here too.
Filles de Kilimanjaro is my favorite Miles Davis record. I'm probably the only person on the planet that says that, but it is. Solid number 1...
Great record, number two underneath sorcerer sans nothing like you
I do think it's his most overlooked record. And one of his best.
I agree. Should definitely be on the list. Also probably my personal favorite of his.
Gran álbum y una muy buena elección como favorito
I thought I was the only one!!! that in between of the loose wandering of Miles In The Sky and the tight but hypnotizing In A Silent Way is just so different from anything else ever. Chick Corea was so perfect on it
I'm new to jazz and I've watched a lot of your videos and have followed your recommendations. I have been BLOWN AWAY! Thank you so much!
When I saw In A Silent Way was your number one I had a big grin followed with head nods.
I was a little surprised, but happily so. Underrated album for sure.
I think it has to do with one's age. It is my No. 1 Miles album too and I trace it back to an outstanding review it got in Rolling Stone in 1969. In those days, many of us read RS like the Bible it truly was. I was into rock at the time almost exclusively but that review caused me to buy In a Silent Way -- and I played the hell out of it until it was as much part of my DNA as the Dead's Dark Star from 1969 and the Band's first two albums were/are.
@@AFaceintheCrowd01 I'm 16, in a silent way is definitely my favorite
Ascenseur pour l’échafaud is a masterpiece, a beautiful record. I recommend the movie as well, the pictures and the music melt together. It's brilliant art. That soundtrack is amongst my Top 3 of Miles. Soooo coooool.
You just need the version with the echo. Reverb if you like. The LP. The first CD of it had no reverb. It must have that space.
It reminds me of a Stan Tracey album: Under Milk Wood.
The movie is awesome 😎
Highly recommended. A hidden gem
Just skimmed the comments, surprised no one is talking about Miles Smiles or ESP. Two of the best imo.
Two of my faves too.
thats exactly what i said, miles smiles is unreal..
Agree 100%. What’s interesting is that my top 5 Miles albums don’t show up at all on Mazzy’s top 12 (not in order, but My Funny Valentine, ESP, Miles Smiles, Sorcerer and Nefertiti).
Miles Smiles!
I knew you would put Somethin' Else here somewhere. I really expected it, especially after you mentioned it in Four Corners. :)
Lovely vid Mazzy.. thanks.. its great to see your passion and enthusiasm especially when you link to your past.. thanks. ABSOLUTELY love Somethin Else!!!. Gorgeous
All great selections. I bought Quiet Nights and Sketches of Spain at the same time in the 90’s. Those two are always linked in my Miles timeline. I enjoy the Gil Evans orchestral records, in addition to the rest of his catalog. Love the channel ⚫️
Thanks for this and shinning the light on all the differences in styles. Totally agree with your assessment of "Something Else".
Thanks for mentioning Somthin’ Else. I downloaded it from my music service (I know, sorry. I can’t afford LPs) I love it! Every track is so beautiful.
Anyway you listen to music works for me. No apologizes necessary.
Good picks, great show! My 3, Round About Midnight, In a Silent way and Kind of Blue..
Thank you for sharing your top 12 at the time you made this video! Epic pics of the legend at the end of the video! Really cool you got to see him play live!
He recorded Steamin, Cookin, Relaxin, and Workin - 4 LPs in two days - to fulfill his contract with Prestige to take a more lucrative contract with Columbia.
Yes! Thank you. In a Silent Way is such a great album! Some good picks. Thanks also for including Jack Johnson. Very nice!
Nice ranking/tribute. My favourite Miles albums change regularly. I love the Man With The Horn album, 🎺
I played Bitches Brew on 4 Track reel to reel on a quad system in an Army office while stationed in Saigon. Combined Intelligence Command Vietman, (CICV). After hours hanging out. A friend had bought one of those tilted Sony Ferrite head decks.
Talk about chilling out. I still have that tape.
Love the videos. Cheers from Vancouver, BC.
Excellent one Mazzy, Miles was my entry into Jazz and I would rank " In A Silent Way" at the top one, love that one. Missing a few but got most of the important ones, also dig his funky period. Thanks for this!
Norman, thanks for your Miles list. How refreshing to see In A Silent Way in the top spot instead of Kind Of Blue. Here's my top 4 Miles list...
1. Nefertiti
2. In A Silent Way
3. Kind Of Blue
4. Sketches Of Spain
We all have our faves and In a Silent Way is absolutely mine 🤠
Sweet pictures man! Great video.
You nailed this Top 5! And yes, IN A SILENT WAY is also my favorite, with KIND OF BLUE in second place.
what a nice surprise! Thanks for your list Norman. I love the fusion years but would also add 'Bags Groove' and 'Round About Midnight' and the LP with Milt Jackson 'Quintet/Sextet' !
Thank you for doing this video - very enjoyable
Dear Mazzy, thank you for this video. Love your style. Looking forward to your top funk records like war, jb's or whoever. Big Love.
I'm glad I stumbled upon your channel. Your list of 12 best Miles Davis albums is fantastic. And of course, it's very difficult to rank the output of such an accomplished artist. But I find that his electric output of the 70s and 80s got a little bit shortchanged. I would have included Dark Magus, Agharta and Pangaea on my list, or maybe I would have expanded the list to 15 instead of 12. To me, these three albums are among the best that fusion jazz ever produced. Raw anger and raw beauty side by side.
I'm gonna have to watch your other videos...
Love your choices. You have given me some to look out for.
BTW; That iconic album cover for “Bitches Brew”, credit Mati Klarwein the great painter and illustrator. As you know, he also did the famous “Abraxas” album cover for Carlos Santana.
Thank you. I always thought that the artwork on those particular two albums were very similar.
The artist has a great website up displaying their works with detailed information, including use by musicians for music packaging. Search for Mati Klarwein Official
I was really happy you picked Silent Way as #1. I agree with you 100%. What a beautiful album. Masterpiece!! I would also add Amandla to the list somewhere.
Fantastic Miles list! Spain didn't get the love that it deserved & im glad it made your list. I personally would have to add Water Babies in my top 10. Thanks for the video 😊
By the way! I love a man/woman who’s touching into so many of the artists snd genres i really love and grew up with. Also what i may will come to love in a not too distance future. And you do Mazzy. Thank you so much. I was born in 1966, the first album i ever heard was Rubber Soul, so i’m the Rubbersoulboy. Anyway. I love your channel. I’m from Norway. Far from home, but home.
Great video that I have enjoyed a lot. Miles Davis is certainly this monolith that keeps moving closer and closer to me. But your video probably generated the final necessary nudge to get on with it. Intuitively I feel like I am going to start with "In A Silent Way". It certainly has the biggest concentration of my favourite musicians. Anyway, awesome presentation.
What an amazing artist ! One of my favorite is ESP ,1965
Love from Ireland 🇮🇪
Thanks for sharing, Norman. I'm still on my Personal Jazz Discovery Journey -- for the past forty-one (41) years. I've never taken Heroin, but "Blue In Green" (from Kind of Blue, 1959) sure must feel like "shootin' up": remember the scene in Lady Sings The Blues, with Ross "Boss" (Diana): she shoots up, then you see her floating on the clouds... must be a nice view from Up There.
I’m with you ! This is how I would rate Miles Davis’ Albums- In a Silent way is amazing
Happy to see you put In a Silent Way ahead of Bitch’s Brew. We want Miles!
Nice! In A Silent Way is a masterpiece and on some days is my #1. I also love Miles Smiles, Milestones, and Jack Johnson
great video, and I would actually agree with you on # 1-2-3 ...
I tuned in with a "alright, let's see what this guys ranks as the top 3" -- AGREED !!!
Your albums are mint !!!!
Did you hear the CD - complete 'In a Silent Way" ? -- as compared to the 'Brew' complete CD , silent way CD set is outstanding.
I must add I would put 'Agartha' at #4 -- very dynamic and very brave no holds bared Davis barrage.... Well which was his groundbreaking ground shaking style.
Thanks this was very useful.
Really enjoyable as always and great choices. If you don't already have them, the Live at the Plugged Nickel (second quintet) and Complete Live at Montreux (focusing on his later electric period) boxed sets are essential (the sound is better on the Mosaic vinyl set of Plugged Nickel, but it will cost you). So glad you included "On the Corner" - I also really like "Star People".
Great photos too! I love it when you include these.
I could listen to your stories all day, glad I found your channel
Well thank you ✌🏽
@@mazzysmusic I should be thanking you, bc of your videos I’ve pulled out records I haven’t played in years
Very nice selection. Top 12 always going to be tough . Appreciate your love for the music and not being hung up on the “perfect audiophile pressing” very happy to see Birth Of The Cool and Sketches Of Spain, both genuine game changers. My top 12 would include ESP, Filles and My Funny Valentine
My dad was a jazz trombonist, composer and tenured PHD in music who taught for decades and did alot in education. Anyways, Miles was one of his heroes as a young man and I inherited his album collection. Lots of Miles and Count Basie and many others. Recently i got my dad’s speakers hooked up from storage and bought a new record player. There is a particular Miles album i think you would really enjoy called The Man With The Horn..
Got a weak spot for catching a buzz off hallucinatory (or psychedelic) music, so Agharta, On the Corner, (which got 2 and a half stars from Downbeat) and Jack Johnson are apex for me. These have psycho-active properties that can do a brain melt like the best Can, Mahavishnu, Holdsworth, Hendrix and Mwandishi albums. Just a small facet of Davis, but that's the lens i got for now.
I'm with you man !!
Check out the Gratetful Dead live performances. You might like their music too. Playing for Change has Buddy Guy doing his classic "Skin Deep" and the PFC band is outa sight
Sorry I can't spell any more. I'm deaf and 77 years old.
Really good review Mazzy. I recently bought 'Blue Moods' on OJC which is an 80s pressing of a 1955 recording. Has Elvin Jones (drums), Charles Mingus (bass), Britt Woodman (trombone), Miles Davis (trumpet) and Teddy Charles (vibes). Well worth getting if you haven't got it already. I really like 'Sketches of Spain'. It is compositional as opposed to Blues based, but it is a great chill-out LP.
Can’t quibble too much with your list. In a Silent Way is my go to late night jazz album. It’s mesmerizing. One under the radar album I would submit for consideration is Miles Smiles. Footprints and Freedom Jazz Dance are faves.
I agree - I would have only given 2 or 3 positions higher to "Ascenseur pour l'échafaud", a record largely underestimated by many in my opinion
In a Silent Way I still find after all this time when I listen to it something new & interesting..Masterpiece
He's one of those artists whom you can stick a pin ion his discography and almost inevitably come up with a 'classic'.
Thank you for this
Steamin' is part of a quartet of albums. Steamin', Relaxin', Cookin' and Workin' .
Thanks Mazzy!
I'm looking forward to watching your new video about Jazz Boxed Sets. I'm finding, pretty quickly, that Box Sets can really save me money on artists that I really want to listen to frequently. I just purchased a Tom Petty Live Retrospective. I saved
over 50% off the list price by purchasing them new...one at a time.
It will happen sooner than you think 😎
Thanks so much.
I'm looking forward to watching your video on Jazz Box Set Collections.
Regards,
David-
Great video!!! Love the cover of Sketches in Spain. Spanish colours. I never understood Bitches Brew. I like the artwork but very difficult to listen to. I'd love to love it. Totally agree with your number one! I just like the fact the drummer just hit the high-hat for something like 30 minutes! It's electronic Miles BUT gentle with it! There is a wonderful subtlety!
Can't argue with your picks - thanks for your insight
People talk about Miles’ fusion period being rock-influenced but I think the only thing “rock” about it is electrification and amplification. The music itself is a wild blend of jazz-funk and avant-garde electronics in the vein of Stockhausen. It’s really nothing like anything else, including other jazz fusion bands, with the possible exception of Herbie Hancock’s Sextant period, which was influenced by Miles.
Excellent comment.
One of the few bands in rock that is even close to this period of Miles is Can's Tago Mago album, which I highly recommend to anyone who likes adventurous music.
I think of Stockhausen as a classical artist, but I could be confusing genres.
Great list. MILES IS THE GOAT! Huge fan of Water Babies, Nefertiti, and Live Evil.
Loved seeing Jack Johnson on this list. It's my personal favorite of his, and it often gets overlooked
Jack Johnson a legendary album. Jeff Beck has ranked it in his top 10 albums of all time. I would concur with that.
@@tonypeake467 It's definitely in mine.
hey anthro, my name is danthro- are you a thro?
Mazzy, thank you! I agreed with your selection.
Oh wow! I'm surprised how much our rankings are alike. I don't have Birth of the Cool yet so I would put Nefertiti in its place. In A Silent Way is probably a top 10 album of all time for me. Have a great week.
Ive got a few Miles,but I've never heard of In a Silent Way,I'll have to check it out, thanks for an insightful
Video into the career of Miles Davis.
Hi Mazzy,
Thanks for responding to my post. I do a lot of mindful/active listening to my small collection of Import CD Reissues. It has been a lot of fun.
I have a vintage high quality revealing stereo system.
Regarding jazz CD, thanks for the tips that you provided.
I have a used copy of a Columbia Records Legacy Remastered CD of 'Kind of Blue'
It sounds quite impressive on my stereo IMO. I have had pretty good luck taking a chance on used import CD from France, Germany, Holland, The Netherlands & Canada. I just purchased a Japanese CD that I won at auction for around $20.00
It's been shipped.
Mo-Fi CD's get great reviews from fellow audiophiles but I don't want to spend that kind of money on a CD unless it's one of my absolute fav albums.
I also won a few obscure jazz titles on CD that are Japanese Imports. I listened to them online to be sure that I liked them enough to add to my collection. That can be a fun process too...to discover new jazz, pop or classical music.
I will look into the individual jazz CDs &
Box Sets that you recommended.
I also read the comments your viewer's leave.
There can be a wealth of info there..especially recommendations for certain albums on certain labels.
Are you going to do a video on jazz Box Set Reissued Recordings? That wouldn't be greatly appreciated.
I'll check your past videos to see if you have discussed jazz and popular music box sets.
Thanks Again,
David-
I keep a list and Jazz cd sets are on it. Not sure when, but Yu have reminded me about it ✌🏼
These are rock solid choices. I especially love Ascenseur Pour l’échafaud. The first time I heard In a Silent Way it was the Complete Sessions record, opening w/ the beautiful 16min Mademoiselle Marby. Lately, it’s I’ve been listening to Big Fun on repeat. I think it’s been sampled a bunch but Handsome Boy Modeling School/Dan the Automator come to mind. Plus what a name! Big Fun is even tattoo worthy if that’s yer gig. BTW, ya know what might make a great ranking…. Live at Montreux jazz records, like Cecil Taylor-Silent Tongues. So many great free-jazz performances to that end! Great channel, duders!
Awesome vid. I hope you pick some the constant, dedicated side-men and do a favorites list. I've seen Max Roach play live and bought some of his records. I know he was on a lot of the great albums, which are the ones where he stands out?
Thank you Mazzy. I'm a bit late to this video. It's funny, I've been ripping many of my CDs to an SSD and there was a lot of Miles to be converted. I had a friend who bought Bitches Brew at the time and I did not get it. That got fixed a couple of years later. I eventually came around. One of the great disappointments in my life is I bought tickets to see Miles at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle (a great, intimate venue) and we went to the show and Miles was ill and was a no show. This would have been around 1981. So I missed my chance to see him live. So much great music, whether the "cool" jazz early on or the great quintets or the funk or the acid jazz (Agharta, Pangaea)...it's all wonderful listening.
Sorry you missed him but we have these fabulous albums 🎶
You chose the correct record as your number one :) But Miles made so many terrific records, making a top 12 is tough... I love many of the live albums as well
My favorite on Vinyl and then one I wish they did a one step of would be The Man With the Horn … So much subtlety, composer, yet so much going on, lots of improvisation, space between the instruments, balance and flow, nothing but flow. Love the hints of electric guitar aswell. I’m so surprise this wasn’t in your list, listen to it; When I talk to people, not many have given it a listen, and when they do they fall in love.
🤔 Discovering your channel while listening to Birth of the cool lp right now... 😁
Love Davis. I have a cd Columbia box with 20-25 cds of original albums. They really sound good. On Lp I have the one with Miller from 88? Live evil, star people, under arrest, the amazing on the corner!! Wow. One of my favourites. Some 7 inches as well. Love him. Like Dylan. Never get tired of Davis.
Nice one Mazzy, and you really stuck the landing! Bam💥
This is pretty much a perfect list. 12 of Davis's best, and probably, for me, the 12 you'd probably mention to a novice Miles fan? Great video 😁👍
Nice video - thank you! An interesting ranking, I'm wondering there is only one record from the iconic second quartet included (#12- Miles in the Sky). In the Silent Way is pure magic! 😊 Unbelievable what Teo Macero and Miles did with only 27 minutes music.
My top 5 in no particular order - In the Silent Way, Kind of Blue, Sorcerer, Agharta, Jack Johnson.
Intersting list...enjoyed it very much! I must say my list would be very different, but I enjoy your perspective on things. I came into jazz as a kid from a pure jazz/be bop/swing perspective (rather than the rock influenced Bitches Brew stuff many did), so I tend to favor the earlier, "pure jazz" material - such as that on Prestige, Blue Note, etc. Which isn't to say "In A Silent Way" isn't great - it obviously is. But I'd have "Birth of the Cool", Miles Davis volumes 1 and 2 on Blue Note, "Cookin'," and so on ahead of it (if we're talking personal favorites). Was happy to see "Milestones" on this list....love that one.
I'm impressed. Long time jazz listener who loves Miles. I figured I would disagree with you, which I did somewhat, but thought your list was well presented and quite logical. And excellent. It was an interesting, satisfying exercise. Thank you.
Thanks for watching. There’s so much to agree and not agree on ✌🏽
Great video. In A Silent Way would be my choice as well. I think the beginnings of that sound are heard on Kilimanjaro. Anyone who enjoys it should follow up with John Abercrombie's Timeless which is in the same vein. The ECM reissue is all analogue and sounds fantastic.
Impossible to narrow down to twelve, though I would have to include Nefertiti somewhere.
Nefertiti is his true masterpiece imo...
Hey Mazzy! Once again, peas in a pod ...
My introduction to Miles was via John McLaughlin's My Goals Beyond. My sisters boyfriend had it, didn't care for it so gave it to me. This is probably around '74. I was floored and wanted more of that. At the time, Rasputin's Records in Pleasant Hill had the huge paper cross reference volumes out where you could use them. Looking up what else McLaughlin had done I bought In a Silent Way unheard. My world turned upside down I went back the next day and bought Bitches Brew went back the day after that and bought Jack Johnson. So from those three Miles albums I became a fan of all the other players, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Lenny White etc, etc.
Later that year I started going back in Miles' catalog, 2nd quintet, 1st quintet, Gil Evans. I pity the fool who doesn't dig Sketches of Spain, a true masterpiece.
If asked I have typically said Kind of Blue is my favorite album, It always calms me down, replay until you are in an appropriate state of Zen. However, although very different, In a Silent Way has the same effect on me. Plus it was the first Miles album I purchased so I applaud your making it your #1.
Got to see Miles a couple of times, once on a beautiful summer evening at Concord Pavilion with Carlos, He did a long rendition of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time, and jammed with Carlos.
I could go on!
Love you,
Doug
Love this guy. I could listen to him so long.
Great stuff! My personal bias is Kind of blue is number one , but people are just bored of this choice bc of it’s popularity . I think it’s his best !
Thanks Mazzy for this informative and fun video on your fav Miles records.
I really enjoyed it
What are a few of your modern jazz audiophile recordings?
I have tried and tried to enjoy Jazz Fusion & Hard Bop but I don't care for them.
I much prefer medium swing tunes and Jazz ballads.
Thanks Again.
Keep up the great work!
Nice list. Reminded me about Birth of the Cool. Two tops on my lists would be Miles Smiles and Sorcerer
Great choices ✌🏽
Great list. I would add 'Agharta', Miles' 1975 double live LP. It smokes!
i only recently got into that one about five years ago when i found a white label promo !
I discovered how wonderful vinyl records are after being a digital person forever. Never had a decent system as a child. My mom had a RCA console that probably had a ceramic stylus. Then, I was coming of age as cassettes ruled the day. Enter the Pandemic and I can no longer play live music with the songwriter trio. I buy a semi-decent turntable and powered speakers, and play Miles Davis Kind of Blue Reissue, and my mind was blown. Then, I gave that turntable to my daughter, got a better one and better everything, then started acquiring records that were important to me and nostalgic from my childhood. Mind kept being blown by the quality of the sound. I haven;t counted, but I have a few hundred records now. I focus on getting 1st pressings when I can. Bob Dylan and Miles Davis seem to have taken the lead in the number of records I have. Thanks for helping me learn Mazzy. Appreciate the videos.
Totally agree with you man on the top 3. What a stellar album In A Silent Way Is.
Great list & commentary
Tony Williams really stands out on in a silent way.
@Kyle Cholewinski Lol yeah, I just didn’t want to put it that way. There is an interview with McLaughlin on YT where he talks about how much Tony was in demand and how he and Miles and others would compete to get Tony in their respective bands. I’m not a drummer but the records Tony plays on are really good.
I need that miles In The Sky MoFi. It’s one I’m missing. Great video
That’s the fact Jack 😝
In a Silent Way is, in large part, Teo Macero's record. Macero cut and spliced a lot of tape of the musicians doodling around into recognizable "cuts." These edits became the established songs after the fact. Miles never conceived the final arrangement or the mix of the music. Macero did. Credit where credit is due.
This also applies to Jack Johnson (including the included groove from In A Silent Way).
Also applied in the Bitches Brew, Live Evil...Te'o was the cut master and the responsible of these collages of sound. The right pill to swallow and digest all that mess... He deserves more credit, hats off!!!
They were hardly doodling around. The Complete In a Silent Way shows that initially a "suite" was envisaged. Teo pared it down and created a very different piece of music.
do you think the hi hat was just a loop created by Teo? I really want to believe the drummer played it for nearly half an hour! :)
@@CrueLoaf No, that was the great Tony Williams. Listen to the Complete In a Silent Way sessions.
i got to see miles live on his last tour...he was fairly subdued by then....i love your list...can't disagree with any of it....my list may have also included seven steps to heaven, and number one probably would have been birth of the cool....but like you always say...tomorrow could be different....keep the peace my friend...rocky
Bitches Brew was also my entry point into jazz back in the 1980s and one of my all time favs. I was taking vocal lessons for my rock band from a jazz singer and wanted a way to get into jazz and started with that one. It’s a meditation
Thanks for your input--I had never heard of some of the albums, like the French soundtrack--but what about 1974's "Get Up With It"? I am currently playing this as much as possible--great outragous jazz/funk/hard rock fusion--i am loving the songs "Calypso Frelimo," "Honky Tonk," and "Red China Blues" etc., etc.!--Thanks again--Anne Leonard
Silent Way is certainly a very acceptable choice of number 1. Personally I would have chosen Filles de Kilimanjaro - but it's just a matter of personal taste. Silent Way is absolutely superb, I agree.
Actually, having considered this a week further, I have to agree that In A Silent Way is deservedly placed in the number 1 position 👍
Very good list Norman, I feel your choice shows less is more( no mention of CDs etc.). I would have found room perhaps for at least one of these albums: Miles Ahead, Miles Smiles,, E.S.P., or Filles de Kilimanjaro. Still I like your choice too. I think in some way In a Silent Way may be his best( better than Bitches Brew). Liked your mention of
Birth of Cool, the reaction vs. bebop, that leads on to some of his best sextet/quintet groupings. You mentioned in
discussing Kind of Blue that Miles didn't give Bill Evans credit on So What. This seemed a habit of his of making use of other musicians' compositions in his many groups and just saying it was by Miles Davis. The truth is he had a large part in the final recording of the music, so it in effect became his. He was a dark shaman. Although I liked your anecdotes about the records you don't speak much about how the music was technically or emotionally, apart from saying 'modal' once and 'fusion' a few times.
Cool one, NM. I’d slip ‘Porgy & Bess’ and ‘Round About Midnight’ in my top Miles list, as well.
Thanks for the list. I'd personally make room for Miles' great live lp's: Blackhawk, Philharmonic Hall, Plugged Nickel, Festival Hall in Osaka, ... Plus, the Gil Evans lp's defintely deserve their spot in any jazz list: Miles Ahead (probably my No. 1), Porgy & Bess, Star People, ...
I love all those. Didn't feel like including the live albums this time.
Lovely. Waiting for a Tone Poet’s top
Once you hear What I Say on Live Evil, and the ending of side two, with that cauldron of stew coming in after the voice, well. No one has ever come near this power. It is the gold standard.
Great choices.. your number 1 is the same for me.. very special album.. My only other addition I would add would be The Cellar Sessions.. Thanks for the video..
I agree with Val below in as much as you can't underestimate Teo Macero's contribution with his ears, skill, vision and great editing (there's a whole section that comes back verbatim - cut and paste from earlier in the piece, structurally this is very important). but, having said that, this is not a criticism at all as the end justifies the means and this is a truly great record!
I love Miles. I only have 30 of his albums, but there will be more. I bought my first Miles record i 1982, that was Miles & Coltrane.
Great ranking. I would have placed Miles Smiles in there, and also Miles Ahead.
Mazzy Yessss that is my Number 1. In A Silent Way and Number 2. Kind of Blue awesome Ranking Mazzy from Mazzy's point of view loved it. lovellandrew