"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.
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 ⚫️
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).
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 😊
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.
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...
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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".
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
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 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.
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
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-
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mazzy, I'm glad you gave "Somethin' Else" the praise it deserves. Out of all the classic Blue Note records "Somethin' Else" might just be the very best (my second favourite would be Sonny Rollins' "Newk's Time"). By the way is there a chance that you could do an album ranking on Sonny Rollins?
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..
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.
Whether I acquire all of these on vinyl or not, I very much appreciate learning how to attack an artist that I am not familiar with. Of course I've known who Miles Davis is for decades, but I'm only recently opening my listening to Jazz. Thank you for helping me understand your path to discover such an artist. BTW...what did you have for lunch? Looked like you were having trouble digesting some Passover Gefilte Fish. Oy!
Great list! My top 10 changes pretty frequently but this is what id go with right now: 1. In A Silent Way 2. Bitches Brew 3. Kind of Blue 4. 'Round About Midnight 5. Filles de Kilimanjaro 6. Jack Johnson 7. Milestones 8. Nefertiti 9. Relaxin' 10. Cookin'
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!
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
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!
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 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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
That's a great list, including "Something Else." So many possibilities to choose from. There's also Relaxin, Workin, and Cookin. Miles Smiles, Filles de Kilimanjaro, My Funny Valentine, 'Round About Midnight. And more. It's too bad that the Columbia Live/Evil release doesn't capture that band's magic. I saw them live several times (I caught the previous Bitches Brew tour as well) during their week at the Jazz Workshop in Boston. Apparently, Miles was begging Columbia on the phone to get one of their recording trucks to Boston to capture the band. Keith Jarrett (no fan of electronic music) said in his bio that that week in Boston was one of the highlights of his career. The band was SOOOOO one it was as if they were channeling timeless music from the stars. I concur. Best live music I've ever heard. Columbia had both of their two trucks tied up already and decided to record the band a week or two later in DC with John McLaughlin joining. So disappointing. As Jarrett said, that was not the Live/Evil band. The magic was gone. Again, I concur. One of the many horrors of that recording is that Macero "corrected" (cleaned up) the fabulously dirty sound Jarrett had concocted on a Fender Rhodes that was malfunctioning (as they often did). The horror, the horror.
Saw Miles live during his Bitches Brew era and then two nights in a row at the Arlington in Santa Barbara. As good as it gets and I was at Woodstock and Watkins Glen for the rock music in 69 and 73. Bela Fleck is also pretty good for acoustic music.
"Something Else" comprend pour moi un des meilleurs solos de Cannonball; Autumn Leaves. Des frissons tout au long, à chaque fois, depuis plus de 50 ans !!!
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
I'm a big fan of the 2nd quintet period-especially Filles de Kilimanjaro and Miles in the Sky. electric Miles is great too, but I'm most partial to those late 60s records
I love those too. Another album equivalent to those that's kind of a comp but released later is "WATER BABIES". To me it's a great proper album of that same era.
Vividly recall turning myself onto Miles in like '84 ,puchasing Bitches Brew and Live Evil at a swap meet in Milw. I was 19 thinking man this is what MD is all about? Mindblower. I was schooled few yrs later discovering he had this whole other history ...
"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 knew you would put Somethin' Else here somewhere. I really expected it, especially after you mentioned it in Four Corners. :)
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.
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
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, 🎺
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 ⚫️
You nailed this Top 5! And yes, IN A SILENT WAY is also my favorite, with KIND OF BLUE in second place.
Good picks, great show! My 3, Round About Midnight, In a Silent way and Kind of Blue..
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!
What an amazing artist ! One of my favorite is ESP ,1965
Love from Ireland 🇮🇪
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 😊
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.
Thanks for this and shinning the light on all the differences in styles. Totally agree with your assessment of "Something Else".
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 with you ! This is how I would rate Miles Davis’ Albums- In a Silent way is amazing
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...
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 🤠
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.
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.
Nice! In A Silent Way is a masterpiece and on some days is my #1. I also love Miles Smiles, Milestones, and Jack Johnson
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.
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.
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
Sweet pictures man! Great video.
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?
In a Silent Way I still find after all this time when I listen to it something new & interesting..Masterpiece
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.
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 ✌🏽
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
Love the videos. Cheers from Vancouver, BC.
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!
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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
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 ✌🏼
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.
My top 5 Miles:
1 On the corner
2 Live Evil
3 Tribute Jack Johnson
4 Milestones
5 Kind Of Blue
Also:
6 Decoy
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
Great story, it captured my imagination. BB must have made a permanently cast impression in that setting.
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...
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.
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.
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 😁👍
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.
🤔 Discovering your channel while listening to Birth of the cool lp right now... 😁
Great list. MILES IS THE GOAT! Huge fan of Water Babies, Nefertiti, and Live Evil.
Nice list. Reminded me about Birth of the Cool. Two tops on my lists would be Miles Smiles and Sorcerer
Great choices ✌🏽
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.
Mazzy, I'm glad you gave "Somethin' Else" the praise it deserves. Out of all the classic Blue Note records "Somethin' Else" might just be the very best (my second favourite would be Sonny Rollins' "Newk's Time"). By the way is there a chance that you could do an album ranking on Sonny Rollins?
I don’t think I’m the one to rank Rollins. Like him but collections doesn’t go deep. ✌🏽
or Thelonius, Mingus, Art Blakey, BB King so many great blues and jazz artists from the past overlooked by Caucasians (and I'm a Caucasian too)
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..
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 🎶
Whether I acquire all of these on vinyl or not, I very much appreciate learning how to attack an artist that I am not familiar with. Of course I've known who Miles Davis is for decades, but I'm only recently opening my listening to Jazz. Thank you for helping me understand your path to discover such an artist. BTW...what did you have for lunch? Looked like you were having trouble digesting some Passover Gefilte Fish. Oy!
Ha. This was recording in the morning 🌟
Love your choices. You have given me some to look out for.
Thank you for doing this video - very enjoyable
Great list! My top 10 changes pretty frequently but this is what id go with right now:
1. In A Silent Way
2. Bitches Brew
3. Kind of Blue
4. 'Round About Midnight
5. Filles de Kilimanjaro
6. Jack Johnson
7. Milestones
8. Nefertiti
9. Relaxin'
10. Cookin'
Can't argue with your picks - thanks for your insight
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
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 !
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!
Love this guy. I could listen to him so long.
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
He's one of those artists whom you can stick a pin ion his discography and almost inevitably come up with a 'classic'.
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?
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!
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.
Thank you for this
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!
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.
Happy to see you put In a Silent Way ahead of Bitch’s Brew. We want Miles!
Totally agree with you man on the top 3. What a stellar album In A Silent Way Is.
Nice one Mazzy, and you really stuck the landing! Bam💥
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
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.
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.
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.
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 list & commentary
thanks for the detailed analysis, I completely agree!
have you heard about the upcoming release of "london brew" based on "bitches brew"?
Mazzy, thank you! I agreed with your selection.
That's a great list, including "Something Else." So many possibilities to choose from. There's also Relaxin, Workin, and Cookin. Miles Smiles, Filles de Kilimanjaro, My Funny Valentine, 'Round About Midnight. And more.
It's too bad that the Columbia Live/Evil release doesn't capture that band's magic. I saw them live several times (I caught the previous Bitches Brew tour as well) during their week at the Jazz Workshop in Boston. Apparently, Miles was begging Columbia on the phone to get one of their recording trucks to Boston to capture the band. Keith Jarrett (no fan of electronic music) said in his bio that that week in Boston was one of the highlights of his career. The band was SOOOOO one it was as if they were channeling timeless music from the stars. I concur. Best live music I've ever heard. Columbia had both of their two trucks tied up already and decided to record the band a week or two later in DC with John McLaughlin joining. So disappointing. As Jarrett said, that was not the Live/Evil band. The magic was gone. Again, I concur. One of the many horrors of that recording is that Macero "corrected" (cleaned up) the fabulously dirty sound Jarrett had concocted on a Fender Rhodes that was malfunctioning (as they often did). The horror, the horror.
Saw Miles live during his Bitches Brew era and then two nights in a row at the Arlington in Santa Barbara. As good as it gets
and I was at Woodstock and Watkins Glen for the rock music in 69 and 73.
Bela Fleck is also pretty good for acoustic music.
"Something Else" comprend pour moi un des meilleurs solos de Cannonball; Autumn Leaves. Des frissons tout au long, à chaque fois, depuis plus de 50 ans !!!
Steamin' is part of a quartet of albums. Steamin', Relaxin', Cookin' and Workin' .
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 !
Thanks this was very useful.
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
I'm a big fan of the 2nd quintet period-especially Filles de Kilimanjaro and Miles in the Sky. electric Miles is great too, but I'm most partial to those late 60s records
Filles de Kilimanjaro is one of his most overlooked records it seems to me.
I love those too. Another album equivalent to those that's kind of a comp but released later is "WATER BABIES". To me it's a great proper album of that same era.
Cool one, NM. I’d slip ‘Porgy & Bess’ and ‘Round About Midnight’ in my top Miles list, as well.
Sketches of Spain is fantastic. I am so glad you have included it.
In a Silent Way is my #1.
Vividly recall turning myself onto Miles in like '84 ,puchasing Bitches Brew and Live Evil at a swap meet in Milw. I was 19 thinking man this is what MD is all about? Mindblower. I was schooled few yrs later discovering he had this whole other history ...