Black Beauty (Live At Filmore West) - Miles Davis

Black Beauty, recorded at California's Fillmore West in 1970, represents the power of a Davis concert at a time when he was revolutionising jazz-fusion with recordings like Bitches Brew and In A Silent Way. A stellar lineup joins the trumpeter for this gig, including Chick Corea and Steve Grossman. My favourite tracks on the album are both non-Davis. Joe Zawinul, a regular Miles sideman, is represented by "Directions", the opening track. ...
...mostly fast and frantic album. Wayne Shorter's Masqualero is also a highlight, with great solos by Davis and Grossman. My biggest criticism of the album is that Columbia have released it as a double CD, when the whole album, being under 80 minutes, could have been put on one disc. This creates frustrating disc-swapping and a higher price. Also, Chick Corea's liner notes are sparse and fail to stimulate. However, this album is great to hear, and although ... more

Black Beauty, recorded at California's Fillmore West in 1970, represents the power of a Davis concert at a time when he was revolutionising jazz-fusion with recordings like Bitches Brew and In A Silent Way. A stellar lineup joins the trumpeter for this gig, including Chick Corea and Steve Grossman. My favourite tracks on the album are both non-Davis. Joe Zawinul, a regular Miles sideman, is represented by "Directions", the opening track. It sets a lively standard which is upheld throughout the mostly fast and frantic album. Wayne Shorter's Masqualero is also a highlight, with great solos by Davis and Grossman. My biggest criticism of the album is that Columbia have released it as a double CD, when the whole album, being under 80 minutes, could have been put on one disc. This creates frustrating disc-swapping and a higher price. Also, Chick Corea's liner notes are sparse and fail to stimulate. However, this album is great to hear, and although it will not fall easily on everyone's ear, it is worth hearing. 

...less