Quantcast
NEWS |
Return to home page





Where Is Love?
Kelley Suttenfield
Simpatico
Claudio Roditi
Folk Songs for Jazzers
Frank Macchia
Another Night in London
Gene Harris
Spanish Breeze
Thomas Lorenzo, Alphonso Johnson, Walfredo Reyes, Dave Garfield
Room 13
Yair Loewenson Trio



Trio Reenactment
Info | Enter
Dave King
Info | Enter
Frank Macchia
Info | Enter
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Info | Enter




DVD/Video/Film Reviews | Published: September 13, 2009

Miles Davis: That's What Happened: Live in Germany 1987


By Graham L. Flanagan
Discuss    

Miles DavisMiles Davis
That's What Happened: Live in Germany 1987
Eagle Eye Media
2009

The idea that Miles Davis "lost his chops" sometime after the '70s has been stated many times. This DVD offers proof that they simply evolved along with the changing musical landscape in order to be (as Miles says in a bonus interview) "up to date." In fact, this performance, captured in Munich circa 1987, shows him in excellent technical form. Davis—often hunched over with the trumpet pointed between his knees—wanders freely around the stage. After taking one look at the flamboyantly dressed Davis, with his bright-red bomber jacket, futuristic sunglasses and curly, flowing mane, you'll know you haven't purchased Kind of Blue: The DVD.

He makes his band work at an especially furious tempo on the opening selection: a medley of "One Phone Call," "Street Scenes" and "That's What Happened." The group also performs interpretations of two '80s pop hits: Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." Scoff if you will; many people do when they see Davis' name next to these titles, but the performances themselves are soulful and inspired. Davis receives solid support from Kenny Garrett on saxophone and flute, Adam Holzman and Bobby Irving on keyboards, Darryl Jones and Joseph "Foley" McCreary on electric bass and Ricky Wellman on drums with percussionist Mino Cinelu.

Just as compelling as the concert is the aforementioned, somewhat-bizarre bonus interview; an open-shirted Davis—again sporting the "space-shades"—goes tete-a-tete with a soft-spoken German journalist. Topics of discussion include Davis' art (he doodles on a notepad throughout the interview), his lucrative European tour and his affection for music videos by Prince. Davis fans will no doubt enjoy this release, a time capsule illustrating where he was musically just a few years before his death. Although naysayers flummoxed by the icon's physical appearance might disagree, every note unmistakably sounds like it could have only come from one man: Miles Davis.


Tracks: Medley: One Phone Call / Street Scenes / That's What Happened; New Blues; Human Nature; Tutu; Time After Time; Portia.

Personnel: Kenny Garrett: saxophone and flute; Adam Holzman and Bobby Irving: keyboards, Darryl Jones and Joseph "Foley" McCreary: electric bass, Ricky Wellman: drums; Mino Cinelu: percussion.

Production Notes: 98 Minutes. Recorded in Munich, Germany. Bonus Features: 30 minute interview with Miles Davis filmed in 1987 & Miles and his Art.


Miles Davis at All About Jazz



More Miles Davis Links


Be the first to post a comment on:
Miles Davis: That's What Happened: Live in Germany 1987

Signup & post a comment!

This article first appeared in All About Jazz: New York.





More articles by Graham L. Flanagan

Count Basie: Live in Berlin & Stockholm 1968
Kenya Revisited LIVE!!! (feat. Candido)
John Medeski: Mad Science
Oscar Peterson: The Quintessence & Oscar Peterson...
Cellar Live: Cory Weeds & Ross Taggart




More Articles | More DVD/Video/Film Reviews

Chris Jentsch: Cycles and Reflecting on the Journey
February 2010
Who Owns Music?
Take Five With Rick Stone
Polar Bear: Raw and Spontaneous





 
(46)




Gene Harris

Sweet Georgia Brown
From Another Night in London

More | Recent | Top









Advertise | Contact Us | Site Map |


All material copyright © 2010 All About Jazz and/or contributing writer/visual artist. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy