The Jazz Show Episode March 29, 2010
Broadcast on 29-Mar-2010
9:00pm - 12:00am
This recording done by Miles Davis and his "Second Great Quintet" was the first recorded evidence that a musical change was in the air. The quintet, of course, consisted of Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass and the amazing Tony Williams on drums. There are only four long tracks on this recording and we'll hear them in chronological order as they were done at different recording sessions for Columbia Records in 1968. The first tune on the set is Wayne Shorter's "Paraphernalia". This is a spacey type tune that also has George Benson added on guitar. Benson is very effective here, The next two compositions are an indication of where the band is going. The second tune is by Tony Williams and is called "Black Comedy". The third composition is a Davis creation that has no theme but has three distinct movements. It is an intense musical experience and it's called "Country Son".The final tune is really indicative of the change in Miles' ideas and points to his direction that he will take on future recordings. A rock beat defines "Stuff" and Carter switches to electric bass and Hancock works in the Fender Rhodes electric piano. This is an indication of Davis' musical future and this recording was the turning point that led to "Filles De Kilimanjaro", "In A Silent Way" and to "Bitches Brew" and on into the 70's. Davis was always in control of his musical odyssey and this recording is a major step.