Live Around the World

No Miles Davis collection is complete without this important set.
- Scott Yanow/AMG (4.5/5 Stars) -

This CD-Set gives one a definitive look at Miles Davis’ live show from his last three years. Using funky but unpredictable rhythm sections and leaving space for plenty of solos, Davis created a unique brand of fusion that has yet to be satisfactorily duplicated. Among his more notable sidemen during this era are altoist Kenny Garrett, Foley on lead bass (which he used as a lower-toned guitar), one or two keyboardists chosen from Joey DeFrancesco, Adam Holzman, Robert Irving III, Kei Akagi, and John Beasley, various bassists, drummers, and percussionists, and on “Amandla,” the tenor of Rick Margitza. Davis is in consistently strong form throughout the numbers, which include “In a Silent Way,” “New Blues,” “Human Nature,” “Tutu,” and “Time After Time.” Quite often the live versions of these songs are more creative and exciting than the ones previously issued. This highly recommended LP’s (released in 1996) concludes with one number (“Hannibal”) from Davis’ final performance; it is not given a date but is most likely from just a few weeks before his death at age 65.

Tracklist & Personnel

01 – In A Silent Way (1:49)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Joey DeFrancesco
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Marilyn Mazur
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Zawinul*
Trumpet – Miles Davis

02 – Intruder (4:52)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Joey DeFrancesco
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Marilyn Mazur
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Davis*
Trumpet – Miles Davis

03 – New Blues (5:35)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Robert Irving III
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Marilyn Mazur
Trumpet, Keyboards – Miles Davis
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Davis*

04 – Human Nature (12:48)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Joey DeFrancesco
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Marilyn Mazur
Trumpet, Keyboards – Miles Davis
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Bettis*, Porcaro*

05 – Mr. Pastorius (3:32)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – John Beasley, Kei Akagi
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Miller*
Trumpet – Miles Davis

06 – Amandla (5:52)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Kei Akagi
Written-By – Miller*
Tenor Saxophone – Rick Margitza
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Trumpet – Miles Davis

07 – Wrinkle (7:17)

Bass – Richard Patterson (2)
Keyboards – Kei Akagi
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Erin Davis
Trumpet, Keyboards – Miles Davis
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Davis*

08 – Tutu (8:53)

Bass – Richard Patterson (2)
Keyboards – Kei Akagi
Flute – Kenny Garrett
Written-By – Miller*
Percussion – Erin Davis
Trumpet, Keyboards – Miles Davis
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley

09 – Full Nelson (2:48)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Robert Irving III
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Percussion – Marilyn Mazur
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Miller*
Trumpet – Miles Davis

10 – Time After Time (9:56)

Bass – Benny Rietveld
Keyboards – Adam Holzman, Kei Akagi
Flute – Kenny Garrett
Written-By – Lauper*, Hyman*
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Trumpet – Miles Davis

11 – Hannibal (7:22)

Bass – Richard Patterson (2)
Keyboards – Deron Johnson
Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett
Drums – Ricky Wellman
Bass – Foley
Written-By – Miller*
Trumpet – Miles Davis

Credits

Art Direction, Design – Stine Schyberg, Tom Recchion
Compilation Producer – Adam Holzman, Gordon Meltzer
Executive Producer – Gordon Meltzer
Mastered By , Edited By – Dan Gellert
Mastered By, Edited By – Scott Hull (2)
Photography By – Gordon Meltzer
Photography By – Jeff Sedlik
Photography By – Dany Gignoux
Producer – Miles Davis
Recorded By, Mixed By – Don Kurek (tracks: 11), Patrick Murray (tracks: 1 to 10)

Notes▼

Track 1, 2 recorded in New York, NY, Indigo Blues Club, Saturday, December 17, 1988, 2nd show
Track 3 recorded in Los Angeles, CA, Greek Theatre, Sunday, August 14, 1988
Track 4 recorded in Graz, Austria, Liebenauer Eishalle, Tuesday, November 1, 1988
Track 5 recorded in Montpellier, France, Le Zenith – Domaine de Grammond, Wednesday, April 12, 1989
Track 6 recorded in Rome, Italy, Pallazo della Civita “The Steps”, Wedenesday, July 26, 1989
Track 7, 8 recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, Casino de Montreux, Montreux International Festival, Friday, July 20, 1990
Track 9 recorded in Osaka, Japan, Osaka Expo Park, Live under the Sky Festival, Sunday, August 7, 1988
Track 10 recorded in Chicago, Illinois, Chicago Theatre – JVC Jazz Festival, Monday, June 5, 1989
Track 11 from Miles Davis’ last performance

Review by Scott Yanow (allmusic.com)