Search - Miles Davis :: Love Songs 2

Purely Miles Davis but with a few minor flaws...

Eric S. Brown | Middletown Ohio | 06/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just got this cd and i must admit that im a little taken back. For the average listener and specially those who are new to the genre of jazz,this cd might not be the best place to start but it wouldnt hurt to say the least. It has styles from many of Miles Davis' ever changing genres. From early bebop,psuedo funk and even mid 80's synth-rock-jazz fusions that many bands like The Rippingtons and Spyro Gyra have continued playing till today.Miles has done them all and done it better and this compilation shows it all (well mostly).
This is not to say how ever that the cd is without flaws,I expected many of his blue styles that showed through on his Lift to the scaffold soundtrack,round midnight and other blue period discs to be added through but the styles are so varied that it does affect the flow of the songs slightly but it is still a great over view of his insane amount of cd's to purchse.
This disc is not for the Miles Davis obsessed. If you have the 20plus versions of complete studio box sets,every live show and every other box set available just for the evading bside or alternate take that didnt make the official release then this cd IS NOT for you. It is a nice over view of some of his lesser known works But i didnt feel it worked that well as a love song collection. Here is my opinions for the cd going song by song.
Since there is no track listing or samples at the time of this review,I will give an over view of the cd and let you decide whether this disc is right for you.
1.Love for Sale - (originally from the complete columbia recordings 1955-61 box set)
Definatly Be-Bop is showing here. The music kind of reminds me of Vince Giraldi here. I did feel this song was a little out of place on a love song compilation but the feeling is there. Not to mention clocking in at 11minutes and 46 seconds,it lets an epic song open the disc nicely
2.All of you (from Round Midnight)
I was pleasently surprised to hear this song on the disc,Still slower Be-bop but more mellow then Love for sale. Great song to just sit and watch a rainstorm to outside or for lounging on a sunny afternoon on a porch. I cant hardly keep from swaying while this one plays.
3.baby wont you please come home (from 7 steps to heaven)
A friend at my work told me once that the 7 steps cd was Miles best work and it blows away A kind of blue and many other of his well known cd's. After hearing what I have,Im pretty sure i agree with him. This is so mellow,slow and haunting. It sticks with you long after hearing it. I also feel for the average listener,the 7 steps cd wouldnt be one that many would know material from right away.
4.There is no greater love (from the complete concert 1974 :My funny valentine & also 4 more)
A 10 minute track that proves how well Miles could do live,the scales and live playing of Miles has to be heard to be believed. He is amazing on this track!
5. My man's gone now (Porgy and Bess)
Everyone interested in Miles should hear his disc of Porgy and Bess. Its a great take on Gershwin with Miles adding in many of his own touches. This is one of the highlights of that cd as well as making Love Songs 2 a nice set.
6.Wait till you see her (from Quiet Nights)
One of his cd's that I have not heard anything from before now. Still in his more mellow blue period. Has the same tones and textures as Lift to the scaffold soundtrack (which is a must for any jazz fan to own) It is even kind of making me a little sleepy so we are moving on now.
7.Bess,you is my woman now (porgy and bess)
Yet another track from Porgy and Bess while not using anything from The Lift to the scaffold. Slow melodic and more peaceful, This deserved to be on this compilation cd.
8.Once upon a summertime (Quiet Nights)
ok i must get this cd soon! Slow and beautiful with a melody thats almost mezmerizing. I cant help but feel the cd was a huge milestone from the master of jazz but is often over looked which is probably a travesty!
9.I dont wanna be kissed by anyone but you - (Miles Ahead)
Ok more Be-bop here,sort of reminds me of the opening 2 tracks. Just a lot of fun with a softer side of Be-bop.A true classic
10.Time after time - ( Your under arrest )
One of the only song i have honestly heard before getting this cd. It is a great take on the Cindy Lauper classic. Sadly it comes off almost like a musak presentation other then something from a legend like Miles. This is one of the only covers I have ever heard him do but I feel he did it justice. The time also showed a mid 80's shift in styles for him.
11. U N I - (Star People)
Late funk with early hip hop influence thrown in,This track from 1982 shows another ever evolving style for him. The music is very repetitive but not bad. Im still unsure of Star People as a whole but this song is very catchy.
The songs stand up nicely back to back but it doesnt flow very well at all but with Miles,is that ever really a bad thing.
My main complaint is simple , not eneough true love songs but a nice over view of a mans career that spanned more then a few decades. It is a fun cd but if you are looking for an over view of songs,his Ken Burns or the Essential collections are top notch for starting with."