Miles Davis: Bitches Brew

I was led to Bitches Brew by its reputation rather than my own instincts, or actually having heard and liked any of it. Much like Kind of Blue, then. This would have been over 20 years ago.

I was disappointed when I got it home, unable to grasp its unwieldy shape, and unable to parse what was new and special about it. John Fordham includes this album in his 50 great moments in jazz, writing of how its "spontaneously jam-like balance between composition, open-ended jazz improv, funk and Latin-rock grooves and studio technology (with the gifted producer Teo Macero)… would transform jazz and contemporary music all over again." Yet this is just the kind of abstract reputation that brought me to BB and then left me feeling that something was happening but I didn't know what it was. he doesn't explain, in terms that I can understand. I'm surprised that Richard Williams' Blue Moment, the scope of which extends from Miles' work with the Birth of the Cool in the late forties to Eno and ECM, barely mentions Bitches Brew in passing.

For "simple" listening pleasure, I still prefer what came immediately before with In a Silent Way and after with Agharta/Pangaea.

Still, over the years, I've reached an accommodation with Bitches Brew and get a little more out of it each time. On this occasion it was the bass clarinet that I notice. I think it gives some of the pieces an uncanny feel, almost like the Boulez end of Frank Zappa's work.

While researching the links for this post, I came across the extraordinary number of anniversary/legacy editions of this album — almost on a par with The Court of the Crimson King. One of them includes a DVD. I wondered if video content from 1969/70 might actually undermine the magickal voodoo feel that you can't avoid reading into the cover art. Judging by the sample on Amazon, it does, almost completely. Take my advice, don't click this link.

MusicBrainz entry for this album Wikipedia entry for this album Rate Your Music entry for this album Some metadata about this album at Last.fm Listen to this album in full at We7 Listen to this album in full at Spotify

Comments

[Fred Stagg]

Interesting take on Bitches Brew. I too have failed to fully realise what all the buzz has been about. I am also finding, when in the mood, that further listenings brings a greater appreciation for the album. And I must say, I also have to agree that In a Silent Way is a whole lot more accessable (yuck). What I should say is melodic. Oddly enough though, thanks to hindsight, foreshadowing of The Mahavishnu Orchestra runs rampant throughout the Brew. Perhaps if I listen long enough, Weather Report might poke its head out.