Miles Davis’ legendary 1970
performance at the Fillmore East in New York City will be released in its
entirety in March. The four-disc
box set is being released as part of The Bootleg Series and will feature the
unedited version of his four night run at the Fillmore East, which took place on
June 17th through the 20th. The original effort was
released in October of 1970, as a double LP, which each side of the record
containing an edited version of the concert. In order to make each show fit on a side of an LP, Miles and
producer Teo Macero edited the live performances in the studio, much like
they edited his previous studio album Bitches Brew. The new release marks the first time we
will hear the unedited concerts.
Miles Davis released his landmark album Bitches
Brew in
April of 1970. The album
revolutionized jazz by combining rock and roll elements and electronic
instruments and introduces the legendary trumpeter to a new generation of
fans.
His
touring band at the time was comprised of Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett,
Jack DeJohnette, Airto Moreira and Steve Grossman. The group pushed the
limits of improvisation and these concerts have a palpable energy that leaps
off the record.
Miles at the Fillmore – Miles Davis 1970:
The Bootleg Series Vol. 3 will be released on March 25th.
Personal Note:
Back in 2007, I interviewed Miles’ son Erin
and his nephew Vincent Wilburn Jr.
It was right around the time they release Evolution of the Groove, which
featured some outtakes and remixes including a blistering rendition of Miles’
1969 track “It’s About That Time,” featuring Carlos Santana. As a fan of the original Live at the
Fillmore East album, I asked if they would ever consider releasing the unedited
versions of the concerts. Erin
looked at Vince and pointed at me and said, “That’s a good idea.” I am thrilled to report that we will
finally get to hear these incredible concerts they way they went down.
MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg
Series Vol. 3 contains 135 minutes of previously unreleased music and
never-before-released bonus live tracks from The Fillmore West. The set
contains a 36-page booklet that accompanies the box set contains a number of
specially written pieces, including a 2,200-word first-hand account by Carlos
Santana,
examining Miles’ complex place in the pantheon of jazz, funk and rock, and his
intriguing relationship with Bill Graham during the near two-year span that
Miles played shows at the Fillmore East and West.
MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970:
The Bootleg Series Vol. 3
(Columbia/Legacy 88765 43381 2)
Disc One (Fillmore East, Wednesday, June 17, 1970) – Selections: 1. Introduction by
Bill Graham • 2. Directions • 3. The Mask • 4. It’s About That
Time • 5. Bitches Brew • 6. The Theme • Bonus tracks
(Fillmore West, April 11, 1970): 7. Paraphernalia • 8. Footprints.
Disc Two (Fillmore East, Thursday, June 18, 1970) – Selections: 1. Directions • 2. The Mask • 3. It’s About That
Time • 4. Bitches Brew • 5. The Theme • 6. Spanish Key
(Encore) • 7. The Theme.
Disc Three (Fillmore East, Friday, June 19, 1970) – Selections: 1. Directions • 2. The Mask • 3. It’s About That
Time • 4. I Fall In Love Too Easily • 5. Sanctuary • 6. Bitches Brew • 7. The Theme • Bonus
track (Fillmore West, April 11, 1970): 8. Miles Runs The
Voodoo Down.
Disc Four (Fillmore East, Saturday, June 20, 1970) – Selections: 1. Directions • 2. The Mask • 3. It’s About That
Time • 4. I Fall In Love Too Easily • 5. Sanctuary • 6. Bitches Brew • 7. Willie Nelson • 8. The Theme.
