Best of 2007, Long Songs: Miles Davis

The countdown of the Top 10 long songs of the year continues:

6. Miles Davis - "Mr. Foster" (from "The Complete On The Corner Sessions," Columbia Legacy) 15 minutes, 16 seconds

Recorded Sept. 18, 1973. "Mr. Foster" unfolds like a blaxploitation score, Dave Liebman's tenor growing from a weep in the darkness to a declaration of resilience. Wah-wah'ed guitars and Al Foster's pulsating cymbal rides  dominate the track; Miles doesn't make a full statement until more than six minutes into the piece and his full-bodied playing gives the tune its shape over the last nine minutes. Rather than using Liebman's pronouncements as a starting point, he invests the tune with an air of caution before wandering to find a place to add heavy punctuation. It's a lean tune more rhythmically defined than melodically. Astonishing, therefore, that musicians stay the course for the full 15 minutes; more astonishing that this has never been released in any of the multitude of Miles resissues until now. 
Very cool footage can be streamed here.

Comments

[JazzAuteur]

On the Corner is a classic. If you find it moving, there is also a Miles box set release of the Complete Bitches Brew Sessions that were made in the same era. The vinyl double albums are part one and two of a four cd package. One and two provided me years of enjoyment. To find out that the unreleased second half is even better has me still rocking it years after finding it. Like On the Corner, it is beyond describing with words so I won't attempt. It comes with a 150 page Miles book bound by some of his original artwork. Definitely a collector piece and an education to anyone who loves real music. At 21:09, Lonely Fire on volume three will give you length, as will the 18:54 Recollections on volume four. Enjoy!