Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114832 in Music
• Released on: 2008-07-15
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .27 pounds

Album Description
Miles Davis was a towering a figure in the world of Jazz music throughout his long recording and performing career, playing the trumpet like no one else could. His significance can never be understated and his artistry is as crucial to the development of Jazz as was the great Louis Armstrong. Davis laid the foundation for musical innovation to expand beyond it's perceived boundaries through his sheer genius and attention to every detail of a performance. These two discs document his final concert performance before his tragic passing. 'The Man With The Horn' was clearly not ready to go as he valiantly fought against the HIV disease that robbed him of life. To the end, his artistry ever evolving and not to be missed. Delta 2005

Customer Reviews

A Rough Gem That Is A Great Performance
Though there are no liner notes to the 1988 concert in Avignon, France, the recording probably was not re-mixed for release. And that's what makes the two CDs outstanding; a little rough at times, but you hear what was performed by Miles and his group in truly a live format.

There are times when the keyboards (Robert Irving III & Adam Holzman), bass (Darryl Jones), percussion (Ricky Weltman & Rudy Bird) or guitar (Foley) overwhelm the mix, but it takes nothing away from the playing of Miles or Kenny Garrett (alto sax, flute).

A Miles solo introduces Tutu, and the sonic boom of the keyboards then gets the band smoking through a heavy rock rhythm, sparked by Foley's guitar. The quirky Movie Star is a prelude to the band stretching out on Splatch. What is a concert standard, Time After Time, leads into some of Miles best trumpet work - Wayne's Tune - with the first CD ending with a Marcus Miller composition, Full Nelson.

The second CD finds Miles and the band in full rock motion. A surprise - after Intruders and New Blues - is the hot rendition of One Phone Call/Street Scenes, which I have felt was a nod Miles gave to the energy of the punk rock movement.

Another regular live number - Perfect Way - gives way to a pair of Prince compositions, The Senate/Me And You. Though the collaboration never came close to reaching its full artistic potential, Miles had shown great interest in working with Prince on a number of future projects. These live numbers only demonstrate the possibilities that could have been reached in later years.

Miles is feeling good, as his playful banter with the band members keeps the stage vibes loose and light. Avignon: The Last Concert (it was the final performance of Miles in Avignon) is a gem that was released in 2004 and shows yet again why a Miles concert was special for the fans and musicians.