Audio CD review:
Miles Davis - Avignon-Last Concert

Miles Davis - Avignon-Last Concert

Band: Miles Davis Title: Avignon-Last Concert Rating: Release Date: 06 December, 2005 Media: Audio CD Tracks:

Customer Reviews The Editor Review is Wrong It's a review of the Editor Review above. This review is not about the CD. Don't you find it annoying when writers try to change history to fit a particular agenda? It has never been proven that Miles Davis died from HIV or AIDS. The official cause of death was diabetic complications and those of us who have experience with diabetes KNOW that stroke (what killed Miles) is a very real consequence of the disease. It's never even been proven that Miles even had HIV. Miles was furious when others asserted he had HIV. Miles claimed that was a rumor started by his x-wife Cicely Tyson. End of story. Miles may or may not have had AIDS. Nobody knows but his official cause of death had nothing to do with AIDS. I can't stand ignorant people who perpetuate here-say and rumor. Even the gay community has tried to make Miles some sort of gay hero. Rumors have asserted he was bi-sexual but there is not one, not one scrap of evidence, not one testimonial that relates witnessing Miles in a homosexual relationship. Personally, I don't give a rats whether someone is gay but I do hate the fact that there seems to be some gay people with an agenda that like to claim certain well known people were/are gay just because they would like to believe it is so. My guess is the person who wrote the feature review is one of those people. A Rough Gem That Is A Great Performance 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. Though there are no liner notes to the 1988 concert in Avignon, France, the recording probably was not re-mixed for release. 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. . . You can see a complete list of all Miles Davis discography, or go back to the Miles Davis tabs