Miles Davis - A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971)

Guybrush · 08-23-2010, 07:19 AM

This is a discussion thread for the Miles Davis' jazz-rock/fusion album "A Tribute to Jack Johnson". It was the homework for week 33 in the Prog & Fusion Album Club, but of course anyone can join in the discussion.

A little about the album :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philster

Miles Davis - A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971)

But! Since we have a classic prog album for people who start to get into this (after Wyatt), I'd like to suggest a classic and influential fusion album for later listening and discussions. I'm thinking Miles Davis' Tribute to Jack Johnson (1970), which is praised as one of the first and most influential fusion albums. It is in line with Davis' Bitches Brew (also 1970), which might be too long to listen to for a review club like this, but also strongly recommended. Both albums sound strongly drug influenced and have a more spheric and dirty sound than some later fusion bands, like e.g. Chick Coreas Return to Forever, who sounds very thought through, composed and a bit "sterile" compared to Bitches Brew or Jack Johnson. So check it out if you have time!

So, let us know whatcha think of it!

Guybrush · 08-23-2010, 07:26 AM

I need to give this a few more spins before it sticks, but I definetly have some ideas already formed. First off, I have to say it's by far the rockiest Miles Davis album I've ever heard. It starts with John McLaughlin playing rock chords for Darwin's sake. McLaughlin doesn't sound like himself at all, it's like he's gone back to basic and just pulls out these nasty chords over the whole thing. We got some simple, traditional rock beat with Miles and John improving over it. There's more to it of course, but from what I've heard so far, that seems the jist of it. It's like an ugly rock/jazz improv that somehow still manages to sound good.

I don't know how this was planned or how or even why they made this at all. What a strange album! I like it though

Jedey · 08-23-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

I don't know how this was planned or how or even why they made this at all. What a strange album! I like it though

"Tribute to Jack Johnson" is one of my fave Miles albums from that period, it started as a soundtrack for a documentary on Jack Johnson but since the documentary didn't do well the album sales suffered but I think it's the perfect bridge between "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew".

debaserr · 08-25-2010, 08:38 PM

this album is certainly on my radar and will receive a proper listen or few sometime soon. i have been too busy lately.

KMS · 08-31-2010, 08:10 PM

It's my second favorite, after Bitches Brew.

RilohMarx · 11-03-2010, 05:50 PM

Up til' about a week ago I had only ever heard a few songs, like Right Off and Yesternow. A friend just gave me the Complete Jack Johnson Sessions, and I have to say: Christ Jesus. On the Corner has always been my sh*t, but I think I might be converted. I'm a huge McLaughlin fan- so to hear him do something so rock-based is awesome. If you've only heard the first one, the Complete Sessions are definitely something worth checking out.

Howard the Duck · 04-17-2011, 07:40 AM

probably the best jazz-rock album EVER?

starrynight · 04-17-2011, 09:00 AM

I heard Bitches Brew again recently and didn't like it. Whether something is first or influential is again not important to me. I haven't heard that Chick Corea album that was mentioned yet but I know he was capable and maybe it is a case here of just a comparision with a 'rock' bias and comparing styles which aren't comparable.

Gregor XIII · 04-17-2011, 03:58 PM

I don't really care for Right Off, but Yesternow is really, really good. So I voted Good overall. Much prefer On the Corner.

starrynight · 04-18-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

probably the best jazz-rock album EVER?

Why? Because Miles Davis is in it?

I agree with the previous comment that Right Off is perhaps a bit of a wright-off. Romantic Warrior has some claim to be one of the greatest fusion records ever, it's consistent. Even more ironic then with the comment before that wrote off the Return to Forever group.

View Poll Results: How would you rate the album?
Horrible!	0	0%
Bad	0	0%
Mediocre	0	0%
Good	3	25.00%
Very Good	2	16.67%
Brilliant!	7	58.33%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

08-23-2010, 07:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I need to give this a few more spins before it sticks, but I definetly have some ideas already formed. First off, I have to say it's by far the rockiest Miles Davis album I've ever heard. It starts with John McLaughlin playing rock chords for Darwin's sake. McLaughlin doesn't sound like himself at all, it's like he's gone back to basic and just pulls out these nasty chords over the whole thing. We got some simple, traditional rock beat with Miles and John improving over it. There's more to it of course, but from what I've heard so far, that seems the jist of it. It's like an ugly rock/jazz improv that somehow still manages to sound good. I don't know how this was planned or how or even why they made this at all. What a strange album! I like it though __________________ Something Completely Different

08-25-2010, 08:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
debaserr eat the masters Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,470	this album is certainly on my radar and will receive a proper listen or few sometime soon. i have been too busy lately. __________________ Last.FM

11-03-2010, 05:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
RilohMarx Groupie Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: the South Posts: 9	Up til' about a week ago I had only ever heard a few songs, like Right Off and Yesternow. A friend just gave me the Complete Jack Johnson Sessions, and I have to say: Christ Jesus. On the Corner has always been my sh*t, but I think I might be converted. I'm a huge McLaughlin fan- so to hear him do something so rock-based is awesome. If you've only heard the first one, the Complete Sessions are definitely something worth checking out. __________________ "Free your mind and your ass will follow."

04-17-2011, 03:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gregor XIII Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 57	I don't really care for Right Off, but Yesternow is really, really good. So I voted Good overall. Much prefer On the Corner. __________________ Agnes Varda's Le Bonheur + thoughts on women in Akhmatova and Mizuguchi: The Centrifugue

08-31-2010, 08:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
KMS Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 117	It's my second favorite, after Bitches Brew.

04-17-2011, 07:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	probably the best jazz-rock album EVER?

04-17-2011, 09:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	I heard Bitches Brew again recently and didn't like it. Whether something is first or influential is again not important to me. I haven't heard that Chick Corea album that was mentioned yet but I know he was capable and maybe it is a case here of just a comparision with a 'rock' bias and comparing styles which aren't comparable.