Funky tonk, indeed. In the fall of 1971 the Miles Davis septet embarked on a 21 date tour of Europe. Captured for broadcast on Norwegian television was the ensemble’s ascendant set at Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway. A high water mark of this iteration of Davis’ band, the incendiary hour-plus set runs the voodoo down and back again with untethered performances from all involved. Edging into the beyond, Keith Jarrett appears especially possessed…
To download a lossless version of this set, visit (and bookmark) the always on-point Heat Warps who shared the tapes last year. Capturing the vibe of the evening’s performance, Heat Warps notes: “There’s an embarrassment of riches throughout this set; the powerful intro to “What I Say” that’s evolved into a tune into itself, Gary Bartz laying down an otherworldly solo in “Yesternow” as the ground constantly shifts beneath him, the way the septet locks into the groove to start “It’s About That Time”, Jarrett’s ultra-dramatic intro to “Funky Tonk”. Even the way the band stretches out for an extra-long “Sanctuary” while Henderson goes MIA is perfect. And as Miles packs his horn and walks off stage amid a torrent of percussion to close the show, we’ve witnessed it all. A veritable highlight reel of the 21-date tour in a single night.”
Directions | Honky Tonk | What I Say | Sanctuary | It’s About That Time | Yesternow | Funky Tonk (intro) | Funky Tonk > Sanctuary (closing theme)
Players: Miles Davis (trumpet), Gary Bartz (soprano sax, alto, sax), Keith Jarrett (Fender Rhodes piano, Fender Contempo organ), Michael Henderson (electric bass), Ndugu Leon Chancler (drums), Charles Don Alias (conga, percussion), James Mtume Forman (conga, percussion)
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