Of all of the Miles Davis albums I own, and that’s quite a few, this is probably the one I come back to most. Live at the University of California’67 is a member of a select group of artists who managed to release a truly special live album. Remember those?!
This album features Davis’ second quintet and what a lineup: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Albert Stinson and Tony Williams. Each a maestro in his own right and Davis at his best. Listening to this on vinyl is a remarkable experience, few live recordings are able to draw the listener in to that recorded moment but this, originally broadcast on KALX Radio does just that.
The venue was the Harmon Gymnasium at the University of California, the date, April 7th, 1967. Listening to this I always wonder if the audience en mass realised just what they were witnessing. The sound, the vibe and the dazzling level of musicianship as Davis proved once again his genius at carving out new paths in the evolving jazz genre. This is a recording of one man harnessing the powers of four soloists to produce a cohesive and harmonious sound pushing the boundaries between the old and new schools.
It’s the one chance to hear ‘Dolores’ by this quintet, to hear Round Midnight, So what? and Stella by Starlight. It’s a beautiful album, heard on vinyl, late in the evening and you’re there in ‘67.
Further reading:
Corky McCoy’s artwork for Miles Davis
Categories: The Music Lounge
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