The Miles Davis Story

TMDS

TMDS


The Miles Davis Story – I’m embarrassed to say that I know nearly nothing about Miles Davis, one of the most important musicians of our era, it is said, and a major cultural icon as well. So when I saw this DVD in the public library, I jumped at a chance to watch it and learn.

The story wanders through Miles Davis’ life, interviewing him, his fellow musicians, biographers, ex-wives and girlfriends. It does a great story of bringing to life the musical magus as he was known and loved. We learn about his upbringing in Saint Louis, how he fathered three children while still in his teens, his musical upbringing, the throat operation that left him with a raspy voice and his first big breaks. Then there is the early first trip to Europe, where he got an enthusiastic reception and was treated as an equal. He got a scarf from a French girlfriend that he always wore. There’s the anecdote about how, when he was already very famous, how he was three hours later for a concert in Venice. Facing an angry crowd that has been kept waiting a very long time, he lifted up his trumpet to play, and within 25 seconds you could hear a pin drop in the audience. Bizarre, freaky musical discipline with an eagle eye towards innovation. “Keith, you know why I don’t play ballads any more? Because I like playing ballads so much.”

Miles Davis was a good cook too, cooked up fish for Bill Evans.

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