Requisites

‘Four’ & More ~ Miles Davis | By Eddie Carter

I begin this morning’s column with a fantastic live album by Miles Davis. ‘Four’ & More (Columbia CL 2453/CS 9253) hit the stores in 1966, following My Funny Valentine, a year earlier. Both records document a benefit performance at Philharmonic Hall for black voter registration in Louisiana and Mississippi. The sold-out concert was sponsored by the NAACP Defense Fund, Congress for Racial Equality, and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.  It emphasized Davis’s solidarity with these organizations and the people fighting racism in the south. Miles decided the quintet wouldn’t accept payment for their appearance.  This angered his bandmates, but they responded with ferocious, kick-ass solos!  George Coleman on tenor sax, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums complete the quintet.  My copy used in this report is the 2013 Stereo Audiophile reissue (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-376)!

Side One begins with a speedy rendition of Miles’s signature song, So What.  Ron and the rhythm section start quickly on the opening chorus segueing into the ensemble’s brisk theme. Miles launches a fierce attack on the first solo, then George moves with equal swiftness on the next statement. Herbie produces plenty of heat on the third reading while Ron and Tony provide the support structure into the finale. There’s only a second to breathe because the group jumps right into Walkin’ by Richard Carpenter. A brisk introduction by Miles leads to a blistering collective melody. Davis takes the reins first for a wild ride at a dangerously high speed. Williams gives a fine example of his brushwork next, then Coleman romps through the third solo with exuberant vitality, and Hancock swings vigorously on the final performance.

Joshua by Victor Feldman begins with the quintet’s heated theme. Miles takes off first on a furious flight. George fuels the next interpretation with a high-octane performance, then Herbie infuses the closer with youthful energy and enthusiasm anchored by Ron and Tony’s searing supplement into the song’s climax. Go-Go, the quintet’s theme follows as Master of Ceremonies, Mort Fega addresses the crowd and reintroduces the band accompanied by the audience’s ovation.

Four, a Miles Davis original begins Side Two with an uptempo melody. The leader kicks off the solos with rapid acceleration. Coleman matches the adrenaline rush on the second solo with brisk momentum.  Hancock charges into the third reading swinging up a storm and Williams makes a brief comment preceding the ensemble’s exit.

Seven Steps To Heaven by Miles Davis and Victor Feldman starts with a brief introduction by the trio ahead of the quintet’s zesty theme. Miles blazes into the opening statement with unbridled energy. Tony offers a considerable comment next, then George turns up the temperature on a torrid performance that slows down as he concludes. Herbie crafts an upbeat closing statement leading to the group’s out-chorus. The finale is There Is No Greater Love by Isham Jones and Marty Symes. The quintet starts at a medium beat with Miles stating the melody using a mute. He continues with a casual first chorus with only Carter anchoring a few verses. Coleman gives a marvelous interpretation also featuring the bassist prominently. Hancock takes the final spot to give a charmingly cheerful statement before Miles and the trio ends the song gently.

Miles states the melody of Go-Go on the mute, then goes to the open horn as the quintet ends the night behind Mr. Fega’s closing remarks acknowledging the members a final time. ‘Four’ & More was originally produced by Teo Macero, and Kreig Wunderlich of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab utilized the Gain 2 System for the reissue’s half-speed remastering from the original Stereo tapes. The record was pressed on 180-gram virgin vinyl. The sound quality is stellar, the vinyl is flat and absolutely silent until the music starts. The stereo separation is also mesmerizing, Miles is on both channels, Herbie’s on the left, George, Ron, and Tony are on the right. If you’re in the mood for some live jazz, I submit for your consideration, ‘Four’ & More by Miles Davis. It’s nearly an hour of swinging music that rewards its owner every time it’s on the turntable!

~ My Funny Valentine (Columbia CL 2306/CS 9106) – Source: Discogs.com
~ There Is No Greater Love – Source: JazzStandards.com
~ So What, Four, Seven Steps To Heaven – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter

More Posts: ,,,,,,,

© Notorious Jazz 2024