Miles Davis "Bitches Brew"

A difficult lp to write about, this one. I know that it is influential and ground breaking and an exploration of new musical territory and all that and this is the sort of thing that I usually like. I am not enough of a musician to understand why the shape and form of this music is held to be so innovative nor why Miles Davis' occasional farts and toots on his trumpet make people get so excited. Although I would like to give praise and recognition to this record, I can only express how it strikes me on listening to it.

On the plus side, there is great subtlety and control expressed in the playing and the album is extremely well recorded. Considering how many musicians are all playing at the same time on some of the tracks (two or three drummers, two bassists, guitar, two keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet) and that much of the music is being created spontaneously, it is impressive that things do not sink into chaos. There is a strong tonal and rhythmic centre to all of the tracks and the musicians all appear to be playing with sufficient space not to get in each other's way. There is considerable organisational skill involved in bringing together musicians who have not played together much before and have them create a detailed, delicate backdrop for the lead instruments to play over.

However, I do not find the end result to be interesting, while acknowledging that it is skilful and clever. If this is an early example of jazz musicians being influenced by the rock style then they have failed to learn the one thing that makes rock music compelling, namely excitement. There is no dynamism to this music, no progression, no heading towards a climax, nothing that compels listening. It just exists. The consistent tonal and rhythmic centre mean that it is not that much of a challenge to listen to. To be honest, the biggest enemy is boredom. Nothing happens that makes this music hold my attention.

Particularly when John McLaughlin's guitar is audible, I am reminded of some of King Crimson's musical interludes (like those in "Pictures of a City" and "Moonchild"). However, being a rock group, Crimson remember to surround their outre musical exploration with actual songs. "Bitches Brew" sounds like Miles Davis got a group of musicians together and said I want to record an album that sounds like the middle section of "Pictures of a City".

Last thing, I was never that over keen on the title of the lp either.