Miles - Seven Steps

yawuh · September 29th, 2004, 05:06 AM

Well, the new box set is released. So far I've listened to all of the studio tracks and sampled each of the live sessions. Great sound on everything. I quite like the packaging too - nice white book, silver spine, etc. This plugs up an interesting gap in the dark prince's Columbia career, and it's got plenty of strong playing from Miles. It's interesting also to hear the rhythm section get more and more adventurous as the live recordings progress. I'm sure there will be plenty of revelations as my listening week continues.

No doubt Wayne was ultimately the right choice for the quintet, but I've got no problem listening to either Coleman or Rivers. Good stuff.

ferocious werewolf · October 1st, 2004, 11:12 AM

Got this one on order and hopefully should have it in a few days.

Despite this probably being the most obscure period in Miles's CBS years, this contains some of my favourite stuff by him, in particular the material that made up My Funny Valentine and Four and More. I hear these albums have been effectively reconstructed to give these pieces in concert order. I think that may take a little getting used to.

yawuh · October 1st, 2004, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferocious werewolf

My Funny Valentine and Four and More. I hear these albums have been effectively reconstructed to give these pieces in concert order. I think that may take a little getting used to.

I adapted right away, as the original performance order has a natural flow and pace to it. It is so far my favorite part of the boxset. What an outstanding concert that was.

jkelman · October 1st, 2004, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferocious werewolf

Got this one on order and hopefully should have it in a few days.

Despite this probably being the most obscure period in Miles's CBS years, this contains some of my favourite stuff by him, in particular the material that made up My Funny Valentine and Four and More. I hear these albums have been effectively reconstructed to give these pieces in concert order. I think that may take a little getting used to.

No adapting necessary. As great as those two albums were, to hear things in proper order restores a much better sense of pacing. For those of you who haven't read them, there are three extended reviews of the box up on the site:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=14858 - by yours truly
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=14742 - by the esteemed Colin Fleming
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=14731 - by the inestimable Jim Santelle

Best!
John

gregk · October 2nd, 2004, 07:25 AM

I'm REALLY enjoying this box. I had forgotten how good this transitional period was. I already had the Japanese issue of Miles in Tokyo so I'm familiar with the Sam Rivers material, but the Philharmonic concert and the others are just so good too. I really like George Coleman's playing with this group. This is a great boxset. Nice packaging too! All 7 of these look so nice lined up on my shelf, I almost don't want to touch them now!

Hutch · October 7th, 2004, 07:21 AM

i for one won't be plopping down the cash for this one. when do you quit with miles? i have so much of his output that i don't even have the time to listen to all of it. i picked up the complete jack johnson sessions box set (when it was first released) and have yet to work completely through it. not to mention the hours and hours from his 2-CD japanese electric sets.

when do you say when? when does one even have the time?

yawuh · October 7th, 2004, 08:19 AM

I've found plenty of time, myself. I could say the same about all the Coltrane or Monk I've got - music for the rest of my life. Thanks to Columbia for getting all of Miles' output in complete collections like this.

Ceylon · October 7th, 2004, 09:10 AM

I think I will wait to the Mosaic LP edition. I want to compare the cd version to that of the lp but I'm not Bill Gates (and not even his employee). On the other hand, that probably won't stop me.

gregk · October 7th, 2004, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yawuh

I've found plenty of time, myself. I could say the same about all the Coltrane or Monk I've got - music for the rest of my life. Thanks to Columbia for getting all of Miles' output in complete collections like this.

I agree with you. I don't have the time but I somehow MAKE time for all this wonderful music. In the car, when exercising via an mp3 player, at work, sacrifice sleep if I have to. And, it's an investment for my kids (hoping they'll like it at least half as much as me!). I would never turn down a new release/reissue based on lack of time for listening.

BFrank · October 7th, 2004, 10:06 PM

If nothing else, it makes a great segue from the outstanding Blackhawk set. And it DOES have some VERY strong performances as well as the fantastic re-mastering. This might actually be the best of the metal spine sets - as hard as that is to believe.

jkelman · October 8th, 2004, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFrank

If nothing else, it makes a great segue from the outstanding Blackhawk set. And it DOES have some VERY strong performances as well as the fantastic re-mastering. This might actually be the best of the metal spine sets - as hard as that is to believe.

I'll agree with you. It's running neck-and-neck with the '65-'68 Quintet box for me as best of the lot. And that's the best of a very, very good lot!
John

mstfreejazz · April 1st, 2005, 04:49 AM

I am weighing purchasing the Seven Steps box versus the individual CD which are now re-issued. I am not a big fan of alternate tracks. Can someone give me feedback on which way to go?????

jkelman · April 1st, 2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstfreejazz

I am weighing purchasing the Seven Steps box versus the individual CD which are now re-issued. I am not a big fan of alternate tracks. Can someone give me feedback on which way to go?????

In this case, more than many, I think the box is essential. WHile there are some alternate takes on disk 1, the rest of the unissued stuff is either more material from the concerts, that couldn't fit on the original LP config, or actually unedited versions of the pieces (sometimes they'd edit for that same nasty LP length restriction).

This isn't like Jack Johnson (much as I love it), where there is take after take of the same track. These are all new tracks that really belonged in the first place, but couldn't due to technology of the time.

And, in fact the few alternate takes on Disc one are interesting, because they present different lineups (remember Seven Steps had a different lineup on side a and side b) playing the same material.
Best!
John

Mark13 · April 1st, 2005, 05:42 AM

Unless you're an absolute Miles-completist (like I am), just buy the individual disks. They're a lot cheaper and offer the same (wonderful) sound-quality. Great value for money!!!

Kevin Bresnahan · April 1st, 2005, 05:47 AM

The box set is great. It actually chops the individual sessions up nicely. I believe that "Miles In Berlin" and "Miles In Tokyo" are complete on individual discs. The "Four & More" + "My Funny Valentine" material is complete in "concert sequence" on two discs. Only the "Live in Europe" and "Seven Steps" material is divied up and even then, they divided up the "Seven Steps" material nicely i.e. most duplicate tracks are on another disc. I think it is one of the best jobs Sony has done in this series.

BTW, it is available for extremely low money at yourmusic.com. I got my copy from them for $35.

Kevin

September 29th, 2004, 05:06 AM	#1
yawuh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 550	Miles - Seven Steps Well, the new box set is released. So far I've listened to all of the studio tracks and sampled each of the live sessions. Great sound on everything. I quite like the packaging too - nice white book, silver spine, etc. This plugs up an interesting gap in the dark prince's Columbia career, and it's got plenty of strong playing from Miles. It's interesting also to hear the rhythm section get more and more adventurous as the live recordings progress. I'm sure there will be plenty of revelations as my listening week continues. No doubt Wayne was ultimately the right choice for the quintet, but I've got no problem listening to either Coleman or Rivers. Good stuff.

October 7th, 2004, 09:10 AM	#8
Ceylon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Israel Posts: 3	The Mosaic record set is on its way (11/15) I think I will wait to the Mosaic LP edition. I want to compare the cd version to that of the lp but I'm not Bill Gates (and not even his employee). On the other hand, that probably won't stop me.

October 7th, 2004, 10:06 PM	#10
BFrank User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NoCal Posts: 1,047	If nothing else, it makes a great segue from the outstanding Blackhawk set. And it DOES have some VERY strong performances as well as the fantastic re-mastering. This might actually be the best of the metal spine sets - as hard as that is to believe. __________________ Hip To It!

April 1st, 2005, 04:49 AM	#12
mstfreejazz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 264	Miles - Seven Steps Box vs LPs I am weighing purchasing the Seven Steps box versus the individual CD which are now re-issued. I am not a big fan of alternate tracks. Can someone give me feedback on which way to go?????

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October 1st, 2004, 11:12 AM	#2
ferocious werewolf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 73	Got this one on order and hopefully should have it in a few days. Despite this probably being the most obscure period in Miles's CBS years, this contains some of my favourite stuff by him, in particular the material that made up My Funny Valentine and Four and More. I hear these albums have been effectively reconstructed to give these pieces in concert order. I think that may take a little getting used to.

October 2nd, 2004, 07:25 AM	#5
gregk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 557	I'm REALLY enjoying this box. I had forgotten how good this transitional period was. I already had the Japanese issue of Miles in Tokyo so I'm familiar with the Sam Rivers material, but the Philharmonic concert and the others are just so good too. I really like George Coleman's playing with this group. This is a great boxset. Nice packaging too! All 7 of these look so nice lined up on my shelf, I almost don't want to touch them now!

October 7th, 2004, 07:21 AM	#6
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas, USA Posts: 196	i for one won't be plopping down the cash for this one. when do you quit with miles? i have so much of his output that i don't even have the time to listen to all of it. i picked up the complete jack johnson sessions box set (when it was first released) and have yet to work completely through it. not to mention the hours and hours from his 2-CD japanese electric sets. when do you say when? when does one even have the time?

October 7th, 2004, 08:19 AM	#7
yawuh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 550	I've found plenty of time, myself. I could say the same about all the Coltrane or Monk I've got - music for the rest of my life. Thanks to Columbia for getting all of Miles' output in complete collections like this.

April 1st, 2005, 05:42 AM	#14
Mark13 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 86	Unless you're an absolute Miles-completist (like I am), just buy the individual disks. They're a lot cheaper and offer the same (wonderful) sound-quality. Great value for money!!!

April 1st, 2005, 05:47 AM	#15
Kevin Bresnahan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 332	The box set is great. It actually chops the individual sessions up nicely. I believe that "Miles In Berlin" and "Miles In Tokyo" are complete on individual discs. The "Four & More" + "My Funny Valentine" material is complete in "concert sequence" on two discs. Only the "Live in Europe" and "Seven Steps" material is divied up and even then, they divided up the "Seven Steps" material nicely i.e. most duplicate tracks are on another disc. I think it is one of the best jobs Sony has done in this series. BTW, it is available for extremely low money at yourmusic.com. I got my copy from them for $35. Kevin