Miles in the Sky (Reis) [Original recording remastered]

Miles in the Sky (Reis) [Original recording remastered]

ASIN: B00000DCH3

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The cover image alone for this 1968 release speaks loudly and clearly of something different: it looks like some weird rock record. And while it's not exactly that, Miles in the Sky hints loudly at something new, an upstart sound that would upset jazz purists far more than if he'd just made a rock record. For better or worse, the fusion revolution's baby steps can be heard right here. Time-stretcher Tony Williams's drumming encroaches upon "square" rock rhythms on the opener, a deliriously minimalist 17-minute soul-funk-tango head trip titled "Stuff." There are premonitions of the full-blown electric era of Bitches Brew and Jack Johnson: Herbie Hancock plays electric piano on a few cuts, while George Benson's electric guitar augments Wayne Shorter's "Paraphernalia." This is easily among the finest of the second quintet's six discs: Tony Williams's drumming is fantastically in, out, and on top of the groove; Wayne Shorter blows post-bop nuggets; Ron Carter cuts thick, melodic grooves; Herbie Hancock lays down tone colors; and Davis subtly pushes the envelope of the music. --Mike McGonigal

Tracks:

Prayer in the Night
Senza Catene (Unchained Melody)
Canto Alla Vita
Vita Mia
Requiem for a Soldier (Band of Brothers)
Whisper of Angels
The Pearl Fishers
Soave sia il vento
Nimrod: Lux Aeterna
Song to the Moon
Zadok the Priest
Nessun Dorma

Amazon.com

The debut of the young, classically trained international quintet of sopranos Jo Appleby and Tsakane Valentine, tenors David Habbin and Geoff Swell, and basso Nick Garret offers up a familiar take on the crossover formula that has enriched everyone from genre pioneers The Three Tenors to Russell Watson and beyond. While their occasionally electro-pumped rhythms and youth-angled marketing shtick ("The world's first opera band!") may borrow a page from Opera Babes and Bond, it still manages to evoke the spirit (if not the letter) of its eclectic classical sources. And if the world hasn't exactly been burning for yet another dramatized update of Turandot's melodic "Nessun Dorma," The Pearl Fishers, or--for that matter--"Unchained Melody," Amici Forever's takes on the pop side of the crossover equation are indeed promising, recasting Alex North's "Unchained.." ("Senza Catene") and their reworked theme to the miniseries Band of Brothers("Requiem for a Soldier") in a successful, neo-classical light. If Neopolitan-shaded originals like "Canto Alla Vita" and "Vita Mia" sound like Josh Groban clones, their glorious harmonic vocal reworkings of Faure's "Pavane" ("Whisper of Angels") and Elgar's "Enigma Variations" ("Nimrod: Lux Aeterna") bristle with an ambitious sense of adventure that's missing from much of their crossover competition. Serious opera buffs may still quarrel with the daring "impurity" of it all, but if Amici Forever prod a few more pimply punters to peruse Puccini, won't it all have been worth it? --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

great choice.......2007-01-11

this was a gift for family. family member loves album quality and selections.

Brilliant offering.......2007-01-10

Amici Forever is suberb in every way. Their arrangements are exceptional and the original lyrics are perfect poetry.

Easy Listening.......2006-09-21

Bought the album after hearing someone talk about the group. Thought the voices were okay (baritone was the best) but in some songs didn't blend properly. Selection of pieces was interesting . . . pop, classical, opera. Good album for "background" music.

Very Relaxing Music.......2006-09-11

I first heard it at a shop that sells English products. I thought it was interesting to hear and decided to get the CD for myself. I find the chorus very relaxing especially the last song which nearly put me to sleep as I am doing my homework. Amici Forever is a good CD to listen to when you have nothing to do or to soothe your wracked nerves.

What more can you expect?.......2006-08-04

CD was delivered quickly, in excellent shape, and for a great price. What more can you say? George

Average customer rating:

Miles in the Sky
Apotheosis of T. Williams
One of my favorites
What a difference a drummer makes
Stuff

Miles in the Sky
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000DCH3
Release Date: 1998-10-13

Tracks:

Stuff
Paraphernalia
Black Comedy
Country Son
Black Comedy (Alternate Take)
Country Son

Amazon.com

The cover image alone for this 1968 release speaks loudly and clearly of something different: it looks like some weird rock record. And while it's not exactly that, Miles in the Sky hints loudly at something new, an upstart sound that would upset jazz purists far more than if he'd just made a rock record. For better or worse, the fusion revolution's baby steps can be heard right here. Time-stretcher Tony Williams's drumming encroaches upon "square" rock rhythms on the opener, a deliriously minimalist 17-minute soul-funk-tango head trip titled "Stuff." There are premonitions of the full-blown electric era of Bitches Brew and Jack Johnson: Herbie Hancock plays electric piano on a few cuts, while George Benson's electric guitar augments Wayne Shorter's "Paraphernalia." This is easily among the finest of the second quintet's six discs: Tony Williams's drumming is fantastically in, out, and on top of the groove; Wayne Shorter blows post-bop nuggets; Ron Carter cuts thick, melodic grooves; Herbie Hancock lays down tone colors; and Davis subtly pushes the envelope of the music. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Miles in the Sky.......2007-01-07

This was the record that pointed towards fusion, and while I'm generally a Miles fan, I can't really get into the fusion stuff. But this is the best thing he ever did in the jazz-rock field, with George Benson contributing guitar on some songs. Why he didn't continue in this direction with fusion is beyond me: the Quintet with John McLaughlin would've worked a lot better than those twenty or so people Miles dragged in to play on Bitches Brew and such. A couple of the tunes are a bit longwinded, maybe - you may get bored with Stuff about halfway through, which is too bad because it really takes off in the end - but this is a great set of material just the same, with a couple of songs that rank among Miles' best (Paraphernalia; Black Comedy), and the then-young Tony Williams proving himself to be a capable, interesting, talented drummer.

Apotheosis of T. Williams.......2006-07-12

Anthony Williams'propulsive drumming is the centerpiece of this recording, particularly his work on both versions of "Country Son", which has resisted induction into the pantheon of Miles compositions, for it being perhaps desultory and a melange of genres. Who cares? Herbie Hancock is particularly funky, auguring his work evidenced in the Warner Bros. collection. And Miles is effective in understated poignancy (again, particularly on "Country Son"). I've combed the T. Williams archives for evidence of a performance as integrated and polyphonic and powerful as his performance here and in my inexpert opinion his work on MiTS is matchless. He may have played faster, with more technical proficiency or fury subsequently, but he never played better.

One of my favorites.......2006-06-06

As the first plugged-in Miles record (even if only one song features electric piano and bass), this album is not so much the harbinger of things to come as it's often portrayed, but an interesting set of ideas in space. Miles and his second quintet could easily blow you away with phrasing, lyrics lines and solos, but this record has a certain understatement to it, especially Paraphenalia. While Tony William's drumming is always just bubbling up but never quite ready to explode, Miles and Wayne Shorter repeat the head -- cutting in and out but keeping Williams and guest George Benson from taking the track away from the subdued groove. "Black Comedy" is the busy track on the record, also featuring Tony Williams and strong soloing from Mr. Miles.

In the extensive Miles Davis canon, MILES IN THE SKY is often bypassed in favor of NEFERTITI or FILLES DES KILIMINJARO, its immediate predecessor and follower, respectively. That's certainly a shame, as this record more than stands on its own. I would even go as far to recommend this record as a starting point for new Miles fans -- you get a very well rounded view of what Miles has done, is doing at this moment, and will do in the future. Best of all, it's often budget-priced (for some reason I cannot understand) and a very worthy addition to any music fan's library.

What a difference a drummer makes.......2006-03-06

When it comes to Miles's "Second Great Quintet," much is made of "Miles Smiles" and "Nefertiti" as classic albums, but I had heard next to nothing about this one. However, when I bought "E.S.P." and it blew my mind, I picked this one up along with all the other albums by this group: Wayne Shorter on saxophone, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. This album may not receive as much attention as others of the period, but it deserves just as much praise as the undisputed classics. I think there are certain things this album does BETTER than "Miles Smiles" and "Nefertiti;" when the rhythm section is playing straight time, they have never sounded more in the pocket or swung harder than here. Then within the confines of a few seconds they can break out of their perfect groove and just explode, and again, it's more effective here than any of the other albums. Central to this aspect of the music is that Tony Williams gives what was probably the best performance of his tenure with Miles. The man was a MONSTER drummer and displays major drum chops but also excellent taste and an amazing knack for shaping what the rest of the band was doing.

Part of the reason Williams's contributions are their very best is that the material plays to his personal strengths. The tunes themselves may not be the best compositions in this band's discography but they are vehicles for some killer playing. "Stuff" is the band's first obvious foray into what would become fusion; Hancock plays Fender Rhodes and Carter plays electric bass (against his will), and Williams pushes the band with his still unmatched jazz-rock feel. Then "Paraphernalia" features George Benson on guitar, but not in some kind of special guest feature gimmick common in the music industry today. Benson is there because his guitar adds to the texture of the intriguing groove, at times almost sounding like something from out of "West Side Story" but with an explosive release which lifts the band and individual soloists to new heights. Williams is absolutely brilliant in his support and energy, and it's often as interesting to listen to his "background" as it is to listen to the soloists. Williams's composition "Black Comedy" is a fantastic feature for this same role; he makes drums into a voice of equal partnership in the musical ideas. Then "Country Son" features truly inspired playing from everyone.

File this album under difficult to understand and appreciate. It took me seven years of heavy exposure to jazz before I could really appreciate or even like this band. It's not a good place to be introduced to Miles and though it is rock influenced on some tunes it doesn't make for a good crossover. But if you want to get into some fantastic, creative, energetic music, try following this band's recorded lineage, starting with "E.S.P." which is the most accessible of the band's music, as it was the first. Once you appreciate the creative depth of this band's explorations, it will make this album all the more enjoyable and amazing.

Stuff.......2006-01-13

I began listening to Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" because I had gotten interested in the Plugged Nickel stuff. Unexpectedly, I immdiately found myself latching on to the last and least famous of the Quintet's albums - "Miles in the Sky".

This album had a right to claim to be Miles Davis' first fusion recording. Although he had already begun using electric instruments by 1967, and was already dressing very oddly (see the back of the Nefertiti LP), this was the first example of Miles' fusion that was actually released. And of the four tracks on the album, to me the first is by far the best.

"Stuff" is a seventeen minute Motown groove featuring Herbie Hancock on electric piano, and a rather mutinous Ron Carter on electric bass (an instrument he loathed!) The haunting, noodly melody is played in unison by Miles and Wayne Shorter, repeating over and over while the rhythm section lays down a slow, funky beat. Then just when you're getting hypnotised by the repeated phrasing, Miles Davis plays a (probably pre-composed) counter-melody that comes as an electric shock to the beat. The solo following is perfect, a structured and logical improvisation that alternately builds up and dissipates tension, often with loud screeches. Wayne Shorter's solo is just as good. Then Herbie Hancock plays a solo, his electric piano giving a quite different vibe to the sound than the acoustic piano. Just when you wonder how the piece is going to come to a conclusion, it simply stops.

This is the beginning of the Miles Davis fusion period, and a piece I keep coming back to. You won't find it mentioned in any books about Miles Davis, nor in any reviews of his albums. Nevertheless, I think Stuff is a masterpiece, and deserves wider recognition.

The rest of the album is less dear to me. Paraphernalia became quite a common standard for Miles' groups, even into the Bitches Brew era. Black Comedy and Country Son are less interesting to me, especially the dodgy tape-splicing on Black Comedy.

Average customer rating:

Opera for a new generation!
Fantastic, new, refreshing
THE BEST CLASSICAL CROSSOVER ALBUM OF 2004
THE BEST ALBUM ON THE PLANET
Great Easy Listening

Opera Band

Manufacturer: BMG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000C24K7
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

Prayer in the Night (After Sarabande by George Frideric Handel) [Classi
Senza Catene (Unchained Melody)
Canto Alla Vita
Vita Mia
Requiem for a Soldier (Theme from Band of Brothers)
Whisper of Angels (After Pavane by Gabriel Faur[Classic Mix]
Peurs de Perles/The Pearl Fishers
Cosan Tutte/Soave Sia il Vento
Lux Aeterna (After Nimrod from Enigma Variations)
Rusalka/Song to the Moon
Zadok the Priest
Turandot/Nessun Dorma
American Trilogy
Olympia: Eternal Flame
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)
Jupiter (After Jupiter from the Planets by Gustav Holst)

Album Description

Asian edition of the classical crossover act's 2003 album features 15 tracks including 3 exclusive bonus tracks, 'Adeste Fidelis' ('O Come All Ye Faithful'), 'Prayer In The Night' ('Cala La Notte') (Classic Mix), & 'Whisper Of Angels' (based on Faure's 'Pavane') (Classic Mix). Arista/BMG.

Album Details

Asian Version featuring Three Bonus Tracks: "Adeste Fidelis (Oh Come all Ye Faithful)", "Prayer in the Night (Cala La Notte)", and "Whisper of Angels (Based on Faure's Pavane - Classic Mix)".

Customer Reviews:

Opera for a new generation!.......2005-05-25

This quintet of gorgeous young singers from Europe and South Africa bring opera to a new generation who is so familiar with pop bands and pop singers. Their looks alone are enough to turn heads as well as their voices which blend well. I've seen Amici Forever perform live and the choreography and sets really bring a fresh perspective to what most people would think of as stuffy old opera. Each singer takes turns singing lead vocals on each song and they don't over power each other's vocals like Il Divo.
Definitely give this album a try!

Fantastic, new, refreshing.......2005-03-23

I have to admit, I am a sucker for classical, anything classical, the remote taste of classical and I'm hooked. But, it wasn't one of their classical crossovers that hooked me, it was Whisper of Angels which caught me in their net. My friend made me listen to it, and I was hooked invariably forever.

The brighter soprano, Jo Appleby, just makes my kness weak, and the bass baratone, Nick Garrett is absolutely amazing, he adds the deep, richness undertones to all of the songs. Tsakane Valentine, the other soprano, has a softer, richer voice, it's definately a lower range soprano, because Jo Appleby tends to outshine Tsakane with her very clear voice. The two tenors, Geoff Sewell and David Habbin are just amazing.

When I bought the album, I listened to it for hours on end. If mine didn't have a large scratch in it, it'd still be in my CD player, playing away happily. I plan on buying a new one as soon as I have the money.

This music is inspiring, honestly, Band of Brothers, Zadok the Priest, Senza Cante (Unchained Melody), Prayer in the Night, all of them are just breath taking, it truly makes me want to pick up my voice lessons and get my vocal chords trained even better.

I will warn you, though, that if you're really not into opera, if you don't like the sound of the operatic voice, perhaps look into Amici Forever first. Go to their website and watch the music video for Senza Cante, or listen to clips of the music, make sure you love it before you buy it. There's no sense in wasting amazing art.

THE BEST CLASSICAL CROSSOVER ALBUM OF 2004.......2004-12-31

I HAVE JUST READ THAT BILLBOARD MAGAZINE HAVE RATED THIS ALBUM THE 2ND BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR.....ONE BEHIND JOSH GROBAN'S CLOSER THE ONLY MISTAKE THEY MADE IS THAT THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT #1 !!! IT IS TRULY SENSATIONAL AND THE VOICES ARE MAGNIFICIENT.
IF THIS IS THE KIND OF MUSIC YOU LISTEN TO YOU WOULD BE DOING YOURSELF A KINDNESS IN TREATING YOURSELF TO IT.

ALL THE TRACKS ARE SUPERB AND EVEN THE BONUS TRACKS (WHICH ARE INVARIABLY NOT UP TO STANDARD) ARE GLORIOUS.

THIS BAND DESERVES TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND IS THE MOST REFRESHING THING TO COME OUT OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR A DECADE AT LEAST!

EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU LIKE OPERA (UNFORTUNATE TITLE BY THE WAY!) YOU WILL LOVE AMICI FOREVER - AS IT JUST HAS EVERYTHING AND THE ORCHESTRAL ARRANGEMENTS AS WELL AS THE VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE SIMPLY MOUTHWATERING.

PERSONALLY I ONLY HOPE THEY RELEASE A FOLLOW UP SOON OR I WILL HAVE WORN THIS ONE AWAY!!

A HUGE FAN OF AMICI FOREVER

THE BEST ALBUM ON THE PLANET.......2004-09-29

Having bought this album just recently I cannot get over the fantastic talents that are Amici forever. I was even lucky enough to recently see them in the US in concert at Atlantic City last weekend and live they are even more sensational. They are true stars and their album is the best of the best. So put away the rest and buy The Opera Band. If you like opera but in bite size chunks, sung beautifully, this is one you should definitely add to your WISH LIST now.

Great Easy Listening.......2004-08-31

First heard the Opera Band on TV and forget their name. Failed to find them on the Net as I did not have their correct name. Went into the local music store and there they were again in the background. Worth buying for their version of Lux Aeterna and Zadok the Priest. Looking forward to their next offering.

Average customer rating:

Classic Miles from the SILENT WAY period
Underrated Miles Classic !
Great CD by Miles Davis, modern instruments, "funky" grooves

Miles in the Sky
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002888
Release Date: 1993-06-15

Tracks:

Stuff
Paraphernalia
Black Comedy
Country Son

Customer Reviews:

Classic Miles from the SILENT WAY period.......2001-08-17

An easy bookend album to the classic IN A SILENT WAY, this may be less well known but that only makes it a greater "find." If you like Miles' work on IN A SILENT WAY, you'll find this album familiar in the most pleasant way, some cuts as good or better, sounding almost like the second disk of a 2-record set, even though the percussion on this album is more jazz than rock, which probably will make this album more palatable to lovers of Davis in the pre-fusion days. Lovely tunes, some lead work at least as inspired as that on SILENT WAY, and an all-star cast of musicians make this essential Miles for any fan of this pivotal period. I was happy to discover that there was more Miles to be had along the lines of SILENT WAY, and the roster of players clinched the purchase decision -- I snapped this up without hesitation and was well rewarded. This is a new favorite in my Davis collection of CDs.

Underrated Miles Classic !.......1998-12-14

From the opening seconds, when Tony lays down a rock rythym and you hear Herbie's Fender Rhodes, Miles has embarked on a new path. The feel is unbeatable on "Stuff" and "Black Comedy" is one of his best late sixties cuts. For me though, "Country Son" is the standout with its range of emotions and styles, its combination of hard blues and free playing. George Benson guests on "Paraphenalia", before he was world famous. This record is one of my personal favorites. Get it!

Great CD by Miles Davis, modern instruments, "funky" grooves.......1998-08-07

Miles Davis plays pretty modern music, using mostly electric instruments. Even though the tunes are modern and have "funky" grooves, the players still have great, "old styled" improvisations. Good CD, one of the best of that time.

Average customer rating:

Miles in the Sky
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

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Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000A3H6XG
Release Date: 2000-06-21

Tracks:

Stuff
Paraphernalia
Black Comedy
Country Son
Black Comedy (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Country Son (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1968 album includes 2 bonus tracks TBA and comes packaged in a digipak. Sony. 2005.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Dsd Remastering. Also features Two Bonus Tracks: "Black Comedy" (Alternate Version) and "Country Son" (Alternate Version).

Average customer rating:

Between Lies And Melodies
Track Fighter
Manufacturer: Beverly Martel Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000RQL5S8

Product Description

10-track CD on Beverly Martel Music.

Average customer rating:

Miles in the Sky
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004VUJV

Tracks:

Stuff
Paraphernalia
Black Comedy
Country Son
Black Comedy [Alternate Take][*]
Country Son [Alternate Take][*]

Album Description

Japanese reissue of the late jazz great's 1957 album originally released on Columbia. Remastered & packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. 2000 release.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Dsd Remastering. Also features Two Bonus Tracks: Black Comedy (Alternate Version), Country Son (Alternate Version)

Average customer rating:

Classic Miles from the SILENT WAY period
Underrated Miles Classic !
Great CD by Miles Davis, modern instruments, "funky" grooves

Miles in the Sky
Miles Davis
Manufacturer: Tristar
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000020HD
Release Date: 1993-06-15

Tracks:

Stuff
Paraphernalia
Black Comedy
Country Son
Black Comedy [Alternate Take][*]
Country Son [Alternate Take][*]

Customer Reviews:

Classic Miles from the SILENT WAY period.......2001-08-17

Underrated Miles Classic !.......1998-12-14

Great CD by Miles Davis, modern instruments, "funky" grooves.......1998-08-07

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