The Last Miles

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Miles Live!

If you really want to hear the best of Miles during the final decade of his life, then a good place to start is his live recordings. The music Miles recorded in the studio was transformed on-stage, where it was enhanced, extended and often presented in fresh and exciting ways. For a long time, little of Miles’s live music was available from official sources, but the picture is improving (although many great gigs remain unreleased). Here is a run-down on what’s available on the high street.

Worldwide

We Want Miles

We Want Miles

Miles, trumpet, keyboard; Mike Stern, guitar, Bill Evans, sax; Marcus Miller, bass, Al Foster, drums; Mino Cinelu, percussion.

  1. “Jean-Pierre”
  2. “Back Seat Betty”
  3. “Fast Track”
  4. “Jean-Pierre” (short version)
  5. “My Man’s Gone Now”
  6. “Kix”

Recorded during Miles’s 1981 tour of the US and Japan, it is a superb documentary of one of Miles’s best bands of this era. Highly recommended.

Star People

Star People

  1. “Come Get It” Featuring the same band that recorded We Want Miles, “Come Get It” is a storming rock-funk number recorded in August 1982.
  2. “Speak” Two changes for this band – Marcus Miller is replaced by Tom Barney on bass and Mike Stern is joined by John Scofield on guitar. So far, the only official release of Miles’s two-guitar band of 1982/3. Recorded February 1983 at Austin, Texas.

Decoy

Decoy

  1. “What It Is” Recorded at the 1983 Montreal International Jazz Festival, this hyperactive number features a driving beat and ferocious bass line from Darryl “The Munch” Jones.
  2. “That’s What Happened” Recorded at the same venue and with the same group, this is actually an edited version of “Speak”.

Live Around The World

Live Around The World

During the late 1980s, Miles and his management were trying to persuade Warner Bros to release a live album comprised of soundboard recordings made by concert sound engineer Patrick Murray. The request was turned down and it wasn’t until 1996 – five years after Miles’s death – that we finally saw the release of this album. Most of the cuts are taken from Murray’s 1988-1990 soundboard tapes, with “Hannibal” coming from Miles’s last concert at The Hollywood Bowl on 25 August 1991 (recorded by Don Kurek).

  1. “In A Silent Way” Recorded Indigo Blues Club, New York, December 1988. Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Joey DeFrancesco, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Marilyn Mazur, percussion.
  2. “Intruder” Same date, venue and group as above.
  3. “New Blues” Recorded Greek Theatre, LA August 1988 Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Marilyn Mazur, percussion.
  4. “Human Nature” Recorded Graz, Austria in November 1988Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Joey DeFrancesco, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Marilyn Mazur, percussion.
  5. “Mr Pastorius” Recorded Montpelier, France April 1989 Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Kei Akagi, keyboards; John Beasley, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion.
  6. “Amandla” Recorded Rome, Italy July 1989 Miles, trumpet; Rick Margitza, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion.
  7. “Wrinkle” Recorded Montreux Jazz Festival, July 1990 Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Richard Patterson, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Erin Davis, percussion.
  8. “Tutu” Recorded same date, venue and group as above.
  9. “Full Nelson” Recorded Osaka, Japan August 1988Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Marilyn Mazur, percussion.
  10. “Time After Time” Recorded JVC Jazz Festival, Chicago June 1989 Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion.
  11. “Hannibal” Recorded Hollywood Bowl, LA, 25 August 1991 Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Deron Johnson, keyboards; Richard Patterson, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums.

Miles At Montreux

The Complete Miles Davis At Montreux 1973-1991

Bits and pieces of Miles’s music from the Montreux Jazz Festival concerts had long appeared on bootlegs, special project albums or albums only available in Europe, so it was great news for fans of Miles’s later music when this sumptuously packaged boxed set emerged in 2002. Consisting of 20 discs (two cover the 1973 concert and another, a short concert in Nice in 1991) these are all untouched soundboard recordings. The list below ignores the 1973 concert and the 1991 Montreux appearance, when Miles performed the music of Gil Evans with two orchestras. Acclaimed Miles discographer Enrico Merlin has produced a superb sessionography of these recordings, which is posted on Paul Tingen’s Miles Beyond website at http://www.miles-beyond.com/sessionspost80.htm

July 8 1984 (Afternoon Concert)

Miles, trumpet; Bob Berg, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; John Scofield, guitar; Darryl “The Munch” Jones, bass, Al Foster, drums, Steve Thornton, percussion

  1. “Speak”
  2. “Star People”
  3. “What It Is”
  4. “It Gets Better”
  5. “Something’s On Your Mind”
  6. “Time After Time”
  7. “Hopscotch/Star on Cicely”
  8. “Bass Solo”
  9. “Jean-Pierre”
  10. “Lake Geneva”
  11. “Something’s On Your Mind.”

July 8 1984 (Evening concert) Same line-up

  1. “Speak”
  2. “Star People”
  3. “What It Is”
  4. “It Gets Better”
  5. “Something’s On Your Mind”
  6. “Time After Time”
  7. “Hopscotch/Star On Cicely”
  8. “Bass Solo”
  9. “Jean-Pierre”
  10. “Lake Geneva”
  11. “Something’s On Your Mind” (reprise)
  12. “Code MD”

July 14 1985 (Afternoon concert)

Miles, trumpet; Bob Berg, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; John Scofield, guitar; Darryl “The Munch” Jones, bass, Vince Wilburn Jr, drums, Steve Thornton, percussion

  1. “One Phone Call/Street Scenes”
  2. “Star People”
  3. “Maze”
  4. “Human Nature”
  5. “MD1/Something’s On Your Mind/MD2”
  6. “Time After Time”
  7. “Ms Morrisine”
  8. “Code MD”
  9. “Pacific Express”
  10. “Katia”
  11. “Hopscotch”
  12. “You’re Under Arrest”
  13. “Jean-Pierre/You’re Under Arrest/Then There Were None”
  14. “Decoy”

July 14 1985 (Evening concert) Same line-up

  1. “One Phone Call/Street Scenes”
  2. “Star People”
  3. “Maze”
  4. “Human Nature”
  5. “MD1/Something’s On Your Mind/MD2”
  6. “Time After Time”
  7. “Ms Morrisine”
  8. “Code MD”
  9. “Pacific Express”
  10. “Katia”
  11. “Hopscotch”
  12. “You’re Under Arrest”
  13. “Jean-Pierre/You’re Under Arrest/Then There Were None”
  14. “Decoy”

July 17 1986

Miles, trumpet; Bob Berg, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Robben Ford, guitar; Felton Crews, bass; Vince Wilburn Jr, drums, Steve Thornton, percussion; George Duke, keyboards (“Tutu” and “Splatch”); David Sanborn, sax (“Burn,” “Portia,” “Jean-Pierre”)

  1. “One Phone Call/Street Scenes”
  2. “New Blues”
  3. “Maze”
  4. “Human Nature”
  5. “Wrinkle”
  6. “Tutu”
  7. “Splatch”
  8. “Time After Time”
  9. “Al Jarreau”
  10. “Carnival Time”
  11. “Burn”
  12. “Portia”
  13. “Jean-Pierre”

July 7 1988

Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Benny Rietveld, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Marilyn Mazur, percussion

  1. “In A Silent Way”
  2. “Intruder”
  3. “New Blues”
  4. “Perfect Way”
  5. “The Senate/Me And You”
  6. “Human Nature”
  7. “Wrinkle”
  8. “Tutu”
  9. “Time After Time”
  10. “Movie Star”
  11. “Splatch”
  12. “Heavy Metal Prelude”
  13. “Heavy Metal”
  14. “Don’t Stop Me Now”
  15. “Carnival Time”
  16. “Jean-Pierre”
  17. “Tomaas”

July 21 1989

Miles, trumpet; Rick Margitza, sax; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Benny Rietveld, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Munyungo Jackson, percussion; Chaka Khan vocals (“Human Nature”)

  1. “Intruder”
  2. “New Blues”
  3. “Perfect Way”
  4. Hannibal”
  5. “Human Nature”
  6. “Mr Pastorius”
  7. “Tutu”
  8. “Jilli”
  9. “Time After Time”
  10. Jo-Jo”
  11. “Amandla”
  12. “The Senate/Me And You”
  13. “Wrinkle”
  14. “Portia”

July 20 1990

Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; vocals “In The Night”; Richard Patterson, bass, vocals “In The Night”; Ricky Wellman, drums, Erin Davis, percussion

  1. “Perfect”
  2. “New Blues”
  3. “Hannibal”
  4. “The Senate/Me And You”
  5. “In The Night”
  6. “Human Nature”
  7. “Time After Time”
  8. “Wrinkle”
  9. “Tutu”
  10. “Don’t Stop Me Now”
  11. “Carnival Time”

July 8 1991

Miles played the music he’d recorded with Gil Evans in the 1950s and 1960s. Two orchestras (the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band and Gil Evans Orchestra) were conducted by Quincy Jones. Kenny Garrett was the only member of Miles’s current band to play at the concert.

July 17 1991, Nice, France

Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Deron Johnson, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Richard Patterson, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums.

  1. “Perfect Way”
  2. “New Blues”
  3. “Hannibal”
  4. “Human Nature”
  5. “Time After Time”
  6. “Wrinkle”

Miles Davis Live In Poland

Miles Davis Septet Live in Poland 1983

A CD of the famous 1983 concert in Warsaw. It also includes three tracks from Miles’s 1981 concert in Japan: “Ursula,” “My Man’s Gone Now,” and “Aida.”

This concert had a big impact on Miles, because he mentioned it in his autobiography and talked about how the Polish people had made him welcome. The band comprised of Miles (trp and key); John Scofield (g); Bill Evans (sax); Robert Irving III (key); Darryl Jones (b); Al Foster (d) and Mino Cinelu (per). The repertoire was mainly from the albums Star People and Decoy and included a rare live performance of the blusey number “That’s Right.”

Miles Miles Miles
Album back cover
Miles Miles Miles
The booklet includes a photo of Miles and Foley – who didn’t join the band until 1987!
Miles Miles Miles
Booklet track listing and personnel information. Note the band played “Speak” three times! There are also three tracks from Miles 1981. Note these tracks were recorded in Japan, and not New York, as stated on the album
Miles Miles Miles
The booklet includes an interview Miles did with the late jazz trumpeter and Miles biographer Ian Carr, plus photos of the band members, in this case John Scofield
Miles Miles Miles
Bill Evans

Japan-only release

Miles Miles Miles

Miles! Miles! Miles!

Recorded on 4 October 1981 on Tokyo, this double-disc set wasn’t released in Japan until 1996. It’s a record of Miles’s comeback concerts and is notable for featuring the unedited version of “Jean-Pierre” which appears on We Want Miles. Miles was very sick on this tour and not at his best, but the rest of the band rally around. Miles, trumpet, keyboard; Mike Stern, guitar, Bill Evans, sax; Marcus Miller, bass, Al Foster, drums; Mino Cinelu, percussion.

  1. “Back Seat Betty”
  2. “Ursula”
  3. “My Man’s Gone Now”
  4. “Aida”
  5. “Fat Time”
  6. “Jean-Pierre”
Miles Miles Miles
The back cover of the album
Miles Miles Miles
Disc and booklet
Miles Miles Miles
The two discs
Miles Miles Miles
First pages of booklet
Miles Miles Miles
The booklet includes an extensive interview with Miles in Japanese (natch!)
Miles Miles Miles
There are some great photos from the tour included in the booklet
Miles Miles Miles
The back pages of the booklet
Miles Miles Miles
The rear of the booklet

European Releases

Due to quirks in copyright laws, a number of official and semi-official live albums have been released in Europe. All the discs listed below were purchased in major music stores on high streets in Europe.

Munich Concert

Munich Concert

A terrific, value-for-money, three-disc set released in early 2006 that features the music from Miles’s Live in Munich DVD (recorded July 1988), plus the 35-minute track “Call It Anything” from the 1970 Isle of Wight concert! Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Benny Rietveld, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Marilyn Mazur, percussion

  1. “Perfect Way”
  2. “Human Nature”
  3. “Tutu”
  4. “Splatch”
  5. “Heavy Metal Prelude”
  6. “Heavy Metal”
  7. “Don’t Stop Me Now”
  8. “Carnival Time”
  9. “Tomaas”
  10. “New Blues”
  11. “Portia”
  12. “Hannibal”
  13. “The Senate”
  14. “Me And You”
  15. “Wrinkle”
  16. “Time After Time”

Fat Time

Fat Time

A single-disc version of Miles! Miles! Miles! Miles, trumpet, keyboard; Mike Stern, guitar, Bill Evans, sax; Marcus Miller, bass, Al Foster, drums; Mino Cinelu, percussion.

  1. “Back Seat Betty”
  2. “Ursula”
  3. “My Man’s Gone Now”
  4. “Aida”
  5. “Fat Time”
  6. “Jean-Pierre”

Avignon Concert

“From His Last Concert In Avignon”

Actually recorded in Miramas, France in February 1988. This double-disc set includes the only available version of “Wayne’s Tune” [correct title “Bookends”]. Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Robert Irving III, keyboards; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Darryl Jones, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Rudy Bird, percussion

  1. “Intruder”
  2. “New Blues”
  3. “One Phone Call/Street Scenes”
  4. “Perfect Way”
  5. “The Senate/Me And You”
  6. “Tutu”
  7. “Movie Star”
  8. “Splatch”
  9. “Time After Time”
  10. “Wayne’s Tune”
  11. “Full Nelson”

Time After Time

Time After Time

Although the CD cover suggests these recordings are from Miles’s US tour, the line-up suggests this was recorded in Europe in early 1989. Miles, trumpet; Kenny Garrett, sax; Foley, lead bass; Kei Akagi, keyboards; John Beasley, keyboards; Benny Rietveld, bass; Ricky Wellman, drums; Munyungo Jackson, percussion.

  1. “Jilli”
  2. “Hannibal”
  3. “Intruder”
  4. “Star People”
  5. “Perfect Way”
  6. “Mr Pastorius
  7. “Human Nature”
  8. “Tutu”
  9. “Time After Time”
  10. “Full Nelson”
  11. “Me And You”
  12. “Carnival Time”

Miles In Montreux

Miles in Montreux

Recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 21 1989 Miles, trumpet; Rick Margitza, sax; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Benny Rietveld, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Munyungo Jackson, percussion; Chaka Khan vocals (“Human Nature”)

  • “Intruder”
  • “New Blues”
  • “Perfect Way”
  • “Hannibal”
  • “Human Nature”
  • “Mr Pastorius”
  • “Tutu”
  • “Jilli”
  • “Time After Time”
  • “Jo-Jo”
  • “Amandla”
  • “The Senate/Me And You”
  • “Wrinkle”
  • “Portia”

Live Tutu

Live Tutu

Recorded in Perugia, Italy, July 1989. Miles, trumpet; Rick Margitza, sax; Kei Akagi, keyboards; Adam Holzman, keyboards; Foley, lead bass; Benny Rietveld, bass, Ricky Wellman, drums, Munyungo Jackson, percussion

  1. “Human Nature”
  2. “The Senate/Me And You”
  3. “Jo-Jo”
  4. “Tutu”

North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis

North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis

A very nice CD/DVD package of a concert played on 13 July 1985 at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague, Netherlands. Sadly, only part of the concert is on CD, and although the DVD disc features additional music, there is still plenty missing. Even so, it’s a good release to have, especially if you’re a fan of Miles’ 1985 band (which I am!). The band was: Miles, tpt and key; John Scofield g; Robert Irving III, keys; Bob Berg, sax; Darryl Jones, b; Vince Wilburn Jr, d; Steve Thornton, per.

North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis
Back cover

The CD listing:

  • “Street Scenes”
  • “Star People”
  • “Maze”
  • “Human Nature”
  • “Something’s On Your Mind”
  • “Time After Time”
  • “Ms. Morrisine”
  • “Code M.D.”
North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis
The package include a booklet and additional liner notes

DVD tracks:

  • “Street Scenes”
  • “Star People”
  • “Maze”
  • “Human Nature”
  • “Something’s On Your Mind”
  • “Time After Time”
  • “Ms. Morrisine”
  • “Code M.D.”
  • “Pacific Express”
  • “Medley: Katia/Jean-Pierre/You’re Under Arrest/Then There Were None”
North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis
Booklet and CD and DVD discs
North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts Miles Davis
There are informative liner notes by Jeroen de Valk

However, the track listings on the CD package and booklet are not fully accurate and it’s well worth heading for the excellent Kind of Blue website for the correct information – it’s also a superb resource for anyone interested in Miles’ music, whatever era!

Miles Davis Merci Miles! Live at Vienne CD cover

Merci Miles! Live at Vienne

Recorded barely three months before Miles’ death, this album documents a band on fire. With the group pared down to a sextet, there’s plenty of room for the music to breath and for everyone to stretch out. Miles is in excellent form on both open and muted horn. Highlights include, extended versions of ‘Hannibal’ and ‘Human Nature,’ two Prince tunes, and a powerful band jam finale driven along by the powerhouse drumming of Ricky Wellman.

For more information on this album go to our albums section.

The Man With The Horn
The Man With The Horn
We Want Miles
We Want Miles
Star People
Star People
Decoy
Decoy
You're Under Arrest
You're Under Arrest
Aura
Aura
Rubber Band
Rubberband
Tutu
Tutu
Siesta
Siesta
Amandla
Amandla
Dingo
Dingo
The Hot Spot
The Hot Spot
Doo-Bop
Doo-Bop
Live Around The World
Live Around The World
Montreux 1973 - 1981
Montreux 1973 - 1991
Miles Alive
miles alive
Miles Davis Trilogy
Miles Davis Trilogy
Time After Time
Time After Time
Miles Davis Perfect Way
Perfect Way
Miles Davis Hollywood Bowl 1981
Hollywood Bowl 1981
Miles Davis Original Classics
Original Classics
Miles Davis Complete Columbia Collection
Complete Columbia Collection
Tutu Deluxe Edition
Tutu Deluxe Edition
Montreal Concert
Montreal Concert
miles-davis-1986-1991-the-warner-years-3d-promo-100
1986 - 1991 Warner Years
the-perfect-miles-davis-collection-100
Perfect Miles Collection
otc-1-100
On The Crest Of The Airwaves
miles-davis-the-last-word-box-set-cover-100
The Last World
tutu-d1-100
Tutu Deluxe LP
The Rubberband Album
Rubberband
Music Inspired by Birth of the Cool
Music from Birth of the Cool
Miles Davis Original Album Series
Original Album Series
Miles Davis Merci Miles CD
Merci Miles! Live at Vienne
See also
  • Miles 80s Music Collections - a round up of various Miles compilations from the 1980s
  • The Man With The Horn Album Primer - An Introduction To Miles’ 80s album
  • We Want Miles Album Primer - An Introduction To Miles’ live album from 1982
  • Star People Album Primer - An Introduction To Miles’ album from 1983
  • Decoy Album Primer - An Introduction To Miles’ album from 1984
  • Miles Live - a round up of the various Miles live albums from the 1980s
The Last Miles: The Music Of Miles Davis 1980-1991: UK editionUK edition

The Last Miles:
The Music of Miles Davis
1980-1991

A Book by George Cole

The Last Miles is published by Equinox Publishing in the UK and the University of Michigan Press in the USA.

The Last Miles: The Music Of Miles Davis 1980-1991: USA editionUSA edition

 

Buy online from
click to buy at Amazon.co.uk
and in the USA from
Click to buy at Amazon.com

Contact George Cole at

The Last Miles

  • intro
  • albums
  • dvd
  • singles
  • other audio
  • books
  • gigs
  • cd
  • interviews
  • profiles
  • bands
  • memorabilia
  • photos
  • art
  • about

praise for The Last Miles

“The best Miles Davis book ever.” Randy Hall, singer/guitarist/producer, who worked with Miles in the 1980s

“An important book.” Brian Priestley, co-author of ‘The Rough Guide to Jazz’, jazz pianist, critic and reviewer

“Very moving, emotional material.” Gordon Meltzer, Miles’s last road manager and executive producer of the ‘Doo-Bop’ album

“George Cole’s writing, his choice of references, his descriptions of many incidents – it is all so clear and respectful, and shows a deep understanding.” Palle Mikkelborg, composer, arranger and producer of the ‘Aura’ album

“Wow! What a great book. Finally, something that really gets it right. Thank you for capturing what was going on, the mood, everything.” Adam Holzman, Miles’s keyboardist and musical director 1985-1989

“Wonderful job, congratulations! An immense amount of work must have gone into it, I can't even imagine. But it was very cool to see that era of Miles treated with the same respect as every other… someone gets it!” Benny Rietveld, Miles's bassist 1988-1990

“The book is wonderful. Congratulations for your very important contribution to the historical documentation of many [musicians] who would otherwise have been overlooked!!!!” Robert Irving III Miles’s musical director 1983-1988

“I have to say that you did a marvellous job! It brought back strong memories of that time periodand answered a number of questions I had, especially the chapter on the Rubberband sessions. A brilliant job!” Patrick Murray, who worked on the road with Miles from 1986-1990 and was Miles’s concert sound mixer from 1988-1990

“It is truly an excellent body of work that literally takes a reader from hearing rumours to realising truths about the Chicago group and our collective take on the Miles Davis comeback.” Glenn Burris, co-writer of "Shout"

“The most immediate impact that this book had on me was to make me listen again to Miles’ later recordings with a completely regenerated ear and this really is the reason why this book works so well and is an essential read for any true Miles Davis appreciator… you will be hard pressed to find a more inspirational read, written by a man who quite simply loves Miles Davis’ music.” Mike Chadwick, Ejazz.fm

“There are large chunks of fresh material here… Fill[s] in quite a few gaps and dismisses blanket condemnations of [Miles’s] pop phase.” Stephen Graham, Jazzwise

“Cole does for Miles’ late work what Ian Macdonald’s ‘Revolution In The Head’ does for The Beatles, examining each album in meticulous detail.” John Lewis, Time Out

“Cole’s analysis has a meticulous, forensic character… [and] is able to bring a wealth of new information to light…. This book should get people talking. It should be the first rather than the last word on an intriguing chapter of the life an extraordinarily complex artist. And Davis’s vanity would surely have loved that.” Kevin Le Gendre, Independent on Sunday

“The book is beautiful. I think you did a great job on covering Miles’s life and legacy.” Sid Reynolds, hip-hop producer

“GREATFUCKINJOBWITDABOOK” Foley, Miles’s lead bassist 1987-1991

“Cole’s certainly produced a fascinating book.” Chris Ingham, Mojo

“As with any good musical biography, Cole had made me think again about those albums such as Siesta, You’re Under Arrest, The Man with the Horn, that are now stashed in my attic.” John Bungey, The Times

“I thought it was wonderful. It’s a very detailed look at a certain part of the career and life of Miles Davis. A lot of people didn’t pay attention to this and I’m glad that George Cole took the time to focus on these final years of Miles’s life.” Easy Mo Bee, co-producer of Doo-Bop

“Many people have come to me in the past about how the "last miles” bands had been overlooked and ignored by journalists. This book is a comprehensive answer to these omissions. From my discussions with musicians from the latter years with Miles it seems pretty clear they feel some vindication as a result of this book. I thank you sincerely for telling our story. Most everything I have read is as close to my memory of how things happened as any book could hope to be. I think you've done a wonderful job.” Darryl Jones, bassist with Miles 1983-85, 1986-1988

“The title is likely to send most jazzbos running, with received wisdom having handed down the rule that in the 80's Miles was only good for playing live; and half of that was just the pleasure of seeing him in person. For a single man to take on the 400-page+ task of changing popular opinion is a very tall order indeed. For him to make you want to actively revisit the decade in question is a near-miracle. Detailing album histories and giving final verdicts, Cole has made every effort to lay the evidence out bare. The analysis could have been a chore were it not for the presence of first-hand interviews with all the major players, making this not just a scholarly study, but a tribute to the man himself, And for a book such as this, you learn more about Davis that could have been expected.” Jason Draper, Record Collector

“There simply hasn’t been another book published on Miles Davis, in any period that has managed to obtain the wealth of interview material and cover his recorded work and various live tours in such a complete and comprehensive fashion… Engagingly written from start to finish, filled with more facts than you’ll be able to remember first time through, The Last Miles is an essential portrait of Miles’ last decade and a strong argument that his music was both valid and perfectly in keeping with a musical philosophy that would ultimately stretch over six decades.” John Kelman, All About Jazz.com

“We veterans of Miles’ last bands are lucky to have such a thorough and insightful look into Miles last period… I really enjoyed the book!” John Scofield, Miles's guitarist 1982-1985

“Cole has spoken to practically everyone who worked with Miles in his final decade. He has traced the evolution of each of those final albums, cut by cut, splice by splice….[Miles] comes out of Cole’s account larger, warmer and if anything even more important than ever.” Brian Morton (co-writer of The Penguin Guide to Jazz), The Wire

“Through lively analyses of all Miles’ recorded work from this period and much that went unreleased, including the ‘lost’ album Rubberband, [Cole] does enough to send readers back to the original albums.” Simon Evans, Choice

“… Cole is a persuasive writer: he prompted me to go and dig out albums that I'd dismissed as inconsequential and listen again with fresh ears. … A rewarding read.” Charles Waring, Blues & Soul

“Cole takes us on an exhaustive journey deep into the heart of Miles’ late recordings… The Last Miles needs to be covered by working musicians, producers and Miles’ fans alike.” Livingstone Marquis, Straight, No Chaser

“ George Cole has written a book that should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in Davis’ life and work irrespective of which period of his music you prefer. It offers a valuable insight into this most complex of personalities, and reveals a side to Miles that many may not have known existed…for this reader it has prompted a re-examination of this decade which has revealed a fascinating area of music that I had previously overlooked.” Nick Lea, Jazzviews.co.uk

“In the flurry of books since [Miles Davis's] death, none has dealt in depth with the music of this period. Music writer George Cole fills this gap… It is so detailed and intimate that the reader feels he is virtually living with Davis as he seeks to reinvent himself… a rich and rewarding read.” Irwin Block, The Montreal Gazette

“This is a must for every Miles fan.” Neal Gardner, Blogcritics.org

“A fantastic book, an amazing insight into Miles.” Guy Barker, jazz trumpeter

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“For Miles fans, this book is a must.” Jez Nelson, presenter BBC Radio Jazz on 3

“I really do recommend The Last Miles… it is a fine work.” John Cavanagh, presenter Radio Scotland’s Bebop to Hip-Hop

“A great book that plays a great tribute to the last years of Miles’ life.” Erik Telford, presenter Miles Radio.com

“The fact of having personally interviewed all those characters… without much recall to interviews already noted and the usual anecdotes, renders “The Last Miles” as excellent… a book that certainly is seen as a work of reference.” Maurizio Comandini, All About Jazz.com Italy

“[Cole] has written a comprehensive account of the comeback and the albums it produced… He takes the reader through each of the albums, cut by cut, examining the musical choices, the musicians and their successes… Cole's book is a valuable resource on the last 11 years of a true music legend's life.” Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press

“I've been thoroughly enjoying your book. I'm sure it'll go a long way towards rectifying some of the negative historical appraisals of Miles' later works that have become prevalent.” Kei Akagi, keyboardist in Miles's band 1989-1990.

“Cole gives an exhaustive account of every track recorded [and, it seems, every live show] in that decade and of every one of the dozens of musicians who played on them but what's most interesting is the portrait of Miles Davis that emerges from it all. Sometimes an asshole and a bully, yes, but also a very funny guy who was a good friend to many and a mentor to even more, a man with drug problems who was more often in great pain from other maladies. Through it all, Davis was obsessed with moving his music forward with anyone who could help him do it - from Prince to Public Enemy, from Scritti Politti to a violinist he saw on Johnny Carson and hired on the spot.” Rock & Rap Confidential

“I thought your book was awesome and straight to the point. To tell stories the way it really happened is nothing but the truth! Congratulations and thanks!” Ricky Wellman, Miles's drummer 1987-1991

“George Cole has made a major contribution to jazz scholarship… written over a three-year period, the degree of detail is quite astonishing and the research so extensive that it becomes possible to contradict claims made by Miles himself in his autobiography. Every track on every 1981-1991 album is discussed in length… a very valuable book.” Chris Yates, The Jazz Rag

“This book is a model of how these types of books should be… If late period Miles is in the readers’ interest, the reader should rush out and purchase this volume. It is invaluable.” Robert Iannapollo, ARSC Journal

The Last Miles was voted one of the top ten music books of 2005 by Record Collector magazine.

The Last Miles was joint winner of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Best Jazz History Book 2006 award.

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