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Miles Ahead session details

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May 19, 1970 (4 items; TT = 38:41)
Columbia Studio C, New York NY
Commercial for Columbia
Show chatter

Miles Davis (tpt); Steve Grossman (ss); John McLaughlin (g); Herbie Hancock (clavinet); Keith Jarrett (el-p, org); Gene Perla (el-b); Michael Henderson (el-b); Billy Cobham (d); Airto Moreira (perc)

1 Honky Tonk (take 2) (M. Davis) 10:04

Edited (5:53) on KG 33236 and equivalents; excerpt (0:49) on Columbia G 30954 and equivalents as part of "Sivad."
2 Honky Tonk (take 5) (M. Davis) 11:28
3 Ali (take 3) (M. Davis) 6:55
4 Ali (take 4) (M. Davis) 10:14


1 Honky Tonk (take 2)
12" LP: Columbia G 30954, Four Men with Beards 4M 809LP, Columbia KG 33236, Columbia C5X 45000, CBS/Sony SONP 50452/3, CBS/Sony SOPJ 88/9, CBS/Sony 28AP 2153/4, CBS/Sony 36AP 1773/4, CBS/Sony SOPJ 90/1, CBS/Sony 28AP 2163/4, CBS/Sony 36AP 1783/4
CD: Columbia C2K 63970, Columbia C2K 63970, Columbia Legacy C6K 06239, CBS/Sony 50DP 712/3, Sony SRCS 5726/7, Sony SRCS 9126/7, Sony SRCS 9741/2, Sony SIGP 22/3, Sony SICP 848/9, Sony SICP 1228/9, Sony SICP 20065/6, Sony SICP 30271/2, Sony SICJ 30096/7, Sony SICP 1581/6, Columbia Legacy 86975 24922

2 Honky Tonk (take 5)
CD: Columbia C5K 86359, Columbia C5K 90926, Sony SICP 431/5

3 Ali (take 3)
12" LP: CMG 19439860581
CD: Columbia C5K 86359, Columbia C5K 90926, Sony SICP 431/5

4 Ali (take 4)
12" LP: CMG 19439860581
CD: Columbia C5K 86359, Columbia C5K 90926, Sony SICP 431/5


The issued version of "Honky Tonk" (5:57) is edited from take 2:

Issued version Source
0:00-5:22 Take 2, 0:15-5:41
5:14-5:57 Take 2, 0:38-1:07

This is Jarrett's first studio session with Davis. He also joined the live group, now a Septet with two keyboards. This group soon hit the road again: Fillmore East, New York (June 17-20); Hampton Roads Coliseum (July 3); Central Park, New York (July 6); Hollywood Bowl (July 10); Randall's Island, New York (July 18); Madison Square Garden, New York (July 25); Shea Stadium, New York (August 6); SUNY Stony Brook (August 16); Berkshire Music Center, Tanglewood (August 18). At the end of the summer the Septet played at the Isle of Wight Festival (August 29).

Davis had various groups in the studio throughout the first half of 1970 -- fourteen dates in the first half of the year! Some of the music recorded in the studio during this period -- e.g. "Willie Nelson," "Honky Tonk," "The Mask" -- was immediately added to the live book. "Honky Tonk" was something of a signature tune while Jarrett was around.

There is a 2:39 remix of Honky Tonk" on Evolution of the Groove (Columbia Legacy 89152), featuring Charlie Drayton (d, ebo guitar, el-b), Habib Faye (el-b), Doyle Bramhall (g).

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