This concert excerpt was included in Teppei Inokuchi's film, Prince of Darkness
(1974). I have been unable to find a more complete recording.
Kind of Blue 005 is clearly a dub of the audio track of this film. In addition,
the CD includes six "Tribute to Miles" tracks by various Davis alumni -- Herbie
Hancock, Chick Corea, Ron Carter, John Scofield, Marcus Miller, among others --
that were done for Steve Rowland's The Miles Davis Radio Project,
broadcast by American Public Radio in 1990.
"Chieftain" was first recorded in the studio on
August 23. It is commonly performed in a medley
with "Rated X" during this period. The transition occurs when Henderson begins the
distinctive (and insistent) el-b vamp. I am grateful to Jim Szabo for discussion on
these tunes.
The Davis group and the Paul Winter Consort were booked for two nights at the Village
East. These were the first live performances since Davis broke both legs in an automobile
accident on October 19, 1972
(NYT report),
although there were several studio sessions in November-December.
Despite Davis' immobility, the group continued its live bookings: Toronto (January
24); Michigan State University Auditorium, East Lansing (January 26); Guthrie Theater,
Minneapolis (January 28); Tower Theatre, Philadelphia (March 2); Alexander Hall,
Princeton University (two shows, March 3). There were also apparently a number of
Columbia studio sessions during February, but none of the music from these sessions
has surfaced.
Davis was arrested on February 23 on weapons charges.
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