For those who are simply curious what you get this time around, this one contains 5 discs and a 120 page book in the now-familiar metal-spined (this one a black/bronze color) hardback book-in-slipcase, both of which are matte-black with glossy varnish prints of Miles in various poses. Inside is an 83 page book followed by the 5 discs in glossy black sleeves, follow by another 27 page book documenting the individual tracks. Musically, there are multiple takes of material that trickled out on other Miles releases throughout the early 70s (6 versions of "Willie Nelson" alone!) The original released versions of "Right Off" and "Yesternow" sum up the set as the last two tracks of disc 5. Some might balk at multiple back-to-back versions of song after song, but a quick run-through of the discs proves that the versions are so varied that each track is as mesmerizing as the last one. This is, conceivably, fodder for many years' worth of concentrated listening, doled out a little bit at a time (as I have done so with each boxset so far - this music is far too intense to truly comprehend in one sitting.)
As beautiful as the package is, I have to complain, as I do each time, about the book being glued into the binding. Having a removable book would prevent damage to the hardback cover, as its nearly impossible to read the content without breaking the spine to do so. A minor quibble, as the box will go on display with the rest of the Miles boxes for safekeeping while the discs find a new home in jewel-cases for worry-free travelling - of which they will see much, that is certain.
(Don't be a hippy freak, go to unproductivity for more groovy crap.)
Article comments
1 - James Russell
Electric Miles is a fearsome thing indeed. Nonetheless, I can't wait to get my hands on this. Actually I had a dream about it last night (no idea why), in which I found it in a record shop on a very high shelf with all the other Miles Davis box sets, and was aghast to discover it cost six hundred dollars. I was relieved to wake up from that dream, I must say, though I now have a terrible fear that when I do go to the record shop today the thing actually will have a $600 price sticker on it...
2 - Tom Johnson
Fear not, James, Best Buy lists it for $59.99, and I bought it at a local shop for $63.99 (check your Best Buy's availability via the site, as none in Phoenix had even a single copy.)
3 - Dave
$51.06, free shipping.
4 - Tom Johnson
Excellent price, Dave. I would have ordered it online, but I decided I needed to sacrifice a few dud-discs to get this one, and so traded enough to at least cut the price in half. Worth the loss off a few "once a year+ listen discs"? You bet!
5 - Mark Saleski
tom, do you like Jack Johnson better than In A Silent Way? Silent Way always resonated with me more, for whatever reason.
(still gotta get that one in its 'complete' form)
6 - Tom Johnson
You know, Mark, I somewhat do. Not that I dislike Silent Way. I just don't feel the punch connected with me on that one. It may just be that I'm, at heart, a rock-guy, and Jack Johnson's much more about rock than Silent Way was. It's something interesting to think about, and when I've gotten through my disc-a-day listening with the JJ set, I'll give Silent Way Sessions another spin with that in mind.
7 - Mark Saleski
i think i gravitate to In A Silent Way 'cause i enjoy embient stuff that kinda noodles around.
i tell ya though...the first time i listened to Jack Johnson i had no idea that that voice was gonna come in...i was listening to it very late at night...it scared the crap outa me!