Average Customer Review:
 ( 24 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 Big FunAug 05, 2000
By M. Walker
I bought this album in London earlier this summer, where it has been available for some time, and is actually quite popular. This sales clerk nodded and said he thought it was an excellent album (or, I believe more accurately "that's a good one, there"). I also think it is an excellent album, though a bit scattered and disorganized in the arrangement of the songs and especially in the personnel and set information, and if you are interested in Miles Davis' funk 70s period (from Bitches Brew to Pangea) then I suggest buying this album. Like much of Miles Davis' music of this period, the interest doesn't lie in the melodies, or in the individual solos, but in two things; the overall buildup and cataclysmic weight of the songs themselves (all over 20 minutes), and the short sections where the whole band just seems to catch the groove (as Miles would say) and you feel it pass over you as well. It's a hard feeling to describe, and not everyone can catch it, but it's really what music is all about-and you can find it on this album. The music of this period has been described as 'seismic' or 'earth-shattering'; perhaps a bit overwinded, but accurate nonetheless.
25 of 26 found the following review helpful:
"Kind of Blue," This Ain't.Nov 22, 2002
By The Groove
If the idea of listening to an album featuring tracks that clock in at least 20 minutes doesn't appeal to you, "Big Fun" may not be your type of groove. This is not an album for those who suffer from a short attention span. It's not for those who still have conservative notions about what jazz should sound like. And it's certainly not for those who aren't open-minded enough to appreciate Miles Davis' era called the "electric" period. "Big Fun" ranks up there with "Bitches Brew" and "Get Up With It" as another double-CD fusion masterpiece. Miles's trumpeting is still in exceptional form, but on this album, he incorporates rock, funk, and a dash of blues into the mix. Many of the players that appeared on the "Bitches Brew" album return here, as well as Herbie Hancock. "Go Ahead John," which is the opening track on disc two, defies categorization: for nearly 30 minutes, the track swings stylishly between rock, soul and jazz featuring fierce electric guitars, great drum work, fine trumpeting from Davis, and nice sax from Steve Grossman. "Lonely Fire" is a seductive, near-ambient work of minimalism showing Davis on trumpet, Bernie Maupin on bass, as well as some light percussion. "Ife," which was written while Davis was working on his "On the Corner" album, is a suave and funky number with "1970s" written all over it, featuring a great bassline from Michael Henderson. "Big Fun," which is digitally remastered, also has four additional rare tracks which also appear on the "Bitches Brew" box set (also a must-own). While other musicians were settling into their comfort zones, Miles Davis continued to push boundaries and defy musical traditions. "Big Fun" is an incredible work of fusion that's almost guaranteed to get heavy rotation on your CD player.
31 of 34 found the following review helpful:
 Yes, this really is jazz.Mar 28, 2003
By spiral_mind
It doesn't swing, there are almost no acoustic instruments and it's light-years away from the upbeat easy-bopping that the word 'jazz' conjures up in many people's minds. But Miles was one to make traditions, not follow them, and jazz has always been about spontaneity and change. His "electric" period in the first half of the 70s was all about wild grooves, head-spinning experimentation and following his curiosity. And I'm not an expert by any means, but I rank Big Fun right at the top (alongside Jack Johnson and Pangaea) as one of the most accomplished albums of this phase. It's exotic, it's spontaneous, it's rhythmic and cool, it's world-beat funk jazz like almost nothing else you're likely to hear.How to describe this stuff? It's based in groove, but embellished with layers of inventive playing that keep it from ever sounding monotonous. "Ife" finds all kinds of variations on a four-note bass vamp. "Go Ahead John" bounces and swaggers all over the place, featuring a McLaughlin solo that's absolutely sick. Joe Zawinul's "Recollections" is the least funky of all the songs, instead floating through 18 minutes of a cozy dream haze. I agree with the poster below who said that it should come after "Trevere," not before. There's a wonderful cast of talented characters breathing life into the music with a bright rainbow of vibrant colors - Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Jack DeJohnette, Wayne Shorter, Airto Moreira, Chick Corea.. the cast list alone is astounding. The group lineups range from a basic five to a cunningly orchestrated eleven. It even expands on the general sound of Miles's groups at the time; in addition to the crazy horns and variety of electric keyboards, Big Fun has plenty of tabla, tambura, sitar and more Indian instruments than any jazz band outside of Shakti. And in the middle of it all is Miles: directing and guiding every step of the process, bringing all these people of different backgrounds together, weaving their contributions into a dazzling whole and fearlessly forging into new territory with a vengeance.. even if his sidemen themselves didn't even know where they were going. It's a shame Big Fun is so often overlooked in the shadow of the monumental Brew that came before. It's more accessible, more upbeat, more variegated.. more fun. Those who didn't like B-Brew for its weird trippiness and meandering noodlings should still find plenty to like here.. those who liked it in the first place should enjoy this just as much. Those merely curious about electric Miles.. go look up A Tribute to Jack Johnson first, then come here once you're hooked.
19 of 22 found the following review helpful:
A Musical Odyssey Not For The Faint At Heart . . .May 03, 2001
There are not enough words in the English Language to adequately describe the music of Miles Davis, particularly the 1969-1975 Electric Period, for some of the most creative, memorable, innovative and controversial music of the 20th century was produced during this time. "Big Fun" is a perfect example of this, as it a unique compilation of mood-inspiring songs created during this period. As a virtual sonic collage, it takes you on a musical journey to the outermost regions of Miles' mind with every listen; each time you will find something new, fresh, exciting and different than what you heard before. From the Eastern-tinged magic of "Great Expectations/Orange Lady" that bounds with sitars and tablas, to the pure psychadelic funk of "Ife", to the brooding introspection of "Lonely Fire", to the peace, serenity and spritual vibrations of "Recollections", this album shows that Miles was truly ahead of his time. His ability to invoke, sustain and maniuplate moods and emotions in his music was unparalled and hasn't been matched before or since. Simply put, "Big Fun" is to be experienced, not just heard.
I've read earlier reviews of "Big Fun" and other Miles Electric albums. There are legions of people (like myself) who understand the power of this music, and with an open mind and patient ear, they can taste, touch and feel the place inside where Miles is taking them - and they are more than willing to take that journey. However, there are many people (as it was 30 years ago) who can't dig Miles' electric musings. They refuse to acknowledge anything past "Kind of Blue" or "Sketches In Spain" or "Stella by Starlight". His earlier works are all true masterpieces and are revered as they should be. But those misguided and misinformed people felt betrayed by his need and desire in 1968 to expand, broaden and transcend his musical horizons into a territory that no one travelled to before. They say things like: "the songs are too long", "it's just a bunch noise", "he sold out jazz", etc, etc, etc . . . Well to all of you (past and present) with that mentality, I would like offer my sincere condolences, because if you can't feel the power, passion and pure originality of albums like "Big Fun", "Bitches Brew", "On The Corner", "Live-Evil", "Get Up With It" and others, then your soul is DEAD - straight Six Feet Under. You're mind is so numb that you can't understand, comprehend or appreciate the drive and will of an true artist. You see, unlike "artists" of today (and I use that term loosely in this context), a REAL artist - even in the face of serious oppostion and negative energy from critics, fans and musicians alike - at some point, is compelled to do away with musical complacency; he or she MUST push the boundries of music so as to innovate and stimulate growth. Money, Fame and Notoriety don't matter in this realm; it's all about the music. Miles pushed his creative boundries so far and consistently innovated on a level so high, that his music today STILL defies categorization and duplication, while sounding as fresh, organic and unique as it did 30 years ago. You owe it to yourself to really listen to "Big Fun", because otherwise you are truly missing out on an excellent demonstration of a musician breaking free from the status quo. If you cheat yourself and don't give it (and the other Miles Electrics) a chance, then all I can do is pity you because just like millions of others, you've been victimized and enslaved in the invisible prison of mediocrity. Any true artist (be it in music, literature or art) will tell you that they must grow and evolve his/her craft in order to keep the creative process alive; Miles put it best himself: "Stasis is death." The unwillinginess of people to accept change, to be original, or to dare to be different hurt music then and hurts music now. So to all you suckers who don't have the mental capacity to expand your views and listen to real music created for music's sake, then stop reading this and go buy an N'Sync or Britney Spears CD; that kind of music is more on your level.
Simply put, he and his music was, is and always will be Miles Ahead, Miles Beyond and Miles From Anything !
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
One of Miles' most underrated albums.Dec 04, 1998
By Jeff Abarta (jfullon@earthlink.net)
Recorded right around the same time as Bitches Brew, this album has spent the last 29 years hiding in the shadows. Because it wasn't originally released until 1974, I think these tracks were thought of by the public as being "throw aways". They're not. Big Fun moves forward from Bitches Brew by incorporating a sitar, and yet still manages to caputre a lot of the same moodiness found on In A Silent Way. I'm thrilled that 3/4 of Big Fun is now available on the Complete Bitches Brew Sessions, but this is one album that should also be made available domestically with its original packaging. Dig it!
See all 24 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 24 reviews
