Unavailable in the U.S.! Miles Davis' moody, evocative music for the Louis Malle movie (translation: The Lift to the Scaffold) comes in two different forms on this reissue. There is a chronological sketch pad of tracks which didn't appear in the original release, or appeared in altered form, and tracks 16-26, which comprise the body of the original release, complete with the odd dollop of post-production echo to italicize the film's dramatic content. Recorded on December 4-5, 1957, the music for the film has an elegant, romantic air to it. In the company of such French jazzmen as Pierre Michelot and tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen, this soundtrack is something of a throwback to the feel of Miles' early '50s Blue Note recordings with drummer Kenny Clarke. Rarely has Miles' open tone been more poignant, and that bittersweet quality probably owes something to Miles' ongoing affair with the film's leading lady, Jeanne Moreau.
S**R
pure genius – this is how I like Miles Davis
....pure Miles; pure genius – this is how I like Miles Davis, and this is how I describe the music..... “Night time, night train – black and sinister – the train approaching, it has a blue light of menace, lingering and watching, like a mechanical, revolving eye of evil -but too late: the blue eye has spotted me from afar, and I await –frozen in thought of a dream of black terror and shadows as I walk across yards of railway lines in criminal and devious mind to escape the black train....”The music and the film seem inseparable, but it is lovely to have the CD as well as the DVD, with a total running time of music of 74 minutes on the CD.....the music is elegant, crisp, and full of mystique of intrigue.....All compositions by Miles Davis and the Personnel is:Miles Davis, trumpetBarney Wilen, tenor saxRene Urtreger, pianoPierre Michelot, bassKenny Clarke, drums.Paris, December 4 & 5 1957.
W**R
Like 'Kind of Blue'? This is just as good
Miles Davis at his most timeless, with just bass, drums, piano and maybe a sax for company. The influence of pop culture kept completely out. A film soundtrack complete with alternate takes. He literally made it up as he went along - and the result is here: fabulous.
R**9
An excellent atmospheric set.
This is an atmospheric set mainly slow almost eerie music,which I enjoyed as I particularly like early Miles.This Cd is especially interesting as it contains 26 tracks as the "complete lift to the scaffold" and covers various different takes of some tunes. It is very good value and is excellent late night music.
A**3
very film noir
a lot of the tracks are vary similar, and mostly too short. it is still a great album. remember, however, not to use a lift if you have been up to no good...
J**Y
Majestic
The whole album is a poem put to music
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