An interesting bit about BITCHES BREW, not only did it invent the jazz-funk
genre but it also had an influence on a number of late 60s rock bands. Carlos
Santana sites Miles as one of his biggest inspirations (you can even see this
in the artwork on Santana's album ABRAXAS). Miles Davis also used to play along
side bands like the Grateful Dead, although the fans' appreciation of Miles
Davis at such shows was much like the hippie fascination with Ravi Shankar.
However, after BITCHES BREW, a lot of rock bands (Pink Floyd, Santana, Grateful
Dead) were inspired to perform and record long experimental pieces also drawing
influence from the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Sun Ra (whose music was not unknown
to these bands) along with the usual (and I guess unusual too) mix of drugs. It
also inspired jazz-rock experiments, most notably John McGlaughlin and his
MahaVishnu Orchestra (John McGlaughlin performed guitar on BITCHES BREW).
One connection here that would be interesting to follow up on would be Miles
Davis' performances along side the Grateful Dead. Considering that the Grateful
Dead are the most bootlegged band in the world, I would imagine that somewhere
there exists some rare recording(s) of Miles Davis performing live versions of
BITCHES BREW. Anyone know anything of this? Could be worth checking up on
alt.music.gdead and the dead.net . If anyone has any info regarding this, please
do post. Thanks.
shanti,
ashwin
ashwin@isgtec.com