Buddy Miles' Live, Just Live
Written: Jun 17 '00 (Updated Feb 01 '02)
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Pros: It's (s-s-s-t) so hot!
Cons: You CAN get it: see http://rkpuma.com/miles.htm to see the album cover and learn how!
The Bottom Line: Again, visit http://rkpuma.com/miles.htm to learn what we are talking about.
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| rkpuma's Full Review: Welcome/Buddy Miles & Carlos Santana Live by Carlo... |
Last spring, I saw Buddy Miles "Live" for the first time; I'd been trying to find his recording of the same title (Buddy Miles Live/Mercury/1971) ever since my LP (that's vinyl kids) was pilfered. It's been missing since an early 70's Spit bungalow party, when I didn't hang around. A bong and other jazz disappeared too, but the only item I've mourned was the "Live" album with an entire side (25 minutes?) devoted to "Them Changes" unavailable on any other recording. And no, as exquisite as Miles Davis' jazz is that's not who I mean.
The dilapidated Riverview Theater in Norfolk, VA (also legendary but nearly forgotten) hosted virtuoso Miles, this past spring without fanfare. I drove by after taking the boys for cones at Doumar's, and glanced at it's disheveled marquee in disbelief: "BUDDY MILES TONITE!"... dumbstruck that this onetime session drummer for blues/funk icon Otis Redding (everyone's personal god of soul) was appearing and almost jumped the curb to inquire within.
Buddy is perhaps best known for his association with Jimi Hendrix (and Billy Cox) in the legendary Band of Gypsys, when they'd recorded an album just before Hendrix' early departure. But Buddy began in his father's band, The Bebops at age twelve and played with everyone from Ruby & the Romantics, the Ink Spots, Stevie Wonder, Wilson Pickett, David Bowie, Bootsy Collins, Phish and Muddy Waters to recording a live album with Carlos Santana in 1974. That red/yellow boxed LIVE CD with Santana is the recording that is usually handed to me from well-meaning friends & family (and it's uh, ADEQUATE with an abridged, less soulful version of 'Them Changes' on it) but I still search for that ethereal, blue elusive album cover (if memory serves) this last quarter century. Trivia has it that's Buddy's voice in the "Heard It Through The Grapevine" animated California Raisins' television spot in the mid-80's. No wonder them Claymatin' dried-up fruits had the funk.
Returning (after racing home with the boys on a school night) and pulling up to the stage door I'd asked a roady about parking, with my fourth generation tape of "We Got To Live Together" blaring in anticipation of it all from my wagon's cassette player. You'd guess the visceral sound might seem purely domestic by metal standards today; so I was just as interested in seeing the audience of this innovator, spanning jazz, R&B, funk, blues as an unsung pioneer of true "Black Rock". Having spent my cash, I'd inquired at the deteriorated box office if they took checks or credit cards. The scruffy (35-ish?) pony-tailed dude in the cage allowed me in for only twelve clams. He said he'd pitch in the five I was short: vividly recalling the era of our hey-hey days and digger's prices.
On entering the theater "improper" (some of the barely functional original old flip-seats now line the wall) most of us gathered to stand in the front third of the theater floor gazing at the stage. The rest of the group were already at their posts. This sweet "Jabba the Hut" (beauteous Buddha) Funk Lord of a figure appeared, took a seat behind his drums and began to play and sing. He looked my way in recognition, puzzling over my green "Girl Scout Gone Bad" complete with logo T-shirt, quickly selected for just this effect.
Of the hundred or so attending the unheralded (COAST FM vaguely announced the gig, I'm told) it seemed just a handful were close to my age. The (20-ish?) kids there, "Woodstockers" for their peace/love twirling-dance styling/granny dresses, must've resurrected their parent's LPs or 8-Tracks-- because some called out requests for "Them Changes". You can't keep a good sound down.
Buddy as kewl, with his vocals/drums, as his three very average white band-mates allowed. He also spent a good deal of time talking from behind his drums downstage. Of course he'd be "reminiscing" (name-dropping Dylan and Neil Young), as if not cognizant his own name is legendary. He also spoke for awhile of the tragic shootings that week in Atlanta and I'd wrongly (and selfishly) assumed it would blend into my prized cassette's cut. Though this particular concert wouldn't have appealed to most audiences (even funk enthusiasts) this was it, LIVE! I wasn't so euphoric that I couldn't call Chester B (who had told me Fox SpinMeister Mike Arlo from our old Mad Dogs days could get the old recording) then Ron C, FoB's/Fans of Buddy's during the gig on my cellular, holdin' it toward the stage to prove they were missing out on this esoteric event: that the answer to "Are You Experienced?" was inarguably that yes, I am indeed.
Buddy's band that night may well have been the reason that nothing much recognizable was played (okay, so I'm biased) but how could they possibly duplicate those riffs? They did a Miles original called "The Change" which was too similarly named to his signature piece. Whenever anything seemed remotely familiar it quickly morphed into some altogether different derivation. Foxy Lady done as a ballad? Well, you gotta' hand it to 'em for being experimental. You had to appreciate their humility for playing that old wreck of a house (not to mention this old wreck of a fan). Since my chump change was depleted I ran over to Hurricane's across the street for a quick beverage and found lead singer, Bruce of Big Fun (né The Jailtones) who returned with me, remarking "This is da' real thang..." as we stood before the old proscenium, where Buddy had moved from his drums to front stage center, mike in hand, dangling his feet: one hip Humpty.
With over 40 albums, a half dozen world tours, TV specials and commercials behind him and perhaps the most loyal of fans since Redding and Hendrix, this Riverview gig could have provoked a tear from a lesser follower. The old theater itself was more a metaphor for the performance than the performer. It's been hard to even register to people who this artist is/was for the last decade, since almost no-body has heard anything about him in as long. But something is happening. I'm obviously not the only one who couldn't forget this funk-force.
Just a few short months ago I couldn't find him on the web for example; it seems now that I'm not the only one to know where he could and should be. Maybe with a bit more 'mileage', I'll get that Live album yet.
Best thoughts, R K
I recommend 'Buddy Miles' Live for 'people who have it all' since they can't get it either! (nonny-nonny boo-boo).
Recommended:
Yes
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rkpuma
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Member: R K Puma
Location: Norfolk, VA
Reviews written: 2
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