This brief audience tape offers a mere snapshot from one the Miles Davis Quintet’s stopovers at the Village Gate in 1969. My god, what a show. Jack DeJohnette is absolutely ferocious behind the kit* and goes full-bore from the start – not necessarily overplaying but clearly pushing the rest of the band (even Miles) into supporting roles. The precise date of this set is unknown, but the essential Miles Ahead database narrows it to December 12-13:

The Davis Quintet performed at the Village Gate many times in 1969: April 25-26; May 23-24; July 29-August 10; December 12-13 and 19-20. Although this session is sometimes dated from May-June, the presence of “This” among the tunes suggests a later date. The tune was recorded by Corea, Holland, and De Johnette in May for release on Corea’s Is (Solid State SS 18055). But the only other live performances of the tune by Davis-led groups besides this one and an uncertainly-dated recording from the Blue Coronet Club are from late 1969 and early 1970. So it seems likely that this recording is from a mid-December engagement at the Village Gate.

To sweeten the pot, we’re treated to a refreshed version of the Bitches Brew standout, “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down”. While its pacing is frantic, that unmistakable groove is firmly in place, with DeJohnette doing his best to approximate the multiple drummers that produced the studio version a few months prior. A brief tape, but a phenomenal document. Bask in its glory. 

Get the tape / Lossless
1. Introduction (0:08)
2. This (8:17)
3. Footprints (15:33)
4. Miles Runs the Voodoo Down (15:33)
5. ‘Round Midnight (inc) (4:21)

Lineup
Miles Davis (trumpet)
Wayne Shorter (soprano, tenor)
Chick Corea (Fender Rhodes)
Dave Holland (upright bass)
Jack DeJohnette (drums)