A Tribute to Jack Johnson

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A Tribute to Jack Johnson is a jazz fusion album recorded in 1970 by Miles Davis. It was recorded as the soundtrack for a documentary of the same name by Bill Cayton about the heavyweight world champion boxer Jack Johnson.

Creation

The first major recording session for the album, which took place on 7 April 1970, was almost accidental: John McLaughlin, awaiting Miles's arrival, began improvising riffs on his guitar, and was shortly joined by Michael Henderson and Billy Cobham. Meanwhile, the producers brought in Herbie Hancock, who had been passing through the building on unrelated business, to play the Farfisa organ. Miles arrived at last and began his solo at about 2:19 on the first track.

The album's two long tracks were assembled in the editing room by producer Teo Macero.

"Right Off" is constructed from several takes and a solo by Davis recorded in November 1969. It contains a riff from Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song".

Much of the track "Yesternow" is built around a slightly modified version of the bassline from the James Brown song "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud"; this may be a deliberate allusion to the song's Black Power theme as it relates to the film's subject. "Yesternow" also incorporates a brief excerpt of "Shhh/Peaceful" from Davis's 1969 album In a Silent Way and a 10-minute section comprising several takes of the tune "Willie Nelson" from a session on 18 February 1970.

Reception

A Tribute to Jack Johnson was less commercially successful than Davis's previous electric album, Bitches Brew, reaching only #159 on the Billboard 200 where Bitches Brew had risen as high as #35. Some fans and critics, however, consider A Tribute to Jack Johnson to be the musically superior album.

Track listing

Original LP

Side A

1. "Right Off" – 26:53

Side B

1. "Yesternow" – 25:34

CD release

1. "Right Off" – 26:53
2. "Yesternow" – 25:34

Personnel

The first track and about half of the second track were recorded on 7 April 1970 by this group:

• Miles Davis - Trumpet
• Steve Grossman - Soprano saxophone
• John McLaughlin - Electric guitar
• Herbie Hancock - Organ
• Michael Henderson - Electric bass
• Billy Cobham - Drums

The second part of the second track (starting at about 12:55) was recorded on 18 February 1970 by a different and uncredited lineup:

• Miles Davis - Trumpet
• Bennie Maupin - Bass clarinet
• John McLaughlin - Electric guitar
• Sonny Sharrock - Electric guitar
• Chick Corea - Electric piano
• Dave Holland - Electric bass
• Jack DeJohnette - Drums

At the end of the "Yesternow" there is a sound clip recorded by actor Brock Peters saying: "I'm Jack Johnson -- heavyweight champion of the world! I'm black! They never let me forget it. I'm black all right; I'll never let them forget it."

See also

• The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions - 2003 box set

External links

• Article about the making of Jack Johnson and The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions boxed set at the Miles Beyond site, dedicated to the electric music of Miles Davis

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Last updated on Wednesday February 13, 2008 at 03:35:37 PST (GMT -0800)
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