Details
Track Listing
1. Miles Ahead
2. Joshua
3. Pfrancing (No Blues)
4. Flamenco Sketches
5. Milestones
6. Teo
7. Swing Spring
8. Circle
9. Side Car
10. So Near, So Far
Album Notes
Personnel: Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); John Scofield (guitar); Dave Holland (bass); Al Foster (drums).
Recorded at the Power Station, New York, New York from October 12-14, 1992. Includes liner notes by Bill Milkowski.
"Miles Ahead" won the 1994 Grammy Award for "Jazz Instrumental Solo."
"So Near, So Far" won the 1994 Grammy Award for "Jazz Instrumental, Individual or Group."
Although he only played with Miles Davis a handful of times in 1967, saxophonist Joe Henderson understood both the intricacies and the overall vision of the late trumpeter's music. Supported here by a world-class rhythm section, Henderson performs nine Davis selections plus the title track, a song popularized by Davis, but written by Tony Crombie and Benny Green.
On SO NEAR, SO FAR (MUSINGS FOR MILES), Henderson combines classic Davis tunes with some of the trumpeter's little-known compositions. The jaunty "Swing Spring" and the highly rhythmic "Side Car" are good examples of some of the rarer material presented on this disc. (Other tunes such as "Miles Ahead," "Milestones," and "Flamenco Sketches" should be more familiar to listeners.) As expected, Henderson and his band navigate their way through these tunes with panache. Guitarist John Scofield's subtle, yet supportive, comping is particularly effective throughout, as is drummer Al Foster's colorful use of percussion. The highlight of the record is the ensemble's hard-swinging version of "Joshua;" the time signature shifts on the bridge are especially complex, but Henderson and company glide through them effortlessly.
Industry Reviews
5 Stars - Excellent - ...[Henderson] is masterful throughout this well-sequenced program, toasting sublime lyricism on `Miles Ahead,' invoking Iberian mysteries on `Flamenco Sketches,' and summoning fire on `Side Car'...This is an excellent Miles album...
Down Beat (03/01/1993)
...There is a love of material and fellow musicians that is readily apparent in the way these four address this date that really completes the package. This could be the first great record of 1993.
JazzTimes (05/01/1995)
...every inch as potent as his heralded tribute to Billy Strayhorn....cool and painterly and heroically laid-back...
Musician (04/01/1993)
4 Stars - Excellent - ...It's refreshing to reflect on Davis as a composer rather than a soloist or band leader...Particular successes are `Circle' and `Flamenco Sketches,' where Henderson's sax really stretches out...
Q (06/01/1993)
Cited by Entertainment Weekly as one of `The Best Jazz Records Of 1993' - ...gorgeously, agelessly, tortured music...
Entertainment Weekly (12/31/1993)
...There is a love of material and fellow musicians that is readily apparent in the way these four address this date that really completes the package. This could be the first great record of 1993.
JazzTimes (05/01/1995)
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