BIG ORANGE: BEHIND THE MUSIC
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Another homage to one of my musical heroes -- this time Miles Davis. The solo sections are based on a neat idea Miles used that creates dissonant harmony around a pentatonic scale. I’d heard it on Miles’ records and also listened to John McLaughlin do something similar and never understood where those wonderful chords and “outside” solo notes came from. Guitarist Robben Ford, who played with Miles, describes the secret in one of his instructional books. I use some hybrid diminished pentatonic scales during my solos. Tom Delaney plays the fierce soprano sax solo.
Chris Smith deserves special mention for his wonderful drum solo and for his playing throughout the CD. Most people are surprised to realize that his solo lasts two minutes. Chris is so inventive and exciting that you wish it lasted longer. Chris and I go way back. He was the drummer in my very first band, back in England in the early ‘70s. We opened shows for the likes of David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, but missed out on the big time. We haven’t played together since, so this CD was a chance to reunite in cyberspace. (Chris’ parts were recorded in Switzerland, where he now lives.)
Track 12: Miles Above
