Is Merci Miles! Live at Vienne a good place to start with Miles Davis?

Yes, Merci Miles! Live at Vienne is recommended as a starting point for new Miles Davis listeners. A vibrant tapestry of improvisation and groove, blending fusion and traditional jazz elements into a dynamic live experience. Released in 2021, Merci Miles! Live at Vienne showcases Miles Davis' later career where he revisited his classic compositions. This album arrived after a long hiatus since his last studio release, Doo-Bop in 1992, and highlights his enduring influence on jazz, even decades after his passing in 1991.

Who is Merci Miles! Live at Vienne for?

Merci Miles! Live at Vienne works well if you're into explosive improvisation with emotional depth, long-form tracks for focused listening and immersive live performance atmosphere.

How many songs are on Merci Miles! Live at Vienne?

Merci Miles! Live at Vienne has 8 tracks, running approximately 80 minutes.

Merci Miles! Live at Vienne

Miles Davis · 2021

80 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of improvisation and groove, blending fusion and traditional jazz elements into a dynamic live experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hannibal Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the concert with its intricate rhythms and melodic explorations, showcasing Davis' masterful trumpet work.
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Human Nature — Davis’ rendition of this classic features a hauntingly beautiful interpretation that highlights both emotional depth and technical prowess.
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Time After Time — This track exemplifies the seamless blend of jazz styles that Davis was known for, creating an intimate yet expansive listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album captures Miles Davis's late-career artistry with dynamic improvisation and strong instrumental interplay.

What we noticed

The album features extended improvisational sections, with each track often exceeding seven minutes, allowing for deep exploration of themes.
Davis's trumpet is prominently featured, weaving through a backdrop of electric piano, bass, and percussion that shifts dynamically throughout the performance.
Several tracks incorporate rhythmic shifts and tempo changes, creating a sense of unpredictability and excitement in the live setting.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

explosive improvisation with emotional depth
long-form tracks for focused listening
immersive live performance atmosphere
soulful melodies that invite reflection

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, structured songs
seek predictable listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Showcases Miles Davis's artistry in his final performances, resonating with fans and critics.
Themes: jazz fusion evolution· political themes in music· live improvisational energy
Career context: Released in 2021, Merci Miles! Live at Vienne showcases Miles Davis' later career where he revisited his classic compositions. This album arrived after a long hiatus since his last studio release, Doo-Bop in 1992, and highlights his enduring influence on jazz, even decades after his passing in 1991.
Stylistic neighbors: John Coltrane· Herbie Hancock· Wayne Shorter