Black Beauty (Miles Davis At Fillmore West) was recorded on April 10, 1970 in San Francisco, when Miles performed as the opening act for the Grateful Dead. The recording took place shortly after the release of Miles' classic album Bitches Brew.
The album was originally released in 1973 in Japan only. Black Beauty, a true jazz-rock album, captured one of Davis' first performances at a rock venue during the early stages of his electric period. At the concert, he led his band (saxophonist Steve Grossman, bassist Dave Holland, keyboardist Chick Corea, drummer Jack DeJohnette, and percussionist Airto Moreira) through one continuously performed set list. All tracks were performed as one continuous and uninterrupted piece of music, a practice Davis had begun in 1967. He later explained in his autobiography that performing these kinds of long musical suites without breaks allowed more space for improvisations in concert.
Black Beauty (Miles Davis At Fillmore West) is available on audiophile black vinyl, and the original Japanese booklet is included in this vinyl package.
A. Black Beauty Part I
B. Black Beauty Part II
C. Black Beauty Part III
D. Black Beauty Part IV
