Rating: 
Summary: The genius of jazz comes through with a compelling read
Review: This is a must read for those who want to know about the man who helped create the "cool" jazz era of the 40s and 50s, then radically changed his approach several times in the following decades. The narrative is rough, but the personality and character comes through loud and clear. I found most of it fascinating, but less so as Miles got more and more conked out on coke and alcohol in the later part of his life and career. I love his music, and this book goes a long way to explain how he approached and executed his craft. And lots of inside stories about the other jazz giants of his era.
Rating:
Summary: engrossing
Review: It's an understatement to call this glib, but there's a lot of interesting biographical information here (concerning musicians other than Miles too), if very little analysis. As a denizen of Saint Louis, I loved the bit about the Veiled Prophet Parade, and I laughed long and hard at Miles's cruel trick on Bill Evans--cruel of me, I know.Also recommended: PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns.
Rating: 
Summary: A superb literary work.
Review: This is one of the finest works to date concerning the legendary musician, Miles Davis. I actually believed that I was walking through the life of this great artist as I read this work. It is definitely well written and researched. A bargain for the price. If you did not or if you do know Miles, pick this one up. PICK THIS ONE UP!!!!!!!! IT IS A WORK FOR THE AGES!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book For Jazz Lovers
Review: I was skepeticalat first to read it, but once I started I couldn't put it down. It tells about all the people he played with, and of all the trouble he went through. It has some mild language, but is still a great book. If you don't like this book then I got two words for you ---- --!
Rating:
Summary: he is the picasso of jazz
Review: Miles is one of those musians that you have to give credit to. He has changed his style so much, but you know it was him. If it was cool jazz, hard bop, or fusion miles turns everything into an art form. And he also had the pimped out life style. It was hard to believe that in the seventies when he retired from music that he was all coked out. Once he was driving in his ferarri at night and thought the police were after him, so he stopped his car and ran into a building and left his keys in the car in the middle of the street, and he was hiding in an janitors room. I hope Miles will be remembered for his music and his cool personality.
Rating: 
Summary: long on gossip
Review: It's a shame to hear Miles talk about the women and drugs of his life more than his landmark recording sessions.
Rating:
Summary: Greatest Autobio Ever!
Review: Brilliant book about jazz by a brilliant jazz man -- the antidote for all those boring academic white-guy books about "Amerika's Classical Music." (Prudes beware of the totally "vernacular" language -- how many times can you use the word "motherf---er" in one book? Read and find out!) Miles talks about the Life more than the Music, but when he does offer insights into his art they really make you think -- and listen anew. PS -- hilarious that they got LeVar Burton to read excerpts! Miles' voice was lower & huskier than Wolfman Jack's!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Davis' Life History Catalogues Many Miles
Review: For the very few that felt Miles Davis was a saintly soul, they should be required to read this venomous, but arresting, biography detailing his early history in the clubs to the years of experimentation and critical panning. Miles Davis was arrogant, egotistical, vain, abusive (to himself and others), mainly uncomplimentary of other artists' talents, and foremost, a musical genius of unparalleled comparison. To hear him play was to make one almost forget how undesirable of a personality he was. This book is a must read for lovers of autobiography, for lovers of jazz's unique history, and most importantly, for those who want to find out more about the man behind the horn, regardless of what they may discover. This is a spectacular autobiography, behind only Kinski's "All I Need is Love" for outright pulp content and total audacity.
Rating:
Summary: Sizzling and engaging autobiography of Miles Davis
Review:
"Listen. The greatest feeling I ever had in my life - with my clothes on - was when I first hear Diz and Bird together in St. Louis, Missouri, back in 1944". And so begins Miles' account of his remarkable career. In collaboration with Quincy Troupe, Davis guides us through the events and the people in his life that shaped his music. A brilliant piece of work which is distinctly Miles - simultaneously angry and humorous, harsh and reflective. Miles speaks directly about his struggles with drugs, the women in his life, and his experience as an often misunderstood black musician in a white America. Miles also provides us with richly engaging accounts of his music and the musicians he played with over the years. This spirited story is told by Miles in caustic language and he never shies away from controversy. Miles said of his music in his later years "I like playing with young musicians. I want to keep creating, changing. Music isn't about standing still and becoming safe". This book isn't safe and will always be compelling reading. A must read for new and seasoned fans and enthusiasts. Charlie Saxe
Chicago, Illinois
Rating:
Summary: A didactic "Must-read" for Jazz lovers and music historians!
Review: As a Jazz lover, I can't help but consider this book a time machine into the past of jazz. I just finished reading it entirely for the second time (April & May of 2004). The first time I read it was 12 years ago (Spring of 1992). I have collected 3 Miles Davis box sets and a lot of his compact discs
in those 12 years, so reading the autogbiograpy this time around was much more like watching a movie.
I, myself, have also become much more of a musician in the
past 12 years, so I found the book to be very didactic when Mile's shared his thoughts on musical subjects such as the Egyptian mode, the modal conceptualization of songs (all the songs on "Kind of Blue"), using the Fender Rhodes electric piano to cushion his sound, and more.
For those who love John Coltrane, this book makes you feel even the slightest sense of knowing him a little; his extreme dedication to practicing and his repenting reassessment of his own life. Miles became good friends with Coltrane after he hired him into his band, yet they didn't spend much time together where
music was not concerned. Miles describes Trane's death as if it happened yesterday and it's extremely interesting to "hear" Miles
tell where Trane was musically right before he died in relation to the racial & social strife that the United States was experiencing in the 60's (this is even more poigniant when you have heard Trane's music from that period [read my review on "John Coltrane The Classic Quartet-The Complete Impulse Studio Recordings). I find it ironic that later in the book Miles mentions that he couldn't stand Trane's quartet at this period.
This is another major exciting thing about the book; it gives insight on other music greats that Miles knew personally,
like Charlie Parker (especially), Gil Evans, drummer, Philly Joe Jones, Billie Holliday and many others.
The part where Miles tells what he went through as a heroine
junkie is really heart-wrenching, and when he overcame that addiction, you really see and feel his cold-turkey withdrawl; he
overcame it out of self-determination. The last chapter of the book is a look into Miles' thoughts on life, women, racism, etc. He is quite the activist;
he never hated white people out of racism. He had an aversion to
white people because of all the racism that was enacted upon him. This book is musically and historically tremendous!!!
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