November 8, 1984
XVI Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona*
Palau dels Esports de Barcelona, Montjuïc
Barcelona, Spain

MILES DAVIS
Miles Davis- trumpet, synthesizer
Bob Berg- tenor and soprano saxophones
John Scofield- guitar
Robert Irving III- synthesizers
Darryl Jones- bass guitar
Al Foster- drums
Steve Thornton- percussion

One Phone Call [Theme from Jack Johnson/ Right Off] (Miles Davis) 0:00/
Speak [Street Scenes] (Miles Davis) 1:38/
That's What Happened (Miles Davis-John Scofield) 7:47
New Blues [Star People] (Miles Davis) 12:13
What It Is (Miles Davis-John Scofield) 18:43
It Gets Better (Miles Davis) 27:29
Something's On Your Mind (Hubert Eaves III-James Williams) 40:13
Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper-Rob Hyman) 50:02
Hopscotch (Miles Davis) 56:42
What's Love Got To Do With It (Terry Britten-Graham Lyle) 1:02:32
bass solo 1:10:18
You're Under Arrest (John Scofield) 1:13:28/
Jean Pierre (Miles Davis) 1:23:12
Decoy (Robert Irving III) 1:33:14
closing titles 1:43:44

*The video places this performance at Jazzaldia Donostia but that was a festival that took place in San Sebastián in July 1984. Thanks to @SantAgusti16 for the correction.

Early 1984 saw a break in Miles' demanding touring schedule. At the end of the previous year saxophonist Bill Evans left to join John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu band, while percussionist Mino Cinelu went to Weather Report. Recording sessions were held early in the year, with Miles recording a number of cover versions of pop tunes, including Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time. But Miles also contracted pneumonia, and was convalescing after a hip operation (photos from his return to the stage often see him using a cane). According to Miles, he was using this time to practice every day and build up his chops, and to go swimming to help his breathing and stamina.

In June he lead his band on a tour of the US and Europe, with new recruits Steve Thornton, who had played percussion on the studio sessions, and saxophonist Bob Berg. Berg recalls that, to his surprise, Miles was playing strongly during this period. "The first gig we played... I was shocked. I mean, not shocked, but pleasantly surprised at how strong Miles was... Generally he was really on the whole time. I mean amazingly. He could hit high notes that I had never heard him play before." After a short break over the summer, the touring resumed with a handful of dates in the US and a quick visit to Europe- I know of only two dates during this period, one in Paris and this gig in Barcelona.

Montjuïc is a flat topped hill on the coast of the Catalonian region in the north-east of Spain, around which the city of Barcelona grew. The Palau dels Esports de Barcelona is a sporting arena built on the hill's slopes, also used as a venue that, at the time, seated around 8000 people. The band is in great form, with a set list drawn from Star People and Decoy, but Miles also used these gigs to showcase some material not yet made public- the covers of Time After Time and D-Train's Something On Your Mind are here, as well a rare recording of Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It (despite Bob Berg's positive comments, the high notes prove a little much for Miles to successfully negotiate which may explain why the song didn't remain in the set for long). A summer of touring has settled the new line up and Berg contributes some burning solos, as does the always enthralling John Scofield. It's also a rare chance to hear Al Foster on some of this material- these would be the final dates for the drummer, who would leave the band the following month, unhappy at the musical direction Miles was taking.

The concert was recorded for TV, but this audio version comes from a superb soundboard recording. There were short sections missing, however and these have been patched using two audience recordings- the audio quality is obviously different but the transitions are not too jarring and skilfully done (I am not responsible for these edits, they are the excellent work of people sharing this show over the years).

The band returned to the US, but Miles made one last trip to Europe before the end of the year, visiting Copenhagen to accept the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, and playing music written by Palle Mikkelborg that would become the genesis of 1985's Aura, before returning to New York to complete the sessions for You're Under Arrest.

If you enjoy these posts and would like to thank us for our efforts you can buy us a coffee:
https://ko-fi.com/milestonesarchive
Thank you!