Frank Alkyer: The Miles Davis Reader
Alkyer, Frank. The Miles Davis Reader: Interviews and Features from Downbeat Magazine (New York: Hal Leonard, 2007)
After reading Bill Kirchner's A Miles Davis Reader, I felt the need for more Miles, and the next book on deck was Frank Alkyer's The Miles Davis Reader. The book's three sections (news, features, and reviews) weigh in at about 30, 150, and 170 pages, respectively; each is arranged chronologically. I would have preferred to see the sections merged and all of the material presented on a single timeline, as I didn't notice any compelling reason for the divisions.
There is some overlap with Kirchner's book, which also features several Downbeat pieces, but it is not excessive given the breadth and depth of both volumes. Among all the albums and anecdotes, this exchange with interviewer Gregg Hall struck me as the most revealing:
G.H.: Well, you know that everybody that's somebody today came through that Miles Davis school.M.D.: I wonder why they always call it the "Miles Davis school."
G.H.: Because you're the teacher, and that's where it's all coming from.
M.D.: I just bring out in people what's in them.
(p. 99, "Miles: Today's Most Influential Contemporary Musician," 18 July 1974)
Miles, not a man known for either understatement or humility, was (just before his 1975-1980 "retirement") suddenly unafraid to explicitly deflect credit for his band's achievements from himself back to his bandmates, honoring their contributions while still maintaining his position as the leader. Alkyer draws many illuminating examples from Downbeat's archives, making this book both an interesting read on its own and a fine companion to Kirchner's book.