Sorcerer (Miles Davis album)

Sorcerer is an album recorded in May 1967 by the Miles Davis quintet. It is the third of five albums that this quintet recorded. It also includes one track from a 1962 session with vocalist Bob Dorough, which was the first time Wayne Shorter recorded with Davis. The album's cover is a photo of actress Cicely Tyson, who at the time was Davis's girlfriend (and many years later his wife), in profile.

Track listing

1. "Prince of Darkness" (Shorter) - 6:30
2. "Pee Wee" (Tony Williams) - 4:51
3. "Masqualero" (Shorter) - 8:55
4. "The Sorcerer" (Hancock) - 5:14
5. "Limbo" (Shorter) - 7:19
6. "Vonetta" (Shorter) - 5:39
7. "Nothing Like You" (Bob Dorough/Fran Landesman) - 2:03

CD reissue includes alternate takes of "Masqualero" and "Limbo". The alternate take of "Limbo" was actually recorded in Los Angeles on May 9, several days before the final take went down in New York City. This take also replaces Ron Carter with bassist Buster Williams. Both versions of "Masqualero" were recorded on the same date and with the same personnel however.

The only tune from the album known to have appeared in Davis's live performances is "Masqualero". Davis's groups performed it as late as April 1970; the last known version appears on the live album Black Beauty.

Performers

• Miles Davis - trumpet
• Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone
• Herbie Hancock - piano
• Ron Carter - double bass
• Tony Williams - drums

The lineup differs greatly on the track "Nothing Like You", since it was recorded several years prior:

• Miles Davis - trumpet
• Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone
• Bob Dorough - vocals
• Gil Evans - arrangements
• Frank Rehak - trombone
• Paul Chambers - bass
• Jimmy Cobb - drums
• Willie Bobo (William Correa) - bongos

References