Frank Zappa VS. Miles Davis
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=54264
Printed Date: December 02 2024 at 05:01
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Topic: Frank Zappa VS. Miles Davis
Posted By: darkshade
Subject: Frank Zappa VS. Miles Davis
Date Posted: December 23 2008 at 23:00
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I searched this and couldnt find it so here it is. Who was better? More Innovative? More complex? More original? Who do YOU prefer?
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Replies:
Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: December 23 2008 at 23:09
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I would take A LOT over Zappa- so in this case someone as amazing as Miles.......
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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: December 23 2008 at 23:11
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Easy for me. Zappa.
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Posted By: DubSacZach
Date Posted: December 23 2008 at 23:20
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Zappa, my musical idol ------------- "he told me later that the stuff at the bottom was like punching an eclair" -Frank Zappa from "Jazz Discharge Party Hats" |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: December 23 2008 at 23:59
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Miles was changing, improving and stirring sh*t up from the day he started playing to the day he died. A master song writer, interpreter, player, social critic. And I suppose quite crazy at times. He had perfect tempo, and the ability to know exactly who he needed to get he sound he was looking for for every creation. Also he learned from the best of the best (Parker, Gillespie, Monk...etc)
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Posted By: keiser willhelm
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 00:06
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ooooo this is hard. might have to cone back to it so im ot voting but im leaning towards miles. . . . . hmmmmm ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/KeiserWillhelm" rel="nofollow - What im listening to |
Posted By: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 00:15
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Zappa. Miles has some really cool stuff (though it isn't quite my thing for the most part), but Frank really busted his own chops trying to figure out new and creative things to do, from writing to performing to recording to producing. Though his early years were pretty sketchy and his later years rather watered down, his output in the 70s is stronger than basically any other musical act can ever hope to surpass, in my opinion. Mostly not perfect, but almost all absolutely amazing.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 00:33
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I was once planning the same battle, part of a tournament with these guys intended as finalists, but lost interest in the exercise (besides, I took too much flak for rigging it so that neither would be knocked out). I really like and respect Zappa, but I have to go with Davis as better and more innovative, and I prefer Davis. Now Davis vs. Coltrane....
------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 00:36
I do believe Miles did the exact same thing. He was always innovating in all aspects (writing, performing, album production, etc.). It seems to me you're not giving Miles enough credit because you don't seem to like his work very much. Anyway, both artists are top-notch innovators and such, but I think Miles had more soulful, touching albums. ------------- www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph  
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LiquidEternity wrote:Posted By: kevdog
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 02:32
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Miles Davis.
------------- I look at the world and see no understanding... DT |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 03:01
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Zappa is original, funny and a musical genius, but a lot of what he does isn't actually that enjoyable to listen to, so my vote goes to Miles.
------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 07:03
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Zappa, with Miles not too far behind. Both were true innovators & masterminds  |
Posted By: Carlos
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 07:45
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I find Miles material more accesible for my ears than Zappa...It's true Zappa is as great as genius like Miles...but in the whole context I don't dig all Zappa albums as I do with Miles records...Not an easy poll anyway but I go Miles
------------- Democracy=A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people... 
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Posted By: proggy
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 09:27
| Zappa is God........... |
Posted By: jammun
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 09:49
| As much as I like FZ, Miles' innovation and influence in the jazz realm is just too great to overlook. |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 10:23
| Miles Davis |
Posted By: Erpland316
Date Posted: December 24 2008 at 18:53
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I havent posted in a long time but this post made me want to voice my opinion! This is probably one of the hardest person vs. person ever! As much as I love Zappa I think Miles completely changed music for the 20th century...along with a few others(Zappa, Eno, etc). I havent heard a Miles Davis album that I cant appreciate! Merry Christmas.
------------- "Science is all metaphor"-Timothy Leary [IMG]http://freespace.virgin.net/martin.jones10/amonpic.jpg">[IMG]http://imagegen.last.fm/red/artists/Yeti316.gif"> |
Posted By: peskypesky
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 01:00
| This is a freaking joke, right? As great as Zappa was, to even mention him in the same breath as the inimitable Miles Davis is asinine. What's next, Pink Floyd or Mozart? |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 08:29
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I'd take Pink Floyd over Mozart anyday.
This poll though is too difficult for me to actually vote in. I respect both of these guys so much.Both loved to experiment and push the boundries.It would be easy to dismiss Zappa because he could be so crude and silly,but he was a genius in my opinion. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 10:32
Who's Davs? 
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: CPicard
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 10:53
| Albert AYLER, you losers. |
Posted By: unclemeat69
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 15:54
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I'll take Zappa over Miles, although they were equally innovative and groundbreaking. Miles has always more about impovisation (or playing over other people's tunes in the 80's). With Zappa it was more complete IMHO, composing as well as improvisation (check out his guitar albums), and just plain experimentalism and he's a lot funnier too LOL
------------- Follow your bliss |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 16:46
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Posted By: peskypesky
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 18:40
| OK, I've calmed down now and taken my medication. If you prefer Zappa to Miles Davis, then good for you. And if you prefer Pink Floyd to Mozart, then again, that's cool. It's all a matter of preference. I like the Ramones more than Pink Floyd and a lot of people here would consider that heresy. But there it is. |
Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: December 25 2008 at 23:07
No. Miles was about music. Be it improvising, composing, or rendering. That is called complete since he did more than one, and did each one brilliantly. Plus, Miles was realllllllly experimental too.
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Posted By: horsewithteeth11
Date Posted: December 27 2008 at 13:57
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Is the question which one we prefer or which one was more innovative? If it's the first one, then I'd pick Zappa, but if it's the second....not sure I'd be able to pick. So no vote from me for now. ------------- 
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Posted By: Sasquamo
Date Posted: December 28 2008 at 12:51
| Miles Davis pretty much changed the whole genre of jazz. There isn't a jazz musician out there who hasn't taken something or been influenced directly or indirectly by Miles. If we're going by influence and innovation here, there is a right and wrong answer to the question. |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: December 28 2008 at 13:04
Ha! 1. Davis 2. Ayler 3. Zappa |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: December 28 2008 at 14:00
Who the hell is Miles Davs? I know who Miles Davis is.  This post has been rendered irrelevant.  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: December 28 2008 at 17:36
fixed. haha ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: dougiezerts
Date Posted: January 04 2009 at 13:06
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Kinda like comparing apples with oranges. Zappa is more rock, while Davis is more jazz, although obviously the two of them experimented with both styles.
Davis got into rock when it wasn't the thing for jazz artists to do that, so hats off to him.
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Posted By: Zargus
Date Posted: January 04 2009 at 18:20
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as much as i like zappa i have to go with miles, sure some of miles jazz i find a bit boring and some of zappas music is way to rediculus, but looking at it as a whole from the stuff from both i have heard miles music have given me more pleasure. both are ofc major music giants but miles is my vote. ------------- 
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Posted By: OBNOXIUs
Date Posted: January 17 2009 at 08:41
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What I would really like to know, is what they thought of each other...! I've never read anything about Miles talking about Zappa's music or Zappa about Miles, but they must have known each others music...and were both very popular... Is there anyone who knows more about this? Anway, I think i like miles more (comparing the quantity of music I have from both). They were opposites in a way. Miles made great music by having the music created spontaneously, with as little as possible written on paper, and he gave his musicians a lot of freedom. Frank made his wonderful music by writing amazing compositions and arrangements, and on stage by directing the band by giving signs etc. Just a thought. |
Posted By: DatM
Date Posted: January 17 2009 at 12:48
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I think its pointless to compare the two. Both were great musicians and leaders who had a profound effect on the musicians that played with them. Both had strengths and weaknesses. Both made great music. I refuse to vote ------------- Death and the Maiden - A Metal Tribute To String Quartets http://www.deathandthemaiden.net - Website http://www.myspace.com/deathmaiden - Myspace |
Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: January 17 2009 at 13:03
| coin flip on this one. |
Posted By: Evolutionary Sleeper
Date Posted: January 17 2009 at 15:40
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Gonna go with Zappa on this one.
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 01:00
Mozart of course. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 13:02
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i find this interesting that FZ is winning (or won) but not by much. almost a tie right here!
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 15:29
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Well, considering they're my two favorite jazz musicians to date, it does get tough. I am liking Miles more and more every day, though, so my current Frank on top might be reversed some time.
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Posted By: Dominic
Date Posted: May 06 2009 at 22:23
 Yeah; it's not surprising that Zappa is winning, these are the progressive rock archives after all. ------------- 
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Posted By: WalterDigsTunes
Date Posted: May 06 2009 at 22:38
Replace the word "Miles" with "Zappa" and your statement is equally true. Honestly, I prefer Zappa. Miles had a few fallow periods with zero productivity, plus his stagnant 80s material doesn't exactly help his case. Zappa just kept chuggin' along and tinkering/screwing with just about everything that crossed his path. That being said, early 70s MD and FZ are absolute godliness. |
Posted By: King Crimson776
Date Posted: May 07 2009 at 16:56
That's the point. :P
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Posted By: LiquidEternity
Date Posted: May 07 2009 at 17:50
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Okay, I love dead people worship as much as the next guy, but Miles and Frank are only two great musicians. Neither of them is anything more impressive than damn good. I love them both but to declare one as being so much better than the other as to not be mentionable in the same sentence is silly. Sure, Miles Davis vs. Pink, I'll give you. Frank Zappa vs. Men Without Hats, yep. Zappa vs. Davis, though? There is ample and fair reason for it to be a real debate. They both made some brilliant moves, both really challenged a lot of things, and both had some absolutely incredible screwups musically speaking.
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Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: May 07 2009 at 18:08
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<----------------- ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: paganinio
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 12:42
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blasphemy Miles Davis is the greatest musician of the last century. Bob Dylan comes in sixth! Frank Zappa unranked! |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 16:11
| Like both of them quite a bit, but I chose Miles. Both have some weak albums, but Miles wins because I prefer his weaker albums to Zappa's weaker albums. |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 16:40
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Based on the output of each that I've heard, Miles gets my vote. As has been said, both were musical geniuses, both were innovative and progressive in what they did, but much of the time Miles gets my attention much easier and can usually hold it longer than most artists.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 16:57
^^^ This ------------- 
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 17:06
mmm, yes, that would be a barn-burner ..quiet coups or bloody revolutions, you decide! |
Posted By: crimson87
Date Posted: May 08 2009 at 21:42
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Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: May 10 2009 at 05:13
I think mingus vs coltrane would be more interesting ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Alberto Muñoz
Date Posted: May 10 2009 at 09:30
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I can vote two giants favourites of mine
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Posted By: Prospero
Date Posted: May 10 2009 at 10:10
| The impact Miles Davis' music had on Zappa is significant. Zappa listened to Bitches Brew extensively while he was in hospital after he had hurt himself on stage. "The Grand Wazoo" and "Waka/Jawaka" too me sound like Bitches Brew infused with happiness (Miles' music sometimes feels emotionless, depressing - though that's just me, and don't get me wrong, I enjoy all of his legacy.). In conclusion: No Miles Davis, probably a different Zappa. No Zappa, probably the same Miles Davis. I voted Miles. |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 10 2009 at 17:54
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Miles' music is overall dark and black, i would not call it depressing. Especially when i put his music on at night, there is an overall mysticism to Davis' work. Zappa is looney at worst, Outstanding and bizarre at best! FZ brings in humor as well. I forgot i started this thread. I dont remember who i voted for, but i could see it being very tough for most people here to vote, especially those heavily into jazz and avant-garde, as both artists were i think a Miles vs. Coltrane vs. Mingus vs. Monk would be an exciting debate, as they were all legends in the jazz world, as well as peers and contemporaries, so i wouldnt have Dizzy and Parker in the poll. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: May 10 2009 at 17:56
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^ plus imagine that band (Miles, Trane, Mingus & Monk)
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: BroSpence
Date Posted: May 11 2009 at 20:03
Well they all worked together at different points.
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: May 12 2009 at 08:28
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Davis-Zappa might have been an interesting collaboration or would they have stepped on each other's toes too much, so to speak?
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: annexusquam
Date Posted: May 16 2009 at 12:17
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i don't understand this comparison.. miles davis of course ------------- https://0a0wake0.bandcamp.com/releases |
Posted By: jimidom
Date Posted: May 16 2009 at 21:01
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Wow! Tough poll..... Clearly 2 American musical geniuses. I guess it comes down to whose contributions to music were more profound and more influential. So, I guess Miles would win but by a margin of say 0.000000001 %. ------------- "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - HST |
Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: July 15 2009 at 21:39
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Zappa, SLIGHTLY over Davis ------------- Les mains, les pieds balancés Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers, Un marin mort, Il dormira - Paul Éluard |
Posted By: Kazuhiro
Date Posted: July 15 2009 at 21:45
| It was not possible to vote because both of we were lovers. |
Posted By: llamalime
Date Posted: September 20 2009 at 21:52
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Impossible
------------- "Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid." -Frank Zappa |
Posted By: npjnpj
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 07:47
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Musically I don't qualify to have an opinion, but rated on pure fun and entertainment Zappa without a doubt.
Can't say I've ever listened to Davis with a big grin on my face, in fact I've rarely been able to sit through a complete Miles Davis album. Just sounds too dull to my ears.
But then I've never been into Jazz, although I've made a few attempts.
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Posted By: crimhead
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 13:38
| It is hard to imagine music without either man. So many musicians came through the ranks of both men. |
Posted By: Pekka
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 14:12
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Can't say. My knowledge on both extend only to a handful of albums which I've been really enjoying quite a lot. Both are among my big getting-to-know projects. ------------- http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=42652" rel="nofollow - It's on PA! 
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Posted By: sircosick
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 14:21
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Hard to decide, or rather, hard to chose a parameter to decide. To make things easier, who was, for me, the most definitive and/or relevant in music history? My vote goes for Miles. ------------- The best you can is good enough... |
Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 14:29
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Z A P P A ! ! ! ------------- 
Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime |
Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 14:39
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Brains splatter the walls trying to conceive this...... Brain says Davis, heart doesn't know.
------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: Xanthous
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 19:14
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Miles Davis Most of Miles Davis's music appeals to me whether it be his early Jazz records, Fusion, or later work. Frank Zappa has great moments and awful moments for me.
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Posted By: A Person
Date Posted: September 21 2009 at 21:01
| I might vote Davis, just to even up the score, otherwise there is no way I would pick one over the other. |
Posted By: JLocke
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 00:40
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This is quite possibly the hardest poll I have yet to come across on this site. There is no way in hell I could make a choice.
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Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 01:03
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This is ridiculous. Way too different to compare and too hard to choose. I mean Miles Davis is pretty much the god of jazz, but I love Zappa too... Sometimes I want Davis over Zappa and sometimes the opposite. Overall it's just too hard to say!
------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: b4usleep
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 01:03
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Miles by miles
------------- Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper, your deafness a shout. |
Posted By: snobb
Date Posted: March 05 2010 at 01:23
| Two absolutely great figures. Voted for FZ,but it wasn't easy |