Listening to Something Else

At the end of “One for Daddy-O,” a eight-minute cut off Cannonball Adderly’s now classic album, Miles Davis croaks out into the voluminous silence, “That what you want, Alfred?” At least, I think it’s Miles. It sure sounds like his trademark rasp. And the wicked smile built into those five words sounds like Miles, too. It’s straight-out braggadocio. He knows that’s what Alfred wants. “That’s a take,” the producer was probably leaning into the intercom to impart, but Miles beats him to the punch. Even when it’s not his gig, Miles makes sure you know who the boss is.