Miles Davis - In a Silent Way (Remastered)
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Track List: In a Silent Way (Remastered)
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Album Details: In a Silent Way (Remastered)
- Release Date:
- 08/20/2002
- Label:
- Sony
- UPC:
- 074646534526
User Reviews: In a Silent Way (Remastered)
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Miles Davis - in chill mode
, October 16, 2006Reviewer:
Nubian ∑agle ©™ - See all Nubian ∑agle ©™'s reviews
read all (1) user reviews for In a Silent Way (Remastered)
Pro Reviews: In a Silent Way (Remastered)
| EXPERT RATING: From AMG Reviews Listening to Miles Davis' originally released version of In a Silent Way in light of the complete sessions released by Sony in 2001 (Columbia Legacy 65362) reveals just how strategic and dramatic a studio construction it was. If one listens to Joe Zawinul's original version of "In a Silent Way," it comes across as almost a folk song with a very pronounced melody. The version Miles Davis and Teo Macero assembled from the recording session in July of 1968 is anything but. There is no melody, not even a melodic frame. There are only vamps and solos, grooves layered on top of other grooves spiraling toward space but ending in silence. But even these don't begin until almost ten minutes into the piece. It's Miles and McLaughlin, sparely breathing and wending their way through a series of seemingly disconnected phrases until the groove monster kicks in. The solos are extended, digging deep into the heart of the ethereal groove, which was dark, smoky, and ashen. McLaughlin and Hancock are particularly brilliant, but Corea's solo on the Fender Rhodes is one of his most articulate and spiraling on the instrument ever. The A-side of the album, "Shhh/Peaceful," is even more so. With Tony Williams shimmering away on the cymbals in double time, Miles comes out slippery and slowly, playing over the top of the vamp, playing ostinato and moving off into more mysterious territory a moment at a time. With Zawinul's organ in the background offering the occasional swell of darkness and dimension, Miles could continue indefinitely. But McLaughlin is hovering, easing in, moving up against the organ and the trills by Hancock and Corea; Wayne Shorter hesitantly winds in and out of the mix on his soprano, filling space until it's his turn to solo. But John McLaughlin, playing solos and fills throughout (the piece is like one long dreamy solo for the guitarist), is what gives it its open quality, like a piece of music with no borders as he turns in and through the commingling keyboards as Holland paces everything along. When the first round of solos ends, Zawinul and McLaughlin and Williams usher it back in with painterly decoration and illumination from Corea and Hancock. Miles picks up on another riff created by Corea and slips in to bring back the ostinato "theme" of the work. He plays glissando right near the very end, which is the only place where the band swells and the tune moves above a whisper before Zawinul's organ fades it into silence. This disc holds up, and perhaps is even stronger because of the issue of the complete sessions. It is, along with Jack Johnson and Bitches Brew, a signature Miles Davis session from the electric era. - Thom Jurek, All Music Guide |
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Miles Davis Biography
Throughout a professional career lasting 50 years, Miles Davis played the trumpet in a lyrical, introspective, and melodic style, often employing a stemless Harmon mute to make his sound more personal and intimate. But if his approach to his instrume...Full Miles Davis Biography
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-- ©2008 All Media Guide, LLC
Pros: A stunningly brilliant "electric" album from Miles
Cons: It's brevity: 38 minutes
"In a Silent Way" is more than another great album from Miles Davis. For me, it's also an extended lullabye and a soothing and hypnotic rush of total calm. These two tracks don't have the upbeat bounce you'd expect, but they'll richly reward the listener who's willing to accept the album on its own terms. Davis continues to push the envelope, taking on an unconventional approach to jazz. At first, the organ in "Shhh/Peaceful" threw me off a bit, but it later grew on me, and I found that it nicely compliments the guitar and Miles' trumpet. This track is 18 minutes of out-of-this-world etheral cool. "In a Silent Way/It's About That Time" is a smoothed out, gentle number with a very-1969 funky guitar lick, soft yet effective percussion, and nice bass work. This is music to sleep to, but in no way do I imply that this CD is boring. As I mentioned before, this album gives off a complete and elegant sense of calm. If you work at a high stress job during the day, then this is the CD you definitely want to play when you get home. It'll physically and emotionally relax you. The one bad thing about this disc is that it's only 38 minutes long. Like all great albums, I never wanted it to end.
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