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Miles Davis - In a Silent Way Audio CD

A fair review of the Miles Davis "In a Silent Way" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Miles Davis reviews here, or go back to the Miles Davis tabs.

Miles Davis Band: Miles Davis
Title: In a Silent Way
Rating:
Release Date: 2002-08-20
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Shhh/Peaceful 2: In A Silent Way

Miles the Magician
According to John McLaughlin, Miles was an inspirational band leader who was able to inspire unique performances by bringing together the best young musicians and flexibly original material. "In a Silent Way" single-handedly ushered in a new era of improvised music blending the sophisticated modes of jazz, the up-tempo pulse of rock and the cool other-worldliness of ambient - a term coined 12 years later by Brian Eno.

The 18 minute opening track "Shh Peaceful" finds the musicians moving in and out of the simple musical forms together building to a shared climax from what has come before. Resolve to the after-glow of "In a Silent Way" - Joe Zawinul's composition recalling the mountains of his boyhood home in Austria. Miles instructed McLaughlin to "play the melody but not the chords". McLaughlin came up with something that uniquely held the mood while allowing Miles and saxophonist Wayne Shorter to play the theme and evoke a haunting yet hopeful mood inherent in the composition.

"It's about that Time" emerges full-grown from that dream-trance. Clocking a 4-4 rock beat (Tony Williams) along with a spacious, stuttering bass beat (Dave Holland), Miles states an open ended theme underpinned by electric guitar (McLaughlin) and multiple keyboards (Corea, Hancock, Zawinul). Solos happen but the evolving blend dances around the solid pulse bringing to a boil the passions that have been simmering and building from the beginning. More than anything the music evokes the sensuous feel of late night sex.


Great record. Mediocre pressing.
When I got back into vinyl, I absolutely had to get it in this format. This is one of Miles' best records. I couldn't wait for it to arrive and when it did I was truly disappointed. The surface noise was the loudest I've ever heard. In a record like this which is full of soft passages and silences this can be very annoying.
Right now I'm waiting for a replacement, but I think there won't be much difference. .


This album turned me on to jazz music.
At the same time, I didn't feel I was really developing as a musician by listening to all of the other groups my friends were listening to. When I was 20, I was heavily involved in playing metal and punk music. Well, while flipping through the dials, I came across NPR and was like "Hmm. . . jazz, okay, cool. " and would listen to a bunch of anonymous jazz artists. . . well at least they were to me. I just considered myself a fan of jazz without really wanting to find out more artists to support.

One night while Canadian NPR was on, the radio host Ross Porter decided to put on "In A Silent Way" by Miles Davis. I was so impressed that I dropped the sandwich I was eating on my lap. The next morning, I went to the store and got the CD.

It's only two songs, but man alive does the album pack a wallop in terms of it's delivery. The atmosphere of the album is bright at times, mellow at others, but always full. It does have it's calm and serene moments (most notably when the title track is on) but while the more up-tempo parts aren't necessarily overpowering, the music is still powerful, well-crafted, and remarkably beautiful.

I recommend this album to everyone, especially those who're willing to give jazz music a try. It's not long, but man does it explore the space it's in.


Perfect...Not Sure What Else To Say


This music was concieved and performed on a higher plain. When you listen to this album you will instantly be transported to a place and time beyond anything you have ever expirience prior. It's mysterious and beautiful and so very unique. To have a song that gives you chills and brings tears to your eyes the entire way through like In A Silent Way is awesome.

Shhh/Peaceful is an incredible piece with one of Miles' most lyrical and extraordinary solo's. It's About That Time is haunting. There's such a tension in the music and a sence of urgency. Major contemplation.

There are few albums like this, just watch how time passes and see how many come along.


Horrible Hiss Takes away intended silence
The horrible hiss that fills in between the notes is louder than some of the music. I am attempting to like this. It reminds me of the low quality of initial compact disks and the flat quality and amplified hiss that came in those initial jewel cases.

This review is for the Amazon mp3 download.


You can see a complete list of all Miles Davis discography, or go back to the Miles Davis tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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