Customer Reviews

Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The back story for the album is unique; trumpeter Mark Isham wanted archival material from his Miles Davis tribute concerts and had no plans to release the music. And the taping was an afterthought, so it wasn't as if tour dates were "planned" for a future album. But credit Isham's manager for approaching Columbia Records, which yielded a deal to release a portion of the 30-plus hours of recorded performances.

The band - especially guitarists Pete Maunu and Steve Cardenas and bassist Doug Lunn - sizzle on the numbers from the "electric" phase of the late-1960s to mid-1970s, with the 15:26 Spanish Key the standout, with Right Off (Theme from Jack Johnson), Ife and Black Satin not far behind.

The music has a wonderful relevance because it was created for all the right reasons; one artist honoring an iconic superstar who had a major impact on his professional career.

I don't want to compare this to the Miles Davis' recording. I really like both of them. It's great to see Miles Davis music played in different incarnations this time with a very competent band with Mark Isham at the helm. I especially enjoyed listening to the 2 guitarists. This is one CD I will listen to many times.

Miles turned the jazz world on its head, by going electric. Isham goes back to the 1970's and returns with the goods. My only complaint would be that I want more. Isham composes two original pieces worthy of inclusion among the Davis and Davis/Zawinul originals. Fine playing by everyone. 1999 was a weak year for jazz, but this makes up for the dry spell.

Lots of horn players honor Miles. This project is completed by an accomplished film soundman. Next to the real thing, this is as good as you get. Every track is fantastic.

If this album coerces people to re-evaluate the electric period of Miles Davis, then it will have been a worthwhile exercise. Like Bill Laswell's Panthalassa, it makes this period of the Master's career more approachable for contemporary audiences. Also, its actually rather good. Of particular merit is the excellent work of the two guitarists who make a pretty good job of fleshing out the sound with atmospherics - emulating the large bands that Miles would have used in the originals. Worst moments are when the guitarists invoke the spectre of the much maligned Mike Stern who featured with Miles in the early 80's to almost universal disapproval for his almost heavy metal approach. Shortcomings aside, this is a well meaning project which deserves a large audience. Play loud.

This Miles Davis tribute by trumpeter Mark Isham and his band starts off well enough with their reading of "In a Silent Way," but as the second cut, "Right Off" gets going, things start to head south, largely because of the guitar playing. There are two guitarists credited in the liner notes, Peter Maunu and Steve Cardenas. Oh, well. The rest of Isham's band consists of Doug Lunn on bass and Michael Barsimanto on drums. There is one Isham cut, "Internet," which sounds like something one could imagine Miles playing with his electric band; the rest of the cuts are by Miles himself (in conjunction with Joe Zawinul on a couple of cuts).

The performances are mixed down from recordings made at live performances, and there is certainly no lack of energy to the playing. There are some really nice things on this CD, such as the cover of "All Blues," which sounds so different from the version on "Kind of Blue," yet so rewarding in its own right; there version of 'It's About Time" really cooks; and although some of the guitar playing on "Spanish Key" is mildly annoying, the sheer audacity and exuberance of these guys covering this tune cannot help but win over all but the most jaded jazz fans. This is a really fun CD in its own nonsilent way, and listening to it will cause you to drag your old Miles recordings down from the shelf and listen to them with fresh interest and eager ears.

This was a pleasant surprise. As a fan of 69-74 Miles and a fan of some of Isham's work in a more minimalist vein- I didn't really think this would work but it really does. While most of the rougher tracks are smoothed out a little there is still sufficient bite to them and Isham is a natural for the more "ambient" tracks. Yeah, a keeper.

This album has a great flow. It has a mix of sensitive moody parts interwoven with all out rockus... and it works very well. Reminds me of the good fusion days of Al DiMiola, Chick Corea, Vital Information of the early '80s as well as Miles. You can actually feel the musicians energy flowing, and mixing with each other. If it doesn't move you, you might be dead.

A cheap product to work, when I can figure out how to put it together. Enough said. G

Mark Isham has the tone of Miles Davis down...

But this music leaves me cold - Miles Davis, all right, but wrong period.

I MUCH prefer Mr Isham's "Blue Sun" album, reminiscent of Miles, but songs of his own, (mostly). I really wish Mr Isham would do another Miles-like album like the warm & wonderful "Blue Sun".