Customer Reviews

The New Crystal Silence

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Though this live double CD marks the 35th anniversary of pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burtons landmark piano and vibes album "Crystal Silence", it is in no sense a retread of the original.
The pair have collaborated regularly since that seminal debut, and have pushed what was already a sophisticated musical dialogue to ever-more rarefied levels of invention.
This double CD caters for both the converted and the doubters Burton originally anticipated: half the tracks are just for piano and vibes, the other half have the support of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing Tim Garland's arrangements of jazz classics and Burton's and Corea's regular duo material.
The years have brought an air of ease and relaxation to the duo's hyper-aware, hyper-responsive virtuosity.
Corea and Burton, both consummate virtuosos, are at the peak of their improvising game here, and the double-disc set is worth it for their dialogue alone.
Only two the original tunes appear here: an orchestral version of "Crystal Silence" (Corea's original from the 1972 "Return To Forever" album) - and a performance of "Señor Mouse" recorded in Tenerife added to a duo concert recorded at the Molde Jazz Festival.
Disc 1, features the pair performing with the Sydney Symphony: a lush backdrop, with echoes of Ravel in the orchestration.
Disc 2 shifts from grandiosity to intimacy, as Corea and Burton explore standards and revisit old favourites like "Senor Mouse" and "La Fiesta" without any distractions.
Either in orchestral or chamber mode, the results are equally impressive: their playing together is impeccable, immaculate and perennially fresh. But maybe it's the second part of the set that is the most hypnotically engaging: intimately integrated and gleamingly precise, yet free.
Crystal Silence
Return to Forever

It's surprising that a few people found this great release disappointing. This collection is not a great surprise perhaps, but it's beatiful and highly inspired. You'll find new songs and arrangements here that shine a different light on the classic Corea songs. Only two songs from the original Crystal Silence album are included here - the ubiquitous Senor Mouse and the magnificently lyrical Crystal Silence. The contemporary classical orchestral arrangements are a great addition - they bring out the tonal colors and textures that are otherwise not present in a duet format. Speaking of which, Chick Corea's music adapts itself easily and naturally to any format - electric, acoustic, solo, duet or orchestral, in which he is perfectly at home. The package is really nicely designed as well, including great photographs from past and present and liner notes by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and Gary Burton. Thoroughly enjoyable and not to be missed by Chick Corea fans.

Although disc 2 is another wonderful collaboration between Corea and Burton -- brilliant, spare -- the orchesteral arrangements on Disc 1 come off like they were written by John Williams for a Spielberg film and played by the City of Prague Orchestra. Compare them to the arrangements on Corea. Concerto (unfortunately, you will not pick this up in the 30 second samples). In that earlier work, the orchestra adds a distinctive new thematic element. Here, it's all melodramatic crescendos, with the strings and horns repeating the main theme over and over, as you find in soundtrack music.

Enjoy disc 2 and use disc 1 as a coaster.

The latest recordings by one of the greatest duos in jazz is recommended because any opportunity to hear Chick and Gary is a pleasure but the orchestral arrangements do not substantially add to the pleasure of listening to these two wonderful performers. The strings don't detract from the performances, but for me the greatest pleasure is the simple pairing of Chick and Gary-superb performers, composers, and collaborators.

All of the components which usually contribute to and allow a "successful" artistic endeavour are present on 'The New Crystal Silence'! Intangibles such as chemistry among the players (Chick and Gary are accompanied by the Sydney Symphony on the first disc), and the interaction between the performers and their audience certainly register in the upper percentages of how these things are rated. Yet, when all things are considered; the stellar performances of the artists, the excellent recording which is worthy of the most discriminating audiophiles, and even the artwork of the cd case itself,
there is still an element which equals all the others if not bests them.....and that is the timeless quality of the compositions! Admittedly, not all of the pieces on 'The New Crystal Silence' were penned by Chick. The inclusion of Waltz for Debby, Sweet and Lovely, and I Loves You Porgy reflects a sincere respect for the composers as well as it does a love for the tunes they wrote. Indeed these songs are played so genuinely as to have come directly from the hearts and minds of Chick and Gary. They stand next to the Chick Corea originals without a hint of having been adopted but moreso as having been born right into the family, assimilated into the household of Chick music. The feeling one gets from listening to 'The New Crystal Silence' is that music is one big happy family and we the listeners are at the heart of the family. The respect which exists between Gary Burton and Chick Corea is extended to their audience.

A few notes on the music contained herein:
Even if you own the Chick Corea cd's on which these songs were first released, this cd is worth owning. The arrangements are so creative and wonderfully conceived to the point where new life is breathed into songs like Bud Powell, No Mystery, Senor Mouse, and the rest. The inherent beauty of La Fiesta is given a new spotlight. Within the context of the orchestration, this is truly a new song. I have all of these songs in my collection from previous purchases. Even upon repeated listenings, 'The New Crystal Silence' offers these songs up as new experiences for the listener! I hestitated to purchase this cd giving myself the justification that if I wanted to hear these tunes I could just pull out the cd's on which they were first released. I am glad that I finally acquired this one though......I would have been robbed of the perspective from which these tunes were performed and recorded had I not made the buy. I encourage you as a Chick Corea / Gary Burton fan or as a potential fan to take the plunge......unhesitatingly dive into 'The New Crystal Silence'. You'll be elated that you did!

You might argue that there really is nothing new here. I believe that all of this material has been recorded previously, and some items have extensive coverage by other jazz artists (e.g. Waltz for Debby). Also, of course, Messrs. Corea and Burton have performed and recorded on multiple occasions.

But to me, this comfortable material (I hesitate to call it "old") provides an excellent platform for re-exploration and re-interpretation. The melodies may be old, but the music is new, fresh, invigorating, dynamic, powerful in spots and playful in others.

The energy in these performances, some of them in front of a live audience, is palpable. I find the musical interplay hints at an exuberance, a joyfulness which is almost infectious. I am very fond of some of this material which I associate with a more electric and eclectic Return to Forever period but these acoustic performances are dazzling.

The "quality" here is absolutely stunning: the musicianship, the improvisation, the "crispness" of the complicated melodies.

If I were to voice any negative, it is that there isn't a three minute cut to offer to a friend; these compositions are more complicated and require somewhat more attention than some might be willing to give. Otherwise, this is an outstanding set of recordings.

This is an album I return to in the afternoon to rejuvenate and raise my spirits.

This is a great album! I have been a CC fan for a long time and found this album exhilarating.I even saw him perform at Monmouth University in Jersey and would catch him again.The first disc is with the Sydney Orchestra and the second is just the two squaring off.This Cd moves and before ya know it ..its over.Anyway I guess ya can't please everybody but I am!

This is a 2 CD set from the legendary duo. I was completely surprised by the first CD, which consisted of a lot of symphonic orchestrations. Most of it came across as a dreamy world of piano and strings... that I wasn't prepared for. The second CD is a re-working of their standards (some live). The CD is a worthy addition to any collection by these two.

The unaccompanied duet disc will please fans of the original Crystal Silence. As other reviewers note, the selections are more uptempo, but they are still dazzling treatments of Chick Corea's writing, and his playing is more mature than in the earlier era. Gary Burton is terrific as always. The other disc has the two of them backed by an orchestra. In general, I don't think orchestral accompaniment serves jazz very well (Charlie Parker and Strings included). There are some remarkable solos on the orchestral disc, but it's still pretty much a snooze. But the cd is priced reasonably for a double and is well worth buying for the duet disc.

I am so pleased with this CD set! It is wonderful listening and it sets a fine mood in my home. Even my birds seem to like it! I have it all on repeat on my iTunes right now even as I am typing this.