Crystal Silence

Chick Corea, Gary Burton

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B00000APVF
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,398 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This 1979 album by pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton helped establish the viability of a modern chamber approach to jazz. Thank Corea's versatile, relaxed seamless use of jazz, folk, and Latin forms together with classical complexity and rigor. In Burton, he finds the perfect counterpart. In "Senor Mouse" and "What Game Shall We Play," in particular, the two lock in, as if one player were in full command of some delightfully hybrid, hammered instrument. Corea, with ringing, appropriately crystalline tone and careful modulation, often soars, often frolics, but never descends to banality. Burton, with his usual extraordinary four-mallet expansiveness, acts as both musical prompt and magnifier. The timbres and tones of piano and vibes are complementary, as are the sympathies of two surpassing players. --Peter Monaghan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Collaboration Between Two Master Musicians, March 17, 2004

By	Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I first picked up this 1973 album on vinyl about twenty years ago based on a review in the ROLLING STONE RECORD GUIDE when I began making musical journeys outside the realm of classic rock. Gary Burton is one of the finest vibraphonists of all time. [Burton's bands included such guitarists as Larry Coryell, John Scofield and Pat Metheny]. And Chick Corea is among the most significant keyboard players in jazz. [His fusion band Return to Forever included guitar wunderkind Al DiMeola.]

Both artists had been releasing solo albums since the Sixties before teaming up in the Seventies for their first of three duet albums. This nine-song collection is performed in a purely duet setting, with Corea and Burton performing songs by Steve Swallow (an alum of the Gary Burton Quartet), pianist/arranger Mike Gibbs, and Corea himself, who composed five of the tracks including the splendid "Senor Mouse."

What makes Burton's vibes playing so unique is his use of four mallets simultaneously to give it a richer fuller tone. And Corea's piano work is nothing short of astounding. For the uninitiated, don't let the term "jazz" scare you away from this recording. This music is quiet, soothing and introspective. The perfect balm at the end of a hectic day. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity, beauty, intelligence and infinite musicality, August 4, 1999

By	Mr. Stuart Robert Harris "Vivir Con Arte" (Bradford-on-Avon, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Forget your lift music, cocktail lounge prejudices - in the hands of Gary Burton, the vibes become infinitely expressive. Penetrating, soulful, jazzy, bluesy, quirky, Burton does the lot in a spirited partnership with Chick Corea.

Crystal Silence is a tour de force, music of great inventiveness and depth, beautifully recorded. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crystal Silence - Duets at their very best, October 26, 2005

By	Randolph S. Brush (Grinnell, IA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was fortunate enough, many years ago to be in NYC during the Jazz festival time. We had tickets one night to a show featuring the Woody Herman Big Band, then Chick Corea with the MusicMagic line-up. Anyway, there was an hour delay in setting up Chick after Woody that had an unbelievable resolution. Gary Burton was there, and he & Chick played basically the entire Crystal Silence album on stage while they set-up Chick Corea's band.

This is an unbeleivable album, probably one of my top five all time albums of any genre. It's also an amazing album for any aspiring drumkit player to practice with.

I would give it more stars if I could.