Miles Davis
In A Silent Way
Shhh/ Peaceful
In a Silent Way/ It's About That Time
Columbia, 1969
< >Miles Davis' career spanned from the early days of Bop all the way to Rap (which he incorporated into his work before he died). And for as many albums he created, everyone seems to have their favorite Davis album. Maybe one day in the future, there will be some sort of personality test that includes data for a subjects favorite Davis album. Most seem to think Kind of Blue is the most righteous, a woman i once knew was partial to Sketches of Spain with Porgy and Bess as a close runner up. I've even heard there are a few who lean towards Bitches Brew.
Let it be known that In a Silent Way is mine.
More specifically, the first track, Shhh/ Peaceful is my favorite Davis composition. The 2nd track, In a Silent Way/ It's About That Time, in my opinion is nowhere nearly as dynamic or complex as Shhh/ Peaceful. But that's certainly not the same as saying it's bad.
To describe what it's all about would be like trying to describe modern painting to a blind person. It is sedate, it is cacophonous, it is bewildering and though it seems confusing and disjointed to the unexposed listener, this composition is one of the more intricate and well thought out Davis pieces ever... even if it was done as a prolonged improv session.
And though i might be considered a heretic for saying this, i honestly see a tremendous amount of similarity between the tracks on this album and the work of Tangerine Dream. Well, Exit and Sorcerer to be more specific.
Oh... i would be remiss if i didn't mention the lineup of this album. Herbie Hancock (my second favorite pianists next to Bill Evans, whom Davis also showcased for years), Chick Corea (one of the pioneers of progressive jazz), Wayne Shorter (one of my favorite 3 saxophonists), Dave Holland (an icon for aspiring bass players), Josef Zawinul (another famous progressive jazz artist who headlined Weather Report), John McLaughlin (one of the most accomplished and respected guitar players of all time) and Tony Williams (yet another bass icon). There are few lineups in jazz history that are as impressive, complex and outstanding as this lineup was.
As for whether i can recommend this album to anyone or not, i think that if you understand jazz, if you can maintain an open mind and if you can enjoy jazz without the stage of Bop or Swing, you might want to give this a try.