Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project

Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project

ASIN: B00000J2PD

Track Listings

1. In a Silent Way - Milestones

2. Right Off [Theme from Jack Johnson]

3. Internet

4. All Blues

5. It's About That Time

6. Azael

7. Spanish Key

8. Ife

9. Great Expectations

10. Black Satin

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Trumpeter Mark Isham's Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project is another in a slew of Miles Davis tributes released in the late 1990s. It follows Miles tributes by Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser (Yo Miles!) and producer Bill Laswell (Panthalassa) in looking back specifically on the great trumpeter's electric period of the early 1970s. Purist fans of this part of Miles's career might be a little put off by Isham's live recording, as The Silent Way Project is more his own interpretations of several themes from the period than a collection of unerringly faithful versions. The title track, for example, is almost unrecognizable as Isham and his band veer off into ambient territory after the initial opening theme. Also, the overall vibe the band generates is in truth closer to the slicker sound of Miles's 1980s recordings than it is to the dense and heavily percussive leanings of the albums that originally contained this material. Still, there are plenty of worthwhile moments here that will appeal to fans of Miles's '70s period, from the all-out guitar-driven crash of "Jack Johnson" to the avant-funk of "Ife" and "Spanish Key." --Ezra Gale

Tracks:

In a Silent Way - Milestones
Right Off [Theme from Jack Johnson]
Internet
All Blues
It's About That Time
Azael
Spanish Key
Ife
Great Expectations
Black Satin

Amazon.com

Trumpeter Mark Isham's Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project is another in a slew of Miles Davis tributes released in the late 1990s. It follows Miles tributes by Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser (Yo Miles!) and producer Bill Laswell (Panthalassa) in looking back specifically on the great trumpeter's electric period of the early 1970s. Purist fans of this part of Miles's career might be a little put off by Isham's live recording, as The Silent Way Project is more his own interpretations of several themes from the period than a collection of unerringly faithful versions. The title track, for example, is almost unrecognizable as Isham and his band veer off into ambient territory after the initial opening theme. Also, the overall vibe the band generates is in truth closer to the slicker sound of Miles's 1980s recordings than it is to the dense and heavily percussive leanings of the albums that originally contained this material. Still, there are plenty of worthwhile moments here that will appeal to fans of Miles's '70s period, from the all-out guitar-driven crash of "Jack Johnson" to the avant-funk of "Ife" and "Spanish Key." --Ezra Gale

Customer Reviews:

Miles Davis! but wrong period.......2006-12-20

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".

Great tribute !!!!.......2004-08-26

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.

Good, but not great.......2003-03-09

I haven't yet heard a really good electric Miles tribute. Isham's CD, while a good album, tends to have too slick a sound to bring about truly satisfying music. It does have something of the Miles sound, but it's more of the 1980s Miles, which frankly, I'm not particularly interested in hearing a tribute to.

However, the album certainly has its merits. "Right Off" is a great performance driven by the two guitarists, and is probably the best track. Ife and Spanish Key are also well done.

Also, the redeeming feature of this album is that it doesn't slavishly adhere to the way Miles did a piece. The opening track "In a Silent Way - Milestones," begins with the theme from In a Silent Way, but the band merely uses this as a starting point, and then move into something of a trance-like jam. It may not be the best thing to do with the tune, but if nothing else, it's interesting to hear.

This CD is worth buying (or at least hearing), but perhaps try finding it used (that's what I did, at any rate)

Great Jazz-Rock Fusion.......2001-12-22

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.

Surprisingly excellent.......2001-11-01

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.

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