Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Miles Davis: The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions

Miles Davis: The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions

By Jim Santella
August 1, 2001
View read count

Miles Davis: The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions

Three previously unissued performances and six months of Miles Davis' recording activity mark this 3-CD set as something special. This was a transitional time for the bandleader. It marked the beginning of a fusion. The package documents this period very well. Davis wanted a new sound. With several keyboards and significant changes in personnel, he got it. The trumpeter introduced his musical changes gradually. The more radical shift would come later. These sessions are pleasant and full of intrigue. In his extensive, accompanying essay, Bob Belden analyzes the music thoroughly. He notes the revealed inspiration of Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. The music in these sessions fuses with rock and soul, but doesn't stray too far from what we knew up to then as Miles Davis mainstream jazz.

His clear, open trumpet sound came from a deep respect for tone quality. Davis knew that each member of his band shared that feeling. Elements of the blues and heartfelt emotion had always been a part of his art. With this landmark recording, Davis was able to move gradually toward something new, without sacrificing the old. From Bitches' Brew on, however, many of the trumpeter's projects turned controversial. The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions occurred from September 1968 to February 1969. The reproduced sound quality is good throughout. Invaluable as a turning point in Davis' career, and still a listening pleasure, these sessions stand out as some of the best this year has wrought.

Track Listing

Shhh / Peaceful; In A Silent Way / It's About That Time.

Personnel

Miles Davis

trumpet

Wayne Shorter

saxophone

Herbie Hancock

piano

Chick Corea

piano

Joe Zawinul

keyboards

John McLaughlin

guitar

Dave Holland

bass

Tony Williams

drums

(Collective:) Miles Davis, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, tenor and soprano saxophones; Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, electric piano, organ; Herbie Hancock, electric piano; John McLaughlin, electric guitar; Dave Holland, bass; Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Chambers, drums; Teo Macero, tambourine.

Album information

Title: In a Silent Way | Year Released: 1969 | Record Label: Columbia Records

About Miles Davis

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Global Unity
< Previous

Meet Duane Eubanks
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.