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.

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.

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!

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