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

It's surprising that a few people found this great release disappointing. This collection is not a great surprise perhaps, but it's beatiful and highly inspired. You'll find new songs and arrangements here that shine a different light on the classic Corea songs. Only two songs from the original Crystal Silence album are included here - the ubiquitous Senor Mouse and the magnificently lyrical Crystal Silence. The contemporary classical orchestral arrangements are a great addition - they bring out the tonal colors and textures that are otherwise not present in a duet format. Speaking of which, Chick Corea's music adapts itself easily and naturally to any format - electric, acoustic, solo, duet or orchestral, in which he is perfectly at home. The package is really nicely designed as well, including great photographs from past and present and liner notes by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and Gary Burton. Thoroughly enjoyable and not to be missed by Chick Corea fans.

I totally agree with Austin in his review, for myself though, I was a little dissappointed with how Up Tempo it is....I ordered it after listening to track No 7 on disc 2, which is sublime .... would not have if I had heard the entire collection.

REAL FANS will not mind at all....I, however, was remembering Gary Burton on "Cool Nights" when I placed the order...now that disc all these years later is still SPECIAL.

Just a warning for those who prefer a softer sound.

The latest recordings by one of the greatest duos in jazz is recommended because any opportunity to hear Chick and Gary is a pleasure but the orchestral arrangements do not substantially add to the pleasure of listening to these two wonderful performers. The strings don't detract from the performances, but for me the greatest pleasure is the simple pairing of Chick and Gary-superb performers, composers, and collaborators.