Speak No Evil

One of a musical master's most brilliantly performed and conceived works. Wayne Shorter's talents and prowess is showcased in excellent form here. Beautifully timeless music as expressed in the best of recordings.

I required several listenings to fully appreciate this CD. It strikes the fragile balance between new ground and accessibility brilliantly. For "new ground", Shorter uses challenging melodies and chord progressions that are not quite modal yet not quite conventional - they are something else again (borrowed in part from the innovative classical composers of the 20th and late 19th centuries). The "out there" sequential patterns and comping that Herbie Hancock sneaks in the cracks are the touch of magic that complete the "other worldly" effect.How can THAT be accessible? Despite the odd scales and intervals, the melodies are straightforward and singable. Yes, experimental jazz can have hooks. The polished sound of Shorter and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard stating the themes seals the deal. The music is also emotionally accessible. Though far from the ii-v-i tensions we all know and love, Shorter's songs create their own tensions and releases. The moods vary wildly from the extroverted Witch Hunt to the haunting Dance Cadaverous to the plaintive Infant Eyes. The wonder is that Shorter senses how listeners will react emotionally to sounds that they have never heard before.The sound is clear and bright. Shorter plays with fade outs at the end of songs to extend the moods he has created. Though common for rock and roll tunes of the day, this was another departure for jazz.The final indicator that Shorter produced something "extra special" was when I compared it to Shorter's JuJu. With much respect to McCoy Tyner, who plays marvelously on JuJu, I greatly missed Hubbard and Hancock on JuJu. They are irreplaceable ingredients used to create the unrepeatable lightning-in-a-bottle whose name is "Speak No Evil".

This LP sounds great for a digital remaster. It is high resolution 24/96 or 24/192 according to Blue Note. My only complaint is the quality of the vinyl. It is not very quiet. There is noise throughout various tracks during play back. Most remastered LPs at this price point have some noise but this one is some what excessive. You may want to consider the Blue Note remaster on CD.

This is another CD that I purchased for various reasons. I am replacing all my vinyl, and I like the way Rudy Van Gelder has remastered. Again, I relied on All Music.Com to guide. The pre-fusion CD's for Wayne Shorter that got 5 stars were "Speak No Evil" and two others. That's all for pre-fusion. So far, so good. With Freddie Hubbard, on Trumpet, Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter, on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. These are my favorites to backup the underrated (historically) astute Wayne Shorter. This CD sneaks up on you instead of grabbing you with a strong grip. I like now then when I purchased it. It is missing something from the vinyl, but once I got use to that (I cannot tell what it is) I was home free. I have been enjoying Mr. Shorter a lot lately. Some people said he copied Miles and Trane. I do not see that here. If he did, he has added is own softer quality. Who can argue with that. This CD will surprise you, give it time, and buy it. Another RVG remaster that he made better.

[This is a rating / review for 2014 VINYL re-issue, not the actual performance]I won't comment on the music or performance, as much more experienced Jazz fans have done that, but it's considered a classic, and a "Core Collection" recording by many. For the performance I would give a four to five star rating, but this vinyl release left me slightly underwhelmed.Blue Note's 75th anniversary initiative to re-release highlights from their catalogue has given many newer fans to start building a Jazz collection on band new pristine vinyl. I've bought a couple so far including "Midnight Blue", "Idle Moments" and "Undercurrent" all of which have been wonderfully re-mastered and issued on heavy weight 180g vinyl.Unfortunately "Speak no Evil" doesn't seem to have had the same treatment, the vinyl is thin, and side two of my copy decidedly crackly. The actual mastering does not seem to have the depth and warmth of the other releases, and is rather thin sounding.I'm wondering if that this was because this release was one of the first in the new 75th series, and they later decided to issue subsequent releases on 180g vinyl. A shame, as this is one of the classics.

I collect classic jazz on vinyl and I usually try to buy heavyweight, 180g or 200g vinyl releases. So I was a bit skeptical of this issue at first, but for the price (180+ g vinyl can often go for $25-40), I decided to take a chance.Wow! This remaster is phenomenal! And the vinyl quality is really really good -- except for the weight in my hand, the sound quality would have lead me to believe this was a super premium heavy weight pressing. No ticks, pops, hissing, or static. Crystal clear sound.If the rest of the Blue Note 75th Anniversary Edition pressings are this good, I'm going to be leaving a lot of great reviews.

I agree with all the other reviews, but there is one thing that has been bothering me for a while. I have the sneaking suspicion that Wayne owes a lot to Lee Morgan, which hasn't been credited. Listen to Lee's 'Melancholee,' on "Search For The New Land." Then listen to 'Dance Cadaverous.' Then, after a while, listen to 'Melancholee' again. I think you'll see what I mean. The melody and voicing are eerily similar. And it's no surprise. Wayne played on "Search" in February of 1964 and then recorded "Speak" in December.I don't mean to detract from the greatness of this recording, but I think credit must be given where it's due. Lee Morgan should be acknowledged. If you are a serious jazz fan, consider buying "Search For The New Land" as well.

Speak No Evil is arguably Wayne Shorter's greatest solo contribution to jazz, recorded live in studio on Christmas Eve 1964 but not released until 1966 by the revered Alfred Lion for Blue Note. Shorter was already a member of Miles Davis' Second Great Quintet and any album featuring three of that line up would really have to try hard to fail. Shorter is joined by Herbie Hancock on piano and Ron Carter on double bass and the interplay between this trio is sublime.Shorter is additionally backed up by Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, with the pair having already collaborated on several Shorter solo releases as well as in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers; and Elvin Jones on drums who had been working with Shorter since 1960, so knowing each other's improvisational qualities intimately aided the quick recording process.Recording in the post-bop and modal jazz styles this is an extremely satisfying whole, made all the better by a superb remaster from Rudy Van Gelder who has revisted many albums from Blue Note's heyday - everything here gleams. Shorter's playing (along with all the well chosen ensemble) is at the peak of his powers, taking the listener on a journey that repays repeated listening. If you've never heard the album it is immediately warm and inviting, though never taking the obvious route. The players work off and around each other almost telepathically, showing off Shorter's compositional brilliance throughout to great effect. The album starts on a high with "Witch Hunt" and just doesn't let go. "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum" is instantly playful, a bona fide classic with a great hook. However every track leaves you wanting more, but paradoxically all are fully formed. Supremely relaxing late night listening, the talent on display is simply breathtaking here, but then any jazz afficionado could tell you that just from the sure fire line up. Probably one of jazz's greatest achievements, and certainly the pinnacle from Blue Note, this is core listening for anyone just beginning to appreciate the genre.

For anyone looking for their first exposure to the music of Wayne Shorter, they couldn't do better than this album. The memorable, clever, yet affecting compositions of Shorter, and the presence of the wonderful Freddie Hubbard make this 1964 Blue Note Set one of his very best. With Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Elvin Jones in the rhythm section, all angles are covered, and the album contains no weak moments.

A milestone in music .. Shorter top of his game. A joy ..

Just arrived, and just listening for the first time. Glossy, atmospheric, classic Rudy Van Gelder (RIP) recording quality. One of my new go-to albums for sure.

Fantastic price for a great album