Silent Tongues cover

Silent Tongues

Cecil Taylor · 1975

52 min · 6 tracks · jazz · avant-garde music

A sprawling exploration of avant-garde jazz, blending complex structures with spontaneous bursts of emotion.

Why this album works

'Silent Tongues' is significant for its innovative structure that defies traditional jazz forms, influencing countless musicians in the avant-garde scene. The album received praise from critics for its ambitious scope and was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of jazz music during the mid-1970s.
Best for
wave-like pacing with resolution sprawling exploration of sound intense emotional spontaneity
Context
By the time 'Silent Tongues' was released in 1975, Cecil Taylor had already established himself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde jazz. This album followed his critically acclaimed work 'Conquistador!' and showcased his unique approach to improvisation and composition, further solidifying his reputation in the jazz community.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Silent Tongues: Abyss (First Movement) / Petals & Filaments (Second Movement) / Jitney (Third Movement) Standout 18:06
  • 2 Silent Tongues: Crossing (Fourth Movement), Part One Standout 8:30
  • 3 Silent Tongues: Crossing (Fourth Movement), Part Two 10:00
  • 4 Silent Tongues: After All (Fifth Movement) 9:32
  • 5 Jitney No. 2 Standout 3:25
  • 6 After All No. 2 2:30

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata