sound of silence

[starmack]

What commercially available tracks of music consist entirely of or feature long sequences of silence.

I am thinking of John Cage and the Canadian writer Jane Siberry to start.

[ELVIS68]

.

[jenstar]

Here's a few: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_silent_mu sical_compositions

[Leo1972]

The song "Two Minutes Silence" on John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's Unfinished Music No.2: Life with the Lions is a tribute to Cage and his composition 4′33″ . The song is actually two minutes of silence.

The track "Magic Window" on Boards of Canada album Geogaddi consists of 1minute and 46 seconds silence.

Ciccone Youth, the collaboration between members of Sonic Youth and Mike Watt, included a track titled "(silence)" on The Whitey Album that consists of 63 seconds of just that.

In July 2002 composer Mike Batt (best known for being behind the 1970s novelty/children's act The Wombles) had charges of plagiarism filed against him by the estate of John Cage after crediting his track "A Minute's Silence" as being written by "Batt/Cage". Batt initially vowed to fight the suit, even going so far as to claim that his piece is "a much better silent piece. I have been able to say in one minute what Cage could only say in four minutes and 33 seconds." Batt told the London Independent that "My silence is original silence, not a quotation from his silence." Batt eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed six figure sum in September 2002.

Covenant closed their 2000 album United States of Mind with four minutes and 33 seconds of silence entitled "You Can Make Your Own Music."

The Magnetic Fields included a version of 4′33″ on their album The Wayward Bus/Distant Plastic Trees.

4Minutes33, a UK rock band, are named after the Cage piece.

VNV Nation recorded the song "Schweigeminute" on their 1999 album Praise The Fallen. It is one silent minute.

And finally, The Fast Show performed a jazz version of 4'33" on their TV show.

[Leo1972]

PS Are you thinking of creating a silent compilation?

[fly258]

I'm learning to play the guitar and 4'33" is the only song I can play note perfect.

[starmack]

I cannot read any of the answers in this section - Saturday night.
I take they are not all silent!!!!

[starmack]

Yeah, that WAS the answer. Three stars for Elvis68. Will look at rthe others later.

[starmack]

H - thanks to all. Superb info.
Had been listening to a stunning Jane Siberry track which envisgaed the beginning of time...or before the beginning of time....which ends with a minute-plus of silence. Sublime use of it. Set me thinking what else was out there. Had heard about John Cage and a mention of Oasis.
Thanks to Leo 1972 for suggesting a compilation album of the stuff. Hasnt been done. The "market" should decide the issue!

[starmack]

Hi Jenstar - Had not heard the Ballad of Richard Nixon by John Denver. It's a strong case for silent music! Had nit heard of any of these tracks bar John Cage.

[Steve_ref]

Better Man by Oasis (from Heathen Chemistry album) is nearly 38 minutes long, about 30 minutes of silence. Long enough for you?

[starmack]

Must be Noel Gallagher's longest silence, huh?