varoan

Vangelis - Demis Roussos - Jon Anderson - et al. Note: Since the ring of friends of Vangelis is so complex, with each artist working with the other, I saw little point in giving each their own page. Therefore, I have combined them all into one page (that page being this page). I named this page by combining the first two letters of the first three surnames of the most prominent artists. The result was a catchy Fantasy-sounding word: "Varoan". Sounds like it could be the name of a Yes album... . This list starts out with Vangelis because he is a synthesist. The others, below, are connected to Vangelis in some way but contain artists who may or may not use synthesized instruments but are not truly synthesists in the sense that they do not actively design sound. . . ...Scroll Down for Reviews... . . . . . . . Vangelis "Direct" Rating: 10 out of 10 This album has a very digital sound to it, though Vangelis does use some of his old analogue sounds. This should not frighten the faithful Vangelis fan nor should it build expectations within the new fan. The songs on this album R never too long, so many people new to Vangelis find this to be an easy album to enjoy. On another level, this album is a beautiful work of melodies, some slow, some transcendant, some fast, and some almost experimental. Of particular interest is Track 4 ("Elsewhere"), which is just a wonderful work of production. Track 6 ("Glorianna (Hymn a la Femme)") seems to be very popular among non-Vangelis fans. Track 9 ("Message") is spaced-out and frightens many of those non-Vangelis fans aforementioned. Track 12 ("Intergalactic Radio Station") is just good, and has a little voice-over at the end of which I am most fond. Available thru CDnow. . Vangelis "Bladerunner - Original Soundtrack" Rating: 10 out of 10 Accept no imitations! There is an album out by the American Orchestra of "Bladerunner" musik but this is not the original score. The album by Vangelis, the Original Soundtrack with bonus tracks, is what you heard in the movie. If U have not yet seen the movie, please go buy the Director's Cut & view it. This musik defined the modern sci-fi noir sound. This is full of low, powerful analogue synth sounds, which touch the deepest part of one's being -- juxtaposed by higher sounds that touch the very emotions. That is an integral part of Vangelis's musik; the contrast between the lower synths and higher sounds. This contains "Memories of Green", from his album "See You Later", and "Tales of the Future", which features DEMIS ROUSSOS on vocals. Also, there R 3 bonus tracks which R mesmerising & will probably fool U N2 thinking they were N the movie. This album is available thru CDnow. . .Vangelis "Opera Sauvage" Rating: 10 out of 10 It brings me great pleasure 2 bring 2 U a positively perfect album from the 70s that boasts beautiful analogue sound, lovely melodies, great composition & production, great cover art...all that one would expect from Vangelis. This is a very spiritual album & affects the listener on many levels. The first track ("Hymne") was also N "Chariots of Fire", though re-arranged & not included on its soundtrack. Beyond being Vangelis, there is nothing revolutionary about this album; it's just well done elektronik musik. One should try 2 keep N mind, however, that synthesized musik is relatively new 2 the world, & this album has an almost acoustik feel yet synthesized sound. That is, the musik here is starkly un-experimental; it's straight-forward synthesized ballads and suites. It makes it seem that synthesizers have been around since musik began. Go immediately to CDnow and buy it. . .Vangelis "The City" Rating: 10 out of 10 Here is a fairly modern Vangelis album that may change (neither improve or worsen, necessarily, just change) the way U look at cities. "Dawn" (track 1) is mesmerising & has some dialogue spoken by Roman Polanski & his wife Emmanuele Seigner ("Frantic" & "Bitter Moon"). Track 5 ("Good To See You") is very original, allowing us 2 hear one side of a phone conversation (spoken by Ms. Kathy Hill). The others R properly varied N style, some upbeat & some slower. A wonderful album; synthesis & cities seem 2 go together well any way. Go to CDnow and buy it. . ---- The following albums do not concentrate on synthesis but R connected in one way or another to Vangelis and are worth mentioning: . Aphrodite's Child "666" Rating: 10 out of 10 A Greek band singing in English whilst in voluntary exile in France. This double-album is one of the best double-albums I have yet to hear. It is based on the text of "The Apocalypse of St. John" from the Holy Bible and is as spiritual as the book itself, and as progressive as rock can be. The band was breaking up at the time of this album (on amicable terms), with Vangelis going his way into the world of synthesis and Demis Roussos (and the other members) going their ways into the world of rock. So you get the best of both worlds. All post-production was done by Vangelis and he made the album into a mixture of rock ("Babylon", "Loud, Loud, Loud", "Hic et Nunc"), experimentalism ("All the Seats Were Occupied", "Infinity" w/ Irene Papas), and narrative rock ("Aegian Sea", "Seven Bowls"). And more. Of course, all vocal work is spectacular, whether it's Demis, John, Irene, Lucas... You must hear this album. It is progressive rock, not synthesis, but it doesn't suffer because of it. Available thru CDnow. . Demis Roussos "A La France" Rating: 10 out of 10 You know him by now from "Ballads" (on the Musik Page) & I'm sure U love him. This is another compilation album of songs N French. Many songs R from his album "Le Grec" & these R very good -- especially Track 3 ("Amis pour la vie"), which I think is a very melancholy song. Almost depressing. Whilst staying in NYC 4 a week, I'd locked myself N my apartment 4 a few days & this was one of the albums I'd brought along. When Track 3 came on, I found myself identifying with it on a very spiritual level. I have no idea what the song is about because I don't speak French but it is VERY touching. This also includes "Spleen" (Track 5), which is apparently one of his more famous songs. More important to the timid listener is Track 1 ("On ecrit sur les murs"), which is very catchy even if you don't speak French. This is a very enjoyable album of non-elektronik musik (it is, instead, easy rock...european style). Available thru CDnow. . Rick Wakeman "The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table" Rating: 10 out of 10 There are not many who would think to base an album on King Arthur, but progressive rocker Rick Wakeman did it. How is he connected to Vangelis? Well, he played for "Yes", for which Vangelis auditioned but did not join. Later, on the album "Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe", Vangelis co-composed a piece with the four men of the title. There are more connections but this shall suffice. Wakeman uses the Polymoog quite often, and I think he uses it on this album. He has a signature howling-sound that he uses, which some people find a little strange at first. If you must, you may listen to this in sections until you get accustomed to Wakeman's style. This album is worth it, because it is terribly original! He uses the English Chamber Choir, under the direction of Guy Protheroe (Vangelis used this group for his album "Heaven and Hell") for many of the songs. The songs R diverse songs, especially "Merlin the Magician" (Track 5), which takes a strange tangent into jazz (just as Bo Hansson's "Excursion with Complications" from his album "Magician's Hat" does! What is it about magicians & dixieland?) This is Fantasy-based progressive rock first & foremost, not really an album of synthesis...but it's very good & a little trippy, if only N concept. Available thru CDnow. . . Rick Wakeman "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" Rating: 10 out of 10 This is early in Wakeman's solo career and somewhat similar in concept and style to his "King Arthur" album. It hasn't got the Fantasy basis going 4 it, but it has got the solid musik & skill. No vocals here, just great musik that is eclectic in range. Each tune on the album is named for each of King Henry VIII's six wives. One song has a bit of a hymn mixed N along with it, with splendid results. Wakeman was classically trained, from what I understand, so the album is able to go from Rock to Classical styles quite well. His choice in synthesizers is very nice, too, even though his Poly Moog is usually either hated or loved. I love it. This album may B found thru Music Blvd. . . .Jon Anderson "Olias of Sunhillow" Rating: 10 out of 10 If U like fantasy & progressive rock, this, Mr. Anderson's first solo album, will appeal 2 U. And there R some good synth sounds on here, too. This is a highly original album N topic; it's bound together with a story of 4 characters commissioned 2 build a fantastik flying ship called The Moorglade (kool!). The musik is wonderful, Mr. Anderson's vocals R majestic & as truly unique as ever. I'm not sure who would like this album most -- Yes fans? Anderson fans? Both? I've become a fan of both, having discovered Mr. Anderson thru Vangelis, and Yes thru Mr. Anderson. It's Progressive Rock but not Hard. Not a collection of single songs, either; more like one or 2 songs with lots of different movements. Dig it via CDnow. . . .Jon Anderson "In the City of Angels" Rating: 10 out of 10 Now doesn't that title sound typically Anderson? Good, because this album doesn't. The style here is a little like "Teakbois" from AWBH. It's a little jazzy & lite rock. The musik & lyrix R well written & deals w/ the usual Anderson topix: Love Peace Truth. Track 7 ("New Civilization") is great & almost matches 100% my own personal feelings on societal & "racial" healing ("racial" is actually an incorrect term; all humans R of one race regardless of skin colour: the human race. It's science, baby; look it up). Track 11 ("Hurry Home (Song From the Pleiades)") is an instant Anderson classick. Track 4 ("Is It Me") I like a lot, too. It's a really neat album &, N terms of style, a nice change. Of course, Mr. Anderson has been changing styles w/ each new album lately. Fairly cheap thru CDnow. . . More Jon Anderson albums will B reviewed & posted later! . . Yes . . Yes "Yes" Rating: 10 out of 10 Their debut no less brilliant than their most recent... They cover some songs & they do their own. I like their versions of the covers but I've never heard the original versions, so I cannot compare them. Track 3 ("Yesterday and Today") is my favourite and has only one flaw: it is not long enough!!! I would extend the musik & let those hypnotik vibes and light guitar just keep playing & playing. A good pacifist song (or at least a Protest song) is "Harold Land" (Track 5). For Beatle fans who need incentive 2 try Yes, there is a cover of "Every Little Thing She Does" (Track 6). Available thru CDnow. . Yes "Time And A Word" Rating: 10 out of 10 One doesn't hear much about this album, it seems, but let that not sway U from your Yes-Quest. I detect a jazz influence in some songs. There R covers & originals. Track 2 ("Then") is very good & is full of Hope & that sort of thing. Track 7 ("Astral Traveler") uses voice distortion (also used by Cream on their "Wheels of Fire" album). The last & title track is dripping with Yes-ness (so it's very good). Yes has great positive musik w/o boring old pop-ballad love-songs. Available thru CDnow. . Yes "The Yes Album" Rating: 10 out of 10 This is it: the famous album that earned Yes fame & fortune whilst, some say, bringing the Progressive Rock movement 2 everyone's attention. I wasn't alive then, so I really don't know...but I do know that this album is very unique (both then & now). And very very good. There R only 6 songs (one is instrumental), which is still very rare, and the album is 41 minutes (which means each song must be fairly long!). The song structures R individually titled, with a single piece being divided N2 parts a, b, c, etc. (which is by now a common Yes-ism). Furthermore, the songs R driving & confident & just don't sound like other rock songs! This is a great place 2 start one's Progressive Rock (or Yes) collection. Available thru CDnow. . Yes "Yessongs" Rating: 10 out of 10 Such a wonderful title! A classical piece opens this live double album, which is really interesting because one gets 2 hear Rick Wakeman 1) play around with a medley & improv from one his solo albums (CD1, Tr7 "Excerpts from The Six Wives of King Henry VIII") and 2) play a Yes-tune originally done by Tony Kaye (listen to "Starship Trooper" on this CD & compare it 2 the same song on "The Yes Album" & "Keys To Ascension"). It's a pretty good live set, although I prefer improv-laden live. This does have some improv, & that's always nice. It's got some major old-hits, so it plays like a "Best of..." album. Available thru CDnow. . Yes "Tormato" Rating: 10 out of 10 I love the title, I love the album's off-beat concept, & I love the album. Track 2 ("Don't Kill the Whale") is pretty straight-forward, as is Track 5 ("Arriving UFO") -- & both deal with such great, sometimes mocked, topics. Track 6 ("Circus of Heaven") describes some sort of apolcalypse & ends w/ a great line spoken by Jon's young son (and what 2 make of that line?!). It's not the last you'll hear from the rest of the Anderson family. The last track ("On the Silent Wings of Freedom") is as kool as it sounds like it would B. Available thru CDnow. . Yes "90125" Rating: 10 out of 10 A new Yes, with member Trevor Rabin (and Yes-man Trevor Horn as producer), assembled after a few years's absence & made this comeback album. What a satisfying feeling it must have been for them, considering that Track 1 ("Owner of a Lonely Heart") was a huge hit. The album also happens to be very enjoyable & fairly New Wave (Yes-style, of course). All of the songs R pretty catchy; I think perhaps this could B attributed heavily 2 Mr. Rabin, & perhaps Mr. Horn. The two Trevors. It's an easy album to get N2 & may B an easy place 4 the new fans of Yes 2 start, although one should B warned that this is not the typical Yes-sound. It is one of many Yes-sounds. Available thru CDnow. . "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" Rating: 10 out of 10 This is NOT a Yes album but all four of the gentlemen N the title R Yes-men, & the second ABWH album became a Yes CD, so I've included this one w/ Yes. This is a good album with a very diverse set of songs. Track 3 ("Brother of Mine") was written w/ Geoff Downes, keyboardist on Yes's "Drama" album. Track 9 ("Let's Pretend") is GREAT & was written w/ Vangelis. Track 4 ("Birthright") defends aboriginal land rights, always a worthy cause (though placing money where the mouth is might prove more effective -- a common problem w/ stars, I think). Track 5 ("The Meeting") is very spiritual & is a lovely ballad. Have I yet mentioned that Track 9 was written w/ Vangelis? Available at CDnow...just type in "Yes", go down to the "Related Artists" bar & select "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe". . Yes "Union" Rating: 10 out of 10 This album began as the second "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe" project, then combined forces with almost every person ever 2 B associated N any way w/ Yes. As a result, this is not a conceptually unified album, but is a good source of great songs by various combinations of members within the Yes totallity. U dig? U will; U get all sorts of songs on here. Some R very Anderson-ish, other Rabin-ish, others ABWH-ish, some Howe-ish... It's all here. I especially like Track 8 ("Silent Talking"), which 2 me sounds like early Anderson, and the instrumental Trax 3 & 13 ("Masquerade" & "Evensong"). Track 10 ("Angkor Wat") is also very good. "I Would Have Waited Forever" (Track 1) sounds pretty much like recent Yes (as on the "Keys To Ascension" album). This can B found at CDnow. . Yes "Talk" Rating: 10 out of 10 Now here's a unified album. Trevor Rabin returns w/ Yes as member & producer, & had a hand N writing the songs. This is a very kool album, most (if not all) of it having been done digitally. And it's got a digital feel. The last track ("Endless Dream") lasts about 15 minutes & is very good. Track 5 ("Walls") has great Anderson vocals!! Track 1 ("The Calling") is kool & was the single; I'll never forget how excited I was when I happened upon it on the radio, because this was the first new Yes album I experienced as a Yes-fan. Good album, easy 2 enjoy. It's waiting 4 U 2 take it home, at CDnow. . Yes "Keys To Ascension" Rating: 10 out of 10 I surprised myself on this one. I didn't expect 2 B at all impressed w/ this album because it consisted primarily of live versions of old songs (though it does have 2 new studio trax). But I love this 2-CD set! They actually perform a 20 minute song LIVE (Track 2 "The Revealing Science of God")! Track 3 is a major re-interpretation of Simon & Garfunkle's "America". The second CD has "Starship Troopers" (Track 2), yet again just a bit different on Part C ("Wurm"). I like the new songs -- especially "That, That Is" (CD2 Track 4). which happens 2 B a long song... Available at a fair price from CDnow. Comes N a nice little box & includes a small poster that should B up on my wall but isn't, for lack of other posters 2 keep it company. . . Back to Musik Who Uses What?