Genre: progressive
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Spiral
Company: RCA
Catalog: AFL1-2627
Year: 1977
Country/State: Volos, Greece
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: --
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5677
Price: $9.00
Greek Krautrock anyone? Most Americans probably don't even know Vangelis had an extensive recording career before Chariots of Fire. The fact of the matter is he'd been a major star in his native Greece and throughout Europe before embarking on a solo career in 1971. It only took him six years and six album to get an American label interested in him ... Overnight success.
Released by RCA, here's what the liner notes to 1977's "Spiral" have to say:
"This album represents a bold new step in the mixture of electronic, acoustic, and percussion instrumentation. The genius of Vangelis is manifested here in his consummate versatility; in his composing, arranging, and performing the entire album himself! Appropriately entitled SPIRAL this layesy achievement is an onward and outward extension of Vangelis' root classical beginnings, winding through a continuous 'creative loop' of musical evolution, formulating a sound and style that defy categorization except by one's own creative imagination. Exciting, melodic, and lisetanble, SPIRAL is destined to destroy the taboos usually associated with electronic interpretation. If you haven't experienced the creativity of Vangelis, SPIRAL is certainly an excellent beginning. For those how have already had the pleasure, the best from this multi-talented artist yet awaits you."
Yeah, I'll readily admit that sounds a little but on the blow hard side. I'll readily admit that I don't own a great deal of the man's catalog, however this one's probably the most commercial of the sets I own, and as such a good place to start. You also had to give the man some credit as this was a true one man show - Vangelis wrote all the material, handled all the instrumentation, arranged, produced, and even came up with the cover art concept. So what about the music? As you'd expect, this was a concept piece. The plot details were largely lost on me, but apparently had something to do with parallels between dancing and the universe ... they both spiral towards infinity.
- The opening title track featured a musical loop that simply never really went anywhere. Had it boasted a stronger melody it might have made the cut.
- 'Ballad' was interesting for the pretty melody and haunting 'vocal' effects. Wonder if he was using a vocoder.
- 'Dervsih D' showcased a pounding, up tempo synthesizer pattern making it the most memorable selection on the album - "Inspired by the Dervish dancer who, by his whirling, realizes the spiraling of the universe"
- Almost martial in tone and pace (especially when the drums kick in), 'To the Unknown Man' would not have sounded out of place on Chariots of Fire. Perhaps the prettiest composition on the album.
- Perhaps my ears, but the jittery '3 + 3' has always struck me as sounding like a Jean Michelle Jarre outtake. Not that I have anything against Jarre ...
Far from perfect and lots of Vangelis fans criticize it as being too commercial. I'll disagree with those folks and tell you this is a good place to start your exploration of the man's catalog.
"Spiral" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Spiral (instrumental) (Vangelis) - 6:55
2.) Ballad (instrumental) (Vangelis) - 8:27
3.) Dervish D (instrumental) (Vangelis) - 5:22
(side
2)
1.) To the Unknown Man (instrumental) (Vangelis) - 9:01
2.) 3 + 3 (instrumental) (Vangelis) - 9:43