PURGATORIO

After some of the 'guff' Tangerine Dream have put out since 1988 this came as more than a pleasant surprise.The main feature here is the use of several female singers (mainly operatic). The tangs touched on this with 1987's Tyger album but this time they've gone much further with a 2 disc set ,each running to over 60 minutes.And its the second album in a series of three apparently!

There is much to admire about this. I love the grandeur and melody as the music weaves its effortless way along a path of lush electronics. The classic TD era sequencers have seemingly made a comeback and at times you almost have a retro approach. I also like the the different female voices that help create different emotions.It has a completeness and harmony between the vocals and electronics.Nothing sounds false.

The production is exquisite and absolutely nothing I've heard in recent years is close to as good soundwise.Its never bland or overdone in any way.Almost a live feel even though its obviously recorded in the studio.

Overall I believe this is a musical triumph ,one of the best albums of the new millenium.

Nothing to laugh about, this is serious

"Purgatorio" is the second part of Tangerine Dream's three part interpretation of Dante's "La Divina Commedia". This part of the story deals with mankind's purging of the evils which have beset him, through a series of circular ascents.

Unlike the other two parts of the trilogy which were recorded live, this double CD set, running to over 130 minutes, is a studio recording. Once again (as with "Inferno"), the piece is primarily in the form of an oratorio, with seven guest female vocalists. These singers are a mixture of altos and sopranos, all with beautiful, classically trained voices.

Things start off in surprisingly upbeat fashion after the introductory overture, with the trance like "Chasing the bad seed", complete with English lyrics sung by Jayne Klimek. Klimek's vocal style is the most pop orientated of the singers.

The language of the album varies but this only serves to enhance its beauty. Tangerine Dream, who remain essentially the father and son team of Edgar and Jerome Froese, provide the keyboards orchestration throughout.

If the delightful "Inferno" had one minor shortcoming, it was perhaps the single paced nature of the piece. "Purgatorio" addresses that emphatically. The tracks here, which once again are simply to be used as locators since this can only be heard as a complete composition, offer a refreshing diversity of pace and mood. The familiar synthesiser atmospheres of the Tangs can be heard on sections such as "Sun son's seal" but these are mere intermezzo's to further enhance the piece.

In all, this set is more satisfying that "Inferno", due to the slightly greater diversity. The classical overtones of the album will not be to everyone's taste, and neither will the lengthy female vocal recitals. For me though, this sits at the top table of Tangerine Dream albums.

I was not really enthusiast about the first leg of this trilogy ("Inferno"). I have to say that I'm much more confident with this "Purgatorio" which is closer to what a TD fan might expect (at least during the first CD).

Of course, the vocal parts do provide of theatrical angle (but not too much), and it adds some nice perspectives. There are even some parts sung in Spanish! The whole of this album sounds much less classic as "Inferno" and needless to say, that this aspect is not to discourage myself.

Some great synth lines from the past ("Sun Son's Seal") are even back! Very pleasant to listen to of course. But the whole of this album is quite a decent offering even if the past grandeur is not fully met. But, we all know that it is almost impossible to achieve any longer, so I guess that what is available on this double CD set is the best to be expected by the band in the naughties.

Vocals are aerial, and the only disturbance is the synthetic kind of drumming which I have never really appreciated. On the other hand, what I really do appreciate is the splendid and almost early TD music represented during the wonderful "Steps To Heaven". I almost got there! I would have loved more of this type.

The second CD sounds a little weaker: more opera oriented ("Death Of Medusa") and sounds more like "Inferno" even if during the second part of "Sun Son's Seal", the beat starts more upbeat an the same nice old TD feel is again on board at times (but less than during Part I). My fave from the second CD is the closing "Spirit Spiral". It is sung in French and is fully Boléro- oriented.

In all, this is a good album (but mostly thanks to the first part) and as such, Irate it with three stars. A bit longish maybe?

The only "deep thought" I felt after this TD album listening is, why Enigma, the 80's Michael Cretu's band, is missing in PA? Everything in this "PURGATORIO" , reminds me how good Enigma, were at their game. TD fails completely. The famous and anonymous words- " Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good." applies entirely, also to this TD-2004 studio album. Again I wonder, why Enigma has been relegated?... Really, to ME, my only enigmas after this "Purgatorio" are- 2 or 3 stars? and why is it rated 4? I usually dont give 2s, because, ALMOST everything deserves at least one or two listenings, but this?........ 3 minus- PA stars. If you like this, you will rave over ENIGMA! (Michael Cretu's, there are others wich go by the same name). That's my recommendation after listening to this TD album.