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Jared View Drop Down
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    Posted: August 31 2024 at 03:50
I was at risk of hi-jacking one of Greg's threads when asking Rich about his Vangelis highlights, for which I'd like to thank him:


Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Vangelis is a big one. I like most of his output the only ones I don't bother with are those very early avant albums (pre 'Earth') and the much later soundtracks for Alexander and El Greco. The other 32 albums I like to varying degrees but they get played at some point or other. Vangelis top five is nearly impossible but I'll have a stab:
Heaven and Hell
China
Direct
El Greco (the non film soundtrack)
Voices
subject to change at any given moment!


I'm finally getting round to giving his back catalogue some of the attention it deserves (I've not paid much attention to it for 30 years?). I can't remember a thread dedicated to an evaluation of his music, so thought I would use Rich's thoughts to commence a thread, which might help me and others navigate his works. I own and like:

L'Apocalypse Des Animaux, H&H, Albedo, Spiral, China, Opera Sauvage, Soil Festivities & Mask

I really struggled with Beaubourg (although may revisit for a 4th listen) and Invisible Connections, which will probably never be revisited.

Which of his disks do you enjoy?
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 04:16
If I'm going to have a thread hijacked, it might as well be about Vangelis. :) I like so much Vangelis. I started off really liking his 80s soundtrack music, Blade Runner, The Bounty and Antarctica, and then his album China. And I had a best of that I used to listen to often. Later in the 2000s I got into his 70s albums, Spiral, The Dragon (which is not so official), L'apocalypse des animaux and Earth are some favourites. I like the avant-garde Hypothesis, which like The Dragon is not so official a release. I like Albedo 0.39, and I'm into Sex Power (and his debut album of the same name is pretty good too ;) ).

Edited by Logan - August 31 2024 at 04:18
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 06:04
^^ thank you Greg... I'm taking notes.  Geek
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 06:49
Hi,

Right from the start with his first album ... I am not sure I can even think/consider one album above any other ... along with Ryuichi Sakamoto, one of the great composers of the 20th century for my tastes.

I think they will be remembered for a long time.

Somewhere in the Space Pirate Radio lists is a promo LP for "Heaven & Hell" that can't be shared, where hs discusses his music, and what he says is far out ... and folks still don't believe me ... all his albums have "teaspoons" on it ... and he really puts down "commercial music" ... and he doesn't want to be a part of it.

I think it is very evident in his music all around. Lovely stuff, and it one person I shed a tear when he passed away ... I was glad to have been a part of his life and story from the days of Aphrodite's Child all the way to the end. And there still is some stuff not released that the folks in charge of his music are afraid to release, or say something about it. No artist of his ability lacks a lot of bits and pieces in their closets!
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 07:26
^^ which are your favourite albums, Pedro?
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 08:22
Originally posted by Jared Jared wrote:

^^ which are your favourite albums, Pedro?

Hi,

I'm not sure I can think of a "favorite" at all ... I simply love the works the composer has created, and how it has always helped my imagination live.

I suppose of all the albums, the stuff in BLADE RUNNER is the one I love to listen to all the time, but I believe it is because the visuals from the film are so beautiful and well represented that it is hard to not enjoy them. Not quite the same, but "CHARIOTS OF FIRE has a similar touch. 

Again, I like all of the albums ... not just one. The composer is by far, one of the top ones in my thoughts, along with Ryuichi Sakamoto ... their visual nature and how the music was used added so much to their work, and it helped in all of their albums. It makes me think what would happen if Beethoven or Stravinsky were around these days ... although some pieces have been illustrated by FANTASIA and ALLEGRO NON TROPPO, and in the end, I would love to see more of that!


Edited by moshkito - August 31 2024 at 08:24
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 11:25
I'd recommend almost any Vangelis album - especially the sensational soundtracks - but I'd give Beaubourg, Hypothesis & Invisible Connections a wide berth, although you already know those three experimental albums are best avoided anyway. Vangelis and Avant Garde are not a good combination for me.  Smile 

3 stars 1972: Vangelis - Fais Que Ton Reve Sot Plus Lang Que La Nuit - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LvM65riv3cSklLozwF98q9B
4 stars 1973: Vangelis - L'Apocalypse des Animaux (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsDSG9vZVaxnYUenfX1VybR
3 stars 1976: Vangelis - La Fete Sauvage (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lue3CBD9P_z51SBD4m0I8G1
4 stars 1979: Vangelis - Opera Sauvage (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtMKYn-VowMSeB2Bwzb0Mf3
5 stars 1981: Vangelis - Chariots of Fire (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsjS0L1K0ZG6sOkFp6PSGOh
5 stars 1992: Vangelis - 1492: Conquest of Paradise (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1Lt0SV_QdtY9lGAQk-S0U-Jv
4 stars 1994: Vangelis - Blade Runner (soundtrack) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtQhpcQMdGQDWqy9DQGc9NH
3 stars 2015: Vangelis - Amore (soundtrack: recorded in 1973) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LtZ2YsnW0mlAonlDkwdCIvC
4 stars 2019: Vangelis - Nocturne: The Piano Album - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LsRw0Exq3REueHzZcFD5CJ9
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 12:14
Top 3

Albedo 0.39
Soil Festivities
Direct



Next 7

Heaven and Hell
L'Apocalypse des Animaux
Juno to Jupiter
Spiral
The City
Blade Runner
Opera Sauvage



Next 10

China
Ignacio
Antarctica
Rosetta
Mythodea
Mask
Beauborg
See You Later
Oceanic
Chariots of Fire



Does Vangelis even really have a "bad" album? That's subject to debate. (Hypothesis doesn't count as that was an unsanctioned release.)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 12:16
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

If I'm going to have a thread hijacked, it might as well be about Vangelis. :) I like so much Vangelis. I started off really liking his 80s soundtrack music, Blade Runner, The Bounty and Antarctica, and then his album China. And I had a best of that I used to listen to often. Later in the 2000s I got into his 70s albums, Spiral, The Dragon (which is not so official), L'apocalypse des animaux and Earth are some favourites. I like the avant-garde Hypothesis, which like The Dragon is not so official a release. I like Albedo 0.39, and I'm into Sex Power (and his debut album of the same name is pretty good too ;) ).


Do you like The City? That's a really underrated one in Vangelis' discography, IMO. It plays like an unofficial sequel to Blade Runner. I think I'll listen to it today.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 13:23
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Top 3

Albedo 0.39
Soil Festivities
Direct



Next 7

Heaven and Hell
L'Apocalypse des Animaux
Juno to Jupiter
Spiral
The City
Blade Runner
Opera Sauvage



Next 10

China
Ignacio
Antarctica
Rosetta
Mythodea
Mask
Beauborg
See You Later
Oceanic
Chariots of Fire



Thank you, once more you've been very thorough and inciteful... Clap

If I had to pick one, Albedo would be my favourite and I too think Soil Festivities is a remarkable piece of music. I think I like Mask a little more than you, but then I've always been a sucker for choral works... 
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 14:20
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

If I'm going to have a thread hijacked, it might as well be about Vangelis. :) I like so much Vangelis. I started off really liking his 80s soundtrack music, Blade Runner, The Bounty and Antarctica, and then his album China. And I had a best of that I used to listen to often. Later in the 2000s I got into his 70s albums, Spiral, The Dragon (which is not so official), L'apocalypse des animaux and Earth are some favourites. I like the avant-garde Hypothesis, which like The Dragon is not so official a release. I like Albedo 0.39, and I'm into Sex Power (and his debut album of the same name is pretty good too ;) ).


Do you like The City? That's a really underrated one in Vangelis' discography, IMO. It plays like an unofficial sequel to Blade Runner. I think I'll listen to it today.


I don't recall having heard The City. Will spin it when I have more free time. Thanks. From ratings I have seen, mostly at rateyourmusic before, I find that a lot of Vangelis seemed significantly underrated (or lesser rated than how I would see it rated). There often is a band-wagon effect to an extent when it comings to ratings I believe. And a lot gets largely overlooked that may have been appreciated if heard.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 14:26
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

 There often is a band-wagon effect to an extent when it comings to ratings I believe. And a lot gets largely overlooked that may have been appreciated if heard.

I think there is... many will almost 'subliminally' rate slightly lower if an album has already been a low rating by others beforehand, while the opposite can also be true. I think someone like Vangelis can fall victim to this, as his music is incredibly subtle at times and requires more listens than many are prepared to give.
Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 14:36
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 17:15
Originally posted by Jared Jared wrote:

Thank you, once more you've been very thorough and inciteful... Clap

If I had to pick one, Albedo would be my favourite and I too think Soil Festivities is a remarkable piece of music. I think I like Mask a little more than you, but then I've always been a sucker for choral works... 


Thanks for launching the site's official Vangelis thread. Lord knows we must regularly discuss the man and his music.

Mask, Soil Festivities, The City and Ignacio (which would be higher on my list if he didn't have so many great albums) seem to fly under the radar thanks to his most popular and better-known works.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 17:17
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

If I'm going to have a thread hijacked, it might as well be about Vangelis. :) I like so much Vangelis. I started off really liking his 80s soundtrack music, Blade Runner, The Bounty and Antarctica, and then his album China. And I had a best of that I used to listen to often. Later in the 2000s I got into his 70s albums, Spiral, The Dragon (which is not so official), L'apocalypse des animaux and Earth are some favourites. I like the avant-garde Hypothesis, which like The Dragon is not so official a release. I like Albedo 0.39, and I'm into Sex Power (and his debut album of the same name is pretty good too ;) ).


Do you like The City? That's a really underrated one in Vangelis' discography, IMO. It plays like an unofficial sequel to Blade Runner. I think I'll listen to it today.


I don't recall having heard The City. Will spin it when I have more free time. Thanks. From ratings I have seen, mostly at rateyourmusic before, I find that a lot of Vangelis seemed significantly underrated (or lesser rated than how I would see it rated). There often is a band-wagon effect to an extent when it comings to ratings I believe. And a lot gets largely overlooked that may have been appreciated if heard.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 20:28
Hi,

What a bunch of goons ... and no one is looking for the teaspoons in the albums, yet! Tongue

C'mon ... have some fun! 

Yes, it is likely synthesized and touched up, but they are there in many places! Neat too! 

The story starts with the teaspoons hitting the glasses at the dinner table, btw, in Vangelis' younger years ... he said the magical sound was one of his inspirations! I keep telling you that "magic" ... sometimes, is more than just notes and chords ... 


Edited by moshkito - August 31 2024 at 20:30
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jacob Schoolcraft Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 31 2024 at 21:17
I have 31 cd's to be exact. I am not a fan of opera singers and so none of his collaborations with opera singers are in my collection.. If it's El Greco I don't mind. Mask contains vocals throughout however it doesn't strike me as being a style in opera. Even Heaven & Hell contains a choir..but it doesn't remind me of Opera.

I'm also not a fan of Jon & Vangelis although that material is done well it is not my style. I have everything but the aforementioned.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2024 at 10:47
Originally posted by Jacob Schoolcraft Jacob Schoolcraft wrote:

I'm also not a fan of Jon & Vangelis although that material is done well it is not my style. I have everything but the aforementioned.


The side-long epic "Horizon" from Private Collection is pretty great.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Logan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2024 at 11:33
Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

Originally posted by verslibre verslibre wrote:

Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

If I'm going to have a thread hijacked, it might as well be about Vangelis. :) I like so much Vangelis. I started off really liking his 80s soundtrack music, Blade Runner, The Bounty and Antarctica, and then his album China. And I had a best of that I used to listen to often. Later in the 2000s I got into his 70s albums, Spiral, The Dragon (which is not so official), L'apocalypse des animaux and Earth are some favourites. I like the avant-garde Hypothesis, which like The Dragon is not so official a release. I like Albedo 0.39, and I'm into Sex Power (and his debut album of the same name is pretty good too ;) ).


Do you like The City? That's a really underrated one in Vangelis' discography, IMO. It plays like an unofficial sequel to Blade Runner. I think I'll listen to it today.


I don't recall having heard The City. Will spin it when I have more free time. Thanks. From ratings I have seen, mostly at rateyourmusic before, I find that a lot of Vangelis seemed significantly underrated (or lesser rated than how I would see it rated). There often is a band-wagon effect to an extent when it comings to ratings I believe. And a lot gets largely overlooked that may have been appreciated if heard.




I like that. That sounds rather like more optimistic and beautiful Blade Runner. It does have a cinematic sound. I also liked music (not Vangelis) from Blade Runner 2049. Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote verslibre Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 01 2024 at 14:40
Originally posted by Logan Logan wrote:

I like that. That sounds rather like more optimistic and beautiful Blade Runner. It does have a cinematic sound. I also liked music (not Vangelis) from Blade Runner 2049. Thanks.


Totally. It's another successful concept album, and plays best in one go-through, like Soil Festivities.
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