ENCORE (LIVE 1977)

In the late 70s I bought this live album as a double LP, mesmerized by the cover picture: I was very much into symphonic rock with tons of vintage keyboards and looked at all those huge synthesizers, like a triple version of the late Keith Emerson with his modular Moogs, wow! At home I was blown away by this new musical experience, named electronic music, a hypnotizing blend of synthesizers, Mellotrons, sequencers, piano, electronic drums and electric guitar play. The recordings are partly from the USA tour in 1977 (see 1-4 track information) featuring Tangerine Dream at their artistic peak, with extended improvisations, based upon work from their previous albums, like Ricochet and Statosfear. The music is performed by the legendary trio Peter Baumann (who did the 1977 Encore mix and then left, as a 'parting gift'), Chris Franke and Edgar Froese. The captivating element on Encore is the interplay between the three musicians: frequent waves of Mellotron, hypnotizing and pulsating sequencers and all kinds of sounds from famous vintage (modular) synthesizers (Moog, Oberheim, ARP and PPG). The music is more lush and extended than on their studio-albums, in my opinion unsurpassed, I have never heard a more captivating electronic music album than this one!

Four wonderfully coloured and varied electronic musical landscapes.

Side 1 - Cherokee Lane (16.19) : This track contains references to the music on Sorcerer, and is recorded during rehearsals in Berlin, mixed with parts from the Seattle concert on April 21th, 1977.

The long intro delivers ominous swelling keyboards, and some beeps and bleeps. Then the sequencing starts, a cheerful crowd applauds, soaring Mellotron violins join, wow. Now the Mellotron flute section, what a wonderful blend of Mellotron (both the violin as the flute section) and sequencing, the sound becomes more intense, topped with lush synthesizers. Finally again that dreamy Mellotron flute.

Side 2 - Monolight (19.54) : This track is recorded in Washington DC on April 4th, 1977, in fact the only complete live recorded piece, and in mono, that explains the title, haha. The music contains references to Stratosfear and Invisible Limits.

First a long and wonderful, classically inspired piece on the Steinway grand piano. Then captivating interplay between the synthesizers, sequencer and string-ensemble, it sounds cheerful. Halfway a pulsating sequencer, in an exciting accellaration, embellished with brassy synthesizer flights, this is trademark TD interplay. Finally tender piano, culminating in a beautiful conclusion with dreamy synthesizer flights and piano.

Side 3 - Coldwater Canyon (18.06) This track is recorded during USA 1977 tour soundchecks, and also features short parts recorded during the final two concerts in Juli 1977.

It starts with a repetetive synthesizer chord, then sequencing and a heavy distorted electric guitar joins (by Edgar Froese), soon blended with synthesizer runs, what an unique interplay. In the second part soaring strings, beeps and bleeps, and that fiery and distorted guitar. Finally dreamy synthesizer flights and a spacey end.

Side 4 - Desert Dream (17.30) : This track contains different recordings, some parts from 1974 (the Oedipus Tyrannus suite, Chichester Festival in July 1974), and some parts from studio recordings, the applause is fake. So this composition has nothing to do with the 1977 USA tour.

The intro features dreamy Mellotrons (flute and violin section) and a scary Theremin sound. Then the beeps and bleeps. Next a low sequencing sound and sultry synthesizer flights and dreamy Mellotrons (evoking a 'Sahara atmoshpere', looking at the title), wonderful, hypnotizing, this is excellent electronic music. Again beeps and bleeps, and different sounds. The second part contains a melancholical climate with dreamy synthesizer flights, tender electric piano and soaring Mellotron violins, simply beautiful. Finally catchy sequencing and slow synthesizer runs, when the music stops the crowd erupts, what a stunning electronic music concert!

TO ME THESE 4 COMPOSITIONS SOUND AS A HIGHLIGHT IN THE HISTORY OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC!

My recommendations if you like this Tangerine Dream music: Gert Emmens (Mysteries Of Dawn), Node (live), Free System Project (Procyon), Pollard/Daniel/Booth (Eight), Free System Project & Terje Winther (Spoon Forest), Ruud Heij & Gert Emmens (Return To The Origin) and Rudy Adrian (Concerts In The USA).

And finally thanks to my Dutch friend Wouter Bessels, an acclaimed 'Tangerine Dream connaisseur' who has contributed to several Tangerine Dream CD reissues/boxes. At my request he delivered me additional information about the tracks, very interesting for the Tangerine Dream fans.