New Wave music reviews

A long time ago on a planet far, far away, this reviewer thought Suzanne Ciani was a somewhat hokey composer for the synthesizer. Part of this comes from my general dislike of electronic choral and string 'background' music. Then, one day, I tripped over her Pianissimo II album and I suddenly realized that Ciani was an extremely talented acoustic pianist. This left me with the task of catching up as fast as I could afford it and I've finally arrived here, at Ciani's first album of ensemble work.

And this is no small time ensemble - Paul McCandless from the group Oregon, Matt Eakle from the David Grisman Quartet, Michael Manring on bass, guitarist Teja Bell, violinist Steve Kindler, Kalani on percussion, Doug Harman and
Jeremy Cohen on cello and violin all make their appearances here under the name of The Wave (waves are some of Ciani's favorite things). This is pretty close to a 'soft jazz' dream group and we get to listen in to 72 minutes of live performance in what is a first for Ciani.

Their work is consistently excellent. My favorites are cuts like Sailing to Byzantium that feature Paul McCandless who is a woodwind genius. But Matt Eakle does a great job on flute, especially on Go Gently. The album title is a bit misleading, Ciani does her share (listen to Butterflies - carefully), but she doesn't insist on being the star. These musicians work together beautifully, swapping musical lines and adding rich complexity to the haunting melodies.

Enough said. Unless you absolutely can't stand new age music or soft jazz you are going to love this album as soon as you hear it. And you are going to play it a lot.

I first heard Suzanne Ciani in an American Airlines aircraft before taking off. Thereafter, I kept hearing the same music every time I had to fly through AA. I only knew that I enjoyed the music very much and it made me feel very relaxed notwithstanding my fear of flying. I always wondered who the artist was but never asked. It was not until an evening that I watched a Suzanne Ciani recorded live concert on PBS that I recognized the music and ever since she has become one of my favorite musicians. Suzanne Ciani is passionate and talented. Her group of musicians "The Wave" is simply outstanding. The melodies included in this album are really so beautiful and amazing that you want to listen again and again. The music on this CD is uplifting, soothing, inspiring and comforting. It really gets to your inner feelings. I highly recommend this album. It is simply good music for any occasion.

Suzanne Ciani is one of my all-time favorite composers and musicians. It was very exciting to be able to attend one of two concerts she did in San Francisco in March 1997 with her hand-picked super-group, The Wave (Paul McCandless, Teja Bell, Matt Eakle, Michael Manring, Kalani, Jeremy Cohen, and Doug Harman). These concerts were the setting for Suzanne's first-ever live album and DVD. At the concert itself, I was surprised that such phenomenal musicians were using sheet music, and commented in my review of the concert (in the first issue of Wind and Wire) that it seemed too controlled. Suzanne told me later that she was following the classical tradition of keeping the music as written, and feels that too much improvisation in her music takes the backbone out of it. Her vision was certainly clear and absolutely correct when it came to the recorded version of the concerts. This album is gorgeous! Contents-wise, this is a wonderful overview of Suzanne's many composing styles, and the live performance gives each song a fresh take. There are electronic elements in several of the pieces, most especially "Samukee" and "Mosaic", which keep them true to their original form, but the live instrumentation makes them much warmer. Old favorites such as "Neverland", "Eagle", "The Velocity of Love", "Hotel Luna", and "Anthem" all take on a new life with Matt Eakle's soaring flute and Paul McCandless' variety of wind instruments, as well as the other artists' strings and percussion. The three new songs on the album, "Butterflies", "Stream", and "Folk Dance" indicate that Suzanne is continuing to evolve in new directions. Her more recent work seems to me to be somewhat more complex and classical, but still continues in her own melodic and soothing style. "Butterflies" is my favorite of the new pieces, and it is easy to visualize the fluttering of tiny wings while listening to it; each of the band members also has a short solo here. "Folk Dance" has a very unusual rhythm, and is great fun (composer/pianist Ira Stein arranged this piece as well as "Sailing to Byzantium" and "Eagle"). "Sailing to Byzantium", "Go Gently", "Drifting", "Stream" and "Inverness" are all smooth as silk, and Matt Eakle's and Paul McCandless' playing are again outstanding in their tenderness and insight into the music. "Time Stops" and "Anthem" are the two encore pieces, and both provide a gentle but stirring conclusion to this excellent album. As with any live album, the applause between pieces keeps it from being an album to doze off to, but the quality of the music should more than make up for that. I really like the way the album is laid out, with the quiet and flowing pieces alternated with the more upbeat, lively, or abstract songs. Longtime Suzanne Ciani fans will be thrilled with this collection, and for those not familiar with Suzanne's work, it is a great introduction!

In my point of view, It's Captain at his best. What a great show it surely was that night in Amsterdam, Holland. Great Classics has been put on the album. Some less known stuff adapted for live performance sound so good too. For example: Common Geoffrey Brown, The Kamikaze millionnaire are my favorite in the album and they are played in a so good way. I Hightly recommand this album.

Captain Sensible's Live at the Milky Way (1995) has to be the greatest live album ever recorded. The disc was recorded on the last stop of Captain Sensible's tour of Europe. His backing group The Ugly Sods (Paul Gray, Malcom Dixon and Garrie Dreadful) are all in top form. The good Captain plays all of his best known material and delivers the best stage banter I have ever heard on CD. The crowd gives him the business and he gives it back tenfold.

Space synth and other noise is added to bridge some of the songs together. The album has high production values and the final product shows. If you love punk, psychedelic music
or live performances then this disc is a keeper. Captain Sensible has never sounded better.

Highly recommended.

Hi,

I dont have the album allthough I am browsing for it for years now. But I had the best evenings at The Milky Way in Amsterdam that evening. Cappie at his best, dragged a bicycle on stage at one point trying to ride in playing outstandig guitar in his undies.

Cheers Mr Capt.

Greetz

E. from Holland

I really enjoyed this album. Level 42 is one of the best live bands ever. A shame they split up. 'Live at Wembley' has a concert-energy hard to find these days. A great album !

This album is a must for any Level 42 fan. Although it is a compilation of some of their biggest hits, the album has a whole new level of energy because it is LIVE. I have a great respect for bands that sound as good live as they do in a studio. Wish I could've seen them in concert--I discovered them too late!

The most overlooked album from the most overlooked band. Will never get the respect they deserve (at least in the States) but true fans know that they are great live, and this album proves it.

I really enjoyed this album. Level 42 is one of the best live bands ever. A shame they split up. 'Live at Wembley' has a concert-energy hard to find these days. A great album !

This album is a must for any Level 42 fan. Although it is a compilation of some of their biggest hits, the album has a whole new level of energy because it is LIVE. I have a great respect for bands that sound as good live as they do in a studio. Wish I could've seen them in concert--I discovered them too late!

The most overlooked album from the most overlooked band. Will never get the respect they deserve (at least in the States) but true fans know that they are great live, and this album proves it.

The Love That Whirls(Diary Of A Thinking Heart) convinced me that Bill Nelson is a musical genius.
This album is an incredible mix of synth-pop, electro-funk, ambient, other nameless brilliance. This came out in 1982 when electronics were everywhere in music but Bill Nelson was in a league of his own.
You'll hear Nelson's trademark e-bow guitar playing throughout the album. There is also an oriental influence on the songs Eros Arriving and the funky When You Dream Of Perfect Beauty It Comes True. You won't forget that guitar hook in Eros Arriving once you've heard it...believe me.
The song Empire Of The Senses features some nifty vibes and synth playing. The Crystal Escalator In The Palace Of God Department Store features one of the best synth solos I've ever heard, along with one of the longest song titles I've ever seen.
Waiting For Voices, The Bride Of Christ In Autumn, Portrait Of Jan With Flowers, and Echo In Her Eyes(The Lamps Of Oblivion) are all dreamy ambient pieces, which Nelson does as good as and better in some cases than people like Eno and others. Portrait Of Jan With Flowers features some beautiful piano playing.

I still have this on vinyl, but it was released in the late 80s on cd, on the now defunct Enigma label. You may find some copies out there on the internet, and you can believe they won't be cheap. I wish I had bought the cd when I had the chance. According to the Bill Nelson official website, The Love That Whirls(Diary Of A Thinking Heart) will be re-released one day. I only hope it's not too long. This is one of the greatest albums of all time from a genius who will probably never be fully recognized for his talents.

For a fleeting moment, I was disappointed when I first acquired this album. I knew I had at least three of the 12 tracks elsewhere in my collection.

I brightened quickly. The very first track is "Empire of the senses," a song that I would put forward as one of the finest examples of Nelson's lyrics, singing, arranging, guitar, etc. -- not the BEST in any of these categories, but the combination is truly top-notch.

If you like Nelson's 4/4 vocal-pop side, & have a little too much cash in your pocket, then you could do worse. The first play will be a pleasant & still-fresh New Wave joy. Then, with repeated playings, you'll appreciate new things, wondering how you could possibly have missed some detail or other on previous listening. It's not a "play once" album.

track list (from Cocteau LP):

Empire of the senses
Hope for the heartbeat
Waiting for voices
A private view
Eros arriving
The bride of christ in autumn
When your dream of perfect beauty comes true

Flaming desire
Portrait of jan with flowers
The crystal escalator in the palace of god department store
Echo in her eyes (the lamps of oblivion)
The october man

This is Bill Nelsons Finest Hour.Passionate and Deep,Beautiful and Dark. A Top Ten Desert Island Disc For Sure.Tune In To Manaoradio.com 6-10am,M-F (Hawaii time),for a great mix of Bill,Be Bop,and so much more.Non Profit,Non Commercial,Free Radio-like it should be! Scott Mills.

I have been slowly discovering Marc Almond's solo stuff bit by bit....I was not ready for the brilliance of this recording. Who would know that he was capable of such an incredible release. I recommend his autobiography "Tainted Life" - it gives eye popping background to his recordings....I just had to add my 5 stars to this because quite simply it is a great record.
The last cut, "The River" is perhaps a masterpiece. The whole experience is lush and gorgeous - you don't even need a cocktail or a joint to fly away with this joyeaux collection of real, true music. THANK YOU MARC! I LOVE YOU!

This album still moves me after all of these years. I feel it's his finest. The lyrics transport you to far off places and the music is very eclectic & sophisticated. There isn't a track on the album that I don't like. This is in my top 5 all-time favorite albums.

An essential for true Marc Almond fans. Just buy it...

Anyone who knows Marc Almond already has this album. If you're interested in hearing more from an incredible songwriter and lyricist, this is the album to buy.

For fourteen years and many shifts in my musical tastes, Mother Fist and Her Five Daughters has remained a favorite. The music is unexpectedly brilliant and the lyrics simultaneously lead you to a darker side of life while making you feel better and more inspired than you've felt in quite a while.

Marc made some exceptional music with the Willing Sinners and the Mamba's in the late 80's. It's some of the best music from that time. Sometimes hard to find and most often a bit expensive, it is worth every dime.

Just listen to "There is a Bed", "Saint Judy", "Champ", and "Mr. Sad" and you'll know that your in for a brilliant musical journey. Mother will stay with you forever once you've been introduced.

Many thanks to Marc for this accomplishment.

I have been slowly discovering Marc Almond's solo stuff bit by bit....I was not ready for the brilliance of this recording. Who would know that he was capable of such an incredible release. I recommend his autobiography "Tainted Life" - it gives eye popping background to his recordings....I just had to add my 5 stars to this because quite simply it is a great record.
The last cut, "The River" is perhaps a masterpiece. The whole experience is lush and gorgeous - you don't even need a cocktail or a joint to fly away with this joyeaux collection of real, true music. THANK YOU MARC! I LOVE YOU!

This album still moves me after all of these years. I feel it's his finest. The lyrics transport you to far off places and the music is very eclectic & sophisticated. There isn't a track on the album that I don't like. This is in my top 5 all-time favorite albums.

An essential for true Marc Almond fans. Just buy it...

Anyone who knows Marc Almond already has this album. If you're interested in hearing more from an incredible songwriter and lyricist, this is the album to buy.

For fourteen years and many shifts in my musical tastes, Mother Fist and Her Five Daughters has remained a favorite. The music is unexpectedly brilliant and the lyrics simultaneously lead you to a darker side of life while making you feel better and more inspired than you've felt in quite a while.

Marc made some exceptional music with the Willing Sinners and the Mamba's in the late 80's. It's some of the best music from that time. Sometimes hard to find and most often a bit expensive, it is worth every dime.

Just listen to "There is a Bed", "Saint Judy", "Champ", and "Mr. Sad" and you'll know that your in for a brilliant musical journey. Mother will stay with you forever once you've been introduced.

Many thanks to Marc for this accomplishment.

In order to at least comprehend the meaning of the non-English song titles, here are the English translations of the non-English song titles:

1. Rabatz( Row/Din )
2. Hi hello( English Title )
3. Freunde( Friends )
4. Wir wollen nicht nur Schokolade( We Do Not Want Just Chocolate )
5. Knud( Knud )
6. Badespass( Fun in Bathing/Bath Fun )
7. Ein Andenken( A Keepsake/Memento )
8. Ich tanz' allein( I Dance Alone )
9. Yippie yoeh( English Title )
10. Afrika( Topfschlagen )=Africa( The Beating of Pots )
11. Pantomimenlieder( Mime/Dumb Show/Mute Show Songs )
a. Ein Gespenst( A Ghost/Specter )
b. Der traurige Baer( The Sad Bear )
c. Wir entspannen uns( We Relax Ourselves )
d. Zwei Schmetterlinge auf einer Sommerwiese( Two Butterflies on a Summer Meadow )
e. Maedchen vom Land( A Girl/Maiden from the Countryside )
f. Ameisenhaufen( Anthill )
12. One, Two, Three, Four ...( English Title )
13. Wir haben 'ne Band( We Have a Band )
14. A.U.S. - aus( O.U.T. - Out )
a. Twist
b. Swing
c. Bossa Nova
d. Blues
e. Punk
f. Samuel
15. Zum Abschied( For Departure/Farewell )

Heard many of these songs while living in Switzerland, and had to have the album. My kids love it, and it helps them to keep the German they learned while there. I love Nena's voice, and her style. I would like also to get ther other Kinderlieder CD's (...)

This is Nena's second modern children's songs album and her latest solo album to date. In this album, Nena introduces not only more modern children's songs in either German or English, but also German pantomime songs( "Ein Gespenst", "Der traurige Baer", "Wir entspannen uns", "Zwei Schmetterlinge auf einer Sommerwiese", "Maedchen vom Land", and "Ameisenhaufen" ) as well as different music styles using one relatively short song "A.U.S.-Aus"( Twist, Swing, Bossa Nova, Blues, Punk, and Acapella through her third son Samuel ). Another unique feature of this album is the involvement of members of a genuine German elementary school class in the recording of several songs included in this album. Hence, I highly recommed this to everyone, especially those like Nena, who have never lost their childlikeness( not childishness ), because they will truly appreciate it.

What a great collection of rare, out of print and underground dance and disco with a little bit of the classics you have heard of before like I Know What Boy's Like by the Waitresses. Soft voiced Christina's Drive My Car is a classic gem on here. I especially love her laughing in the track. Or take French Boys by Gar�ons. Another upbeat and energetic early 80's disco track perfect for a fun party. Fire is another fun track by the lovely Lizzy Mercier Descloux. Very 80's, very groovy. Overall a fun collection of tunes I had heard of before but never knew who it was or knew who it was but didn't own. Definitely worth owning.

ZE records assembles all its own underground dance stuff, in mostly full length versions, on one strong compilation. Mostly disco, and euro energy type dance tracks, the label throws in the odd track that doesn't quite fit the format, like the Waitresses classic "I Know What boys Like." A number of these songs, while not mainstream hits, were big billboard dance chart hits. Track times:

CD1
1 . wheel me out (7:08)
2. Bustin out (6:40)
3. Drive my car (3:21)
4. Annie I'm not your daddy (6:30)
5. Emile (6:48)
6. Contort yourself (6:18)
7. Funky stuff (4:12)
8. French boy (3:08)
9. Deputy of love (5:29)
10. Cowboys & gangsters (7:28)
11. Blame it on the disco (7:57)
12. Encore l'amore (8:55)

CD2
1. disco clone (4:10)
2. Que pasa (6:23)
3. I'm a wonderful thing baby (6:15)
4. Out come the freaks (7:11)
5. Fire (5:16)
6. Spooks in space (5:44)
7. Tell me that I'm dreaming (5:03)
8. Narcissique (3:36)
9. I know what boys like (3:16)
10. Re bop electronic (2:55)
11. French boy disco edit (5:10)
12. Faites le proton (5:18)

Ze Records made a significant contribution in the late 1970s and early 1980s with their artists like Cristina Monet, Material, Was (Not Was) and Don Armando's 2nd Avenue Rumba Band. The original vinyl album had only six tracks so this expanded 2-disc CD is a massive improvement revealing much more of the glory of Ze.

In general, the music is a successful blend of dance and new wave. Wheel Me Out by Was (Not Was) is a sinister track with spoken vocals and an insistent chanting chorus over a nervous, funky rhythm. Busting Out has powerful vocals by Nona Hendryx over Eurodisco synths and electric guitars.

Cristina's two tracks include her interpretation of Drive My Car and her tongue-in-chic disco songs Blame It On Disco and Disco Clone. It is high time her legendary album Sleep It Off be re-released as it contains timeless masterpieces like He Dines Out On Death, The Lie Of Love and Van Morrison's Blue Money.

There is a strong mix of Latin, Big Band swing and mid-century pop in the tracks by Don Armando's 2nd Avenue Rumba Band, Gichy Dan and Coati Mundi - my favorite is Deputy Of Love with Fonda Rae on lead vocal. Ze's most successful act, Kid Creole And The Coconuts, contribute their huge hits, the tuneful Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy and I'm A Wonderful Thing Baby, whilst James White And The Blacks offer the sax-heavy Contort Yourself.

The other two tracks by Was (Not Was) are also minor classics and count amongst my favourites on this marvellous album of innovative music. It's a pity about the omissions though: Cristina's poignant Things Fall Apart and Christmas Rapping by The Waitresses, two great singles from the early 1980s. This CD contains a classy booklet with many photographs and informative liner notes on the artists and the Ze label.