Vangelis versus Ashra

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redphil

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 14.01.2014 - 18:44 · #9

Quote by stevepalmer

Quote by BruecknerAmbient

However, heard it on several occasions along the road, but can't recall it in detail.

Incredible!

I don't think he ever did a better album.

Don't think I've ever heard it. But in my defence I really do struggle with Vangelis, and every time I try a recommendation it stops me investigating further. It's been a while since my last try so I'll give this one a go.

stevepalmer

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 10:06 · #10

If you love Greek synth-infused psychedelia with proper songs + keyboard solos etc... it's amazing. One of my all-time favourite albums.

thirdsystem

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 13:58 · #11

Quote by redphil

I am like this also. I have only purchased one Vangelis album, the Odyssey compilation, any time I check out anything else I struggle to enjoy it.

However, enjoyed Bladerunner on Blu Ray recently, and if this is mentioned in the same breath as the mighty New Age Of Earth I will have to check this one out

phaedra2008

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 14:15 · #12

There is no New age here as the year was 1973, I call the first ever ethno prog rock.
In his first 20 years (71-91) every album was vastly different from the previous ones, so one may like or dislike an album or a 5 year era but if we take Heaven & Hell there was nothing similar, symphonic yes but no other resemblance.
On the other hand, if Blade Runner is the "reference point" then might as well stick just to that as there is nothing like it before or after just as it would hard to nominate any soundtrack beating it

Audioot

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 14:57 · #13

Yeah , that's the general public's 'problem' with Vangelis. I once recommended him to a friend who liked Antarctica that I was playing. The store he went to only had Invisible Connections in stock, so he bought it without listening. He still does not believe me if I ever recommend any particular vangelis album

I quite fancy Earth. More rock oriented than his later stuff (in general that is

)

BruecknerAmbient

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 19:28 · #14

Well, actually the very fact that Vangelis is so multi-faced makes me admire him even more (...as being "ecclectic" is a virtue anyway, in my book).

Still, I think on most albums You can recognize his handwriting, which makes his achievements even bigger, I think.

There are a few albums by him I don't particularily dig (too close to kitsch), and a few others that are mixed (too close to routine), however compared to the wealth of masterpieces that remain, this seems completly insignificant to me...

That said, I still need to realize the resemblance in "New Age of Earth" - actually, I'm going to listen in direct comparison right now while I'm doing a little, erm, online office work (like posting important declarations like this one).

BruecknerAmbient

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 19:48 · #15

Well, have listened twice now, and maybe I'm dull, deaph and ignorant, but I wouldn't say that there is such a striking similarity. If at all, I can see some vague parallels in the instrumental part of "My Face in the Rain" and "Ocean of Tenderness", however I think there most be other similar mellow atmospheric tracks based on long organ chords (some on earlier Ashra Tempel albums, if I'm not mistaken).

However, a good reason to give both albums a close listen, which is rewarding anyway. To me, they are two masterpieces, each in it's own right...

P.S. Interesting that "Earth" had Vangelis family name on the cover, btw.

Naus

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Re: Vangelis versus Ashra

· Posted: 15.01.2014 - 21:00 · #16

Just played it on Spotify, pretty cool album strange I hadn't heard it before.

Now listening to Oceanic which is on Spotify too, not too bad, when it was released I was a bit done with Vangelis' symphonic stuff so dismissed this album, but this is nice and electronic!

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