TheMan
Group: Members
Posts: 105
Joined: July 2002 |
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Posted: July 09 2002, 07:57 |
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It is somewhat difficult to make a general statement
about TL (in contrast to e.g., Ommadawn or Amarok).
Some sections are really great and inspired, some sound
rather one-dimensional and boring. IMHO, the first three
songs are really great (although I find the 'saxophone'
sound terrible), with a very nice mood. The guitar in
the 2nd song is highly enjoyable, a great theme (it
really grows on you) and there is a lot of feeling in
the playing. I was also pleased to hear the hammond
organ in Return To The Origin which gives the musik a kind
of 'serious' sound. The hammond/mandolin gives the track
an nice elaborate background, and once again the theme is a real long-run-winner (as often with Mike's themes).
(Note that the chord sequence is identical to the sensible flute/guitar part leading to the final of
Ommadawn part II). (By the way, I think it is OK that
Mike reuses his ideas over and over again. Why not, if Bach could do it? But then again, Mike, please feel free
to reuse ideas from all your records, not exclusively from
TB!!! . Sirius has a great mood, and once again a sensible guitar theme.
But, Mike, isn't the title track all too simple to be on a
MO record? Not many chords going on, rather boring guitars
(except the classical one) and a bass slightly out-of-tune. And why corrupt the otherwise nice Turtle Island with this Vic20 sounding sax? Tracks 4, 7, 10 are nonsens if you ask me.
Mike, I wish you had taken some more care developing otherwise strong ideas into a more complete work. I also miss the (for Mike typical and genius) transitions between
different parts... (To mention some of his best; the one
before the classical guitar in The Lake, the transition into Only Time Will Tell, the transion between
the 'stormy' electrical guitar solo on (the Boxed! Hergest Ridge part one into the GENIOUS classical guitar/oboe duet).
But anyway, thanks for all those brilliant pieces
during the years, Mike! I am looking forward to new releases!
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