Customer Reviews

Antique Dreams

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
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What a great CD to own! At first, I was somewhat weery of seeing that some songs were as recent as 1990, as it was advertised to be material from 72-83. But as I was listening to this album, I found that each and every song complimented each other, making for one heck of a good CD. Plus the fact that most songs were from my favorite period in the TD timeline (early 80s). It seems that no songs were put on here as fillers. They are all well crafted and well worth listening to. A welcome addition to any TD fan`s collection, newcomer and old alike. Enjoy!

The series of CD issues under the general title of "Tangerine Dream Classics Edition" rolls on with this release of TD-miscellany entitled "Antique Dreams". For once, no one can accuse TDI of being miserly - this disc contains very nearly 70 minutes-worth of material, nearly all of which has been previously unavailable officially (or at least, long out of print). The 12 generous tracks here have been culled from two main sources: the band's extensive work for German TV during the '80s; and previously unreleased concert extracts between 1981 and 1990. In addition, there is a previously unheard studio number by Edgar Froese from 1985 and two important items from the early '70s.

These last two open the disc and may even be enough to make the whole thing worth having for some fans! Both are legendary works: `Ultima Thule' was cut as a single, way back in 1971 and has been out of print for many years. It reveals just how close Tangerine Dream's formative roots are to early Pink Floyd, with strong suggestions of `Interstellar Overdrive' and other such classics. The Overture that Tangerine Dream produced for the 1974 Chichester Festival production of Sophocles' great tragedy, "Oedipus Tyrannus", is similarly suggestive of some of the more experimental Pink Floyd works, but it also carries some quite distinctive TD hallmarks. Although plagued by some quite severe hiss from the analogue tape (and analogue synths) in some parts, it is wonderful to have this great brooding masterpiece finally available for public delectation!

Of the familiar material, `Sorcerer and Thief' is a 6-minute segue of music from the two films of its title, performed by the band in concert at the San Francisco Mill Valley Film Festival, 1981 - mostly of the two title themes played fairly straight. `Phaedra of Nottingham', on the other hand, is a 5-minute reworking (by Edgar and Jerome) of the original "Phaedra" for their 1990 UK tour. It is pleasant enough, I suppose, but it does the original no favours at all and it has also been hacked rather ungraciously from its concert setting. And just as they're sliding rather nicely into the second section of "Live Miles - Albuquerque", too...

Although ostensibly previously unreleased, long-term fans of the band will probably recognise much of `Cool Breeze of Brighton'. This is a 10-minute chunk from the band's 1986 UK tour, made up of ideas from several other albums. It acts as a wonderful reminder of just how good TD's live performances used to be! It is just a shame that this too has been separated rather untidily from whatever followed, with the track coming to an abrupt halt, mid-melody.

Most of the rest of the disc will be new even to the most avid collector of Tangerine Dream's work (both official and bootleg). It is a goodly mix of (obscure) German TV work and concert extracts, with the odd studio item thrown in for good measure. The bulk of the material covers the whole span of the 1980s and while there is nothing particularly stunning here, most fans of the band will be pleased enough to have it. It is also presented in a nice order, providing a good variety in the programming so that it can be listened to at a single sitting without boredom ever setting in or the need to reprogramme tracks.

In fact, for once of late, Tangerine Dream have produced a disc that really stands up to repeated playing; serious collectors need not hesitate in snapping this one up. Newcomers would probably do better buying one of the band's more main-stream releases from this period first, though, like "Logos", "Poland", "White Eagle" or "Pergamon", although I wouldn't actually caution anyone away from this disc!

This one is a definate "MUST-HAVE" for the true TD fan! It has some stuff never before released in album form but does have some of the music that was boot-legged (by a friend of mine) from the seattle concert. (not the 220 tour but the one before it) when Paul Haslinger was with them. Very upbeat and will bring back fond memories of earlier 90's TD...This is one of the most refreshing new releases I've heard in a VERY long time..Get this one! you will be glad you did!

WOW!!! My first lunge into the psychadelic world of Tangerine Dream.. Antique Dreams has proved to be a mindblowing CD! As I said, this was the first TD I'd ever heard, and what a way to start! This music is truly a landmark release.. everything from the early beginnings of the psychadelic rock of "Ultima Thule Pt.1" to the surreal "Flock of Bluebirds" and the rubbery, driving "Speed Dragon." Some songs are basically soundtracks, like "Southend Mall," which is a very nice mellow piece that sounds like the music to some fuzzy 80's action flick, while the intense, blistering drive of "Cool Breeze of Brighton" will resonate in your mind for days with its fast pace, relentless synths and screaming guitar solos. This album is addictive, you will NOT be able to get it out of your player! It is both a nice mix of early and late TD as well as an all around coherent, fantastic, and unmatched album. Highly recommended for any lover of 80's synth music, atmosheric soundtracks, techno/trance, ambient, or just outstanding and groundbreaking music that will give your ears some refreshing entertainment, A++++++!

It seems that Edgar Froese knows which side his bread is buttered on; so far on TD's own label they've released several albums containing work from their classic periods: ("Soundmill Navigator" and "Sohoman") and I'm sure this trend will continue... thankfully!

With the exception of the dreadful cover of "House Of The Rising Sun" all of these tracks are far superior to anything TD have produced since "Optical Race".

The opener "Oedipus Tyrannus..." is a reminder of my favourite era TD; "Rubycon", "Phaedra" and "Encore"; strange, ominous, pervasive. "Ultima Thule..." is a bit early even for me; TD are always better when they dispense with "real" instruments played "live" (ie: drums and guitars).

It is the work done with Johannes Schmoelling that is the real meat of this album and tracks like "Flock Of Bluebirds", "Calymba Bay" and "Moorland" hark back to the great days of "Poland", "White Eagle" and "Tangram". Check out Schmoelling's solo albums "Wiuvend Riet" and "The Zoo Of Tranquility" for more of this kind of quality. It's a shame his work isn't more readily available.

"Cool Breeze Of Brighton" is very reminiscent of the "Underwater Sunlight" - "Livemiles" period; you can spot sequences from the latter late in the track and on "Phaedra Of Nottingham", which is a bit of a harsh and abrasive rendition of the original.

Let's hope we get more of these "classic" releases; it would be nice to have some more live work released, particularly from the Schmoelling, Froese, Franke period, but also the improvised concerts from Froese, Franke and Baumann... "Sohoman Part 2" would be a good start...

"Antique Dreams" is an assortment of "rare" tracks, outtakes and live tracks and, like many such collections, is worth digging through. The tracks date from 1971 to 1990, with the bulk of them from the 1981-1986 era. The best tracks are, perhaps not surprisingly, the longer tracks. "Calymba Cali" (1981; 8+ min) is the very best track, with a strong synth bass sound prevalent, a track that would fit in very nicely on the "Thief" soundtrack album. "Cool Breeze of Brighton" (1986; live; 10+ min) has more an upbeat tempo and features a long Froese guitar solo. "Edinburgh's Castle" (1982, live, 8+ min) is a more gentle track that takes its time to develop. "Sorcerer and Thief" (1981, live, 6+ min) does excatly what the title suggest: 2 segments of the main themes of the respective movies, bridged nicely into one. "Oedipus Tyrannus Overture" (1974; 4+ min) is a preview of the sound to come in "Rubycon" and another great track. "Southend Mall" (1985, 4+ min) is an outake from the "Le Parc" sessions and has the same feel to it. I found tracks 4,5 and 7 (all soundtracks to German TV shows) not particularly interesting. The strangest track of all is "Ultima Thule Part 1" (1971) which according to the liner notes was a TD single; it features louds guitars and drums and doesn't sound like TD at all (if anything, it made me think of the Dutch band "Earth & Fire" on their single "Wild and Exciting" from the same era, minus the female vocals of course.) Overall, there are enough golden nuggets in this bag that make this CD another welcome addition in the TD "Classics Collection" series. I'm looking forward to more!

The title of this release is sort of deceiving...well, at least PARTLY.

Yes, there are some old TD recordings from the early '70s (Ultima Thule, for example - Wow! They sounded just like Pink Floyd back then), but many of the tracks are from the '80s and '90s.

The BEST part about this release, though, is that it has a little something for EVERY TD fan, from the '70s to the '90s (personally, I LOVE the Froese, Franke, Schmoelling line-up the best).

This is a must-have for long-time Tangerine Dream fans and also great for those who are just getting to know them.

If you are a fan of 1970's T.D. there is sparse little on this release only the lost Odeipus Tyrannus Overture from 74 and the legendary single Ultima Thule from 1971 (and only part one not part 2) both great to own legit at last but where are the real antique's?? After Klaus Schulze emptied the vaults with box set after box set why is Tangerine Dream only scraping the surface?? However if you love the eighties sound of T.D. this one will have you dancing about the room as it has nine rare tracks from the eighties and all of them quite good.

A good 2000 compilation of twelve unreleased songs that (for some reason) Tangerine Dream never used - tunes that were penned between 1971-82. 'Antique Dreams' is notably as good (or, maybe better) than most other collections that are available out there. Tunes I liked best were the inventive "Oedipus Tyrannus Overdrive", "Edinburgh Castle", the ten-minute "Cool Breeze Of Brighton" and their version of "House Of The Rising Sun" (I've heard other bands play this gem better) but Tangerine Dream did a decent job. The copy of this CD I listened to had some minor hissing and a tiny defect or two toward the end of it's seventy minute duration. Believe the hissing was actually 'in' the recording itself. I still had a good time experiencing this New Age / electronic title nonetheless.

Here is Tangerine Dreams hidden treasures vol.1,(there must be plenty more in mr.Froese`s vault). Ultima Thule is TD`S first and loooong out of print single,and their rarest and most sought after masterpiece. Here you can get it on(an original) cd for the very first time! Some tracks are from the german tv-series "tatort" which Tangerine Dream scored some episodes from."moorland" is one of these,and what a beautiful track it is!! Some tracks are from various concerts in United Kingdom mainly,"edinburg castle","southend mall","phaedra of nottigham" and "cool breeze of brighton"(incl.a tremendous guitar solo from edgar froese). The first track is from -71 and you really should be an early td-fan to like this track. 70-74 was a period of experimentations and crazy sounds,wich was most appreciated in "the new berlin" at that time. The hidden treasure cd is ending with a Stunning version of "the house of the rising sun",which was only released on flexi disc through a magazine years ago. So this is something of a cd for a true td-collector!!