Customer Reviews

The Cycle Is Complete

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I guess my opinion about this CD is different because my background is different. I was never a fan of the Buffalo Springfield, but I have known "The Cycle is Complete" since it came out because I like experimental music, and back then the record was legendary among us.

It's only natural that if you like the Buffalo Springfield you will be disappointed by this CD: it's nothing like the BS.
But if you, like me, like instrumental music, progressive music, this is a gem you can't miss, extremely enjoyable and fun.
I used to have the record, now I have the CD. I am happy.

And by the way, greyhoundude quotes Bruce Palmer out of context, distorting the meaning of what he says.
Verve expected a commercial record because the demos Palmer gave them were. But then "I gave them what I thought music was all about, not what they thought music was all about. That was what I intended to do. They released it and I retired. I had a laugh at the industry's expense. I did that album and just had enough of the music business. I was seeing my friends turning into beets. Is this what I want to do? Is this what happened to music?".

"Do not criticize what you don't understand."
- Bob Dylan

As the product review notes, this album by Buffalo Springfield's eccentric bassist Bruce Palmer "is easily one of the most ambitious releases of the late '60s and early '70s". That's saying a lot, considering that so much experimental and avant-garde work was being created at the time (remember Yoko Ono??).

Bruce takes you out of your world & into his, something most listeners are not really ready for even today, so imagine how few were ready for it in 1971!!

As the product description indicates, this is a "cult classic" utilizing many different styles and creating some others WAY BEFORE the music world was ready for it ("two or three decades ahead of its time-- this stuff predates new age, trip-hop and two or three other related contemporary musical currents" as the product description notes).

IF THESE ARE NOT STYLES YOU CARE FOR, THEN STEER CLEAR OF EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC!! (DON'T CLUTTER REVIEWS WITH NASTY PUT DOWNS.) If on the other hand, you are more adventurous, GRAB THIS NOW!!

The disc contains 4 tracks, three of which are not identical with the original vinyl release on Verve. It seems as if totally different mixes (if not demos) were used for this CD reissue.

This is an essential album for all music fans, beautiful free form music with no label or style: oboe, violin, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion & voice create a unique & timeless atmosphere... but beware: the "Collector's Choice" version isn't the original Lp release. Only one track seems identical to the much bootlegged vinyl version and it's the shortest one! The other tracks seem like different segments of the same lengthy improvisations, and with wrong/reversed titles too. I gave it 3 stars because it's an alternate (& rather interesting) look at a "classic" record: now it's time to release the original one.

As one that admired Bruce's talent, and he WAS talented. However,as Richie Furay observed, from the beginning of Buffalo Springfield, Bruce's drug experimentation,blasted him off to Dimension Z, never really returning, for the rest of his life.By the time his life was over in 2004,Bruce no longer resembled the guy that he was. This album is only noteworthy as the one solo album he ever did. He could really play--but chose not to. What a waste.

From the liner notes: "They released it and I retired. I had a laugh at the industry's expense." - Bruce Palmer.

That tells you just about everything you need to know about this album. Should be a one-star album, but raised to 2-stars based on Palmer's sense of humor.