Customer Reviews

Epic

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a Tangerine Dream fan for over 20 years, and when I found this CD a couple of years ago I was very interested, since Franke was with TD for a while. I was not disappointed.

It is rather obvious that these tracks are a greatest hits compilation. There really isn't a "theme" to the album, it's just the hits. And boy, are they.

I made a video tape for my parents 40th anniversary made up of a collection of old home movies interspersed with modern video and interviews. I used a couple of the tracks as background music with the old stuff. After a little while some family members finally asked, "Mike, what is this beautiful music you have in the background?" Why, its Chris Franke!

Tracks 6 (Dancing Lesson) and 9 (Viciente) are two of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. They're the kind that you push the back button when they're done so you can hear them again.

It's also a very romantic album. I've had some pretty nice interludes with this album. Sorry to be ungentlemanly, but its true. Guys, this album works. Trust me.

Christopher Franke is known as a former member of New Age/Electronica supergroup Tangerine from 1970 until 1988 as well as composing music for several movies and TV shows most notably Star Trek and Babylon 5 in the 1990s. Yet, it is his solo works that are far removed from the movie soundtracks that I think really shine the most yet are few and far between these days. "Epic" is an excellent introduction to Franke's solo compositions spanning eight years from 1991's solo debut "Pacific Coast Highway" to a couple of new(at the time) tracks exclusively for this album.

The collection opens with an enigmatic song entitled "A Radiant Band of Light" which begins with a haunting ambient drone and a didgeridoo-like instrumental before blossoming into a heavily spiritually moving piece with exotic percussion and haunting vocals.

I've been a fan of Tangerine Dream since the 70's and wish they'd (Franke and Edger Froese, anyway) collaborate again. I find myself wishing for that TD guitar work in this. And when I'm listening to the Froese only TD, I find myself wishing for the lush keyboard and synthesiser work that Franke brings to the team. Butohwell, this is good stuff anyway. Guess I'll just play along on my strat.

I was not aware of this compilation until I came across it in a store. I procured it because I knew that Christopher Franke had been a previous member of Tangerine Dream. I did not expect to be disappointed and was not. Epic is an impressive collection of 18 New Age instrumentals by Franke. Two of these--"Flower Hill Trail" and "Sensual Persuasion"--are previously unreleased. This compilation is just over 64 minutes. It was released in 1999. The album's musicianship and sound quality are gratifying. Throughout, I find every one of the tracks to be relaxing, serene, and ambient. My favorite ones are "Mental Images," "Woodland Watercolors," "Viciente," "Mind Space," and "Stream Garden." The CD booklet includes an essay of Franke. The album cover artwork is also nice. Actually, I rate this disc 3.5 stars. Epic is a captivating compilation.

It is soothing, relaxing and joyful music. This is what I understand as classic New Age. Yet it has energy and dynamics perhaps more than average cd of such genre, and the music has decent quality. To me it reminds very much project G.E.N.E. of Peter Mergener. I put 4 stars because it's just very good music, but not epic, as the title suggests.

Tenchi the soundtrack may have that one flaw in track 21, "Alchemy of Love," but it is, on the whole, a little better than Epic. But not much. Epic has some of Chris' best stuff, and it is hella cool. This is music to listen to after the house burns down, you lose your job, your parents disown you and the divorce papers come in the mail. Even after all of that, chances are this CD will make you feel better. On the whole, it's pretty much Coolness and Contentment condensed into music. Notice that I didn't mention "Excitement." That's right, fellow B5 fans... this CD will not blow your brains halfway across the apartment for how action-packed it is. It's goal is to make your head stay firmly on your shoulders. Buy the B5 Shadow Dancing CD for that.

Relaxing, moody, earthly and unearthly soundscapes. Excellent production

It`s realy incredible music. I can`t imagin better one!!!!! WELL DONE!!!! COOL!!!

I`ve got the relexation I need when I`ve listening those tracks!!