Customer Reviews

Heaven & Hell

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This, "China" and the "Bladerunner" soundtrack are probably the three pinnacles of Vangelis's work. And in the manner of the latter two, "Heaven and Hell" offers up music which shifts through a variety of moods, styles, and evocations, all handled with a stupendous command of both the studio and the music created therein. The album's title really sums things up here; Vangelis takes the listener from both blissful and powerful symphonic visions of heaven, to dark and foreboding views of hell. Even the Jon & Vangelis collaborative track here, "So Far Away, So Clear", really fits well, in my opinion. But where things really shine is in Part II, where Vangelis shows his command of both some very tranquil and achingly beautiful music based around wordless Greek folk vocals, as well as a couple of sections where his music shows that it can stand up against the likes of avant-gardists such as Kryzystof Penderecki and George Crumb, both of whose musics bear a resemblance to parts of this latter half of this album. So, herein you will find much variety. "New Age"? Uh...bits of it. Pigeonholing this in that really cheapens it. It's so much more, and so much more complex.

In my opinion this one is by far the finest work made by Vangelis, and one of the most outstanding albums in the history of contemporary music. Here Vangelis shows his mastering and genius in the highest possible way, not only in composing but also by playing all the instruments! Besides, he produced and arranged the album. I came into it around 1985 when a good friend told me that it included the theme music used in the appreciated TV series COSMOS, and since then it has remained as one of my favorites.

The first piece is smashing; it features some of the strongest chords I've ever heard. The combination of synthesizer, choir, and frenetic percussion produces a quite captivating atmosphere. The second one is a more choral piece, which seems to evoke some unknown grandiosity. Then it comes the third piece. Oh boy. I'm afraid I don't have enough words to describe the emotion it produces on me. This is the theme used in COSMOS, and I really thank Carl Sagan, wherever he is now, for having chosen it. This is the most perfect and moving vision of heaven I can remember; it presents an incredibly majestic conception of the universe, and inspires me (I hope everyone) the highest spiritual values. It really makes me cry.

The next piece is a fruit of the long-lasting cooperation between Vangelis and Jon Anderson of Yes. Jon's angelical voice is the most adequate to guide you thru this voyage to heaven. The second part of the album consists of one single and long piece where Vangelis leaves no doubts of his skills as a man-orchestra. The wonderful choir is present throughout the piece and somewhere in between there is a splendid female solo.

Vangelis' music is nowadays commonly calssified as "new age". I absolutely disagree because new age was not yet invented when most of Vangelis' productions appeared, and above all, his vision is totally different from today's new agers. If it would need classification, I'd rather take it as progressive rock or progressive jazz, but never as new age.

I first was exposed to Vangelis at the age of 4, when the series, Cosmos, first aired. I remember being entranced by not only the show, but the story told thru the music, Later, at the age of 7, my father gave me the tape to listen to, for I could not sleep... I found myself drawn into a fantastic journey of sound and song, from the madness of Hell to the heights of Heavan. In my mind, as I closed my eyes, I was thrown into images and stories beyond my comprehension at the time. Now, I am much older, but I still shiver with the power and the pain of this music everytime I hear it. I still get goosebumps when I listen to So Clear. I encourage you to buy this CD, to feel the pleasure and the pain and the subtelties of not only great music, but also the nuances of the human spirit

It is a well-know fact that Yes-frontman, Jon Anderson, attempted unsuccessfully to bring Vangelis into Yes to play keyboards for the band. This wasn't meant to happen, apparently, so here you have in front of you the album that contains the sound that Vangelis could have brought into Yes. With a perennial musical struggle between good and evil, the tracks of the album take the listener through a spiritual rollercoaster. Along with his previous work for "Apocalypse of the animals" this album lays the groundwork for several of his later works: the more choir-based works, some harmonies to be found in Opera Sauvage (1979) and even the origins of the theme of Chariots of Fire! Though it's not my favorite Vangelis album (you don't want to go through hell and back, every time you listen to an album, which tells you that he actually did a great work), it is a brilliant masterpiece, deserving a space in the collection of all serious rock collectors (yes, this is more a rock than a new age album.)

I bought this CD to set the mood as I am typing my latest script. What I needed was music that would set the tone of being in Hell and Heaven. Vangelis does that quite well! True, most Vangelis fans are more familiar with his wonderful melodies such as Chariots of Fire. Heaven and Hell Part II, the fourth song has a great Gregorian-like chant with bells and is one of my favorite songs by Vangelis. Very Powerful! Yet, most people that hear this CD appear to be quite upset with the lack of pleasant melodies, which I believe is Vangelis just drawing the picture of Hell through music...which he does wonderfully. Again, Vangelis is striking moods here, not melodies. If you like mood music, like soundtracks....do yourself a favor and buy this treasure.

This is a fantastic piece of music. Full of power and dynamics. Everything that Vangelis does best. An in your face, electronic/instrumental/choral epic. An absolute must buy for any fan of the genre.

Coming from Heaven, this album is surely the best of vangelis. It's not easy , so more times you listen, you discover the classic.

This is a wonderful Vangelis album and is fairly energetic, with enough experimental flourishes to keep the listener fully engaged. Released in 1975, Heaven and Hell incorporates a full choir into the Vangelis sound.

Vangelis played all of the instruments on this album including synthesizers, electric piano, acoustic piano, a full drum kit, and percussion. Vangelis is joined by the English Chamber Choir (conducted by Guy Protheroe) with Vana Veroutis as the lead female vocal, in addition to Jon Anderson (vocals/lyrics on Heaven and Hell (Part 1 So Long Ago, So Clear). Vangelis is quite a good musician and really shines on the acoustic piano. As a huge Yes fan, I was delighted to hear Jon's excellent voice and cosmic lyrics. As far as the inclusion of the choir goes, I did not mind it that much and felt that it added a very interesting textural element to the recording.

The Heaven and Hell suite is divided into two lengthy movements including Part I (21'58") and Part II (21'16"). In general, the first part is more orchestral in nature and features the choir and excellent acoustic piano playing by Vangelis. Another general observation is that the first movement mixes vigorous sections that feature drums with spacey and haunting synth-dominated passages. Of course, my favorite part comes at the end of Part I, which is the 4'58" section with Jon on vocals. This short "song" is quite moving and uplifting. Movement II is a little darker and more experimental than the first movement and is my favorite of the two. The choir is featured on the second movement, along with a beautiful wordless vocal by the very talented Vana Veroutis. Part II closes with a very spacey and quiet synthesizer section, which provides excellent contrast with the preceding thunderous percussion section.

All in all, this is a good Vangelis album and is recommended along with Albedo 0.39 (1976); Spiral (1977); and the excellent Opera Sauvage (1979).

I remember first hearing Vangelis' "Heaven & Hell" back in high school, and getting creeped out by the haunting Hell passages on the record and loving it. Having Jon Anderson as a guest vocalist only enhanced the record. A couple years ago I found this cd in a bargain bin at my local record store and picked it up. I still pull it out every now again (for some reason I really dig listening to this in the Fall season). It's a shame that music like this and artists like Rick Wakeman, Brian Eno and others, isn't still being made, instead the 80's & 90's came along, Prog-Rock gave way to New Age, you had Yanni and John Tesh take over the instrumental scene and water it down to elevator pap. It's a shame that music has to be pidgenholed into such confining catagories, and most folks are left unaware of all that is out there.

Circa 1979--I was assigned to find music to accompany some 9th grade presentation. We were told to find music that evoked emotion. We were digging through a collection of vinyl looking for something, what, we weren't exactly sure.

We started listening to this record and it darned near knocked us over! The almost Gregorian opening and chant-like melody grabbed us immediately. I was deeply involved in music at the time and I remember thinking "It's wonderful. I don't like it, but it's wonderful." I wanted the structure of truly classical music. But for some reason the album haunted me and stuck in my memory.

Several years later I rediscovered Heaven & Hell and gave it a more thorough listening. It has been one of my favorite recordings from that time forward. Some of the more delicate passages were plucked for use in "Cosmos" the ground breaking mini-series by Carl Sagan.

Vangelis was about 10 years into his career when he made this album and about 4 from winning an Oscar for his "Chariots of Fire" soundtrack. In my opinion, this is the keystone work in his library. As a concept piece, Heaven & Hell successfully evokes emotions in the listener. Good, bad, beautiful, ugly, happy, and sad. It's all here and is impressive in its scope.