Customer Reviews

Icarus

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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Transitional jazz ... including a little bit of India (sitar, tabla), a little bit of Africa (numerous percussion instruments), and a little bit of Mexico (marimba) and South America. Although produced 30 years ago, the music is as meaningful and relevant today as in 1972 when it was created. This is contemplative music, not meditative, which is softer and quieter ... this is great "thinking" music. The musical phrases are original and refreshing, create winding moods ... which need to be explored. It is great background music at a party or for laying back on a lazy Sunday afternoon, letting thoughts drift wherever they may ... It seems Paul Winter was ahead of his time: well time has caught up with him! The mellow saxaphone and cello sounds when accompanied by any number of "world" instruments are the sounds of the future and the future is ... HERE, NOW! GO: LISTEN AND ENJOY!
Dedicated to the memory of Bob Zeidler Amazon.com reviewer who introduced me to the music of Paul Winter. Erika Borsos

Paul Winter fused musics from Brasil, India, Native North America and Africa,and encorporated elements of Classical and "cool Jazz" into a wonderful *GUMBO * LOOOOOOONG before the current trendmongers jumped the bandwagon, and did it with clarity, articulation, and respect for the sounds he was assimilating into his musical vision.(This was HIS American vision of Andrade's "cultural cannibalism", which BRASILIAN musicians have been very successful at since the beginning of the 1900's thru current times). For years, this lp/cd has been the "soundtrack" for public radio stations, as they have continuously used soundbites from tracks from this cd in the incidental music between shows -BUT this music deserves MUCH more introspection, as the tracks are quite wonderful. The soaring "Icarus" was a staple of PWC concerts, and later in Oregon's shows.(Towner & McCandless were founding fathers of Oregon,a natural progression after they left PWC. "Whole Earth Chant" is a track that combines the elements I describe already with a "funky" herb Buschler bassline & a soaring David Darling cello solo.I feel current celloists Hank Roberts and Mr Brubeck from Oranj Symphonette were influenced byhim greatly..... Minuit is a simplistic African "round" a folk form, but somehow quite touching to the heart. Mr. Winter was one of the first wave of US musicians to tour Brasil. He never got the mass exposure of his cohorts, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Herbie Mann, et al. A trail blazer, I hope this cd enjoys a renaissance it truely deserves, given the great interest in World/Fusion sounds these days. Mr. Winter's vision remains fresh,as his "mission" was the musics first, not the $$$$$$.

Paul Winter Consort is the band where Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless, Collin Walcott and Glen Moore have first played all together and have decided to create their legendary fusion group - OREGON. The sound of ICARUS, their second album, is kind of new-age-ish with some reminescences of KING CRIMSON's "Sailor's Tale" and "Formentera Lady" (JUNIPER BEAR), and John McLaughlin's Shakti (WHOLE EARTH CHANT). Some other musicians on this album include great cello master DAVID DARLING and HERB BUSHLER on fender bass. If you liked this album, and have never heard OREGON's music - rush to the store and get yourself some of their later albums (DISTANT HILLS, CROSSING, WINTER LIGHT)

The 1972 version of The Paul Winter Consort was a great band. Having Ralph Towner as arranger and music director of The Paul Winter Consort, was also a stroke of genius.

The Icarus session is one of the best (and is considered by many to be the best) of the Paul Winter Consort studio recording sessions. The majority of the music on the session was composed by Ralph Towner.

Ralph Towner and the majority of the members of the 1972 version of The Paul Winter Consort membership, later left the band and formed Oregon [ ... ]. Collin Walcott was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1984 - He was first by replaced by Trilok Gurtu, and then by Mark Walker

Detailed credits (including composer information):

Icarus
The Paul Winter Consort (1972)

THE CONSORT

Paul Winter - soprano sax, vocals
David Darling - cello, vocals
Paul McCandless - oboe, English horn, contrabass Sarrusophone, vocals
Ralph Towner - classical guitar, 12-string guitar, piano, Regal, bush organ, vocals, music director
Herb Bushler - fender bass guitar
Collin Walcott - conga, tabla, mridangam, surdos, traps, kettledrums, bass marimba, sitar

FRIENDS OF THE CONSORT

Andrew Tracey - resonator guitar, voice ('Minuit')
Billy Cobham - traps ('Sunwheel', 'Whole Earth Chant')
Milt Holland - Ghanaian percussion ('Whole Earth Chant')
Larry Atamanuik - traps ('Icarus')
Barry Altschul - random percussion ('Chehalis and Other Voices')
Janet Johnson, Paul Stookey, Bob Milstein - voices ('Minuit')

1. Icarus
composed by Ralph Towner (Distant Hills Music) ASCAP

2. Ode to a Fillmore Dressing Room
composed by David Darling (Tasker Publishing) ASCAP

3. The Silence of a Candle
composed by Ralph Towner (Distant Hills Music) ASCAP
vocal by Ralph Towner

There falls the words of fools about my ears,
To hasten by the years the journey that I make,
Through myself.

The travellers that pass by me as I wend my way,
All reaching out to say their path can find the way,
To the truth.

Answers everywhere, promising solutions to my fears,
Leading through halls with no doors in the walls,
And leave me in the darkness

But to close my ears to all will bar the way,
For those who've travelled through.

(piano solo)

The silence of a candle burning in my room,
Speaks softly of a peaceful balance to be found,
Just beyond.

The road within without a right or wrong,
With lanes for only one where solely one must see,
And will know.

Stillness that resounds, singing sounds of hope to light my way,
Drawing me near to a path that is clear,
To free myself from darkness.

And the voice within the candle whispers of a timeless peace
That lies beyond.

And the voice within the candle whispers of a timeless peace
That lies beyond.

4. Sunwheel
composed by Ralph Towner (Distant Hills Music) ASCAP

5. Juniper Bear
composed by Ralph Towner, Collin Walcott (Distant Hills Music) ASCAP

6. Whole Earth Chant
composed by Paul Winter (Umpawaug Music) ASCAP
vocal by David Darling

7. All the Mornings Bring
composed by Paul McCandless (Bocal Music) ASCAP

8. Chehalis and Other Voices
composed by Ralph Towner (Distant Hills Music) ASCAP

9. Minuit
music and french lyrics composed by Keita Fodeba (Umpawaug Music) ASCAP
adaptation and lead vocal by Paul Winter
Chorus: Andrew Tracey, Janet Johnson, Paul Stookey, Bob Milstein, David Darling, Paul McCandless

Minuit, sa-mu-say, minuit,
Minuit, sa-mu-say-y-ya, minuit.

Produced by George Martin for CBS Epic Records
Recorded by Bill Price
Recorded at Seaweed Studios, Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA; Recording equipment by Fedco Audio, Providence, Rhode Island (Dick Shapiro); and Dolby Labs, New York; Additional recording at Electric Lady Studios. New York (Eddie Kramer, Dave Palmer); Record Plant, New York (Roy Cicala, Dave Turbeville); Upsurge Studios, New York (Thomas di Pietro). Mixed at A.I.R London, England Studios.

Dan Craig, Consort Quartermaster and Instrument curator.

Cover photograph of CD re-issue:
[...]

Original LP album design by Christina Watkins.
Original LP cover photograph by Tim Lucas (used on first CD re-issue)
[ ... ].

Official Paul Winter Living Music Icarus web page:
[...]

Everyone else wrote all about the people involved with album, so I will refrain from duplicating their efforts. But I do what to say a few things .... first, it's a very special album. The collabortion throughout are smart, musical, brilliantly orchestrated, and as something to listen to repeatedly, it renews itself constantly. Like good art, it reveals more over repeated listens, and is, in many ways, a kind of jazz symphone .... with movements, dominent melodies and sub melodies that weave their way though the entire album, and bits and pieces of one some, sometimes appears for a few seconds in another with totally different orchestration, like the way the great masters composed. George Martin (i.e. The Beatles; America) produced an amazing work. I am waiting for the day Epic Records (SONY/CBS/LEGACY) actually remasters it or releases it in DVD Audio. I first heard it in 1973 on vinyl, and it remains one of my more favorite purchases since that time ... and I've heard a lot. I call few albums brilliant ... Steely Dan's "Aja", The Beatles "Rubber Soul", Marvin Gaye's "Troubleman" soundtrack; Aimon & Garfunkel's "Old Friends", The Who's "Who's Next", Blood, Sweat & Tears' #1 (the first record with Al Kooper) , Joni MItchell's "Blue, Santana's "Abraxas" .... all of them are special. In the realm of what is now called "world music" this one ranks up there.

This superb album was not widely known in the seventies in my part of the world,yet these brilliant musicians captivated me with this wonderful music played almost entirely with acoustic instruments, & I have never tired of this album. To this day I do not know anything of their backgrounds,or their previous & later works. My appreciation of this record has remained pure & simple. This work is dated 1972,a year of shining musical inspirations.
When we think of acoustic,we tend to picture acoustic guitars,but just look at the line-up of instruments. Soprano saxophone,cello,oboe,English horn,contrabass Sarrusophone,classical guitar,12-string guitar,Regal,bush organ,Fender bass,conga,tabla,mridangam,surdos,traps,kettledrums,bass marimba,sitar,resonator guitar,& Ghanaian percussion.
The first track titled "Icarus" immediately carries the listener aloft on the air currents & has him/her sailing amongst clouds. One doesn't really come down again until the final track of this album. Next a track with a peculiar title "Ode to a Fillmore Dressing Room" has the unusual combination of sitar,classical guitar,& jazz bass playing in harmony, with tabla drums also,a remarkable performance. Then a simple but deep song with piano accompaniment,"The Silence of a Candle" reflects one man's journey within himself,followed by more soaring sensation from tracks with titles such as "Sunwheel","Whole Earth Chant",& "All the Mornings Bring".
I find the use of soprano sax,oboe,& cello as lead instruments rather refreshing in a music market dominated by electric rock.
The album ends with a truly beautiful West African folk song "Minuit", which just might remain in your head,& in your heart, for evermore.
If you seek just one album of acoustic instrumental music for your collection,"Icarus" may very well fulfill that need wonderfully.

I saw the Paul Winter Consrt for the first time in the fall of 1970 while in college at Southern Illinois University. "Icarus" captures those wonderful memories of when I saw them; the beauty of the music, the creativity, and sensitivity of soul in song.

I have been listening to Icarus since I was a pre-teen thanks to my parents eclectic tastes in music. I am thrilled that it is available on CD. It is a very unusual piece of music; perhaps not to everyone's taste. If you like the Moody Blues you will love this. Don't expect it to sound like you think music should sound. It is filled with the use of unexpected combinations of instruments and voice. It will pull at your heartstrings if you allow it to.

Listened to this recording again and again and am delighted to have caught up with it again! Perfect Sunday afternoon music to relax with.

This album, which foreshadows the group "Oregon" and features some of Ralph Towner's best compositions, is one of those rare perfect albums. It is certainly the best thing done by Paul Winter, and is comparable to the best Oregon music. My favorite cuts are "Silence of a Candle" (a simple tune, written, played, and sung (!) by Ralph Towner), "Sunwheel" (this cut actually rocks; it's one of those tunes I find myself whistling all the time), and the two more "symphonic" cuts, Paul McCandless's "All the Mornings Bring" and Towner's "Chehalis and Other Voices", which together make up about nine of the most beautiful minutes you'll ever experience on any recording. These pieces are mostly through-composed (with the exception of some oboe "blowing" by McCandless in the former). Fans of Oregon's "Moscow" recording will really appreciate these early efforts.

Just buy it! It's really fantastic!