Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfection from Vangelis, October 25, 2005
The brief, offhand comments tossed off by the editorial reviewer of this excellent album are obviously at odds with what a lot of fans are saying about this gem. Ocean waves lead into a short, majestic introduction with strings, harp, woodwind, a lovely violin. The follow-up is a quick climb to a pulsating, delightful "Siren's Whispering." The sirens sing vocalise, and are then answered by an exciting men's choir. There is grandeur in the sound of this music, and yet it is always restrained and calming.
I am, admittedly, a big Vangelis fan, but there is perhaps no other work of his that has such focus, a completely felicitous combination of pop and classical elements. I have played this on low volume at night as the crew and I fall asleep after a long day of sailing; then my vessel is filled with a rich and soothing, peaceful music.
The excitement dies down and the well-named "Dreams of Surf" is a serene interlude for piano and a luminous background of electronica.
Spanish Harbor is edgier, a quiet rocker with long crescendos and decrescendos. The highlight is the Spanish guitar, accompanied by an atmospheric orchestral background, shimmering and luminous.
In Islands of the Orient, Vangelis explores Asian rhythmic complexities in a meditative piece. There is a jazzy subtext to this music, and it ends with considerable energy and percussion.
Fields of coral is another quiet piece, of lento mood and reverberant arpeggios. A bell-like keyboard makes this a particularly attractive piece.
A lovely theme is explored in Aquatic Dance, which is, as the title indicates, more oriented toward movement. The nostalgic Memories of Blue, reverent in tone, and the finale, Song of the Seas, bring this beautiful album to a contempative close.
I love so many Vangelis albums, despite the occasional bombast and misfire. Here, however, there is no exaggeration, no self-indulgence, and the result is one of the sweetest, most endearing recordings Vangelis ever made. I'll end by noting that this is not merely innocuous music. There is an intensity under the slickly produced sheen of clear sound, a careful selection of ingratiating musical themes with subtle development that renders them larger than life, noble and uplifting in feel. It's quite an accomplishment, I'd humbly observe.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Vangelis Masterpiece, July 16, 1998
If I could only listen to one CD for the rest of my life, I'd start the selection process with the best of Beethoven from classical, some Beatles and Moody Blues from rock, perhaps some Weather Report from jazz and also some Vangelis. "Oceanic" would have to be included and might end up as the single CD. "Oceanic", like previous Vangelis inspirations, "Chariots of Fire" and "Blade Runner" transcends rhythm and melody to become a spiritual experience. Where it takes you will depend on you, but it will evoke a response or even a journey if you give it a chance. My first encounter with "Oceanic" was not impressive, just listening to snatches of a few tracks as somebody else played the CD. But when I completed it entirely, it engrossed both my attention and imagination. The music sank into the background as my response welled up and the tracks seemed to build on each other somehow. Every time I listen to it now I get ! ! a different response, but it has turned into a meditative experience that I relish. "Oceanic" is a great title because this CD is deep and different every time you look at it. The tracks sampled here on Amazon give a very good taste of the overall flavor of the CD.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Work, June 27, 2000
I have listened to all of Vangelis' music. I would regard this CD and 1492 to be two must have CDs if you like his type of music. "Voices" is another great CD of his similar to this one in a way. This is not the kind of CD you would appreciate on the first time hearing, and it doesn't become boring too soon. Well done this time, Vangelis.
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