Customer Reviews

Orchestralli

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a long-time fan of Stewart Copeland's work - both in The Police and as a soundtrack composer - this is the cd release I recommend to all who might be curious to check out his post-Police work, at least in an overview.

Recorded on his "Orchestralli" tour of Italy, it features 8 tracks that cover a wide range of his compositional work, performed by a tight ensemble of musicians and none other than Copeland himself on the drums. Just hearing Stewart dig into playing on these tracks is a joy in itself for fans, many of us who miss hearing him do so more often these days. Also featured on these tracks are "Ensemble Bash", a terrific group of percussionists, as well as wind, brass, and string instruments.

These are complex pieces of music that greatly reward mutliple listenings and an audience willing to sink into them. Two of my favorite pieces are "Eve" and "Grace," which Stewart notes on the album are dedicated to his children. They are appropriately full of a sense of delight, whimsy, and love and always make me smile as I listen to them. "The Gene Pool" is a furious percussive piece commissioned by Ensemble Bash in 1994 that lets them show off their rhythmic skills impressively. "Baboon Tribe" and "Birds of Prey" are two pieces from his 1994 ballet Prey, the latter track earning Stewart a Grammy Nomination. "Stalin's Sultry Serenade," originally composed for full orchestra, is a seductive and complex piece driven home beautifully by Stewart's work on the drums. The final two tracks showcase some of his earliest soundtrack work: "Our Mother is Alive" from Rumble Fish, and the theme song from "The Equalizer," which is tremendous fun to hear performed with live musicians.

Also included in this release is a companion DVD, about 40 minutes in length. It features some nice behind-the-scenes footage of the musicians in rehearsal as well as interview clips with Stewart and some live concert footage. My only complaint about the dvd is that it features none of the performance pieces in full, only partial clips. Still, it's a minor complaint about an otherwise excellent release. Copeland fans, don't miss adding this one to your collection!

I know that now that the Police have regrouped at least for a while, many will have suddenly remembered what a great gift for modern music Stewart Copeland has been since the late 70s. But he is not just the powerhouse behind the Police: In this reissue, completed by an arresting performance caught on video of his orchestral themes, plus his charming quips in short interviews, you will be even more convinced that this multitalented musician will always be a godsend for the lack of inspiration of the current music scene. Never heard such original, intricate musical textures. He also, uncharacteristically, advises young musicians to go look in the most diverse places to find new ideas and combinations of musical patterns, not to keep mimicking their idols.
A resounding "bravo" also to the Italian orchestra that executes the pieces brilliantly and seems to fit like a glove to the Maestro's commanding polyrythmia.

The bonus DVD with extras and interviews made this an even better buy! I was very excited to have them both.! A must for a Stewart Copeland fan (who probably already has it).

This package is well worth every cent, it also has a great DVD. every musician should have a copy of this.

What a wonderful compilation of great music. Energetic, lively, melodic, relaxing, sensational. The rhythms and percussion are amazing. The entire disc is Stewart-esque with that flavor that's ALL him, with some unique twists--some calm, mellow pieces erupt into fast-paced movements, and back again. A must-have for any musician or lover of good music. EVERY song is fantastic....no "filler" material here. Listened to this all day at work. The perfect mental escape. I only wish I had known about it sooner....

This album is amazing. I actually use it for examples in purcussion and drumming clinics. track five should be of particular interest to you purcussion fanaticks... and all in a live setting. I can't recommend this work enough.