Customer Reviews

Rapsodies (Gre)

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

 

 

The second album of two, dedicated collaborations with the singer/actress Irene Papas (She has appeared before on the album 666 by Aphrodite's child). This work, although impressive and an excellent example of Vangelis' reportoire, doesn't really pull anything new and exciting out of the hat. There is usually something in every Vangelis album that is new and refreshing, especially in the album "Odes", the first collaboration with Irene Papas. This is quite an operatic, symphonic style, yet where as with "Mask" there was a nice contrast between the darkness and light, the power and fragility, there doesn't seem to be much here. There are moments of nice floaty space, and a tension, yet overall the feeling is fairly flat. Irene Papas' voice compliments perfectly with the massive range of synthesized tones Vangelis posseses at his fingertips, he doesn't over play his part, he allows the vocals to take centre stage, adding interesting nuances here and there. The album "Odes" is a much better display of this collaboration, and was produced at Vangelis' creative prime (1979 -81) not sure exactly. "Rapsodies" was produced a few years later, from 1987 onwards judging by the style and kind of sounds he is using. In my opinion, Vangelis' work around this time wasn't spectacular, but still interesting, he seemed to lack that excitement with the possibilities of "sounds"... I'm a massive Vangelis fan, I think he is one of the cleverest composers of music and painter of audio collages today, but with such a prolific output, the odd "not so good" album pops up. Essential addition though for the collector!

This beautiful ecclesiastic humnology -- dating probably from more than 1000 years ago-- is part of the Orthodox church repertoire of psalms around and within the Holy week, if I remember correctly. I used to own it years ago, and I am desperately looking for a copy it to buy. Vangelis revisited the sacred themes and delivered a great work of solemnity, which with the deeply resounding yet simple voice of Irene Pappas, moves hearts. To be able to appreciate it fully one must follow the text as well as having been participant of the original version in its eclesiastical context.

What a prize for American listeners to finally be able to obtain this work on CD, instead of scratchy (and nearly impossible to find) vinyl. Sure, I don't understand the Greek vocals, but the voice is beautiful and the chant-like effect is often hypnotizing. Yet another great Vangelis musical world to get lost in for a time.