Customer Reviews

Songs of Experience

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Songs of Experience represents the second half of David Axelrod's musical vision of William Blake's famous Songs. Whereas the first album on this project, Songs of innocence (you can check my review of this one too), is hopeful, daring and overall ambitious, these Songs of Experience, well, experiment. This is a darker album, a different but still quite lyrical and fearless Axelrod bringing to a masterful close the cycle initiated on his 68' debut, Songs of Innocence.

The compositions, arrangements, and band performance are superb. When you realize that this album was released in 1969, you may begin to appreciate the innovative mind and mature expresiveness that blesses each of these Songs.
Along with its earlier half, a young masterpiece from one of Jazz's great, underecognized talents.

It's really quite beautiful. I listened to it in headphones the other night and just marvelled at the mixdown; the layering, the general way Axelrod builds tension with somewhat unconventional arrangements.

Also a bonus if you were ever into Dj Shadow's Endtroducing. But still an amazing record anyway. It's worth the import price.

I might be stating the obvious to most hip hop heads but for the old school who admire axelrods work,you must check out dj shadow.You can see how axelrods music has inspired shadows arrangments & production to create a modern day spin. Both artist are pure genius's, so for those who havent, check these guys out

Many of you will most likely be familiar with snippets of this record from numerous hip hop samples, including Endtroducing.... This record catches Axelrod at the peak of his compositional/arranging powers. While he may never be recognized by pop culture historians, his cult following among musicians and DJ's will always hold this record among the greatest releases from the turn of the 60's.

This is the most natural entry point for neophytes, and a necessary addition to any serious collection.

I am a music fan. Always have been.

But this, THIS, is something different, altogether,

I can NOT believe how wonderful this record -- all of Axelrod's music, really -- is.

BUY IT!

You will be very very happy for doing so.