Whimsy [Import]

Bill Nelson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Fabled Quixote UK
• ASIN: B000086EQE
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #397,333 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Nostalgia (For The Future)

2. Slumberlite

3. Let Flow The Wine

4. Switch Off That Desert Sunset

5. Magnetism Made Me Do It

6. A Simple Thought Flashes Through My Mind

7. Senor Mysterioso

8. Ocean Full Of Wishes

9. Swept Away

10. Islands In The Sky

11. Always Summer

12. The Fundamental Blues

13. My Favourite Urban Chrome Green Sky

14. Dizzy In The Head

15. I Looked At The Sea

16. The Girl Who Disappeared Into A Cloud

17. Whimsy

18. So Far

19. The Violins Of Autumn

20. Will

See all 40 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant....as always, July 17, 2003

By 

Richard J. Sieruga (Highland, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whimsy (Audio CD)

Whimsy finds the master moving away, somewhat, from his Atom Shop pop art sounds and back to a more melodic and expansive sound. There is a lot of music to digest here, and coming on the heels of Noise Candy, his six CD box set of all new material, you almost feel that you can listen to these records all week, and never hear the same song twice. Nelson is at peak form here, moving from witty jazz inflected numbers to melodies awash in E-bow guitars and slow staedy beats that recall such gems as Enlightenment and Dream Ships set sail. Whimsy (disc 1) contains the best material, Swept Away and Islands in the Sky being highlights. Whimsy two isn't much worse, though it does contain more than a few references to Nelson's new favorite movie....the Wizard of Oz. Note: the two CDs are actually, at least at first pressing, reversed so that the songs on disc one actually appear on Whimsy two...unless they have corrected the oversight. Nevertheless, these two CDs will not dampen any fans enthusiasm for having enev more Nelson music to enjoy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shut up and play, October 10, 2003

By 

Dan Mastous (Methuen, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whimsy (Audio CD)

I've listened to a lot of Bill Nelson and this seems by far the happiest sounding release of his career. Typical 50's sci fi meets western cowboy meets Americana artwork. Same lilting sounds, dense (but artful) instrumentation and wonderful soundbytes abound.
Why 4 stars? As has been the case with recent Bill Nelson releases he creates great soundscapes wonderful, sucking you into his fantasy world...
...then muddles up with layered, quiet, almost whispering, lifless vocals. It almost sounds like he's scared to sing out, or is unable to. The vocals cause constant confusion in the listening experience. Instead of complimenting the song or adding to it, they tend to destroy any momentum the song has built up in it's intro.
I've heard Bill Nelson sing. I know he can do it. Heck he was lead singer for a popular rock outfit for a few years. Perhaps it's a taste thing, and if you read some his diary entries that's his reasoning. I got the 6 CD Noise Candy, and his Astral Hotel last year and found the same thing, great playing, inventive songs. Great ambiance especially in the instrumentals. Sometimes the soft singing style even compliements the song and does add to it. When that happens it is almost perfect.
Generally, I can't get enough of the music. I just wish he would sing, get someone to sing, or just shut up and play.
I hate to harp on my own problems with this artist. Aside from my complaint, on the strength of great melodies and music, I would recommend this CD. It is very refreshing.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bill Nelson - Still Bill Nelson, April 12, 2004

By 

Michael Thomas Roe (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whimsy (Audio CD)

Bill Nelson's prolific musical output has not waned in the least, yet access to his current material has become increasingly difficult. Blame the record companies; blame the dodgy managers and distributors. Fact is, Bill has been taking it to the streets and doing it his damn self. This is nice in theory but hard on the fans' pocket books (particularly in the US). Enter "Whimsy", a fully affordable, entertaining, engaging, somewhat challenging, clever, inspiring, all over the map, chock full two CD affair of almost recent Bill Nelson music (2000) which, in full glorious Nelson-techno-color, manages to bring the faithful back in to the fold.
"Whimsy" is an apt title, to say the least. Bill has created an almost indefinable pastiche of vocals, movie dialog, orchestra samples, guitar, synthesizers, percussion and noises; the theory seeming to be that more is more. But, remarkably, the music stands the strain with those Bill Nelson melodies and chord changes we all know and love. He appears to be saying "let the younger musicians cloak themselves with smoke and mirrors, but I am forever the troubadour with guitar in hand". Pretty cool. And he is still quite the poet. His romantic imagery manages to surprise, evoking leaves trembling on trees, church bells in the night, sails in the sunset and nostalgia incurring daydreams and remembrances. It is the stuff of dreams and, with Bill's sinuous and tasteful guitar - as effective as ever- something to behold.