Za Bakdaz: Unfinished Opera

George Elliott, Klaus Nomi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heliocentric
• ASIN: B001HC7X4G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,066 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Klaus Nomi's Unfinished Symphony, or Operetta, or "Space Western". It was also a song from his show, and it's the title of this new release. Loosely translated, it means Heaven, or "Homeland for Nomis". He left behind recordings, photos, and a few videos-but if you had never been in the same room with him... you will never know. A performer of startling vocal ability and even more striking visage, Klaus Nomi had no peer-and due to his untimely departure, the world will never know how he might have applied those talents. When he left Earth on August 6th, 1983, Klaus Nomi took with him the resolution to his Magnum Opus-a work we had always assumed would be titled Za Bakdaz, or "Nomi Homeland".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and beautiful!, March 7, 2009

By 

Amie S. (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Za Bakdaz: Unfinished Opera (Audio CD)

I received my copy months ago and I am still fascinated by Nomi's latest. It contains not only the haunting and beautiful voice of Nomi, captured by the remarkable talents of George Elliott and Page Wood, but a sleeve full of mysterious short stories about Nomi that will draw you in, reading over and over, trying to find their meanings. Behind this entire album I believe there is a deeper meaning. This post humous work left an emotional mark on me, the beautiful artwork, the music that also included Klaus's very rare "Silent Night" recording, and just the total mystery and talent that make this album is unlike anything else you will find in today's artists. It will continue to be one of my favorite albums, so creatively put together out of love for Klaus Nomi and his fans.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Give this album a chance...It deserves a listen or ten, July 25, 2009

By 

Zaar (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Za Bakdaz: Unfinished Opera (Audio CD)

Regardless of the perception, by some, that this album is "picking over the bones" of the late, great Klaus Nomi - My opinion is that this is the TRIPPIEST album I've heard in a long time. Mr. Elliot and Mr. Wood have crafted an offering full of different textures and moods deserving of notice in it's own right. It reminds me of early Pink Floyd in it's approach and flow.

The fact that the CD is short (actually the "opera" is only 28 minutes long if you subtract the added tracks 'Rubberband Lazer' (demo) and 'Silent Night' (single)), does not matter. It's the content that counts. BTW - Slayer's "Reign In Blood" is 29 minutes long and it's considered by many to be the most important thrash/death metal album ever. Again ... it's about the content.

If you're looking for a long lost Klaus Nomi album with proper "songs": This isn't it. However, his spirit permeates all of the tracks. Give it a chance. It's an important recording (imho) and I could only hope that Wood and Elliot put out an album under their own banner (even if it's completely instrumental).

Well done, gentlemen!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, and not so good, February 3, 2009

By 

L. Mack "Nerd of all trades" (Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Za Bakdaz: Unfinished Opera (Audio CD)

I have mixed feelings about this album. On one hand, I think it was great to hear some of Klaus' music that was never heard before be released so long after he had passed on. And I was impressed with what was done with the scant vocals that had been collected prior to Klaus' death.

On the other hand, I thought the album just didn't seem like Klaus. In all his other works, his voice was the primary focus. Makes sense for a countertenor. But this album focused a lot more on the instrumentals rather than the voice, and I found myself thinking Klaus would have really hit the high notes in certain areas of certain songs, and the vocals in the song just didn't sound like him.

I commend Mr. Elliott and Mr. Wood for doing what they can to keep Klaus' spirit alive, but it sounded like a different artist due to the intense manipulations of Klaus' voice. I question if it was really that great of an idea to release the album with such limited vocals, but to each their own.