Post by Rabbit on May 18, 2013 10:53:36 GMT
Robert has been busy with his back catalogue and I found a couple of interesting albums to try.
If you enjoyed the new one, 'Invicta' (I really did) then you may like these two. They're indulgent (Like most Robert John Godfrey stuff)
Enid's music hovers around Romanticism (from orchestral music) and in particular (imo) Rachmaninov and English folk dance kind of combined with prog rock exuberance.
It makes for a curious mix of sound. I do miss the sound of voices in Enid's music but the arrangements are beautiful and very skilfully put together.
Two albums here are remixed/altered versions of some of their back catalogue. I know that many fans of Enid are not keen on the clean, note perfect versions since they are now computer files and I think Robert is using them in his live shows. ie he's playing along with pre prepared files (as so many of us do actually - we're not stupid!!)
In one way, it is brilliant because as a performer, you really can relax into the music and give the audience a perfect rendition with live stuff on top of these files. It's a lovely way to work since the whole mix can be eq'd for each venue before the show and you literally get a perfect live version.
Well, in the old days, Enid played it all. The result (again imo) was a less than perfect rendition of their music and very often poorly balanced. The Enid live at Hammersmith is a prime example of absolute shite sound but good pieces - they played live with no help. It was risky and all live so that there well may be lots of on the spot emotion and all that, but the sound ............. very questionable.
Some felt that this fact put the feeling into their music.
Again, imo, the feeling can also be put into the files. Only, it is captured and then sent out perfect!! Many don't like this. I don't mind. (especially as I know for a fact that so many do this nowadays - big deal)
So Robert has re-recorded tracks and stored them digitally for him to be able to use in live shows. I really don't blame him.
These two albums are really worth a listen - they are retrospective. More relaxed than the original versions of the pieces. They have been implanted in Robert's head for 30 years and so have kind of matured into more 'settled' compositions and he has re-orchestrated them, bearing in mind that modern technology has really improved. (Remember, I was not using samples in the 70's, but a reel to reel tape recorder!!!!!!)
The two albums are called, 'Arise and Shine' and 'Risen'.
They border on light entertainment and every now and then they dive into more rock based stuff.
Purists will probably prefer the original albums with warts and all, but for me, I'm really not so bothered by that at all. There's something that I do enjoy about a more thought out and controlled approach to old works.
One that comes to mind - and I know that many would disagree is the lovely Jon Lord's Concerto for Orchestra. There are (I think) 3 or 4 versions of this. I have always had a problem with it as an idea since the band and orchestra just don't gel well .... until I hear Jon's studio version of it, where he retrospectively went back and re-jigged things and got a recording that was more balanced. For me, it introduces the piece in a more considered and better thought out way. It contains more carefully thought out tempos and the balance between band and orchestra is spot on. OK - it's not Deep Purple and all that, but I really don't mind. I love the MUSIC not the band. For me, that recording really brings out the important elements of the piece whereas the earlier live versions are very exciting and all that, but I have to be frank - the flaws in the live playing really do show. On the first album, one poor devil in the orchestra made a mistake and played a note right out in the open, on their own. How embarrassing? It was left on the album.
Anyway - these two Enid albums are interesting in that they are basically orchestral with electronics and guitars. My own preference is for 'Risen', the second one.
I think available on Spotify too. May be too middle of the road for some though.
If you enjoyed the new one, 'Invicta' (I really did) then you may like these two. They're indulgent (Like most Robert John Godfrey stuff)
Enid's music hovers around Romanticism (from orchestral music) and in particular (imo) Rachmaninov and English folk dance kind of combined with prog rock exuberance.
It makes for a curious mix of sound. I do miss the sound of voices in Enid's music but the arrangements are beautiful and very skilfully put together.
Two albums here are remixed/altered versions of some of their back catalogue. I know that many fans of Enid are not keen on the clean, note perfect versions since they are now computer files and I think Robert is using them in his live shows. ie he's playing along with pre prepared files (as so many of us do actually - we're not stupid!!)
In one way, it is brilliant because as a performer, you really can relax into the music and give the audience a perfect rendition with live stuff on top of these files. It's a lovely way to work since the whole mix can be eq'd for each venue before the show and you literally get a perfect live version.
Well, in the old days, Enid played it all. The result (again imo) was a less than perfect rendition of their music and very often poorly balanced. The Enid live at Hammersmith is a prime example of absolute shite sound but good pieces - they played live with no help. It was risky and all live so that there well may be lots of on the spot emotion and all that, but the sound ............. very questionable.
Some felt that this fact put the feeling into their music.
Again, imo, the feeling can also be put into the files. Only, it is captured and then sent out perfect!! Many don't like this. I don't mind. (especially as I know for a fact that so many do this nowadays - big deal)
So Robert has re-recorded tracks and stored them digitally for him to be able to use in live shows. I really don't blame him.
These two albums are really worth a listen - they are retrospective. More relaxed than the original versions of the pieces. They have been implanted in Robert's head for 30 years and so have kind of matured into more 'settled' compositions and he has re-orchestrated them, bearing in mind that modern technology has really improved. (Remember, I was not using samples in the 70's, but a reel to reel tape recorder!!!!!!)
The two albums are called, 'Arise and Shine' and 'Risen'.
They border on light entertainment and every now and then they dive into more rock based stuff.
Purists will probably prefer the original albums with warts and all, but for me, I'm really not so bothered by that at all. There's something that I do enjoy about a more thought out and controlled approach to old works.
One that comes to mind - and I know that many would disagree is the lovely Jon Lord's Concerto for Orchestra. There are (I think) 3 or 4 versions of this. I have always had a problem with it as an idea since the band and orchestra just don't gel well .... until I hear Jon's studio version of it, where he retrospectively went back and re-jigged things and got a recording that was more balanced. For me, it introduces the piece in a more considered and better thought out way. It contains more carefully thought out tempos and the balance between band and orchestra is spot on. OK - it's not Deep Purple and all that, but I really don't mind. I love the MUSIC not the band. For me, that recording really brings out the important elements of the piece whereas the earlier live versions are very exciting and all that, but I have to be frank - the flaws in the live playing really do show. On the first album, one poor devil in the orchestra made a mistake and played a note right out in the open, on their own. How embarrassing? It was left on the album.
Anyway - these two Enid albums are interesting in that they are basically orchestral with electronics and guitars. My own preference is for 'Risen', the second one.
I think available on Spotify too. May be too middle of the road for some though.