Short Stories

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0042280002725 Label: Commercial Marketing Manufacturer: Commercial Marketing Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Commercial Marketing Release Date: 2002-07-25 Running Time: 45 Studio: Commercial Marketing
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Meanderings......... Comment: I got this not long after it's release and in my opinion it is disjointed as the reviewer said who called Mr Anderson a beegie. The single I hear you know, was so different and special back then, that I had to hear more. I wish I hadn't bothered, this vinyl was almost in mint condition apart from one track. Could have saved money and just bought the single. So I bought it on CD , primary reason to fill a gap in the CD collection, £9.99 from Andy's once again. I have played it once or twice since getting it, now thrice and my opinion hasn't changed, it is not good. I have to fight the urge not to put something better on. Friends Of Mr Cairo is a far better CD. Short Stories put me of getting Friends of Mr Cairo. Luck had it that I was at someone's house gathering and it was particularly boring. The host wanted to show off his record collection. Mr Cairo was the best of his abysmal collection and headphones to listen to this unknown pleasure. It was glorious, apart from the dust. Starting a Jon + Vanglis collection? The price is good. That's the only thing! Customer Rating: Summary: Exhilarating and Relaxing Comment: Coalesce the angelic vocals of Jon Anderson with the transcendental keyboard wizardry provided by Vangelis and you are guaranteed a unique experience. 'Short Stories', the duo's first studio effort, is a startling array of varied, celestial music. This album is certainly troublesome to pigeonhole into a specific genre, and this is indicative of its uniqueness. This is the sort of music that will drift you off into some unconscious dreamland; it's relaxing, yet simultaneously electrifying. The album opener, 'Curious Electric', encapsulates this observation aptly: it soars like a dramatic movie score, whilst also floating along serenely. The track sets an impressive precedent for the rest of the album, and generally it doesn't disappoint. Other highlights here include the most accessible song, 'I Hear You Now', which displays perfect harmony between the two musicians, whilst 'Each And Every Day/Bird Song' contains some beautiful moments, particularly the 'Bird Song' segment. Unfortunately, the album is marred somewhat by the slightly drab nature of the later tracks. 'Far Away In Baghdad' plods along superfluously, and similarly, I consider 'Love Is' to be lamentably forgetful. However, luckily, the album does not end on an anticlimactic, bathetic note. The closing track, 'Thunder/Play Within A Play', is a riveting, ineffable return to form for the duo, and provides a particularly satisfying ending to the proceedings. Overall, this is an impressive debut from J&V, and one that will live long in the memories of both musicians' admirers. Any of these fans who are unaware of J&V should certainly invest in a copy of this, however newcomers may need time to adapt to such an unconventional set of short stories! Customer Rating: Summary: Disjointed but with purpose Comment: Liking both Vangelis and Jon Anderson in the 70s, it was great to hear they would be doing some albums together in the 80's. This was the start of the idea: Jon & Vangelis "the pop band". The single "I Hear You Now" was a hit (im told) in England. There are very soft areas in this album and very hard sections, but in comparison to some of Vangelis' other peices, I guess you'd call it "Vangelis Light". It was the start of these two boys doing some pop oriented material. Luckily, they went off the deep end a few times making some exciting albums together. This is not (in my opinion) the best Jon & Vangelis album, but this is where they started, and it's well worth sitting back and listening to on a mellow Sunday afternoon. Customer Rating: Summary: THE MOST PERFECT ALBUM EVER Comment: Take no notice of the last reviewer who obviously dislikes Jon Anderson very much! This album is the most beautiful and consistent album i have ever heard. Every song is brilliant and there is not a single moment of weakness on this cd, which can't be said for other so called classic albums of the past! I guarentee anyone who buys this cd will be delighted with it! If you only had one cd in the world then this sould be the one! Perfect music! Customer Rating: Summary: Disjointed and laughably bad Comment: I bought this album after hearing Oceanic, Bladerunner, Voices, and the City, all by Vangelis. If you like the deep, moving, atmospheric and emotional pieces that Vangelis is capable of producing then do not get this album. Vangelis work, following the City takes on a much better tone than these earlier productions. Even so, this album might be ok if Jon wasnt butchering the music by squeeking all over the top. People familiar with the vocals in Voices, 'losing sleep in a waking dream' will be dissapointed with the menial, far less exciting 'watching match of the day' lyrcis of this album. The voice doesnt sound eerie and haunting in my opinion it sounds like a bad joke, a tone deaf beegie squeeking all over what might otherwise be an acceptable musical accomplishment. This music is not deep and atmospheric, it is a massive dissapointment. If you want good vangelis, get Voices. More Reviews