Search - Bill Nelson :: Chimera

Nelson on a roll

Marshall Boswell | Memphis, TN USA | 11/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Chimara" was actually a 6-song EP released in 1983. The songs are all first rate, with contributions from members of the Yello Magic Orchestra and others, particularly the shoulda-been-a-hit "Acceleration." The six songs on this EP appeared in the US in 1984 under the guise of a 10-track Epic LP called "Vistamix," with the remaining four tracks consisting of singles from "Quit Dreaming (And Get on the Beam)" and "The Love That Whirls (Diary of a Thinking Heart)," both of which, bless Allah, are also now available in souped up, remastered CD editions. This version is rounded out by 3 remixes of "Acceleration" and the great B-side, "Hard Facts from the Fiction Department," a hugely influential track and one of the first to make use of "found vocal samples," a technique that Nelson pioneered and brought to perfection long before everyone else and his brother. An entire book could be written on the techniques and styles that Bill Nelson pioneered, but that's another story. Buy this one, as well."

He did it again

TM77 | nj, usa | 07/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chimera is futher proof of the genius of Bill Nelson. I remember hearing this back in 1983 and just being blown away yet again at the man's talent. Nelson once again demonstrates his incredible diverseness with electronic rock songs like The Real Adventure, the irresistable, Acceleration (which should have been a big hit), the funky Everyday Feels Like Another New Drug, the dreamy funk of Tender Is The Night...the guitar is exceptionally addictive in this song. It also features an oriental flavored keyboard solo. The progressive Glow World features some snakey bass playing by Mick Karn and incredible guitar solos from Nelson himself. Yukihiro Takahashi (ex YMO) is also featured on drums on certain tracks. Hard Facts From The Fiction Department wasn't originally on this album. It's a funky instrumental that features some taped samples, which Nelson was fond of using back then. I have to admit I could have done without all 3 extra versions of Acceleration but I'm still glad they were included.

I recommend getting Chimera as well as Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam, and The Love That Whirls (Diary Of A Thinking Heart). Bill Nelson was, and still is, in a league of his own."

Elegant, Lush, and Mysterious: Bill Nelson at his best.

William Kates | New York, NY USA | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure, its a short cd, a beautifully mastered rendering of what was not quite an LP but something more than an EP from the early 1980's. But what Chimera lacks in length, it more than makes up for in depth and richness. Its a sort of dream ensemble that includes some of Nelson's most soaring e-bow and other guitar work, complimented by the mighty yet precise Yukihiro Takahashi (from Yellow Magic Orchestra) on drums and the melodic, fretless bass of Japan's Mick Karn. Outstanding tracks include "Glow World", "Tender Is the Night", and "Every Day Feels Like Another New Drug". The addition of multiple versions of "Acceleration" seems a redundant afterthought, perhaps, but doesn't detract from the overall magic, somehow. The basics of Chimera became the backbone for the poorly pressed American LP "Vistamix" that not only sounded lousy but diluted the grandeur of the original by adding earlier tracks such as "Eros Arriving" and "Flaming Desire". Those of us who knew and loved Bill's amazing and vastly under-rated-in-the-marketplace music were already there."