Search - Vangelis :: Oceanic

Perfection from Vangelis

Shaw N. Gynan | Bellingham, WA USA | 10/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The brief, offhand comments tossed off by the editorial reviewer of this excellent album are obviously at odds with what a lot of fans are saying about this gem. Ocean waves lead into a short, majestic introduction with strings, harp, woodwind, a lovely violin. The follow-up is a quick climb to a pulsating, delightful "Siren's Whispering." The sirens sing vocalise, and are then answered by an exciting men's choir. There is grandeur in the sound of this music, and yet it is always restrained and calming.



I am, admittedly, a big Vangelis fan, but there is perhaps no other work of his that has such focus, a completely felicitous combination of pop and classical elements. I have played this on low volume at night as the crew and I fall asleep after a long day of sailing; then my vessel is filled with a rich and soothing, peaceful music.



The excitement dies down and the well-named "Dreams of Surf" is a serene interlude for piano and a luminous background of electronica.



Spanish Harbor is edgier, a quiet rocker with long crescendos and decrescendos. The highlight is the Spanish guitar, accompanied by an atmospheric orchestral background, shimmering and luminous.



In Islands of the Orient, Vangelis explores Asian rhythmic complexities in a meditative piece. There is a jazzy subtext to this music, and it ends with considerable energy and percussion.



Fields of coral is another quiet piece, of lento mood and reverberant arpeggios. A bell-like keyboard makes this a particularly attractive piece.



A lovely theme is explored in Aquatic Dance, which is, as the title indicates, more oriented toward movement. The nostalgic Memories of Blue, reverent in tone, and the finale, Song of the Seas, bring this beautiful album to a contempative close.



I love so many Vangelis albums, despite the occasional bombast and misfire. Here, however, there is no exaggeration, no self-indulgence, and the result is one of the sweetest, most endearing recordings Vangelis ever made. I'll end by noting that this is not merely innocuous music. There is an intensity under the slickly produced sheen of clear sound, a careful selection of ingratiating musical themes with subtle development that renders them larger than life, noble and uplifting in feel. It's quite an accomplishment, I'd humbly observe.



"

Excellent Work

Mr. Who | Tempe, Arizona | 06/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to all of Vangelis' music. I would regard this CD and 1492 to be two must have CDs if you like his type of music. "Voices" is another great CD of his similar to this one in a way. This is not the kind of CD you would appreciate on the first time hearing, and it doesn't become boring too soon. Well done this time, Vangelis."

Grows on You, and Doesn't Grow "Old" as a Result

Jeffrey Moore | Richmond, VA | 01/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own several Vangelis CDs, and I have to say that, after my first listen to "Oceanic," I was somewhat disappointed. I felt that a couple of the songs were very relaxing, but for the most part, the harmonies and melodies eluded me. Nothing really stood out to me the way songs on "1492" and "Themes" did. But I didn't give up, and I feel that a couple of the negative reviews of this album reflect people who might have stopped listening to it too quickly. Every time I listened, another melody would appear out of nowhere like magic, or another instrument would suddenly surface. The tunes began to stick with me, and I found myself humming them long after the CD ended. Most importantly, a loved one at the time began to find the music incredibly romantic. Now, the CD has become one of my favorite Vangelis CDs. I have owned it for months, and the music is STILL growing on me. As a result, I doubt I will ever grow "sick" of it. If you like calming, relaxing, romantic music, then trust me: this CD is perfect for you. Listen especially for the last two songs, "Memories of Blue," and "Song of the Seas.""