Soil Festivities
| Soil Festivities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1984 | |||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||
| Studio | Nemo Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Electronic | |||
| Length | 47:59 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Producer | Vangelis | |||
| Vangelis chronology | ||||
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Soil Festivities is a studio album by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis, released in October 1984.[1]
Overview
This 1984 release was the first in what could be very loosely said to belong to a trilogy of his 1980s albums, the other two being Invisible Connections and Mask, both from the following year (1985). It is a concept album which derived inspiration from the natural elements, life processes taking place on the Earth's surface and beneath our feet.[2]
He recalls that it "was made because I wanted to make music, not sell a million records. I don’t think it’s possible to guarantee commercial success for an album anyway, because nobody really knows what is commercial and what isn’t. Even if I went out of my way to make an album that was more accessible to the public, that would not guarantee its commercial success".[3]
The album cover art features the rear view of a great diving beetle.
Release
The album reached #55 position in the UK album charts,[4] and #45 position in the Netherlands album charts in 1984.[5]
Composition
Vangelis uses exotic synth-harmonies, creative percussion and melody-lines, as well as rare use of double bass plucking sounds.[6]
The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain-effects, and on top of this is loose improvisational skills to probably indicate the many forms of life springing into existence. The second movement has tune-like quality, and is the most tranquil piece, in contrast to the next three which are darker in atmosphere.[6]
The third movement shows the violent side of nature, indicating the struggle to survive, whilst the fourth movement is more contemplative and a bit gloomy, perhaps indicating slowed-down nightlife activity.[6]
The fifth movement is a wonderfully loose piece of improvisation, going through many moods and tempos before setting up an emotional conclusion to the life.[6]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [7] |
Jim Brenholts of Allmusic notes that Vangelis "surrounds a subtle drone with heavy sequences and dense atmospheres. He uses a symphonic synth to create pastoral textures", and that it "is a very accessible album".[7]
Track listing
All songs composed by Vangelis.
- "Movement 1" – 18:20
- "Movement 2" – 6:20
- "Movement 3" – 6:06
- "Movement 4" – 9:54
- "Movement 5" – 7:20
Personnel
- Production
- Vangelis – producer, arranger
- Jess Sutcliffe – engineer
- Vangelis, Alwyn Clayden – design
References
- ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 865. ISBN 9780862415419.
- ^ "Vangelis Records Life On Earth". uDiscover. October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Dan Goldstein (November 1984), "Soil Festivities - Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016
- ^ "Vangelis" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Vangelis - Soil Festivities". DutchCharts. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Ivar de Vries. "Soil Festivities Review". Vangelis Movements. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ a b Brenholts, Jim. "Soil Festivities". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
External links
- Soil Festivities at Vangelis Collector
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