A great artist... (Vangelis in General)

Name:

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Product:	Vangelis in General
Date:	31/05/02 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: generally restful, always inventive

Disadvantages: some albums are very samey or similar to others

Vangelis began his career with the group "Aphrodite's Child". Their early album "It's Five O'Clock" features some wonderful songs, but by the time the biblical-inspired "666" came along, internal tension within the band meant Vangelis was writing most of the material himself.

His first solo releases were film soundtracks: "Sex Power" and "L'Apocalypse Des Animaux" (and no funny ideas please!). But the first genuine solo release was "Earth", in 1970.

In 1972 he was slated to replace the departing Rick Wakeman in Yes, but disagreements with the band led to this falling through. Ironically it led to a long-term musical collaboration and friendship with Jon Anderson that would later surface as Jon And Vangelis for "Page of Life", "I'll Find My Way Home" and "Friends of Mr Cairo", among others. This collaboration, however, appeared on Vangelis's "Heaven and Hell", and space odyssey "Albedo 0.39". Vangelis did several other albums for RCA, notably "Spiral" and the atonal "Beaubourg".

The 80s saw a switch to Polydor, and an Oscar for the soundtrack for "Chariots of Fire", as well as plaudits for the soundtrack for "Bladerunner", and albums such as "Soil Festivities", "Mask" and "Direct".

The 90s saw Vangelis move to East West. His first record for EastWest was a return to form called "The City". He was then again composing for films, such as "1492: Conquest of Paradise", as well as toasting the artist with his album "El Greco". This decade also saw other classics such as "China", "Memories of Green" and "Oceanic". His latest work includes "Mythodea", music for the NASA mission to Mars, and the 2002 FIFA World Cup single.

Most of Vangelis's work is
instrumental, and few albums have any lyrics. Generally, most albums are restful background music.

Summary: