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Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Manos Hatzidakis - New York Rock & Roll Ensemble: Reflections 1970 + Raining Pleasure: Reflections 2005

 

MANOS HATZIDAKIS (The Composer Who Shaped Greek Music)

                


Manos Hatzidakis (also spelled Hadjidakis; Greek: Μάνος Χατζιδάκις; 23 October 1925 – 15 June

1994)
was a Greek composer and theorist of Greek music, widely considered to be one of the greatest Greek composers. He was one of the main proponents of the "Éntekhno" form of music, along with Mikis Theodorakis, is the founder of the Orchestra of Colours, an ensemble performing lesser-known works and the music of Greek composers, and influenced a broad swathe of Greek culture through his writings and radio broadcasts.
                     

In 1958, Hatzidakis met Nana Mouskouri, his first "ideal interpreter". It was 1960 that brought him

international success, as his song "Never on Sunday" ("Τα παιδιά του Πειραιά"), from Jules Dassin's film Never on Sunday (Ποτέ την Κυριακή), won him an Academy Award and became a worldwide hit. Hatzidakis did not attend the Academy Award ceremony in 1961, and refused to collect his award. He said that the film Never on Sunday with a prostitute as its protagonist reflected negatively on Athens.
                      

Hatzidakis studied music theory with Menelaos Pallandios, in the period 1940–1943. At the same time, he studied philosophy at the University of Athens. However, he never completed this course. He met and connected with other musicians, writers, and intellectuals including George Seferis, Odysseas

Elytis, Angelos Sikelianos, Yannis Tsarouchis and especially the poet Nikos Gatsos who became a close friend.
During the last stages of the Axis occupation of Greece, Hatzidakis was an active participant in the Greek Resistance through membership of the United Panhellenic Organization of Youth (EPON), the youth branch of the major resistance organisation EAM, where he met Mikis Theodorakis with whom he soon developed a strong friendship.
                    

Hatzidakis's first composition was the tune for the song "Paper Moon" ("Χάρτινο το Φεγγαράκι"), from Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire staged by Karolos Koun's Art Theatre of Athens. His first piano piece, "For a Little White Seashell" ("Για μια Μικρή Λευκή Αχιβάδα"), came out in 1947, and in 1948 he set a collection of Gatsos poetry to music: Blood Wedding. In 1949, Hatzidakis shook the musical establishment by delivering an influential lecture on rembetika, the urban folk songs that

flourished in Greek cities, mainly Piraeus, after the Asia Minor refugee influx in 1922. Hatzidakis focused on the economy of expression, the deep traditional roots and the genuineness of emotion displayed in rembetika, and exalted the likes of composers like Markos Vamvakaris and Vassilis Tsitsanis. Putting theory to practice, he adapted classic rembetika in his 1951 piano work, Six Popular Pictures (Έξι Λαϊκές Ζωγραφιές), which was later also presented as a folk ballet. Also in 1949 he co-founded the Greek Dance Theatre Company with the choreographer Rallou Manou.
                      

Hatzidakis lived in the United States from 1966 to 1972, during which he completed several more major compositions, including Rhythmology (Rythmologia) for solo piano, his compilation, Gioconda's

Smile (produced by Quincy Jones), and the song cycle, Magnus Eroticus (Megalos Erotikos), in which he used ancient (Sappho, Euripides), medieval (stanzas from folk songs and George Hortatzis' romance Erophile) and modern (Dionysios Solomos, Constantine Cavafy, Odysseus Elytis, Nikos Gatsos) Greek poems, as well as an excerpt from the Old Testament book "Song of Songs". He released the album Reflections, a collaboration with the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble.
                

Hatzidakis died from a heart attack on 15 June 1994 in Athens at the age of 68. In 1999 the city of

Athens dedicated the museum Technopolis in his memory. Along with Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hatzidakis was Greece’s greatest composer—and his music can also easily be described as the soundtrack of 20th century Greece. His loss on June 15, 1994 deprived Greek music of one of its two main musical ambassadors.
                        

Famous quotes by Manos Hatzidakis

                       


“The only antibiotic to fight the beast inside us is Education.”
“When you get used to the beast, you get to look like it.”
“I don’t care about fame. It imprisons me in its own confines, not mine.”
“To make music, you need three things: art, technique, and experiences. Without them you can not write music.”
“I believe in songs that expose us and express us deeply—not those that flatter our frivolous and violently won habits.”
“The two enemies of politics and culture are populism and elitism.”

THE NEW YORK ROCK & ROLL ENSEMBLE

                 


The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble was formed by three Juilliard students (Michael Kamen, Martin

Fulterman ---now known as Mark Snow--- and Dorian Rudnytsky) as well as two rock musicians, Brian Corrigan and Clifton Nivison. Beginning with their 1968 debut album they broke tradition by using classical music instruments in rock songs and rock instruments in classical pieces.
                    

This fusion, daring at the time, impressed legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein so much that

he invited the group to appear at one of his Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra where they performed their signature song "Brandenburg", based on the first movement of Bach's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto.
             

Brandenburg appeared on the group's second LP "Faithful Friends" (1969). This LP had higher

production values than their first and contained many of the songs that were part of their live act. Their third album, "Reflections" (1970), was actually recorded prior to Faithful Friends and was a collaboration with Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis on the score for a film that was never produced. Rhythm guitarist Brian Corrigan departed after the third album and after being part of the only movie appearance by the group, "Zachariah".
                   
        
The band then shortened its name to The New York Rock Ensemble and switched to Columbia

Records. Roll Over (1971) was their most overtly rock album and, at that time, their biggest seller. Their album Freedomburger (1972) was an uneven collection of songs. Soon after the tour supporting this album the band dispersed. Kamen, joined by Rudnytsky and other musicians, gave it one last try when they released New York Rock in 1973.
                 

New York Rock & Roll Ensemble – Manos Hatzidakis - Reflections
Label: Warner Music Greece – 7567-80635-2
Series: Μουσικό Αρχείο της Warner Music Greece
Format:    CD, Album, Reissue 2006
Country: Greece
Released: 1970
Genre: Rock
Style: Classic Rock

TRACKS

                  


01. Orpheus   2:31
Songwriter – Dorian Rudnytsky, Manos Hatzidakis
02. The Day   3:30
Songwriter – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
03. Love Her   4:17
Songwriter – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
04. Dance Of The Dogs    2:58
Songwriter – Manos Hatzidakis
05. Kemal   4:01
Songwriter – Manos Hatzidakis, Martin Fulterman
06. Dedication   2:47
Songwriter – Clifton Nivison, Manos Hatzidakis
07. The Three Answers   3:48
Songwriter – Manos Hatzidakis
08. Street Song   3:26
Songwriter – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
09. Bitter Way   4:15
Songwriter – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
10. Noble Dame   3:11
Songwriter – Dorian Rudnytsky, Manos Hatzidakis

LINE - UP

             


Bass Guitar, Cello – Dorian Rudnytsky
Drums, Oboe – Martin Fulterman
Keyboards, Oboe – Michael Kamen
Lead Guitar – Clifton Nivison
Rhythm Guitar – Brian Corrigan
    

NOTES


Arranged By – Manos Hatzidakis, New York Rock & Roll Ensemble
Orchestrated By – Manos Hatzidakis
Producer – Manos Hatzidakis
Producer [With The Colloboration Of] – Adrian Barber, Bruce Tergesen
Written-By – Brian Corrigan (tracks: 2, 3, 8, 9), Clifton Nivison (tracks: 6), Dorian Rudnytsky (tracks: 1, 10), Manos Hatzidakis, Martin Fulterman (tracks: 5)

Flac Size: 220 MB

RAINING PLEASURE - REFLECTIONS 2005

                 


The band was formed in September 1990 under the name Rest in Peace. A year after their formation the band started appearing live locally. In 1992, they changed their name to Raining Pleasure and started

touring Greece. In 1994, the band self-recorded and released a demo of their work (limited to 160 copies); since then, most of its songs have been rerecorded and included in their studio albums. For two more years, the band continued touring Greece and, in 1996, had three of its songs released through Pop & Rock 's magazine compilation Dytiki Akti '96.
                  

Near the end of 1996, the band signed a contract with Lazy Dog Records based in Thessaloniki; in early

1997, they released their first full-length studio album Memory Comes Back which was well-received from the independent press at the time. Their second release, Nostalgia, appeared in August 1998 also under the Lazy Dog banner. In fall 2000, Raining Pleasure signed a contract with Chrysalis Records, originally obtaining the label as an imprint for their Minos EMI releases. This made them one of the relatively few English-speaking bands in Greece to sign with a multinational record company.
    

In December 2001, Raining Pleasure's major label debut Flood was released to critical acclaim. The

album performed exceptionally well on the charts, spending 15 weeks on the international chart where it peaked at No. 1 before chart regulations necessitated the album's move to the local repertoire chart where it peaked at No. 5 (an unprecedented feat for a Greek act performing in English).
                  

Raining Pleasure gave a series of successful concerts in Greece, which resulted them in supporting bands like The Cure, the Pixies, The Dandy Warhols and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in their

Greek shows.
In 2004, the group's album Forwards & Backwards was introduced by the double A-side single World / Identical Twins. Singer Elly Paspala contributed vocals to the track Identical Twins. Both songs in the single became airplay hits. The band has announced that since September 2022, they have resumed rehearsals. They have announced that they are playing back together. Their plans (for live shows etc) are to be announced.
            


Raining Pleasure – Reflections
Label: EMI – 0946 311536 2 4, Blue Note – 0946 311536 2 4
Format:    CD, Album, Copy Protected, Digipak
Country: Greece
Released: 2005
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Alternative Rock

TRACKS

                      


01. Orpheus   2:55
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy
Guitar, Flute [Mellotron Flute], Organ, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Spiràl
Vocals, Bass – Vassilikos
Written-By – Dorian Rudnytsky, Manos Hatzidakis
02. The Day   5:42
Drums – Jay
Flute [Mellotron Flute[, Strings [Mellotron Strings], Keyboards, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Spiràl
Guitar – Jeremy
Violin – Nikos Mavridis
Vocals, Bass – Vassilikos
Written-By – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
03. Love Her   5:24
Drums – Jay
Flute [Mellotron Flute], Strings [Mellotron Strings], Organ – Spiràl
Guitar – Jeremy
Vocals, Piano, Bass – Vassilikos
Written-By – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
04. Dance Of The Dogs   2:48
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy , Mick Schirmeyer
Organ, Strings [Mellotron Strings] – Spiràl
Vocoder, Bass, Guitar [3 Guitar Notes] – Vassilikos
Written-By – Manos Hatzidakis
05. Kemal   5:02
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy
Organ, Flute [Mellotron Flute], Strings [Mellotron Strings], Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Spiràl
Performer [Everyone] – Russians
Violin – Nikos Mavridis
Vocals, Bass – Vassilikos
Written-By – Manos Hatzidakis, Martin Fulterman
06. Dedication   3:10
Drums – Jay
Guitar, Mandolin – Jeremy
Piano, Organ, Strings [Mellotron Strings] – Spiràl
Violin – Nikos Mavridis
Vocals, Bass, Piano [A Bit Of Piano] – Vassilikos
Written-By – Clifton Nivison, Manos Hatzidakis
07. The Three Answers   3:25
Bass, Piano [Chembalo], Flute [Mellotron Flute] – Vassilikos
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy
Organ, Flute [Mellotron Flute], Choir [Mellotron Choir], Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Spiràl
Written-By – Manos Hatzidakis
08.Street Song   3:19
Drums, Percussion – Jay
Guitar, Mandolin – Jeremy
Organ, Strings [Mellotron Strings] – Spiràl
Vocals, Guitar, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer], Strings [Some Mellotron Strings] – Vassilikos
Written-By – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
09. Bitter Way   6:54
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy
Keyboards, Flute [Mellotron Flute], Strings [Melloron Strings] – Spiràl
Vocals, Bass – Vassilikos
Written-By – Brian Corrigan, Manos Hatzidakis
10. Noble Dame   4:20
Drums – Jay
Guitar – Jeremy, Spiràl
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Percussion [Bottles] – David Lynch
Vocals, Bass – Vassilikos
Vocals, Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Elly Paspala
Written-By – Dorian Rudnytsky, Manos Hatzidakis
 

LINE - UP


Drums, Percussion – Jay
Guitar, Mandolin – Jeremy
Keyboards, Guitar – Spiràl
Music By – Manos Hatzidakis
Vocals, Bass, Keyboards – Vassilikos


Flac Size: 260 MB

Raining Pleasure on Urban Aspirines HERE

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Velvett Fogg: Velvett Fogg... Plus 1969 (Reissue 1989)

 

Velvett Fogg were a British psychedelic rock band between 1968 and 1969. Tony Iommi was a member in mid-1968, but soon left to form Black Sabbath. Their lone eponymous album was released in January 1969, and re-released on CD by Sanctuary Records in 2002. The group released an album of organ-heavy, derivative psychedelic rock in the late '60s with a tinge of eccentricity. It became a sought-after collector's item 15 to 20 years later. Velvett Fogg were one of many new bands within the


underground scene, that were formed at the end of the 1960s that would attempt to take pop music to a higher level of creativity. Birmingham also had its own flourishing underground music scene during that time with a variety of innovative groups emerging. The line up of Velvett Fogg all came from within this alternative music scene in the city. The Velvett Fogg line-up were players whose common attributes consisted of an abundance of musical talent along with a desire to create something new and exciting.
                     

Velvett Fogg were formed in 1968 from members of a Birmingham band Gravy Train. Up front was soul singer Ernie Handy, Bob Hewitt was lead guitarist, with Graham Mullett on drums, and Mick Pollard on bass guitar. Londoner Frank Wilson who played Hammond organ, was also on vocals, eventually becoming band leader and lead vocalist. The newly formed band spent most of the year touring Germany playing at army bases and clubs. Their stage act included a light show and a go-go

dancer (who later married Ernie). Upon returning to Birmingham, the band, now managed by an agency called Inter City Artists, was given a record deal by Jack Dorsey of Pye Records. At this time it seemed that the more unusual or controversial a band was, then the greater chance there would be for success in the record business. The record label was looking to sign unusual "underground" acts and Velvett Fogg were told to, in Jack Dorsey's words; "develop an image that would make people think you would piss on the pope" !
                

Keith takes up the story; "I was in the Rum Runner one night, when someone told me that Velvett Fogg were looking for new material, and they introduced me to them. I arranged to meet them at their rehearsal place, Langley Baths. I went along the next day, and went through the following songs with

them; 'Yellow Cave Woman', 'Once Among The Trees', and 'Within' The Night' and that was it! The next couple of days, they were in London recording". Before recording could begin in late 1968, Ian Leighton departed Velvett Fogg and was replaced by guitarist/vocalist Paul Eastment (a cousin of the band's previous guitarist Tony Iommi). Paul Eastment was also to contribute original compositions for the album along with Frank Wilson, Graham Mullet and Mick Pollard.
                   

Velvett Fogg recorded the tracks for their debut album on Pye Records under the direction of Jack Dorsey. Apparently, Dorsey aimed to get the band onto the then-popular progressive band wagon. "I was a classically trained pianist but we all had to play way below our capabilities" said Frank Wilson.

The band were also allowed to record covers of a few songs they liked, and these included psychedelic-sounding versions of "New York Mining Disaster 1941" by The Bee Gees and Tim Rose's "Come Away Melinda". Original songs for the Velvett Fogg album were supplied by Keith Law, a local who became a friend of the band. A veteran of the West Midlands music scene, Law played with such groups as The Williamsons, Love and Understanding, Paint, and Jardine. In his initial writing sessions with the band Law came up with "Yellow Cave Woman", "Once Among The Trees" and "Within' The Night".
                        

John Peel wrote sleevenotes for their 1969 debut and only album, where he mentioned how he discovered the record:
                       

"Actually producer Jack Dorsey of Pye Records and his secretary brought me this record as I huddled in my mean bed wracked with jaundice with the unoccasional, long-suppressed flicker of pain crossing my boyish features. They left the record, saying they needed the notes that I’m typing by Monday. It’s

now Saturday night, tomorrow’s “Top Gear” and I’ve listened five or six times to the Velvett Fogg, liking them more with each hearing. However I forgot to ask anyone for details about the members of the group – In fact I don’t even know how many there are within it. Perhaps that information will be elsewhere on this sleeve. I don’t know their names, what they play, when they were born, the colour or not of their eyes, hair, teeth. I have never heard even the faintest rumour about their taste in breakfast foods, furniture, musicians or girls."
                     

Frank Wilson returned to London and joined Riot Squad and then The Rumble Band before following in Rick Wakeman's footsteps to join Warhorse in 1970. Frank Wilson, now performs with his band Run VT, and performs at venues in South East England. Keith Law and Frank Wilson are back together writing as Velvett Fogg Reloaded, and recording for a proposed new Velvett Fogg album.
                   

Paul Eastment started a Brum band called Holy Ghost — later to become Ghost, with whom he recorded an album He later fronted another group called Resurrection, as well as recording with local folk singer, Shirley Kent. (You can find GHOST HERE)
               

Keith Law stayed in the music business, is still writing songs, and is now an entertainer in South West England.
                     
                
During the years since Velvett Fogg's demise, demand amongst collectors for copies of their (now very rare) album has increased considerably. Original albums have changed hands for high prices with bootleg copies also known to be in circulation.

                                    


Velvett Fogg – Velvett Fogg...Plus
Label: See For Miles Records Ltd. – SEE CD 259
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 1989
Country: France
Released: 1969    
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Psychedelic Rock

TRACKS

                           


01. Yellow Cave Woman  (Written-By – K. Law)   7:00
02. New York Mining Disaster  (Written-By – B.R. & M. Gibb)   2:55
03. Wizard Of Gobsolod  (Written-By – Eastment)   2:57
04. Once Among The Trees  (Written-By – K. Law)   5:39
05. Lady Caroline  (Written-By – Eastment)   2:23
06. Come Away Melinda  (Written-By – Minkoff, Hellerman)   5:55
07. Owed To The Dip  (Written-By – Wilson, Mullett, Pollard, Eastment)   6:07
08. Within The Night  (Written-By – K. Law)   4:47
09. Plastic Man  (Written-By – Wilson, Mullett)   4:47
10. Telstar 69  (Written-By – J. Meek)   2:47

Total Time: 00:45:25

NOTES

                         


Track 10 is a bonus track.


LINE - UP

                    


Frank Wilson - Hammond organ, vocal
Paul Eastment - guitar, vocal
Graham Mullett - drums
Mick Pollard - bass guitar
Keith Law - songwriter


Flac Size: 257 MB