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Tag Archives: Classical

#70: DJ Shadow – Endtroducing (1996) Vinyl Download: Or, Brain Bubbles From A Vinyl Subterranea

*download below*

This is the album that shepherded me into the rolling knolls of Vinyl Hunters Valley. This is because it causes the most mysterious synaptic firings within my squishy grey matter. Makes my temples swell with a pleasing uneasiness. Causes mysterious pockets within my loins to quake and flutter.

It's my HEAD, Schwartz, it's MY HEAD!

OK, so basically I have no idea what it does to me but I’m certain it transmits some sort of ultrasonic frequency that says, “GO ON EBAY AND BUY A TURNTABLE RIGHT NOW. NOT LATER, NOW. TURN OFF COPS, YOU’VE SEEN THIS EPISODE, GUY, BUY ONE NOW.” So I did and never looked back.

Despite the fact that I love, love, love this album I’ve been avoiding reviewing it here because it’s difficult to capture the essence with letters. Most stereoponies love to saddle the “Trip Hop” label onto this album but that does it no justice whatsoever. That term conjures the visions of hippies listening to hip hop, smoking a big J and spouting, “whoa man this rap groove is, like, so trippy. It’s totally gnarring my buzz, man.” While this album will most likely multiply and sassify marijuana-induced intoxication it’s so unfair to tie it to pot culture. Endtroducing would never, EVER get caught dead in patchwork corduroy pants.

 

Our youth are under attack.

Other bucking vinylbroncos like to describe  the album by mentioning Endtroducing’s ingredients: hip hop, jazz, psychedelia, movie dialogue, television show trialogue, percussion samples etc. However none of these phonocowboys can ever really capture this wild one.  True, you get a flavor of each along the winding train ride through British Columbia that is Endtroducing but it’s so much more than bits and pieces. It’s like describing your favorite pizza to a friend and saying, “Yeah man I had this awesome food today it was, like, a bit of tomato, flour, a touch of salt and some, like, I think cheese.” Those ingredients are all fine and good but separately they wouldn’t do an Adriatico’s Bearcat Pizza justice just like calling this album a fusion of genres is a crime. The sum is much greater than the parts.

I think, maybe, this album is like watching the most beautiful little bubble you ever saw. You can watch it dance on the wings of an invisible wind but as soon as you try to capture the damn thing in your hands it’s gone. You’ve taken your dirty little paws and ruined such a magical, delicate thing. You should be ashamed of yourself. We were all having such a wonderful time watching that little orb. Next time chill out, stop trying to bottle it up and just behold its angelic splendor while the gettin’s good.

"From listening to records I just knew what to do...mainly I taught myself. And you know I did pretty well...there were a few mistakes that I have just recently cleared up. I'd just like to continue to be able to express myself as best as I can. I feel like I have a lot of work to do still. I'm a student of the drums and I'm also a teacher of the drums too. And I would like to be able to continue to let what is inside of me, which comes from all of the music that I hear, I'd like for that to come out, and it's like it's not really me...the music's coming through me."

What’s truly incredible about Endtroducing is how it was composed. You have to remember that this was created in 1996 and if anyone even had a laptop it could maybe hold a gigabyte of files, if you were lucky and rich. In addition, music manipulation software like AudioMulch or Adobe Audition hadn’t been invented yet. So, Shadow had to use an Akai MPC-60 music sampler/beat machine to cut, splice, and melt his tracks together. If you then take into consideration exactly how much trial and error of listening to thousands of big vinyl discs it took to find the necessary sounds for the album it becomes evident that either a miracle was performed in the making of Endtroducing or Shadow’s some sort of DJ genius. I prefer to believe the latter, especially after taking watching the following video.

So if you haven’t heard this album, regardless of what music you’re into, you need to get in the boat and get your float on. If you’re a fan you can always use a higher quality rip. And, if you really want to get deep, pick up the vinyl and take a voyage into the continental divide…of your mind!!!!

Click here to download Endtroducing

Tracklist

A1 Best Foot Forward 0:49
A2 Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt 6:40
A3 The Number Song 4:40
B1.a Changeling 7:51
B1.b **Transmission 1
B2 Stem/Long Stem 9:21
C1.a **Transmission 2
C1.b Mutual Slump 4:02
C2 Organ Donor 1:57
C3 Why Hip Hop Sucks In ’96 0:43
C4 Midnight In A Perfect World 4:57
D1 Napalm Brain/Scatter Brain 9:23
D2.a What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 – Blue Sky Revisit) 7:28
D2.b **Transmission 3

#66: Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring – Erich Leinsdorf conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra (1974) Decca SPC 21114 Vinyl Download

Click here for a random Rebuilt Tranny post!

Traditional history tells that this ballet is something of a rabble rouser. Apparently when Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring premiered on May 29, 1913 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris it incited a full-blown riot. As the story goes, early 20th century Europeans simply weren’t ready for such radical orchestral debauchery. The syncopation, the amelodic jaunts through the underbrush, the virgins performing fatal pirouettes to the tune of violently stabbing strings were all too much.

Stravinsky’s own description of the piece sums up why everyone was so riled: ” I saw in imagination a solemn pagan rite: sage elders, seated in a circle, watched a young girl dance herself to death. They were sacrificing here to propitiate the god of Spring.” I mean these people were expecting Swan Lake and they got Mad Max and the Thunderdome. The French still hold Mel Gibson responsible to this day.

Dancing pleases dragon. Spring comes again.

Reportedly all hell broke loose at the theatre almost immediately. Men were fist fighting in the aisles, Dandies were slapping each other with soft leather gloves…giggling wildly upon each blow, and full-figured women in corsets fainted in their seats, only to be revived by comically large Chinese fans. It was an eruption of pissed off Parisians that lasted until World War I began over a year later.

Ok, so not really. It only lasted one night at the premiere. And no one really knows the exact reason why it ruffled so many feathers. Some say it was because Stravinsky’s movement was too avant garde for the simple minds of the time. Others say it’s a reflection of the contentious atmosphere that permeated every level of European society in the days leading up to The Great War.

Violin and Bassoon Proof Masks

However, I believe that the real catalyst could have been something really stupid. If you get enough drunk assholes together in one location a single spark can fuel an inferno. All it takes is for a college team from Michigan to win or lose a title game and half of the Midwest goes aflame. Similarly, one butt rock douchebag can have a sore throat and downtown Montreal will turn into a pile of broken glass and broken French Canadians. Yes, I’m talking about you Axel Rose. I hate your guts.

People just love burning couches and throwing ‘bos for little or no reason.

That car was a Buckeyes fan.

So I’m thinking that the Rites of Spring Riot really wasn’t the significant social turning point that historians want it to be. What probably happened is that the concession stands didn’t serve vodka, only merlot, and Stravinsky completely flipped his wig. In typical Russian alcoholic fashion he proceeded to insult the general dress and physical appearance of everyone in line around him.

This incensed a few French fellows quite intensely. One guy in particular totally starting raging because he just had his mustache waxed and it looked so badass. I mean it was totally curled and everything like Captain Hook in the movie Hook, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman, but like ten, no a hundred times cooler. Consequently he started to roll up his sleeves and in his haste one cuff link went flying.

This little bugger flew approximately 15 yards out toward the lobby and into some poor sap’s wine glass which caused red wine to spill on Baron Du Champ’s mistress’s new powder blue evening dress and boom, the shit hit the fan.

So Stravinsky really did cause the riot but not because he moved the audience musically…he was just a real big jerk with a drinking problem.

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Click to download The Rite of Spring to 320 kbps MP3

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#59: 2001: A Space Odyssey Vol. 2 (1968) Vinyl Download

*Download Below: The original faulty ZIP has been replaced with a new one*

This album consists of songs that weren’t actually in the movie but rather “inspired” by it. I have a feeling that these tracks were considered for the original score but Kubrick didn’t have quite enough room. It’s a shame because the songs in Vol. 2 are quite good. So, you can consider this collection an excellent supplementary B-Side set to the original, if you so desire. I have to admit I prefer Vol. 2 to the original because the songs have a darker, deep space feel. More insane warp tunnel/Spacebaby, less space station/moon base.

Click here to download Vol. 2 to MP3

Tracks with descriptions from album cover:

 1. Richard Strauss – Also Sprach Zarathustra

This selection composted by Richard Strauss is heard at the opening of the motion picture “2001: A Space Odyssey” Karl Böhm conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

2. Leo Delibes – Coppélia

(This) was composed by Leo Delibes and conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. As in the film. Mr. von Karajan’s performance conveys the feeling of the graceful rocket ships speeding through space.

3. György Ligeti – Lontano

Ligeti’s contribution to the music in “2001:” was very important. This selection, which does not appear in the film, was conducted by Ernest Bour and the Südwestfunk Orchestra.

4. Anton Webern – Entflieht Auf Leichten Kähnen

Written by one of the innovators of modern music with words by Stefan George. It is performed by Clytus Gottwald and the Stuttgart Schola Cantorum, who performances also appeared in the motion picture.

5. Richard Strauss – Waltzes From Der Rosenkavalier

Karl Böhm conducts the Berlin Philharmonic. Again, spacious music for outer space.

6. Richard Strauss – Thus Sprach Zarathustra (Part 2)

Additional exciting music from Richard Strauss symphonic poem from the original recording by Karl Böhm and the Berlin Philharmonic.

7. György Ligeti – Volumina

Performed by organist Karl-Erik Welin. This impressive Ligeti music give the feeling of rushing through space.

8. Aram Khachaturian – Berceuse

From Khachaturian’s “Gayne Ballet Suite.” This was conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky and the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. Both the conductor and the composer were well represented in the motion picture.

9. György Ligeti – Requiem

This is another part of Ligeti’s Requiem,” a portion of which appeared in the original film. This, however, is performed by the Hessian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Gielen.

10. Charles Gounod – Margarethe

Charles Gounod’s music by the Radio-Symphony orchestra of Berlin and conducted by Ferenc Fricsay, also gives impressions of graceful objects speeding through space to the accompaniment of graceful music.

#58: 2001: A Space Odyssey Vol. 1 (1968) Vinyl Download

*download below*

I’m posting this as a reference point for the rarely seen pressing of 2001: A Space Odyssey Volume 2 that will follow shortly. Download and enjoy.

Click here to download Vol. 1

A1 Karl Bohm* & Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra*  - Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) 1:37  
  Composed By – Richard Strauss
Conductor – Karl Bohm*
A2 Francis Travis & Bavarian Radio Orchestra*  - Requiem For Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs And Orchestra 4:04  
  Composed By – Gyorgy Ligeti*
Conductor – Francis Travis
A3 Clytus Gottwald & Stuttgart Schola Cantorum*  - Lux Aeterna 5:50  
  Composed By – Gyorgy Ligeti*
Conductor – Clytus Gottwald
A4 Hervert von Karajan* & Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra*  - The Blue Danube 6:55  
  Composed By – Johann Strauss*
Conductor – Hervert von Karajan*
B1 Gennadi Rozhdestvensky & Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra  - Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio) 5:12  
  Composed By – Aram Khachaturian*
Conductor – Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
B2 Ernest Bour & Sudwestfunk Orchestra*  - Atmospheres 7:56  
  Composed By – Gyorgy Ligeti*
Conductor – Ernest Bour
B3 Herbert von Karaja* & Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra*  - The Blue Danube 3:30  
  Composed By – Johann Strauss*
Conductor – Herbert von Karaja*
B4 Karl Bohm* & Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra*  - Also Sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zarathustra) 1:37  
  Composed By – Richard Strauss
Conductor – Karl Bohm*

#49: Tomita – Pictures at an Exhibition (1975) Vinyl Download

*download below*

Here’s two video previews of lighter songs with the full album for download below.  Take a moment to check the vids out (they’re only about a minute apiece.) The longer songs get pretty far out with the composition and effects Tomita uses.  I really can’t get enough of early Moog electronic music…especially pieces with a quirky Japanese twist.

8)

Click here to download Pictures at an Exhibition from vinyl

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Tracklist

A1   Promenade 1:30  
A2   The Gnome 3:12  
A3   Promenade 1:02  
A4   The Old Castle 5:18  
A5   Promenade 0:34  
A6   Tuileries 0:55  
A7   Bydlo 3:17  
A8   Promenade 1:00  
A9   Ballet Of The Chicks In Their Shells 1:05  
B1   The Two Jews 3:04  
B2   Limoges/ Catacombs 3:56  
B3   Cum Mortuis In Lingua Mortua 2:06  
B4   Baba Yaga (Hut On Fowls’ Legs) 3:50  
B5   Great Gate Of Kiev 6:14
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