|
There is an inordinate amount of distortion and clipping, and nearly zero dynamics in parts. Avoid this disk, I know I wish I would have.EDIT: I just noticed they put this review in the 1990 cd edition.
The 1990 cd edition sounds very good, and I would give that version 4.5 stars. It is only meant for the 2003 Japanese import remaster.
$40 for an import Japanese Jazz disk that is unlistenable, a total rip off. The imprint is "Another Side of Jazz" from MSI Music Distribution, so they are the ones to blame for this fiasco.
There is no distortion or clipping, and it is suitable for critical listening. This is a loudness war victim (google 'loudness war' if you don't know what it is).
This is totally unacceptable for a jazz disk, let alone a $40 jazz disk.
Even the cover art is moving and evocative. ambient. It transcends all categories and reaches into the stuff inside that makes you you. This is Oregon at their best. A classic, iconic, beautiful album. Is it jazz. An exquisite, almost perfect album of brilliantly played instrumental music, including the best cover ever of Jim Pepper's Witchi-Tai-To. classical.
Oregon, at this point in time, was an acoustic instrument only intramental band. This is New Age music before New Age music existed.A bit darker than most of the band's releases (Distant Hills, Music of Another Present Era), this is the record I always come back to. This recording from 1974 from the original core band members is just wonderful and flawless. They play with the influences from Ravi Shankar to The Modern Jazz Quartet as well as being ahead of their time. Excellent spin. The pieces are risky melodically, beautifully performed by all member's at the peak of their musicianship. The band members communicate flluently with each other.
Enjoy. Flute w guitar, wonderful soft but present percussion ( much more than I am able to describe ), synchopated and unsynchopated rhythm, that creates a sound native to no country. If you have a long commute, this music will stimulate yet relax the spirit and sharpen the mind. OK.I first heard this album ( not the CD) in the 1970"s when a great guitar making and playing friend in Chicago bought it for me. Enjoy. The first track hooks you and the rest follows suit. ( Hi Ed). The sound is jazz-like but no big band or quartet tight ensemble here.
The music has a depth and complexity that rewards repeated listening with new revelations each time. It has all the ineffable mystery, natural spirit, and grace of the Northwest coast. I first bought this album, on vinyl, in late 1975 or early 1976 - because I liked the cover. 30 years of repeated listening. If I were stranded on a desert island, and could take only one record with me, Winter Light is it. Knew nothing about the music. From the first spin, it was magic - and is no less so over the years.
|
