Mid-price reissue of 1984 release, the full title is The Serpent (In Quicksilver)/Abandoned Cities. Consists of five solo keyboard works and one very interesting collaboration between Budd and pedal steel player Chas Smi... more »th. That piece, titled 'Afar,' evokes some of the music Brian and Roger Eno and Daniel Lanois were making at around the same time to accompany a film about the Apollo space mission. Import only.« less
Mid-price reissue of 1984 release, the full title is The Serpent (In Quicksilver)/Abandoned Cities. Consists of five solo keyboard works and one very interesting collaboration between Budd and pedal steel player Chas Smith. That piece, titled 'Afar,' evokes some of the music Brian and Roger Eno and Daniel Lanois were making at around the same time to accompany a film about the Apollo space mission. Import only.
CD Reviews
Cloudscape
loteq | Regensburg | 09/27/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This 63-minute disc is a compilation of earlier efforts by Harold Budd, it comprises the 6-track album "The serpent in quicksilver" (1981) as well as two very long tracks which were intended as soundtrack material for an installation. "TSIQ" features six mostly short pieces with Budd's sparse piano playing, ranging from melancholy to colourful and vivid. "Afar" has a nice pedal steel guitar and reminds me of Brian Eno's soundtrack "Apollo". "Children on the hill" is the highlight of this album, it offers a beautiful but very complex melody and manages to hold the listener's interest till the end. The title track is an effective mix of electric and acoustic piano textures, with occasional help by organ and bass. The other pieces, "Wanderer", "Rub with ashes", and "Widow's charm", are not so interesting to my ears. Compared to Budd's later 'high-tech' albums like "The white arcades", "TSIQ" seems somewhat unsophisticated and simple, yet it's an demonstration of Budd's songwriting talents and does contain a few good pieces. The 20-minute "Dark star" and the 23-minute "Abandoned cities" are two more experimental compositions which are, nevertheless, extended too far. "Dark star" is a surprisingly sinister and menacing piece with powerful, processed guitar chords and ominous synth textures which lend a nightmarish feel to the music. "Abandoned cities" is much calmer and relaxing, but it has a stronger environmental feel, thanks to some meandering drones which sound like a circling aeroplane. In my opinion, both pieces can only be enjoyed as background music. Overall, it's not a brilliant album, I think it will remain an item for completists."
Garage ambience
Tomas Ricardo | Indiana, USA | 01/30/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is *quite* good, although not as good as Budd will get later, especially with Eno. This CD is a compilation of two very early albums Budd did, and it is clear he is still finding his style. In part, that is what makes this so interesting. It sounds like he and a friend are in a garage, lost in the desert, making totally inprecedented music. Budd plays very spare, with lots of echo between the slow, rolling notes on his piano, with little to no accompaniment on most of The Serpent; on Abandoned Cities, however, he is joined by Gene Bowen, how provides "ambient" power chords on his guitar. Against the strange, distorted rumble of the Stratocaster, Budd provides melancholy, twinkling piano notes and runs. Fantastic stuff. Like an impending storm on a hot desert day, something you can feel but can't quite pin down--quiet now, but something's coming..."
Dusty, autumnal soundscapes
Tomas Ricardo | 09/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a FIVE STAR recording that is completely worthy of your time and money. There is untapped beauty within the confines of this album. Unlike his other albums, this one reflects a more desolate, dusty almost "old west" theme. Very interesting - a very different album indeed. listen to it, be absorbed in the desolate, dusky tones of "Wanderer" and "Abandoned Cities""
Once you listen, this CD won't let you go
Daniel R Barnett | Dallas, TX United States | 03/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trust me on the above statement. Like many of you, I occasionally sell some of my CDs to reduce clutter at home and raise a little spending money. This double album from Harold Budd was one of those albums. BIG mistake on my part. The pedal steel guitar work by Chas Smith on AFAR, evoking memories of tranquil sunsets in Texas - Harold Budd's delicate workings on THE SERPENT (IN QUICKSILVER) - the foreboding ambience of DARK STAR - the ghost-town serenity of ABANDONED CITIES - well, it all stayed in my head and refused to let go. Finally, a few years ago, I combed the Web and found a single copy of this CD for sale. In Germany. For about $20 + international shipping. But I gladly payed it so that I could make this CD a permanent fixture in my collection.
Although it represents Budd's earlier works, this compilation is a must for fans of Harold Budd, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and others of the genre. Techno enthusiasts who chill to the likes of FSOL, Frank Bretschneider, and Taylor Deupree are also encouraged to broaden their horizons with this release as well. Enjoy!"
A favorite
squid45 | California | 02/07/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1989 I was driving through Death Valley for the first time in an ancient car and a tape of this alblum...I was AWESTRUCK at how the music perfectly fit the terrain. Turns out Budd made the alblum nearby, which I take as further evidence of genius. A great alblum."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1