Search - Wendy Carlos :: Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD]

Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD]
Wendy Carlos
Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD]
Genres: Dance & Electronic, New Age, Rock, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (3) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (4) - Disc #2

Before there was ambient music, in a time before the New Age, there was Wendy Carlos's Sonic Seasonings, a double LP released in 1972. Taking the form of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Carlos orchestrated four side-lo...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Wendy Carlos
Title: Sonic Seasonings + [Enhanced CD]
Members Wishing: 10
Total Copies: 0
Label: East Side Digital
Original Release Date: 1/1/2000
Re-Release Date: 11/11/2003
Album Type: Enhanced, Original recording reissued
Genres: Dance & Electronic, New Age, Rock, Classical
Styles: Electronica, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Instruments, Electronic
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 021561813724

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Before there was ambient music, in a time before the New Age, there was Wendy Carlos's Sonic Seasonings, a double LP released in 1972. Taking the form of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Carlos orchestrated four side-long soundscapes designed, according to producer Rachel Elkind, to be "part of the decor." Using only her Moog synthesizer and environmental sounds, Carlos created prototypical ambient music, predating Brian Eno's similar work by a few years. Carlos weaves gentle, often reedy synthesizer melodies through chirping birds on "Spring," phase-shifted church organ drones across crystalline bells and wind on "Winter," and she seems to simulate an alien space landing on "Summer," mimicking nature with her synthesizer. An added treat on this special double CD is a 40-minute, unreleased, two-part suite from 1986 called "Land of the Midnight Sun." Using her Synergy synthesizers, Carlos orchestrates slow-motion melodies and overlapping minimalist layers that recall Steve Roach's "Structures from Silence." Sonic Seasonings is the first wave of a batch of Wendy Carlos reissues. While many of Carlos's classical, "Switched-On" orchestrations have an antique, dated charm, this original composition sounds fresh and current. In attempting a music that wouldn't draw attention to itself, Carlos achieved a prescient work of subtlety and depth on Sonic Seasonings. --John Diliberto

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CD Reviews

The Wonderful Worlds of Wendy Carlos
joe449 | Lakewood, NJ United States | 06/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Sonic Seasongings' is definitely one of my desert island picks. Having been a fan of Wendy Carlos from her soundtracks to 'Tron' and 'A Clockwork Orange,' I came across this 2CD set almost accidentally while doing a search for ambient music on Amazon. When I discovered that Wendy actually released a 1972 album that nowadays is classified as ambient, I was very intrigued and purchased the set without hesitation. Little did I know what I was in for when the music met my ears for the first time!'Sonic Seasonings' is a tranquil yet lively album that gives new meaning to the term background music. Wendy creates portholes to worlds that are familiar but also odd. If you like Brian Eno, Steve Roach or Harold Budd -- you will be in heaven when you hear these tracks! I often play them quietly at work and it's not unusual for someone to ask me "WHAT'S THAT," with raised eyebrows when they hear the swirling sounds during "Summer," or the wolves of "Winter" coming from nowhere and everywhere all at once. In addition, the two 1986 bonus tracks that make up 'Land of the Midnight Sun' are just as essential, and they compliment the "seasonal tracks" quite well. Highly recommended for any Wendy Carlos fan, those who appreciate ambient music, or anyone in need of a listening experience that will take you away from the doldrums of reality!"
Amazing Audio Journey
Jeff Wright | Hendersonville, TN USA | 01/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first discovered this wonderful album as a two disk vinyl set checked out from the public library. Synthesizers were my high school fascination and I'd already discovered Tomita's "Pictures at an Exhibition" & Wendy's (then Walter Carlos') "Switched on Bach". But this... there was nothing like this, nothing I could even compare it to. Each side of the two albums was a season (Sonic Seasonings), winter, spring, summer, fall; Each a unique tapestry of sound exploration, like a sound track for your imagination. Summer is one of my favorites, the sounds of frogs and crickets flowing by creates the mental image of flying low over a planet of ponds and swamps. Wendy was so far ahead of her time with this spectacular album that there weren't even terms for it yet. I wore out the library's copy and eventually the copy I bought. I was overjoyed to discover it was finally available on CD, in the digital format it was meant to be heard in. The new "bonus" tracks compliment the original work... the sound of a rocking chair and a cat purring in your lap! If you like music that broadens your mind, you'll love this masterpiece of sonic wizardry."
Sonic Seasonings - Revisited
David Whaley | Chicago NW Suburbs | 12/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had this album on vinyl back in the 70's. I had it on tape and listened to it while drifting off to sleep. Then came several moves and a switch to Cd's. Lost the album during one of the moves. Rejoiced that I was able to hear again, this time w/o the pops and scratches. This CD speaks to your soul."