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RE: Ahhhh the ambience!

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In Reply to: RE: Ahhhh the ambience! posted by dave c on August 28, 2008 at 01:04:38

Some of those disks sound interesting. I am guessing "The Judy" is the Judith Wright centre? Have not caught a gig there since My Friend the Chocolate Cake a year or so ago. Must check out what is playing there soon... perhaps when I am fully moved back to Brisbane (one month to go!), tho I guess there is not much stopping me now, as I 'work' up here.
Er, I digress. I am going to purchase the Yasushi Yoshida disk for sure and look into the Christopher Willits stuff - man, a large and hopefully consistently high quality catalogue. I will probably go for his Sakomoto collaboration first.
So, I have been listening to The Pearl and la bella vista quite a lot, though have also been working through a few others.
Robin Guthrie, Continental: Kind of what one would expect from this influential ex-Cocteau Twin. Uses the more dynamic, denser guitar effects found on earlier Cocteau Twins, but has more of a Victorialand pace. Interesting. I am looking forward to a few more listens of this one.
Ulrich Schnauss, Far Away Trains By: Reportedly a modern ambient classic of sorts, which is probably in most ambient aficionados' collections. It is the first in a trilogy, but stands alone, I believe. It is more in the relaxed, lighter, but slightly uplifting style; beats are present at times and it is vaguely danceable, tho that is probably not what it is about. The album moves from quiet-ish to more upbeat-ish. Although not really an 'organic' sounding album - I can't recall hearing natural (for want of a better word) instrumentation - I really like it nonetheless, especially considering my limited listening.
Marconi Union, Distance: Perhaps another modern ambient classic. Similar in feel to the Schnauss, tho slightly more spacious and darker. More towards a dark ambient down-tempo and a more organic feel with what sounds like samples of natural instruments woven through scapes. Again, I have not listened to it a lot, but this is very nice.
Between Interval, Secret Observatory: I have not been able to listen to this one for an extended period. Seems a little 'new age' space and rather artificial; more about soundscape than melody, tho I guess could be the purpose. It seems a little kitsch, tho that is more to do with me than the album. I will give it another listen.
That is it for now. I have another Budd on the way and will be ordering more; I'll keep folks in the loop. I can't say I would like to be an ambient aficionado (I am not much an aficionado of any style - I just like to listen), tho I do like some strains and will seek these out.
Cheers
Edit: changed a few comments relating to Marconi Union, Distance based on further listening.

Edits: 08/28/08 08/28/08

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