Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes – Ame Debout. 1971. 11+12. I was a little late in garnering an appreciation for Catherine Ribeiro’s work. I was first introduced to her albums sometime in the early 90s, and I just wasn’t ready for her tortured style of singing at that time (in French no less). Is there a more intense female vocalist from the 1970s? Not from where I’m sitting anyway. And to think she was a beautiful model too? Funny just thinking about someone like Cindy Crawford performing something like this. Once I did “get it†or was “cast under her spell†or other such nonsense, I was hooked good. These are the type of albums that grow in stature over the years. With homemade instruments such as the cosmophone and percuphone, I’m not sure I could describe this album’s music with words. Well…maybe… I…. could…..hypnotic.
Viima – Ajatuksia Maailman Laidalta. 2006. D: 11. It’s getting to the point that everything that’s from Finland is great. They are to the current decade what the French were to the 1980s. And thank goodness for that. Wasn’t sure what to expect here. Was told it was Finnish folk prog, and about the only band I associate with that is the obscure and rare Scapa Flow. It’s not really like that however. Even though it’s sung in beautiful Finnish, the album has more of a UK feel than one from continental Europe. The female vocals are one distinguishing factor. What’s interesting to me are the guitar breaks, which are rooted in hard rock – a clear departure from the acoustic folk psych of the base material. I quite liked this one. Little curious how they go forward from here with a male vocalist, as Paivi Kylmanen seemed to be a key ingredient to their sound.
Wind – Seasons. 1971. 9+10. And yet another revisit of an album I first heard in the early 1990s. Seemed too straight ahead hard rock for me at the time. Well, it’s definitely part of the hard rock variety of Krautrock, which I’m much more fond of now than prior. First song is a killer with great guitar and organ work. Some tracks drifted by without notice. Long track on Side 2 tries for some experimental moments but seems forced. Good album, but not up to Virus standards by any means.
I dig that first Wind, could never really get into the pastoral second as much (and god I hope I’m not mixing them up like I always do :))
I really need to revisit those Ribeiro albums, I remember liking a few of them quite a bit. Even beyond the excellent vocals, there’s some interesting musical ideas, including some created instruments and the like. You might also want to check out Patrice Moullet’s version of Alpes as it’s like the music but without the vox.
You got the Wind’s straight!
Yea - I should check out the Alpes - though have to admit that Ribeiro’s anguish is a big part of the allure.
I can’t remember that instrument they use, a something-o-phone, but it creates an effect a lot like an electronic sequencer. I love how Moullet uses it on Rock Sous la Dalle. Hell, I wish more people would use it, but I guess they’d have to know the name first, eh?
It’s either the percuphone or cosmophone I think…
Thanx guys for your WIND comments!I was the guitarist then.Still into music.Please consider, that we had to do the whole studio job in about one week, including the mixing.And solo parts had to be done in one take!But we had fun anyway.Take care,HNY!Thomas