"The Collection"
Despite the official release being 2 days ahead, "The Collection" has already been found in many CD stores since yesterday, or even the day before. Copies were found in Ireland, The Netherlands (FRS, Mediamarkt) and are probably available in other countries as well.
The CDs are housed in a transparent jewel case that folds open for access to the 2nd CD. A cardboard sleeve with pretty much the same artwork as the CD booklet covers the case. The booklet contains a short text on the qualities of Vangelis' music and career, and ties the release to the Olympic Games in London: "What better time could there be to discover - or rediscover - the vast catalogue of a composer for ever synonymous with the olympic ideal or striving for perfection?", it asks. Included are 4 photographs of Vangelis taken in the last 15 years. One seems to be new.
Tracks on the album are largely split up, only joined together when sound effects run into the next (or previous) track. The order of the tracks is exquisite, carefully adjusted to ensure a smooth listening experience.
Chariots of Fire is the original version from the movie soundtrack album, not the retouched version on the album for the stage production.
As we wrote before, there is new material to enjoy. "Line Open" for those without access to the Conquest of Paradise maxi CD single, the extended "Blade Runner (Main titles)" track, which now finally starts with the movie's actual opening, after which it segues into the regular "Main Titles" track we all know. And of course, there is the wonderful newly composed "Remembering".
It's great to rediscover music. Not because it was forgotten, but carefully recombined into a different experience. Recommended!
http://elsew.com/data/andrekuipers_s.jpgVangelis' uplink to André Kuipers at the ISS
Several reliable sources tell the story of Vangelis having recently enjoyed an uplink to astronaut André Kuipers at the ISS: The International Space Station constantly circling the earth for scientific research and further exploration of space.
The uplink, both audio and visual, linked from Vangelis to NASA, who connected him to the station. The conversation lasted no less than 50 minutes. At one point, Kuipers gave Vangelis a virtual tour, showing him around the station. Also, Vangelis improvised on his piano, overheard by Kuipers at the space station.
André Kuipers is a Dutch astronaut working for ESA (European Space Agency), who has just returned from his second tour at the space station. During media interviews surrounding his first mission, André repeatedly expressed his love for the music of Vangelis, which inspired him before and during his travels into space.
VANGELIS / ვანგელისი, Electronic/Classical/New Age/Progressive Rock
