Memory of the Future

Memory of the Future

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Well into his 30th year of recording, Eric Andersen picks up where his 1989 masterpiece Ghosts upon the Road left off. His 15th album was eight years in the making, pieced together from collaborations with Rick Danko, Richard Thompson, Benmont Tench, Howie Epstein, and Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier. It demonstrates the virtues of patient songwriting in sensual love lyrics, sprawling wanderer's laments, and Beat-poetry-inspired litanies of sins and ecstasies. "He thought of his mother / He thought of the automat / The space shuttle / Jersey cows and poison lollipops / As the dry heaves rose in his chest," he intones over a smoky, funky groove. Of all the folksingers to find their way out of the '60s, only Dylan and Joni Mitchell have remained as restless and provocative as Andersen. His imagination has grown ever more sure, his voice has become an unearthly, stately whisper, and his songs are still shapes by a singular, exceptional artistic will. --Roy Kasten

Entertainment Weekly
The best song, the title cut, breaks new stylistic ground: Half Sade, half William Burroughs, it's jazzy, sleek, and menacing.

Memory of the Future

Tracks:

Sudden Love
Foghorn
Rain Falls Down In Amsterdam
Blue Heart
Goin' Gone
Memory Of The Future
Sex With You
Chinatown
No Man's Land
When I'm Gone
Hills Of Tuscany

Amazon.com

Well into his 30th year of recording, Eric Andersen picks up where his 1989 masterpiece Ghosts upon the Road left off. His 15th album was eight years in the making, pieced together from collaborations with Rick Danko, Richard Thompson, Benmont Tench, Howie Epstein, and Bob Dylan bassist Tony Garnier. It demonstrates the virtues of patient songwriting in sensual love lyrics, sprawling wanderer's laments, and Beat-poetry-inspired litanies of sins and ecstasies. "He thought of his mother / He thought of the automat / The space shuttle / Jersey cows and poison lollipops / As the dry heaves rose in his chest," he intones over a smoky, funky groove. Of all the folksingers to find their way out of the '60s, only Dylan and Joni Mitchell have remained as restless and provocative as Andersen. His imagination has grown ever more sure, his voice has become an unearthly, stately whisper, and his songs are still shapes by a singular, exceptional artistic will. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Eric Andersen's Mature Tour-de-Force.......2000-05-11

I first heard some of the material on this album when Eric Andersen appeared at the now defunct Folkways Coffee House in Peterborough, New Hampshire on Thanksgiving eve in 1992. Andersen is the real thing, a super talent who writes, composes, and performs mostly his own material. That night his rendition of "Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam" brought chills, cheers, and a standing ovation from the hundred or so members of the audience, who were moved by his graphic, emotional, and deeply personal warning of the nascent rise of neo-nazis thugs all over the world. Anderen has long been a personal favorite, and is even better in person than on CD, which is no mean feat. Herein, from the opening bars of "Sudden Love" all the way to "Hills of Tuscany" he gives new credence to the idea that real talent can continue to grow and mature litteraly over decades and decades. Like James Taylor or Van Morrison, Andersen's music is based on timeless melodies and lyrics, but unlike these other superstars, he imbues his songs with a gritty edge that reveal his insight into the nature of things. Most of the songs in this CD are written by Andersen, (with the single exception of "When I'm Gone"), and the range of his writing and composition talent is apparent. His voice is at once sweet, mellow, and smoky, and his ability and arrangements based around his sparkling acoustic guitar work is marvelous to listen to again. Buy this album, listen to it, and be prepared to be entertained and amazed.

A long way from thirsty boots.......1999-12-04

some people change and some just stay the same..trouble is most of this generation of writers just did themselves in.....thank god eric andersen is around to inform us what happens to talented writers when they stick around for the distance(ok ok dylan is still here but thats another planet)......eric has gotten sad about the world and our foibles and that could be a real drag to listen to but it isnt...he even makes a murder in chinatown groove along.If you didnt recognize the voice you would think this was robbie robertsons first solo album.So if you are expecting the old eric forget it but if you like the sound of change listen in

Lyrical & Intelligent.......1999-05-11

Like a fine wine, time has matured the work of this master songwriter. Sudden Love is about as close to a hit single as Eric is likely to have, but the depth of emotion and the sincerity of soul introspection is fine dining in an era when most music is like fast food. This CD compliments Eric's efforts with Fjeld, Danko & Andersen on the 2 Ryko CD's. If you're looking within yourself for answers, enhance the journey with this beautiful music!

a masterpiece !!!!!!!!!.......1999-04-10

Having been an Eric Anderson fan for more than a few years, it was a real joy to have him finally release a solo album. This album follows the path that Ghosts Upon the Road set. A true living legend whose songs never fail to evoke feelings. The song Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam brings to chilling reality the menace of racism. Not a bad song on the album, and such variety. An album you will truly enjoy.......

Eric in concert.......1999-03-14

I haven't bought this CD yet, but I sure will! After seeing Eric Andersen in concert I'm hooked. His songs speak to the soul in a way that is hard to describe.

Average customer rating:

Memory of the Future
DJ Nozawa
Manufacturer: Indie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000O78VAK
Release Date: 2007-04-30

Handel - Joshua / Aler · Baird · Fortunato · Ostendorf · Brewer Chamber Orchestra · Palmer

Average customer rating:

follow up
diamond in rough
An occasional Haendel.

Handel - Joshua / Aler · Baird · Fortunato · Ostendorf · Brewer Chamber Orchestra · Palmer

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003W2B
Release Date: 1993-10-01

Tracks:

Act One: Ov - Brewer CO/Rudolph Palmer
Act One: Chor: Ye Sons Of Israel, Ev'ry Tribe Attend - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Recitative: Behold, My Friends, What Vast Rewards Are Giv'n - John Aler/John Ostendorf
Act One: Recitative: Matrons And Virgins, With Unweary'd Pray'r - Julianne Baird
Act One: Recitative: Caleb, Attend To All I Now Prescribe - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Accompanied Recitative: So Long The Memory Shall Last - John Aler
Act One: Recitative: But Who Is He? - Tremendous To Behold! - D'Anna Fortunato
Act One: Recitative: Joshua, I Come Commission'd From On High - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes/John Aler
Act One: Recitative: To Give Command, Prerogative Is Thine - John Aler
Act One: Chor: The Lord Commands, And Joshua Leads - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Accompanied Recitative: In These Blest Scenes - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act One: Aria Da Capo: Hark! 'Tis The Linnet And The Thrush - Julianne Baird
Act One: Recitative: Oh Achsah! Form'd For Ev'ry Chaste Delight - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act One: Fanfare/Recitative: The Trumpet Calls: Now Jericho Shall Know - D'Anna Fortunato/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: 'Tis Well! Six Times The Lord Hath Been Obey'd - John Aler
Act Two: March Of The Ark: Glory To God - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: The Walls Are Levell'd! Pour The Chosen Bands - John Ostendorf

Tracks:

Act Two: Aria: To Vanity And Earthly Pride - Julianne Baird
Act Two: Recitative: Let All The Seed Of Abrah'm Now Prepare - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Joshua, The Men, Dispatch'd By Thee To Learn - John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Whence This Dejection? - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Now Give The Army Breath - D'Anna Fortunato
Act Two: Recitative: Indulgent Heav'n Hath Heard My Virgin Pray'r - Julianne Baird
Act Two: Recitative: Surely I'm Deceiv'd! With Sorow I Behold- - John Ostendorf/D'Anna Fortunato
Act Two: Recitative: Brethren And Friends, What Joy This Scene Imparts - John Aler/John Ostendorf
Act Two: Solo And Chor: Oh! Thou, Bright Orb, Great Ruler Of The Day - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Chor: Hail! Mighty Joshua, Hail! - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Aria Da Capo: Happy, Oh Thrice Happy We - Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: Caleb, For Holy Eleazar Send - John Aler/John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: Oh Caleb, Fear'd By Foes, By Friends Ador'd! - D'Anna Fortunato/John Ostendorf
Act Three: Chor: Father Of Mercy, Hear The Prayer We Make - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: In Bloom Of Youth, This Stripling Has Acheiv'd - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: Welcome, My Son! My Othniel Good And Great! - John Ostendorf/D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: While Life Shall Last, Each Moment Will Improve - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: While Lawless Tyrants, With Ambition Blind - John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes

Customer Reviews:

follow up.......2003-12-14

Oops, sorry, forgot about the soloists. John Aler has a brighter tenor sound, not as dark as Robert Tear, but the way he handles the recitative text is very similar. Both he an John Ostendorf are a little heavy on the vibrato for my taste, but their diction is not that much skewed by it. J. Ostendorf is a heavy, rich bass, which is striking when you first hear it against Aler's brighter lyric voice. It almost seems wooly, but he steers it away from any Wagnerian tendancies to create a striking bu handsome compliment. Baird is gorgeous- it's that simple. She is not my favorite, but she comes real close. With a voice reminiscent of Emma Kirkby and expression along the lines of Janet Baker, it's a refreshing treat among all these increasing Helden-Sopranos who think that baroque music gives them an excuse to through all delicacy out the window. Over all, this recording is more of a 4 1/2, and I think the most well balanced one may come across.

diamond in rough.......2003-12-14

The conductor may be no Raymond Leppard, but he's preferable by a great stretch than some of these other "new baroque" recordings out there where everything is a forte marcato allegretto. He maintains the baroque atmosphere, much like Harnoncourt's sound (is this he? I don't know who the conductor is). The chorus also has the baroque sound, but my goodness! Thank God for a chorus with proper vowels and a nice sound! Much better than some Deutsche Grammaphon choruses I've heard. If you like the Monteverdi Choir with Gardiner, you'd probably like this chorus as well (I myself am a choister and soloist specializing in oratorio and other such sacred music).

An occasional Haendel........1999-10-26

The enclosed booklet is too poor. The singers are only good (the best is the soprano). Only good also the conductor . In this way this Haendel's work seems a minor one. Is really so?