Liquid Glass

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Previously available only in Japan, this is former Japan bassist Karn's 1998 collaboration album with hip hop artist Hanno. The resulting sound is a combination of drum'n'bass, hip hop and blues. Eight tracks. Digipak. 1998 Medium Productions release.

Liquid Glass,Mick Karn & Yoshihiri Hanno,Medium,Avant-Garde,Experimental Rock,Fusion,New Age,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

Liquid Glass

Tracks:

Changing Opinion
Lightning
Freezing
Liquid Days (Part One) - The Roches
Open The Kingdom (Liquid Days, Part Two) - Douglas Perry
Forgetting - Linda Ronstadt

Customer Reviews:

Dinner table debate.......2006-10-30

Speaker 1: "I quite like the way Philip Glass has taken the very context of pop music and married it with the grandiose elements of classical music and made something entirely new with the two. I think it's a very clear and clever arrangement which forces us to think of the boundaries in music and how it transcends the triviality of such genres."

Speaker 2: "I'm sorry but I just find that preposterous. Obviously that's his main aim is to find the perfect counterpoint between classical and pop music and it's an intelligent idea but ultimately pointless....."

S1: "Come now, it's a work of genius."

S2: "I think not.....and genius is not something I'd use lightly as you have on many occasions. I get the impression you are easily amused. Take Philip Glass' compositions on merit and they are very good....granted his use of minimalism can grate on the listener but essentially there is something in them that makes them unique. With this he has merely washed out his sound and dumbed down the arrangements so that they carefully accompany the singers with which he has in mind. And for me that's just not acceptable. Similarly David Byrne is a great singer who uses his songs powerfully and with a great deal of thought seems blocked out somewhat. It seems as if both are compromised and as musicians that seems a total failure."

S1: "But you always look on the whole idea of musicians compromised and the arrangements as something of vital importance. Can't you take it for what it is and that is that it gives a good ambience of some sort. And there are plenty more singers in this then just David Byrne."

S2: "I know that but even they feel stymied by this idea. They want to do something more but they are afraid and subsequently bottle it when they could really have gone out and done something. That goes for everyone there....they all feel compromised as if they don't know what they should really do. And that's terrible. As for the music itself it merely sounds as background for a meal in a restaurant for well off suburbanites such as ourselves and it's an all too knowing ploy that's used to fritter away in the background."

Speaker 3: "Listen can we stop this debate about the merits of Philip Glass, the roast lamb with croutons, marinaded asparagus with Caesar salad is ready to be served. Tuck in!

it's addictive..........2005-12-21

Somehow, I've hung onto this CD for over fifteen years. I'll forget I even own it, find it, then repeatedly play it for a couple hours at a time.

If you don't like Glass's musical compositions, you'll definitely hate "Songs from the Liquid Days." If you appreciate Glass, then this creation is definitely worth your time and money.

You have lyrics by Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Paul Simon, and Suzanne Vega. The words and music are a perfect match. You have the vocal stylings of Bernard Fowler, the Roches, Linda Ronstadt, and Douglas Perry. A couple of those names I'm not familiar with except for this CD. Regardless, the talent and power is inescapable.

I'm by no means a religious person, but listening to this creation is as close to a religious experience I imagine I'll ever have.

It's haunting. It's moving.

Cheesy Brilliance...or Brilliant Cheesiness?.......2004-12-05

At first listen, this album is laughingly absurd. At second listenting, it is still absurd, but not so laughingly. After repetition, you will be disturbed to find that this poppish minimalist music grows and grows on you, despite its absurdity. Where is the buzz coming from? Why won't the kingdom open? What is love doing on the couch? This work is melodically similar to Mishima and The Thin Blue Line. And yes, triplets do abound. But this does not diminish the album. The vocals sound like they are straight off of the TV show "Whose Line is it Anyway?," but as corny as this might sound, it only adds to the mystery.

Up Late Listening to Philip Glass.......2003-12-24

As I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening to Philip Glass listening to Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass I have to Glass I have to Glass I have to Glass I have to step back and wonder step back and wonder step back and wonder step back and wonder step back and wonder wonder step back and three-four-one-two-three-four as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening to Philip Glass listening to Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass I have to Glass I have to Glass I have to Glass I have to step back and wonder what all this one-two-one-two-three-one-two-three all this noise in my head means in my in my in my in my in my head Glass Glass Glass as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening to Philip Glass listening to Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass Philip Glass Glass and why I can't just detatch as I sit here listening to Philip Glass listening listening listening listening as I sit her listening listening I am reminded Philip Glass Philip Glass three-four I am reminded Philip Glass as I sit here sit here sit her sit he one-two I am reminded of the sacred as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening listening listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening as I sit here listening which nothing is as I sit here listening to Philip Glass Philip Glass Philip Glass one-two-one-two-one-two-three-four-five-six-seven as I sit here

Addiction to Liquid Days.......2003-10-24

I have been somewhat worried and embarrassed by my reaction to this album--I have played it almost daily since I bought the CD used in Record and Tape Traders over a year ago. My previous exposure to Glass had been listening to my son's orchestra rehearse and perform one of his compositions, which I enjoyed thoroughly. I also bought it because Paul Simon and Linda Ronstadt are among my favorites (I'm low brow). My initial reaction to Liquid Days was amazement and amusement. After playing it through a couple of times, I was hooked. For me it is a kind of religious experience. What seemed like flaws initially, like primitive voice quality in parts, peculiar phrases, absent transitions, began to sound absolutely right with repeated listening. I find myself humming and singing the songs in the shower, and they have even turned up in my dreams. That can't be normal, but it's a harmless addiction. I keep the CD in the car, and when the news is stressful, the traffic deadful, and even the NPR classical music station is too abrasive for my inflamed sensibilities, I pop Liquid Days into the CD player and "chill". I bought another copy of the CD from Amazon to give to my son's orchestra director, in gratitude for turning me on to Glass. I also took him to a Phillip Glass concert for his birthday and tried to get up my nerve to go backstage afterward to talk to "Uncle Phil", as the birthday boy referred to him. My nerve failed, sadly, but he's a local boy so I may get another chance. Meanwhile, I heartily recommend the album to those who are able to listen in moderation.

Average customer rating:

Liquid Glass
Whirlpool
Manufacturer: Revelation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000TCV
Release Date: 1996-11-26

Tracks:

Machine Religion
Cindy Crawford Pumpkin
Windmill
Wasteland
Suppositions
Rainy Day Schedule
Insecurity
Liquid Glass
Deutchland
Between Friends
Cult Of Misjudgment
Evolver

Album Description

Revelation: 52

This is their second full length release on Revelation. With band members bringing their talents from Sense Field, Final Conflict and Mean Season, this new song collective has influence with a new twist. Whirlpool hails from the generation that has shaped the Orange County sound. Soft yet hard-edged melodies inspired by bands like the "Pixies" and "X". Lending his polished drum skills is new member Scott McPherson also of Sense Field. Throw away all of your music genres because the new sound is here-Whirlpool!

Liquid Glass
Average customer rating:
Liquid Glass
Mick Karn & Yoshihiri Hanno
Manufacturer: United States Of Dist./Ka
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DETFK
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Travler's Diary
Seafall
Primitive Water
Boy Wit Wings
Dialouge L LL LLL
Stereoscope
Lunette
Sail and Wind

Glass: Songs from Liquid Days; Vessels from Koyaanisqatsi; Three Songs

Average customer rating:

Horrid
An amazing attempt - not quite up to par, but close

Glass: Songs from Liquid Days; Vessels from Koyaanisqatsi; Three Songs
Philip Glass , David Temple , Crouch End Festival Chorus , David Roach , and National Sinfonia
Manufacturer: Silva America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004Y6LN
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

Three Songs: There Are Some Men - Crouch End Festival Chorus
Three Songs: Quand Les Hommes Vivront - Crouch End Festival Chorus
Three Songs: Piere De Soleil - Crouch End Festival Chorus
Koyaanisqatsi: Vessels - The National Sinfonia
Songs From Liquid Days: Changing Opinion - Willis Morgan
Songs From Liquid Days: Lighting - The National Sinfonia
Songs From Liquid Days: In Liquid Days - The National Sinfonia
Songs From Liquid Days: Open The Kingdom - Willis Morgan
Songs From Liquid Days: Freezing - Najima Akhtar
Songs From Liquid Days: Forgetting - Najima Akhtar

Customer Reviews:

Horrid.......2004-12-05

Please, Mr. Glass. Stick to composing music, but don't write any more songs.

An amazing attempt - not quite up to par, but close.......2002-02-04

This album is pretty good, and any Glass-lovers will enjoy it immensely. It could, however, also act as a smooth introduction to Glass to those who are lovers of choral music since the Crouch End Chorus perform most of the pieces extremely well and the vocal arrangements are, on the whole, rather good.

The disc is split into three parts. The first three tracks are 'Three Songs', songs written in 1984 to celebrate Québec's 450 years (1534-1984) as a province. These pieces are entirely choral, no orchestration in sight. They're good, but not typical catchy Glass fare.

The second part is simply the fourth track, a rendition of 'Vessels' from Koyaanisqatsi. It's actually a fine performance, since Vessels was always well suited for a chorus. The minimal orchestration is a little slack at times, and a lot of the lower registers are missing, but this track isn't bad.

The third part is the 'main performance' as it were, and is comprised of six tracks from Glass's 'Songs From Liquid Days', an 80's collaboration with artists such as Paul Simon and Suzanne Vega.

Some of these pieces are extremely operatic, especially track 6, 'Changing Opinion', expertly sung by Wills Morgan. The orchestration on that track being especially good. 'Open The Kingdom' is also done well, and although not quite up to par with the original, is a fun performance none-the-less.

The only weak track on this album is 'Lightning,' the track Glass wrote with Suzanne Vega. While this is one of my favourite Glass pieces of all time, this performance does it no justice. For some odd reason the arranger chose for most of the song to be sung by the soprano section, and as such, suffers from being too high and 'screeching'. The orchestration is also a little unprofessional on this piece. However, even with these criticisms, the whole CD is extremely enjoyable, and this Glass fan loves it.

Liquid Glass
Average customer rating:

what was wrong with my review of this disc

Liquid Glass
Mick & Yoshihiri Hanno Karn
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000DHAK

Customer Reviews:

what was wrong with my review of this disc.......1999-10-04

i wrote a nice review of this CD a few weeks back - just curious as to why u didn't use it

Average customer rating:

smooth liquid

Liquid Glass
Yoshihiro Hanno & Mick Karn
Manufacturer: Shadow Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004SSGC
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

Traveler's Diary
Seafall
Primitive Water
A Boy With Wings
Dialogue I II III
Stereoscope
Lunette
Sail And Wind

Customer Reviews:

smooth liquid.......2000-05-22

mellow.... ambient.... seamless.... beautiful. A splash of Goldie, FSoL and Deep Forest - give it a quick stir. Add Mick Karn's distinctive bass playing. Et Voila! This is gorgeous. Buy it!

Average customer rating:

Interesting but ultimately a bit too disjoint.
LIQUID GLASS is not the twin sister of PERMUTATION...
Permutation identification

Liquid Glass
Mick Karn , and Yoshihiro Hanno
Manufacturer: Medium UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IWR4
Release Date: 2005-02-23

Tracks:

Traveler's Diary
Seafall
Primitive Water
A Boy With Wings
Dialogue I II III
Stereoscope
Lunette
Sail and Wind

Album Description

Previously available only in Japan, this is former Japan bassist Karn's 1998 collaboration album with hip hop artist Hanno. The resulting sound is a combination of drum'n'bass, hip hop and blues. Eight tracks. Digipak. 1998 Medium Productions release.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting but ultimately a bit too disjoint........2005-04-13

This album is essentially a Yoshihiro Hanno record heavily featuring Mick Karn-- I'm not entirely familiar with Hanno's work, but my understanding is that he's some sort of avant-garde drum-n-bass/electronica type, and it shows pretty well on this album. Karn, master fretless bassist, sounds a bit out of his element at times, but when he succeeds, the results are magical.

Conceptually, this was a sort of tape trading exercise-- Hanno laid the backing track and Karn put his stamp on top of it-- largely his contributions sound to be as that as featured soloist-- the settings range from sort of electronica ambient to drum-n-bass. Sometimes there's a sort of synthesized wave on top of this, over which Karn solos on bass-- sometimes riffing, sometimes with lines, sometimes just totally improvised. Its of mixed success, some tracks work ("Seafall", "Dialogue I II III"), some don't quite ("A Boy With Wings"), and some are in between-- "Primitive Water" fails for the most part, but the middle is bass over breakneck drum-n-bass beats and is totally brilliant.

I can't speak to Hanno fans (or really electronica fans in general-- I dabble in the genre but have yet to plunge full on beyond turntablism), but if you're a Karn fan, both the sound and the inconsistency of quality will be familiar to you. There's still more than enough good material to make this worth digging up. And its certainly a unique record.

LIQUID GLASS is not the twin sister of PERMUTATION..........2000-05-01

...in fact, it is not even close! sure, the two albums sound more similar to one another than they would sound, comparatively, to the isolated sound of a toilet plunger in action. if one is interested in music more akin to TOBIN's PERMUTATION, he/she should maybe check out YOSHIHIRO HANNO's solo work...w/o MICK KARN!

LIQUID GLASS is completely original and engaging from beginning to end, and this is largely (if not entirely) due to the two original and engaging artists' combined talents. it is such an immensely provocative and deeply satisfying album because it does not become tied down to typical drum/bass, break beat, jazz-noir stylings--or any others, for that matter.

TOBIN's PERMUTATION is certainly a compelling work; yet it isn't fair or even sensible to compare it to LIQUID GLASS, an album which practically defies musical categorization.

Permutation identification.......1999-08-29

Fans of Amon Tobin's "Permutation" will recognize the identical musical context. Mick Karn's playing is distinctive as always, but the project overall is the twin sister of Tobin's jewel. Yeah!

If you like this, try Mick Karn's "Bestial Cluster." Guests on that album include David Torn, Ed Mann (of Zappa), and Joachim Kuhn.

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