Opal

Track Listings

1. Impression

2. Circle

3. Opal

4. Glance

5. Sienna

6. Augustine

7. Change

8. Orchid

9. Indigo

10. Afterglow

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Provocative original solo piano influenced by George Winston + David Lanz - somewhere between jazz and classical "...the piano based tracks evident on this album, are pretty yet diverse and potent enough to engage the listener sucessfully from beginning to end." Ambience Imaginative Music "Looking for the perfect background for a romantic dinner or just had "one of those days" and need to kick back and relax, than have I found the CD for you." Enlighten "Without any words, Elkinson manages to convey themes of intimate moments of romance, complete with the intimate conversations that take place in the middle of the night ..." New Age Voice "This debut recording by Ken Elkinson is quiet, intimate and deeply personal.

Product Description
3rd solo piano release from LA based pianist Ken Elkinson. Features 10 elegant solo piano compositions, leaning towards jazz.

Opal,Ken Elkinson,The Orchard,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Opal

Tracks:

. Fixed ratio harmonic bells
Changes where bell number = repeat number
2 harmonic studies
Deep glass bells (with harmonic clouds)
.Dark cracked bells with bass
German-style ringing
Emphasizing enharmonic partials
Changes for January 07003, soft bells, Hillis algorithm
Lithuanian bell study
Large bell change improvisation
Reverse harmonics bells
Bell Improvisation
Virtual dream bells, thick glass
Tsar Kolokol lll (and friends)
1st - 14th January 07003, hard bells, Hillis algorithm

Album Description

Brian Eno says, "The experiments on this CD sometimes try to simulate existing bells, and (perhaps more profitably) imagine different sorts of bells, bells which may indeed be physically unmakeable."

Profits from the sale of this record will be donated to the Long Now Foundation. The first prototype of the Clock is working and on permanent display at the Science Museum in London. This CD has fifteen tracks and a total playing time of 75 mins 43 seconds.

Customer Reviews:

quiet.......2007-03-10

this is a profound study about bell sounds. not like eno's another ambient alubums. nelori might be in a similar line.

Echoes of Long Now.......2006-10-17

Twenty five years ago, I awoke on a Sunday morning in Cevio, Switzerland. The previous night, a dinner party featuring fresh ravioli, butter sautéed Sage, beets and shell beans provided the background for strangers and friends to come together. After dining, the party walked down to the river to watch the full moon rise over the mountain valley while singing Italian Folk songs accompanied by a mandolin. The old caretaker with his pet crow sat quietly passing two bowls of coffee, one bowl bitter and one bowl sweet. Long after everyone had gone to bed, the church bells peeled in the dark damp early morning, bouncing giant waves of sound off the stone buildings and the rocky walls of the valley. Where the bells originated was indecipherable - the source indeterminate. Sound oozed in through the thick walls and rolled around the room in slow motion, reverberating deep and long, layer upon layer. This CD reminds me of the timelessness of that morning, in the foothills of the Italian Alps, slowly waking to the bells which seemed to resonate inside my mind, rippling through my awakening body as if my being were immersed underwater, my submerged self gradually surfacing. Eno's CD is a great addition to his catalogue - music for caverns, echoes of long now.

Heaven's Bells.......2006-09-05

This CD is wonderful- one of Brian Eno's best works. Using both realistic and imaginary bell-like tones throughout the 15 pieces, "Studies" creates a beautiful and meditative space for one to reflect and relax. It is ambient music at its best. It is pricey but the proceeds from its sale benefit The Long Now Foundation and it is definitely worth the cost in terms of artistic merit. Whether you're new to the works of Eno or an existing fan, this is essential Brian Eno.

Contemplative.......2006-03-27

Very niche work, but one of a kind. Hard to explain, if you like reflective music/sounds, give it a try. Plus it benefits the Long Now Foundation (look it up).

More surprises from Mr. Eno.......2006-03-10

This was issued under the Long Now Project, with which Brian Eno is very involved. In fact, the monies raised through this cd go straight to that foundation. It is a series of different bells, with an explanation provided in the insert as to the tonal differences and how bell sounds have developed over the centuries. This lines up well with the fractals and loop projects with which Eno has been involved in the past, as he studies the points of intersection and variations/differences as the sounds progress. Not really ambient but the kind of sounds that don't dominate a given setting. Would expect to hear this in a museum or performance art setting. Recommended, if not only for being so unusual.

Average customer rating:

great Christmas gift!
from Solo Piano Publications
Great CD for the whole family!
Great CD for the whole family!
Opal Fire is exotic with beautiful melodies

Opal Fire
Omar , and Omar Akram
Manufacturer: Real Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Free as a Bird
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ASIN: B00006FIA2
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

Sugar Coated Love
Morning Rain
A Vision of You
Last Dance
Waves of Emotion
Farewell For Now
Unity
Innocence Lost
So Far
Gypsy Woman
Longing
Opal Fire

Album Description

The new age music family is about to receive a wake up call, and his name is Omar. Challenging the notion that New Age is best suited for elevators and long naps, this multicultural prodigy gives the genre a fresh beat. Omar is a classically trained pianist who owns a gift for composing intriguing melodies that dance in your head long after the music has stopped. The son of a U.N. diplomat, Omar has spent decades living around the globe, soaking up musical influences from far flung locales such as Afghanistan, Cuba, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. These exotic flavors are woven together brilliantly on songs with haunting melodies which take flight and soar with expansive orchestrations and passionate rhythms. And in more soothing moments, Opal Fire is equally amazing in its ability to evoke an emotional response in a beautifully serene way.

Customer Reviews:

great Christmas gift!.......2002-12-05

Soon everyone will know his name. Omar is the new sensation in New Age instrumental music. I give his cd " Opal Fire" as a gift to a friend. She liked it so much, that I decided to order 10 more to send to friends and family as Christmas present.
Thanks Omar!

from Solo Piano Publications.......2002-10-10

I LOVE THIS ALBUM! I first heard Omar's music on the Real Music compilation "Freedom to Love," and his track, "Last Dance," was my favorite on that album. I was really looking forward to Omar's debut CD, and it is even better than I was hoping! A classically-trained pianist with an international upbringing (he is the son of a UN diplomat), Omar mixes acoustic piano with synthesized orchestrations, creating a sparkling musical palette with colors from all over the world. It is impossible to not compare Omar's music to Yanni's early work - it is full of fire and excitement as well as beauty and emotion, and the instrumentation is varied on each track. One major difference is that Omar's piano always sings through, and he is obviously a pianist first rather than simply using the piano as one of an assortment of instruments. My favorite piece is still "Last Dance," which grabs me every time, and stays in my head long after the CD has finished playing. It starts out with a light piano melody, and is gradually filled in with other instruments and rhythms. This is not a sad "last dance," although there is a slightly bittersweet quality to the melody - the piece is really quite joyful, and I can't get enough of it. There are no weak tracks on this album, but a few others really stand out for me. "Morning Rain" is a beautiful, gentle piece with mostly piano and guitar. The melody is simple, but so beautiful and passionate that this one sticks in my head, too. "Farewell For Now" has a classical feel when it is just the piano with background instrumentation, but then the rhythm track kicks in, bringing it right back to the 21st century and giving it a big grin. "Innocence Lost" is one of the few sad tracks, but demonstrates Omar's range of playing and composing styles - just gorgeous! "Gypsy Woman" is big and noisy in parts more subdued in others, and is full of fun. It's hard to believe that the guitar parts are synth. "Longing" is a quiet piece, mostly piano and strings, and full of passion - again compellingly beautiful. "Opal Fire" is definitely one of my "top 5" favorite albums for the year so far, and I can't wait to hear more from this incredibly gifted artist. I give "Opal Fire" my highest recommendation.

Great CD for the whole family!.......2002-09-28

I bought Opal Fire by Omar based on a friends recommendation for myself. It is just beautiful, I love his melodies. Now my whole family listens to Opal Fire. I hope to hear more from this artist in the future.

Great CD for the whole family!.......2002-09-28

Opal Fire is exotic with beautiful melodies.......2002-09-12

I am very selective when it comes to music. Several friends of mine told me about " Omar ", and his debut cd " Opal Fire " they bought the cd, and they thought that I should buy it too.
Well I just got it, and loved it! This cd is exotic, and has beautiful melodies. Omar stands out on his own, he is not copying anyone. He is an original artist, that hopefully will give us beautiful music for years to come.

Head Like a Hole (Slate/Copper/Opal REMIXES) 3 track EP

Average customer rating:

Cool single
Opal and Others
Shorter but comparable to the US release.
Worth the money!
The US version is a better value

Head Like a Hole (Slate/Copper/Opal REMIXES) 3 track EP
Nine Inch Nails
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Only
March of the Pigs
March of the Pigs
The Day the World Went Away
Closer to God

ASIN: B0000072KQ
Release Date: 1998-06-30

Tracks:

Head Like a Hole [Slate]
Head Like a Hole [Copper]
Head Like a Hole [Opal]

Album Description

European edition of single for this smash from Trent's hit debut from 1989. Contains different cover art than the U.S. release & three mixes of 'Head Like A Hole': Slate, Copper &Opal, the last of which is not on the American release. 1990TVT release. Slimline jewel case.

Album Details

Nin's all Time Classic that First Brought them to the Attention of the Mass Public Took their Brand of Angst Power Rock to the Overground. Includes Three Different Mixes that Are Exclusive to this Single.

Customer Reviews:

Cool single.......2006-03-24

This single is really good, but the remixes kind of make you sick of head of a hole, it has some remixes of Terrible Lie, and Down in it too.

Opal and Others.......2005-12-16

this is a review of two different discs actually, because on the rare occasion that the second one is available on amazon, it's listed under the first one. But it's important to recognize that these two discs are different in packaging, and differ by the first two tracks out of the three tracks on each disc.

1. UK Import. This is a pretty descent single from NIN during the Pretty Hate Machine era. The domestic version runs a bit too long with very repetative material, and serves as a Pretty Hate Machine remix album more than a single. This is the single as Reznor envisioned it before TVT pushed him around. It's pretty good. the first track is listed as the 'slate' remix, but that is a misprint, it is actually the 'clay' remix, which is the version of the song seen in the video. Not very different from the album version except the bridge is at the begining. if you like the song, this is the version you've probably heard a lot of. The next track is the 'copper' mix. This is a very lively stucato reworking. It's one of the best mixes, and is actually based very closely on the ACTUAL 'slate' remix that does not appear here. the last track is the 'opal' remix. The most different mix from the original and often viewed as the best. It's partially concocted from new vocals and samples from a few Prince songs. It's good stuff.

-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-This release comes in a slimline jewelcase, the NIN symbol is yellow on pink.
-disc is yellow text on pinkish purple disc.

2. Australia Import. This is probably the best version of the single as far as music goes. it's also somewhat of a rarity now. it's one of three singles NIN has released in Australia in a card sleeve packaging. Head Like A Hole, March Of The Pigs, and Into The Void. MOTP is the rarest, ITV is the most sought after (and unbelieveably expensive) and Head Like A Hole is the least rare, but still sometimes difficult to catch. It is worth it, especially for a collector. The first track is correctly the 'slate' remix, which is the best remix of that song that exists on the domestic version. the next track is a remix of Terrible Lie, the 'sympathetic' mix, also the best remix of that song on the domestic release, and the third track is once again the 'opal' mix that is not on the domestic version. This is the best version of the single because it has the best mix of music, the best remixes of HLAH, split up with the best remix of Terrible Lie, making it more interesting than either of the other versions of this single. The only drawback is if you happen to dislike the easily damaged card sleeve packaging. I happen to think it's unique and cool (the colors are slightly more vibrant than the UK version)but some people prefer protected jewelcase packaging.

-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-this release comes in a cardboard sleeve, the NIN symbol is yellow on purple
-disc is yellow text on blue disc

Shorter but comparable to the US release........2005-05-25

The UK variant of "Head Like a Hole", unlike its American counterpart, is rather brief-- three mixes, two of "Head Like a Hole", one of "Terrible Lie", all mixed by Trent Reznor and Flood. There is one new track not on the American single, the opal mix, with the other two available on the US release.

The two "Head Like a Hole" mixes are fairly interesting-- the slate mix (available on the US single) is pretty straight from the original, largely changed in that the guitar on the chorus is opened up a bit and a percussive bridge (and its also probably the strongest of the US mixes). The opal mix is pretty interesting, with the song restructured (the bridge is less frequent) and with some new vocals rather than using the album vocal tracks and a completely different backing track-- it sounds entirely programmed. Its been suggested that this is a demo, that wouldn't surprise me. The included "Terrible Lie" mix is nearly identical to the album mix, excepting a brief reprise at the end of some earlier lyrics and is largely superfluous.

Overall, this is not a great value, given the depth of the US release, but the opal mix is intriguing and probably worth the investment for fans.

Worth the money!.......2005-01-10

I'm a pseudo-collector when it comes to Trent Reznor's work. I'll grab both the domestic and import versions of singles, like this one and the 'Sin' disc, but I'm not going to shell out forty bucks for the Japanese version of 'The Downward Spiral,' or a bunch more for the two disc version of 'Broken.' That said, let me say that even aside from its worth to collectors, the UK edition of 'Head Like a Hole' is worth the money. For one, it gets rid of all the filler mixes and misplaced "Down In It" and "Terrible Lie" versions that the US edition boasts. And for two, it gives us the best remix of "Head Like a Hole": the opal mix. I waited years to buy this one, and I'm kicking myself for it now... because "Head Like a Hole (Opal)" beats the living snot out of every other remix that one can find on the domestic edition of this disc. Only three tracks, yes... but they are the only essential versions of "Head Like a Hole" in my opinion. Five stars for good abridgement.

The US version is a better value.......2004-10-24

The only thing the UK version of Head Like a Hole has going for it is the Opal mix. It's the only remix during the PHM-era that strays much from the original, and it's very good. As cool as it is, it's not worth buying this single for it, unless you absolutely have to have everything Trent releases. The US version has 4 remixes of Head Like a Hole(including the other 2 on this version of the single), an instrumental version, 2 remixes of Terrible Lie, and 3 remixes of Down In It(one of which is also found on the Down In It single). The Opal Mix is the best remix of Head Like a Hole, but there's nothing else to make this version worthwhile. It even costs more than the US version does. If you must have both versions of Head Like a Hole, get the other one first.

Average customer rating:

Embyro's perfect gem : OPAL

Opal
Embryo
Manufacturer: Materiali
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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We Keep On

ASIN: B00002794H
Release Date: 2007-07-23

Tracks:

Opal
You Don't Know What's Happening
Revolution
Glockenspiel
Got No Time
Call
End Of Soul
People From Out The Space
You Better Have Some Fun (Bonus)
Lauft (Bonus)

Album Description

Disconforme 24-bit digitally remastered reissue of the Krautrocker's 1970 album. Features the bonus tracks 'You Better Have Some Fun' & 'Lauft'. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Embyro's perfect gem : OPAL.......2005-05-29

Before OPAL, Christian Burchard, drummer/percussionist, founder and leader of EMBRYO, played with Mal Waldon, the famous jazz pianist and composer. At the time, Burchard was a teenager, a true WUNDERKIND. This period can be heard on "FOR EVA". But 1969 and psychedelic rock hit Germany, and Munich, and when it did, Burchard was swept up into its philosophy wholehardedly. Abandoning his jazz roots, he hung out with the AMON DUUL commune of freaked out musicians. (He even plays on Phallus Dei, Amon Duul's first LP.) After Burchard became aware of the NEW MUSIC, he recruited Edgar Hofmann, who plays Reeds, flutes and violin, and is the only other constant name seen with EMBRYO over the years. With Burchard on drums, Hofmann on sax, a monster bass player, and the guitarist from TEN YEARS AFTER (John Kelly), EMBRYO gave birth to their first album. Most of the music from 1969-1970 in Germany, sounds deeply influenced by either Zappa, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, or the Canterbury sound. EMBRYO's OPAL sounds, if nothing else, like Miles Davis' BITCHES BREW, with a touch of CAN thrown in. AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. I have all the EMBRYO CDS (except Rache) up to around 1982, and this is the BEST. Almost the whole CD is instrumental. "End of Soul" is a cool, spoken word eulogy for the death of soul music. OPAL's psychedelia paints with the palette of free jazz, and bebop, and not just blues, 50s rock or Fluxus/Musique Concrete like most acid music. Edgar Hofmann's Sax work comes across singular, and beautiful. The world music influences have not yet touched the band here, as it would later on. John Kelly's guitar work compliments the others perfectly, and gives the band that cool ROCK AND ROLL edge. I realize that this is an expensive CD, because it is only available as an Italian import. (Unless you find a Russian pirate copy, but don't hold your breath.) This CD is worth every penny, especially since you have 29 minutes of BONUS MUSIC, from an early session with the bass player from AMON DUUL, Hofmann's Sax, and Burchard's drums. The 26 + minutes of jamming included here, displays EMBRYO in its fetal stage of developement, before Fischer and Kelly joined. Although EMBRYO by 1972 was so prolific, that they were able to record four LPs in one year (ROCKSESSION, FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOSTS, WE KEEP ON and STEIG AUS), never again was that first blush of inspiration so pure, and so unique, as in this "cornerstone of European Jazz rock". Sure, that 1972 quartet of LPs perfected the ideas stated on Opal, while opening the door to the sonic palette expansion that followed. And in that sense, the golden age of EMBRYO was born in 1972. Embryo was not a band that helt it together for a couple of years, or fell apart when the Neue Deutsche Welle changed the music scene. They are still going strong, now fully committed to WORLD MUSIC. The very best of the Krautrock bands all found that musical ideas from Africa, the Spanish world, and Asia, when combined with the best that Europe has to offer, symbolized humanity's oppotunity to listen to one another. If our world leaders could just learn from these bands, assimulating and cooperating with divergent cultures, someday we might achieve a true, lasting, global peace. So, like POPOL VUH, and CAN's members, EMBRYO continues to bring the world's cultures together, uniting the third world, and the developed world, ONE NOTE AT A TIME. My advice? Pay the price for this precious gem, OPAL. Take the embryonic step, to discover the birth of this fantastic band.

Average customer rating:

The best psychedelia of the '80s
Youv'e got stars in your eyes....You're like a rocketship
Stellar...
a must have
Very Disappointed

Happy Nightmare Baby
Opal
Manufacturer: Sst Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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She Hangs Brightly
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Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
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ASIN: B000000M1E
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Rocket Machine
Magick Power
Revelation
A Falling Star
She's A Diamond
Supernova
Siamese Trap
Happy Nightmare Baby
Soul Giver

Customer Reviews:

The best psychedelia of the '80s.......2006-07-24

If you can find this album, let me just say "Get it, get it, get it!" Even if it's a little pricey, go ahead and splurge. I don't see how you could be disappointed.

Any fan of '60s psychedelic rock, especially The Doors, is going to love this band. I love David Roback as a guitarist (also known for Rain Parade and Mazzy Star) and Kendra Smith's laconic, drugged-out sounding vocals here.

Unfortunately, I think Opal will always remain an obscure and underrated band, especially for the fact that their material is now out of print. And much of what is left out there has a somewhat hefty price tag, but I can't deny it's worth it. They were a gem.

Youv'e got stars in your eyes....You're like a rocketship.......2006-02-01

This is Opal's psychadelic album, and the precursor to Mazzy Star. Happy Nightmare Baby is very different from their excellent previous record The Early Recordings (which is more bluesy). The singular vein that runs through all their work is the marvelous lyrics. If you are a fan of Mazzy Star you will probably enjoy listening to Opal. Difficult to find now.

Stellar..........2005-06-18

An absolutely stunning collection of songs. Hypnotic, acid-drenched, dark West Coast psychedelia. Kendra Smith was like a junked-out Greta Garbo next to Roback, the sinister folkie. Mazzy Star, while fair, could never reach the heights displayed on this album. I bought this when it came out in 1987 and listen to it often. Excellent, midnight blues explorations.

a must have.......2003-05-30

While yes, the recording quality is not the best, the material is amazing. This is probably my favorite of all of Dave Roback's work. Kendra Smith's voice is perfect for the music and the music is insanely good. I have been listening to this cd since it was release and it never tires.

Very Disappointed.......2002-07-12

I am a huge fan of Rain Parade, Mazzy Star. In fact, I had "Early Recordings" when I was in college and thought it was great. This CD is very disappointing. The sound quality is very bad - it sounds like it was recording in a bathroom. A recording of a recording of a recording. Very muddy and unclear...