Soil Festivities
Studio album by
Vangelis
ReleasedOctober 1984
Recorded1984
StudioNemo Studios, London
GenreElectronic
Length47:59
LabelPolydor
ProducerVangelis
Vangelis chronology
Antarctica
(1983)		 Soil Festivities
(1984)		 Mask
(1985)

Soil Festivities is a studio album by the Greek electronic composer Vangelis, released in October 1984.[1]

Overview

This 1984 release was the first in what could be very loosely said to belong to a trilogy of his 1980s albums, the other two being Invisible Connections and Mask, both from the following year (1985). It is a concept album which derived inspiration from the natural elements, life processes taking place on the Earth's surface and beneath our feet.[2]

He recalls that it "was made because I wanted to make music, not sell a million records. I don’t think it’s possible to guarantee commercial success for an album anyway, because nobody really knows what is commercial and what isn’t. Even if I went out of my way to make an album that was more accessible to the public, that would not guarantee its commercial success".[3]

The album cover art features the rear view of a great diving beetle.

Release

The album reached #55 position in the UK album charts,[4] and #45 position in the Netherlands album charts in 1984.[5]

Composition

Vangelis uses exotic synth-harmonies, creative percussion and melody-lines, as well as rare use of double bass plucking sounds.[6]

The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain effects. On top of this, Vangelis lets loose his improvisational skills, probably to indicate many forms of life springing into existence. The second movement has tune-like quality, and is the most tranquil piece, in contrast to the next three which are darker in atmosphere.[6]

The third movement shows the violent side of nature, indicating the struggle to survive, whilst the fourth movement is more contemplative and a bit gloomy, perhaps indicating slowed-down nightlife activity.[6]

The fifth movement is a wonderfully loose piece of improvisation, going through many moods and tempos before setting up an emotional conclusion to the life.[6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[7]

Jim Brenholts of Allmusic notes that Vangelis "surrounds a subtle drone with heavy sequences and dense atmospheres. He uses a symphonic synth to create pastoral textures", and that it "is a very accessible album".[7]

Track listing

All songs composed by Vangelis.

  1. "Movement 1" – 18:20
  2. "Movement 2" – 6:20
  3. "Movement 3" – 6:06
  4. "Movement 4" – 9:54
  5. "Movement 5" – 7:20

Personnel

Production
  • Vangelis – producer, arranger
  • Jess Sutcliffe – engineer
  • Vangelis, Alwyn Clayden – design

References

  1. ↑ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 865. ISBN 9780862415419.
  2. ↑ "Vangelis Records Life On Earth". uDiscover. October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ Dan Goldstein (November 1984), "Soil Festivities - Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016
  4. ↑ "Vangelis" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company.
  5. ↑ "Vangelis - Soil Festivities". DutchCharts. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Ivar de Vries. "Soil Festivities Review". Vangelis Movements. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Brenholts, Jim. "Soil Festivities". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
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