Very interesting: according from the original liner notes, the synth-like sounds for this piece were actually created from an accoustic piano with various pedals being used. Despite this explaination, I still don't know how Joe could have done it.
@plb525 My guess is that he used elaborate arrangements of mutes in precise points on certain strings to create the desired spectrum/wave/pattern, and thus achiving a primitive form of sound synthesis. :P
Also this track is perfect for sampling (trollface)
Just fyi, this was not played on a synth. It was done like this: Zawinul held down (silently) the keys for the chord, then Shorter played the arpeggiated chord loudly over the strings of the piano to get them going, then the recorder was switched on for each chord.
If you listen, you can hear a bit of the workings of the piano, plus that odd sax note where the machine was switched on a little too early.
@cda107 Really? Well that explains the saxophone or whatever the instrument is in the background. It doesn't sound like a piano though. Although interesting, I don't know what they were trying to achieve by making it so difficult, Zawinul could've just played these amazing chords on a synth and there would be none of the background noise, it spoils it slightly for me. Nonetheless fascinating way to make a musical sound...
@Hitmanfan91 recordings were not perfect in that time of age and should not be nowdays, its what gives it character................ so i dont understand why the background clatter is a problem to you.
@IJahILuv Nah mate this is different to background noise. The little clicks and noises I'm fine with, that gives it character....but hearing Shorter playing what sounds like a completely different song in the background, thats what spoils it slightly. And I'm amazed as to how they get that sound from a Sax and piano strings, because the chords don't sound like either of the two instruments being used to create the chords.
This has to be the first true ambient song ever recorded and words can't describe how amazing it is. Depending on whether Joe's first album "Zawinul" was released in '70 or '71, but this is from 1971 I think.
Don't know if you listen to much ambient but the ambient stuff being recorded today is good but mind-boggling, dark ambient, deep ambient etc etc etc. Joe just sits at a synth and plays these incredible chords.
Never understood tha random trumpet near the end, spoils it a bit.
This is so far ahead of its time. No tonal centre, but each chord takes you somewhere amazing. Brian Eno took this idea forward several stages through his career. Perhaps jazz too would reach a destination like this in experiments with aleatoric harmony. I could listen to this for hours.
I don't understand why the faces of the children are blacked out? After all, they are very old pictures and I seriously doubt that they are an invasio of their privacy.
@NGvisator2 -- You are right, disturbing but in an interesting way. It almost sounds like something from the Outer Limits . I think it's the dissonance of the chords that is unsettling.
Very interesting: according from the original liner notes, the synth-like sounds for this piece were actually created from an accoustic piano with various pedals being used. Despite this explaination, I still don't know how Joe could have done it.
plb525 1 month ago in playlist plb#1
@plb525 My guess is that he used elaborate arrangements of mutes in precise points on certain strings to create the desired spectrum/wave/pattern, and thus achiving a primitive form of sound synthesis. :P
Also this track is perfect for sampling (trollface)
1plus1equals2 3 weeks ago
Just fyi, this was not played on a synth. It was done like this: Zawinul held down (silently) the keys for the chord, then Shorter played the arpeggiated chord loudly over the strings of the piano to get them going, then the recorder was switched on for each chord.
If you listen, you can hear a bit of the workings of the piano, plus that odd sax note where the machine was switched on a little too early.
Funky stuff.
cda107 3 months ago
@cda107 Really? Well that explains the saxophone or whatever the instrument is in the background. It doesn't sound like a piano though. Although interesting, I don't know what they were trying to achieve by making it so difficult, Zawinul could've just played these amazing chords on a synth and there would be none of the background noise, it spoils it slightly for me. Nonetheless fascinating way to make a musical sound...
Hitmanfan91 2 months ago
@Hitmanfan91 recordings were not perfect in that time of age and should not be nowdays, its what gives it character................ so i dont understand why the background clatter is a problem to you.
IJahILuv 2 months ago
@IJahILuv Nah mate this is different to background noise. The little clicks and noises I'm fine with, that gives it character....but hearing Shorter playing what sounds like a completely different song in the background, thats what spoils it slightly. And I'm amazed as to how they get that sound from a Sax and piano strings, because the chords don't sound like either of the two instruments being used to create the chords.
Hitmanfan91 2 months ago
@Hitmanfan91 I know right.... whoever thought of doing this is one creative motherfucker
IJahILuv 2 months ago
This has to be the first true ambient song ever recorded and words can't describe how amazing it is. Depending on whether Joe's first album "Zawinul" was released in '70 or '71, but this is from 1971 I think.
Don't know if you listen to much ambient but the ambient stuff being recorded today is good but mind-boggling, dark ambient, deep ambient etc etc etc. Joe just sits at a synth and plays these incredible chords.
Never understood tha random trumpet near the end, spoils it a bit.
Hitmanfan91 3 months ago
im gonna have nightmares now
TrevorsaurusRex 3 months ago
This is so far ahead of its time. No tonal centre, but each chord takes you somewhere amazing. Brian Eno took this idea forward several stages through his career. Perhaps jazz too would reach a destination like this in experiments with aleatoric harmony. I could listen to this for hours.
LucyOLastic 5 months ago
Timeless.
TheQwerty92x 5 months ago
Not all of the piece is disturbing some parts are tonaly speaking loud and dissonant yet other parts are warm and reasuring
- this type of composition is in a league of its own - Lyle Mays has composed similar stuff - its very creative stuff that won't sell
yellowlght 8 months ago
I don't understand why the faces of the children are blacked out? After all, they are very old pictures and I seriously doubt that they are an invasio of their privacy.
TheMenghi1 9 months ago
This is extremely disturbing for some reason
NGvisator2 10 months ago
@NGvisator2 -- You are right, disturbing but in an interesting way. It almost sounds like something from the Outer Limits . I think it's the dissonance of the chords that is unsettling.
TheMenghi1 9 months ago
Διαφήμιση στο δίσκο ήθελα να κάνω... Βρείτε το και ακούστε το τώρα...
macudt 1 year ago