Vangelis - China

Vangelis's earlier hints of a love of the Far East blossomed here into a full album of lusciously romantic Chinese scenery and portraits. It begins menacingly with the imperial grandeur of "Chung Kuo", and travels through a dazzling theatre of dragons. But he lingers longest in the gardens and rice-fields of a fruitful countryside. The Chinese calligraphy that adornes these pictures is evoked with with solo instruments, like the piano interlude "The Long March" and the effusive violin on "The Plum Blossom". These are infused with much Western romanticism, but with taste and sincerity. The slushy but delicious ballad "Tao of Love" produced the album's stand-out melody. Finally he takes an intrepid hike into the chilly Himalayas. Suitably this is the least accessible part of the album, evoking a long icy trudge, with a sense of contemplation rather than triumph at the "Summit".

December 21, 2004

7 out of 10

see also...

• Jon Anderson - Olias of Sunhillow

previous | next