Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)

Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots) is a wonderful instrumental track originally released by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra. The track was originally on the Broadcasting from Home album released in 1984.

A mellow downbeat track which slowly builds to a crescendo, pulling you in then ending suddenly to release its hold on you.

The original version by Penguin Cafe Orchestra slowly fades in with the riff being played on guitar while Steve Jansen's version begins with the riff being played on piano. Both versions are outstanding and make for equally pleasant listening.

This simply is a much overlooked, great classic piece of music and Steve Jansen certainly
does it justice. Steve's version is on The Penguin Cafe Orchestra Tribute Album.

if you enjoy either of these versions and are not already familiar with the works of either of these amazing artists, do yourself a favor spend a little time digging into their catalog.

Cheers!


Penguin Cafe Orchestra Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)



Steve Jansen Isle of View (Music for Helicopter Pilots)

Steve Jansen "Isle Of View" from Mark Johansson on Vimeo.

For Now by Thomas Feiner

Swedish composer / singer / producer, etc etc. Thomas Feiner definitely makes the list of most overlooked artists. Instead of discussing the Opiates album, this focus will be on one single track. A most dark and desperate piece with perfectly coupled lyrics and music.

You may have trouble picking this one up without shelling out a considerable sum. It's out of print and commands a premium price.



Watch the video. Listen to what's being said and wrap the music all around it. It's the whole picture. It paints the story perfectly.


Getting close by going far away
Going far by staying here
To the kind of place
Where loneliness 's travelling best
Leaving ill and well alone
If all fails
All fails
Let the clock strike upon this resting hour
For now
For now
Leaving point despair
Leaving point hope
Getting lost to find a way back home
Getting back by letting go
Make another thought fall
In the flow of things
And death is just a breath away
But so is life
Saying this, but knowing not
Which scares the most
For now
For now
Leaving point despair
Leaving point hope
Whatever worry
Running through the veins
When you go, we go
Whatever worry
Raise the flair
When you're there
You're there
Getting close
Abandoning point home
Leaving point despair
Looking up from the rush of things
In the point of life
That is now
A point of life
For now

Time and Tide by Split Enz

Released in April of 1982, Time and Tide is not only Split Enz at their apex but is one of the finest works in modern popular music. It contains a fairly equal amount of song crafting by both Neil and Tim Finn and includes contributions by other band members as well.

An excellently produced album by master producer Hugh Padgham, the album garnered a 4.5 star rating by Allmusic however my personal rating puts it at an even 5 stars. Great from start to finish.

The opening track "Dirty Creature" kicks things off with some great energy and a bit of funky wah pedal guitar.

"Hello Sandy Allen" cranks up the energy with a tribute to the 7 foot 7 inch Sandy Allen who during the last part of her lifetime was the tallest woman in the world according to Guinness. Neil Finn was impressed when he met her, so much so he wrote about it. A great track.

Track 7 on the CD which is track 1 on side 2 of the vinyl album is "Take A Walk". Another Neil Finn composition and definitely a highlight of collection. Then we move on to "Six Months In A Leaky Boat" introduced to us by the beautiful Eddie Raynor piano piece, "Pioneer". And on it goes. Each track is worth discussing in depth but time and tide space doesn't allow it. Cheers!!!

 Six Months In A Leaky Boat version 1

Six Months In A Leaky Boat version 2

Peter Walker

Peter Walker the east Indian classical and flamenco virtuoso who released several albums in the mid to late 1960's is still performing and doing it very well.

Influenced by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan among others, Peter studied east Indian raga under both of them. If you enjoy both east Indian ragas and/or flamenco guitar, give Peter Walker a spin. Not only his original recordings but be sure to listen to his contemporary work as well (video below). He's outstanding to be sure.



Discography
Rainy Day Raga (1966)
Second Poem to Karmela or Gypsies Are Important (1968)
A Raga for Peter Walker (2008)
Echo of My Soul (2008)
Spanish Guitar (2009)
Long Lost Tapes (2009)
Has Anybody Seen Our Freedoms? (2013)
Spirit Callers (2016)



Peter Walker items I have for sale (these may sell out at some point):

Second Poem to Karmela

Compact Disc

Vinyl LP (pink & blue colored vinyl)

$16

Marconi Union

Manchester England has produced some exceptional artists over the years and Marconi Union are probably the best proof of this. Consisting of Richard Talbot, Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows, this group has been classified as ambient but it's a loose classification. They are probably better fitted to the "chill" category. Anyway, I hate Pigeonholing artists!



Active since 2003 when their first effort "Under Wires and Searchlights" was released, they've proven to be consistent in the quality of what they produce. It would be impossible (for me anyway) to recommend one release over another. All are spot on musically.

Listen to "The Contact" from "Under Wires and Searchlights" by Marconi Union





They have recently released another album "Dead Air" which is every bit as excellent as any of their earlier releases.



Listen to "Burned" from "Dead Air" by Marconi Union






Marconi Union discography:

  Under Wires and Searchlights (2003)
  Distance (All Saints Records, 2005)
  A Lost Connection (2008)
  Tokyo (2009)
  Beautifully Falling Apart (Ambient Transmissions Volume 1) (2011)
  Different Colours (2012)
  Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Volume 2) (Self-released limited 2012)
  Anomic Jah Wobble & Marconi Union (2013)
  Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Volume 2) (2014)
  Ghost Stations (2016)
  Tokyo+ (2017)
  Dead Air (2019)

Drums and Wires by XTC

This album is still as fresh today as it was on 17.08.79 when it was released. Drums and Wires IS XTC! With Barry Andrews gone and Dave Gregory on board, the band took headed in new directions.

Killer production by meister-producer Steve Lillywhite and equally impressive cover art by none other than Mr. Partridge himself, the whole package is a treat for eyes and ears.

The original release included a bonus 7 inch disc containing Partridge's "Chain of Command" backed with Moulding's "Limelight" both high energy tracks.

There is no fluff and no filler included. Any one of the tracks on it's own would be worth the price of the album.

If this one somehow escaped you, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a nice clean original vinyl version, crank that one up. You'll be glad you did.

Making Plans For Nigel

Helicopter

Day In Day Out

When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty

Ten Feet Tall

Roads Girdle The Globe

Real By Reel

Millions

That Is The Way

Outside World

Scissor Man

Complicated Game

Chain Of Command

Limelight

All Eternal Things by Trembling Blue Stars

Here's one you may not have heard of... All Eternal Things performed by Trembling Blue Stars. An ethereal number with a hint of New Order. Lyrically and musically superb!

All Eternal Things from the Seven Autumn Flowers album.

Preview this on Amazon:


Although there is now hope, embers of sadness still glow.
Something hasn't quite flown.
But I know you're there to catch me now.
All eternal things, the moon, the sea, the turning leaves, speak to something within.
And you, ease the longing too.
My reason. My sunlight. My lifeline.
All eternal things and you, how this frightened heart they soothe.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
Will calm and comfort, and always be beautiful.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
I know you won't let go of the string.
I know you won't let this kite be taken by the wind.
All eternal things and you, how this frightened heart they soothe.
You and the seasons will pull me through.
Will calm and comfort, and always be beautiful.
You and the seasons will pull me through.