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{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
| Name = Soil Festivities
| name = Soil Festivities
| Type = [[Album]]
| type = studio
| Artist = [[Vangelis]]
| artist = [[Vangelis]]
| Cover = soil_festivities_albumcover.jpg
| cover = soil_festivities_albumcover.jpg
| released = 5 October 1984<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1984/Music-Week-1984-09-29.pdf|title=Music Week|page=29}}</ref>
⚫
| Released = 1984
| Recorded = 1984, Nemo Studios, London
| recorded = 1984
| Genre = [[Electronic music|Electronic]]
| venue =
| Format = LP, CD
| studio = [[Nemo Studios]], London
| Length = 47:59
| genre = [[Electronic music|Electronic]]
| Label = [[Polydor]]
| length = 47:59
| Producer = Vangelis
| label = [[Polydor]]
| producer = Vangelis
| Last album = ''[[Antarctica (Vangelis album)|Antarctica]]''<br />(1983)
| prev_title = [[Antarctica (Vangelis album)|Antarctica]]
| This album = '''''Soil Festivities'''''<br />(1984)
| prev_year = 1983
⚫
| Next album = ''[[Mask (Vangelis album)|Mask]]''<br />(1985)
⚫
| year = 1984
⚫
| next_title = [[Mask (Vangelis album)|Mask]]
| next_year = 1985
}}
}}


'''''Soil Festivities''''' is a studio album by the Greek [[electronic music|electronic]] composer [[Vangelis]], released in 1984.
'''''Soil Festivities''''' is a studio album by the Greek [[electronic music|electronic]] composer [[Vangelis]], released in October 1984.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr00stro/page/865/mode/2up|title=The Great Rock Discography|year=1995|page=865 |isbn=9780862415419 |last1=Strong |first1=Martin Charles }}</ref>


==Overview==
==Overview==
This 1984 release was the first in what could be very loosely said to belong to a trilogy of his 80's albums, the other two being ''[[Invisible Connections]]'' and [[Mask (Vangelis album)|''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.<ref name="Universal">{{cite web |url=http://www.udiscovermusic.com.au/vangelis-records-life-earth |title=Vangelis Records Life On Earth |date=October 13, 2014 |publisher=uDiscover |accessdate=August 22, 2016}}</ref>
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 (Vangelis album)|''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.<ref name="Universal">{{cite web |url=http://www.udiscovermusic.com.au/vangelis-records-life-earth |title=Vangelis Records Life On Earth |date=October 13, 2014 |publisher=uDiscover |access-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>


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''".<ref name="Goldstein">{{citation |url=http://www.nemostudios.co.uk/vangelis/interviews/covermag/interviews.htm |title=Soil Festivities
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''".<ref name="Goldstein">{{citation |url=http://www.nemostudios.co.uk/vangelis/interviews/covermag/interviews.htm |title=Soil Festivities - Vangelis Speaks |author=Dan Goldstein |date=November 1984 |magazine=Electronics & Music Maker |access-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>

Vangelis Speaks |author=Dan Goldstein |date=November 1984 |magazine=Electronics & Music Maker |accessdate=August 22, 2016}}</ref>
The album cover art features the rear view of a [[great diving beetle]].


==Release==
==Release==
The album reached #55 position in the [[UK album charts]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/vangelis/ |title=Vangelis |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |format=select "Albums" tab}}</ref> and #45 position in the [[Netherlands]] album charts in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Vangelis&titel=Soil+Festivities&cat=a |title=Vangelis - Soil Festivities |publisher=DutchCharts |accessdate=August 25, 2016}}</ref>
The album reached #55 position in the [[UK album charts]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/vangelis/ |title=Vangelis |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |format=select "Albums" tab}}</ref> and #45 position in the [[Netherlands]] album charts in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Vangelis&titel=Soil+Festivities&cat=a |title=Vangelis - Soil Festivities |publisher=DutchCharts |access-date=August 25, 2016}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Composition==
Vangelis uses exotic synth-harmonies, creative percussion and melody-lines, as well rare use of double bass plucking sounds.<ref name="Movements">{{cite web |url=http://www.vangelismovements.com/soilfestivities.htm |title=Soil Festivities Review |author=Ivar de Vries |publisher=Vangelis Movements |accessdate=August 22, 2016}}</ref>
Vangelis uses synth harmonies, creative percussion and melody lines, as well as rare use of double bass plucking sounds.<ref name="Movements">{{cite web |url=http://www.vangelismovements.com/soilfestivities.htm |title=Soil Festivities Review |author=Ivar de Vries |publisher=Vangelis Movements |access-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>


The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain-effects, and on top of this is loose improvisational skills to probably indicate the 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.<ref name="Movements"/>
The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain effects. On top of this, Vangelis engages his improvisational skills, probably to indicate many forms of life springing into existence. The second movement has a musical quality, and is the most tranquil piece, in contrast to the next three which are darker in atmosphere.<ref name="Movements"/>


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.<ref name="Movements"/>
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.<ref name="Movements"/>


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.<ref name="Movements"/>
The fifth movement is a loose piece of improvisation, going through many moods and tempos before setting up an emotional conclusion to the life.<ref name="Movements"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Brenholts |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r83740|pure_url=yes}}|title=Soil Festivities |publisher=Allmusic |date= |accessdate=September 10, 2013}}</ref>
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Brenholts |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r83740|pure_url=yes}}|title=Soil Festivities |publisher=Allmusic |date= |access-date=September 10, 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}


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 "is a very accessible album".<ref name="Allmusic"/>
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".<ref name="Allmusic"/>


== Track listing ==
== Track listing ==
Line 52: Line 56:
# "Movement 5" – 7:20
# "Movement 5" – 7:20


==Credits==
==Personnel==
*[[Vangelis]] – [[keyboards]] and composer
*[[Vangelis]] – [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]] and composer


;Production
;Production
Line 67: Line 71:


{{Vangelis}}
{{Vangelis}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Vangelis albums]]
[[Category:Vangelis albums]]

Latest revision as of 02:18, 1 July 2024

Soil Festivities
Studio album by
Vangelis
Released5 October 1984[1]
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.[2]

Overview

[edit]

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.[3]

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".[4]

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

Release

[edit]

The album reached #55 position in the UK album charts,[5] and #45 position in the Netherlands album charts in 1984.[6]

Composition

[edit]

Vangelis uses synth harmonies, creative percussion and melody lines, as well as rare use of double bass plucking sounds.[7]

The first movement is accompanied by storm and rain effects. On top of this, Vangelis engages his improvisational skills, probably to indicate many forms of life springing into existence. The second movement has a musical quality, and is the most tranquil piece, in contrast to the next three which are darker in atmosphere.[7]

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.[7]

The fifth movement is a loose piece of improvisation, going through many moods and tempos before setting up an emotional conclusion to the life.[7]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[8]

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".[8]

Track listing

[edit]

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

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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 29.
  2. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 865. ISBN 9780862415419.
  3. ^ "Vangelis Records Life On Earth". uDiscover. October 13, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  4. ^ Dan Goldstein (November 1984), "Soil Festivities - Vangelis Speaks", Electronics & Music Maker, retrieved August 22, 2016
  5. ^ "Vangelis" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company.
  6. ^ "Vangelis - Soil Festivities". DutchCharts. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d Ivar de Vries. "Soil Festivities Review". Vangelis Movements. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Brenholts, Jim. "Soil Festivities". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
[edit]
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