Tangerine Dream
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Indeed it is! I dig those older rough analogue synths. (including SORCERER ;-)) to late 80s/early 90s is my area. They somehow lost me generally a little with ROCKOON in 1992.
Yes, that’s about my ‘cut-off’ point too. So about 1980-1992 is the perfect tenderloin period for me. But some good stuff after that as well, of course, including the GRAND THEFT AUTO thing.
I discovered TD in 91 so I have a soft spot for the 90s. In 99 I had a break going to 2007 before I started buying TD again.
Yes, there are good tracks later and elements of the more “classic TD sound” returned here and there as well.
I think I knew them from the Streehawk credits but I think I discovered them primarily via these two compilations:
- https://www.discogs.com/master/21864-Tangerine-Dream-The-Best-Of-Tangerine-Dream
- https://www.discogs.com/de/master/29160-Tangerine-Dream-Dream-Sequence
I think OPITCAL RACE was one of the earlies LPs (and also have the CD) I had because I heard it on a special new age radio show. Then I started to explore more of the older albums.
Going back to the RARITIES album for a second (I’m well into my TD listening now….currently on HYPERBOREA from 1983), there’s a track there called “Chimes and Chains”. From what I’ve been able to glean over the years, this is more of a solo Franke track than a TD track?
In any case, it became popular in Norway in the 80s, when it was used as the opening theme for a science programme on TV (for older kids) called M.A.G.N.U.S. I watched that a lot, but at the time I had obviously no idea it was a Franke/TD composition. I just loved the tune, and it is – of course – my very first exposure to their music. Alas, I’ve not been able to find the opening sequence on YouTube – the orange letters MAGNUS moving through outer space, with that awesome track chugging along underneath. If you know your way around VPN, you can view it on our main broadcaster (NRK) page here: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/naturvitenskap-magnus/sesong/1987
….and by the way, I’m on THE KEEP now. God almighty, it’s so beautiful, even nodding to Wendy Carlos. This is my favourite Tangerine Dream work, bar none (with SHY PEOPLE a second). Wish it got a proper release one of these days.
On to the aforementioned SHY PEOPLE (1987) now, my second-favourite TD work. I think the reason I like it so much is the Pink Floyd vibes. The opening track sounds like a variation on “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, and while I haven’t read anything to verify this, I feel pretty confident it must have been an inspiration for them.
SHY PEOPLE is also one of my favorite (scores) of TD. I have the original LP from when it came out. Never realized the Pink Floyd connection.
Cool, Jon! Nice to see it was an intended approach. I think even the synths are some of the same as in the beginning of “Shine On”. However, I must have forgotten SHY PEOPLE got a new release with those liner notes?? I have the old Varese one with, sadly, less-than-stellar sound quality. Is the sound quality improved on the new release?
So, OPTICAL RACE (1988). Everyone is so hard on this album, too hard. It’s the first without Franke (and basically just Froese and Haslinger, plus one track by Wadephul, who left shortly thereafter), but it just flows so seamlessly. I actually really enjoy the socalled “Melrose Years”.
Yeah, the titles are shorter that older ones and even more pop orientated (Radio suitable) but it is a nice album. I think it was my first full album of them (I have the LP and the CD even) after I discovered them via the best of albums.
plus one track by Wadephul, who left shortly thereafter),
The track “Sun Gate” – IMHO a highlight – was actually composed by all three according to the album booklet.
Cool, Jon! Nice to see it was an intended approach. I think even the synths are some of the same as in the beginning of “Shine On”. However, I must have forgotten SHY PEOPLE got a new release with those liner notes?? I have the old Varese one with, sadly, less-than-stellar sound quality. Is the sound quality improved on the new release?
I mentioned the new release in my TD filmography. I hope you read it. 😅
I actually don’t have the new release.
OPTICAL RACE…great album.
I mentioned the new release in my TD filmography. I hope you read it.
Oops. Missed that tidbit. Will have to go find that new version now.
I have the old Varese one with, sadly, less-than-stellar sound quality.
Didn’t know it was release by Varese, too. I have the German Edelton pressing of the LP – digitized naturally – and never had any issue with the sound.
The new version which I haven’t heard is apparently from Buysoundtrack/Dragons Domain and – caution, Thor! – is expanded 😉
https://www.soundtrackcollector.com/title/2648/Shy+PeopleNot by much, thankfully, but the soundtrack cover looks hideous. Not as hideous as the Edelton version you own, but still. The original Varese remains the best. Of course, there’s a whole baggage of history when it comes to BSX releases, but they’re good at selecting titles. I’ll definitely see if I can find a digital version of that, just to compare sound quality.
MIRACLE MILE….as Jon says in his filmography, one of the best films TD scored. One of their best scores too, probably my number 3 work by them, or close to it.
Of course, there’s a whole baggage of history when it comes to BSX releases, but they’re good at selecting titles.
Yeah, they create weird cheap looking cover at time. Even using stock photos that could surely be done better. But the recent years they really dig up unexpected release (put aside the discussion if that all properly licensed as often mentioned).
MIRACLE MILE….as Jon says in his filmography, one of the best films TD scores. One of their best scores too, probably my number 3 work by them, or close to it.
Been a while but I have good memories. For me THIEF as one of my first soundtrack CDs has a special place. Also great are FIRESTARTER, FLASHPOINT, HEARTBREAKERS or NEAR DARK (I aven like that weird electro blues track ;-)). I have all those as LPs!
If you don’t know it, check out Froese’s solo score for KAMIKAZE 1989. I have not explored his solo works besides that but this could easily be a TD score.KAMIKAZE 1989 from 1982 misses some input from Franke and Schmoelling though, IMO. It’s a bit cheap-sounding at times.
Probably a result of the budget of German films 😉 But indeed misses some extra layers (but 80s sythn can so easily sound cheap IMHO). Have you explored Froese’s solo work in general? Any recommendations to check out?
80s synth *can* sound cheap, but it doesn’t have to!
I only have STUNTMAN and the BEYOND THE STORM compilation by Edgar, plus KAMIKAZE.
80s synth *can* sound cheap, but it doesn’t have to!
Sure, but it needs some extra work. KAMIKAZE maybe was a rush job here…
I read good things about STUNTMAN and probably check that out at some time!
In case someone likes to listen to the last TATORT score by TD in context, here someone uploaded the full episode:
Yes, I watched it some weeks ago. Interesting with the 90s TD sound in a film. But not a lot of music in it.
But not a lot of music in it.
German TV movies especially back then generally didn’t have much music at all.
This TATORT episode KASSENSTURZ (1976) has also an end credit for Tangerine Dream (also listed that way on Wikipedia). I peaked into it and I hear their sound but not sure if it is just tracked:
Wasn’t quite finished with TD yet, because there’s this solo score by Thorsten Q from 2018. I think it’s cool that he reverts back to some old-school TD stylings for this. Less of the polished sound he nurtures with the current TD lineup. Jon reviewed this one here.
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