Moondog [Compilation]

by Moondog

Overview

Although this is not Moondog's most characteristic release -- he barely appears on it himself, for one thing -- this collection of orchestral treatments of his compositions may be his most appealing work. Dozens of string and wind instruments were enlisted to expound upon the composer's circular themes (which are sometimes canons). The results were tracks that were both dramatic and melodic, building in impact and tension instead of driving listeners up the wall with repetition, often propelled by lightly insistent, rattling percussion. Jazz stars Ron Carter and Hubert Laws are among the musicians, yet Moondog only contributes some bass, and brief snippets of enigmatic spoken phrases, to the recording. It's fine contemporary classical music, however, produced by -- of all people -- James Guercio, who also produced Chicago. The CD reissue is excellent value, adding the entirety of his 1971 album Moondog 2, fitting both LPs onto a single disc. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/2010
Label:	Cbs Records / Columbia
UPC:	0074644499421
Rank:	58122

Tracks

1. Theme
2. Stamping Ground, in D minor
3. Symphonique No.3 ("Ode to Venus")
4. Symphonique No.6 ("Good for Goodie")
5. Cuplet, poem
6. Minisym No.1
7. Lament 1 ("Bird's Lament")
8. Witch of Endor
9. Symphonique No.1 ("Portrait of a Monarch")
10. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~1. Bells are Ringing
11. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~2. Voices of Spring
12. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~3. What's the Most Exciting Thing
13. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~4. All is Loneliness
14. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~5. My Tiny Butterfly
15. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~6. Why Spend a Dark Night with Me
16. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~7. Coffee Beans
17. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~8. Down is Up
18. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~9. Be a Hobo
19. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~10. Remember
20. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~11. I Love You
21. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~12. Nero's Expedition
22. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~13. No, the Wheel Was Never Invented
23. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~14. With My Wealth
24. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~15. This Student of Life
25. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~16. Some Trust All
26. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~17. Wine, Woman and Song
27. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~18. Sadness
28. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~19. Maybe
29. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~20. Each Today is Yesterday's Tomorrow
30. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~21. Imagine
31. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~22. You the Vandal
32. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~23. Trees Against the Sky
33. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~24. Behold
34. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~25. Sparrow
35. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons~26. Pastoral

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Moondog   Primary Artist,Bass,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Alfred Brown   Bass
Charles McCracken   Cello
Paul Faulise   Trombone (Bass)
Tony Studd   Trombone (Tenor)
Kay Jaffee   Organ,Piano,Recorder,Virginal,Harpsichord
Harold Jones   Piccolo
James Buffington   French Horn
Melvin Broiles   Trumpet
David Schwartz   Viola
Emanuel Vardi   Viola
Jack Knitzer   Bassoon
Joe Wilder   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Hubert Laws   Piccolo
Ron Carter   Bass
Eugene Becker   Viola,Tenor (Vocal)
John Swallow   Tuba,Tenor Tuba
Danny Repole   Trumpet (Bass)
Dave Carey   Percussion
Harold Bennett   Flute
Joe Tekula   Cello
Elayne Jones   Percussion
Allan Dean   Trumpet
Judith Davidoff   Viola da Gamba
Mel Broiles   Trumpet
Michael Jaffee   Guitar,Recorder
Ryohei Nakagawa   Bassoon
Charles Small   Trombone (Tenor)
Phil Giardina   Tuba
Don Macourt   Bassoon
Joynce Kelly   Bassoon
Teddy Weiss   Trumpet
Ernie Bright   Clarinet (Bass)
Theodore Weis   Trumpet
George Silfies   Clarinet
Phil Bodner   Clarinet
Paul Gershman   Violin
Ray Alonge   French Horn
Jack Jennings   Percussion
Buddy Morrow   Trombone (Tenor)
Richard Berg   French Horn
Brooks Tillotson   French Horn
Raoul Poliakin   Viola,Tenor (Vocal)
George Duvivier   Bass
George Berg   Bassoon
Bobby Rosengarden   Percussion
George Ricci   Cello
Don Butterfield   Tuba
Alan Dean   Trumpet
Bill Elton   Tuba,Tenor Tuba
Wally Kane   Bassoon,Sax (Baritone)
Joyce Kelley   Bassoon
Bill Stanley   Tuba
Jimmy Abato   Clarinet
Andrew Lolya   Flute
Donald MacCourt   Bassoon
Irving Horowitz   Horn,Horn (English)
Aaron Rosand   Violin
Henry Schuman   Horn (English)

Technical Credits

Larry Keyes   Engineer
Fred Plaut   Engineer
James William Guercio   Producer
John McClure   Remixing
Louis Hardin   Composer
Ron Coro   Cover Design
Joseph R. Dalton   Liner Notes
Don Hunstein   Cover Photo
Moondog   Composer
Arthur Kendy   Engineer