Viva La Eno!
Coldplay are releasing their new, highly anticipated Brian-Eno produced album tomorrow. I've never been all that interested in the 'play, but given my curiosity for what fuels huge worldwide hype juggernauts and that I'm a big Brian Eno fan, I will be tuning in tomorrow to give the disc a spin.
I probably first heard Brian Eno's work on U2's last great album, The Unforgettable Fire, an album that to my mind totally captures the artistic spirit of a great band still willing to take risks. (Listen to the song "Promenade.") Later I discovered Roxy Music, Talking Heads, and Devo--only sort of understanding how Eno was involved. Then some trusted friends of mine got me hooked on Eno's own solo work--from his avant rock-based recordings to the more ambient stuff--I love it all.
In honor of Coldplayday tomorrow, I present my list of the 10-best Brian Eno songs, in no particular order:
1. "Golden Hours" from Another Green World
2. "Against the Sky" from The Pearl with Harold Budd
3. "1/1" from Ambient 1/Music for Airports
4. "Very, Very Hungry" from My Life in the Bush with Ghosts with David Byrne
5. "The True Wheel" from Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy
6. "2HB" from Roxy Music
7. "Here He Comes" from Before and After Science
8. "Unfamiliar Wind" from Ambient 4/On Land
9. "Sparrowfall I-III" from Music for Films
10. "Everything Merges with the Light" from Another Green World
--Gabi Knight
Clark on June 18, 2008 at 11:41 AM
You need some Begegnungen (sp?) with Roedilius and Plank!
Famous J on June 18, 2008 at 07:28 AM
My personal favorite is the Window XP startup song. I just found out that was Brian Eno.
franco blanco on June 18, 2008 at 06:49 AM
I'm a big Eno fan, so here's my list:
Needles in the Camel's Eye
Cindy Tells Me
Mother Whale Eyeless
Third Uncle
The True Wheel
St. Elmo's Fire
Golden Hours
Everything Merges with the Night
Kurt's Rejoinder
King's Lead Hat
Fullness of Wind
Drift
Deep Blue Day
Thursday Afternoon
Yes, I really do like Thursday Afternoon. It's my favorite of his ambient pieces.
Charles Lapier on June 17, 2008 at 10:56 PM
I love music and I appreciate nearly all genres from all time. I listen with interest to the most daring musical ventures; even when those who make it indulge in expressing too personal opinion and ambitions through it.
I appreciated the musical ventures of the team Brian Eno and Robert Fripp.
But in the case of what Brian Eno and Coldplay are doing today, this well documented and unmistakably serious article-my link below-recently released on a blog somewhat annoys the music lover and dreamer I am, to the point of making me wondering what Viva La Vida is all about, actually?
Still authentic arts for the sake of musical aesthetic and entertainment, or just a shrewd propaganda operation sets up by a former music composer now committed British-left-leaning-European "Youth Affairs Adviser" ?
I'll let you judge once you'll have read this.
http://sweethomenashville.com/?p=147
Melissa Yeuxdoux on June 17, 2008 at 08:24 PM
I'd have to hold out for my favorite Eno track, "Sombre Reptiles".
mkl on June 17, 2008 at 06:52 PM
I'll second "Spinning Away" and "TNK". And throw down "Julie with.." and, what the heck, "Seven Deadly Finns"
DJ on June 17, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Matt beat me to it while I was looking for a good YouTube of 801 Live (to no avail). Good call, Matt!
DJ on June 17, 2008 at 06:12 PM
What about 801?!
Nice list, though.
matt on June 17, 2008 at 06:06 PM
what? No Baby's on Fire? TNK was a classic off the 801 album...
Passerby on June 17, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Nice list, Gabi.
Agreed about the sky-saw work on St. Elmo's Fire, also "Baby's on Fire" has some great Fripp-work in it.
Deep Blue Day from "Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks"
As far as collaborations go, I like Eno's work with Bowie, particularly on "Low" - "Heroes" is probably the most well known example from that period. I happen to like "V2 Schneider" more.
Esoteric on June 17, 2008 at 05:21 PM
This is clearly a flawed list, as it does not include "St. Elmo's Fire" (with perhaps my favorite guitar solo ever from my favorite guitarist, Robert Fripp), "Baby's On Fire," "Some Of Them Are Old," or "The Big Ship."
And the best track on Music For Films has got to be "2/2."
Dave in Tucson on June 17, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Nothing from 'Remain in Light'?! Or 'Wrong Way Up'? Spinning Away is Eno's best all-time lyric, sung to a lovely melody.
Gabi Knight on June 17, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Right! I totally forgot Here Come the Warm Jets. 11: Cindy Tells Me.
OK--now this list is complete!
Jonathan E. on June 17, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Excellent choices, especially 1/1 and Everything Merges With the Night. I'd add Kings Lead Hat from BAAS.
I now might have to lift my permanent ban on Coldplay temporarily...
NCG on June 17, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Nothing from 'Warm Jets"? Bah!
NCG on June 17, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Nothing from 'Warm Jets"? Bah!