Tangerine Dream Album: “Encore: Tangerine Dream Live”

I must admit that I was a bit sceptical about picking up live Tangerine Dream albums, because I'm not much of a fan of live albums in general. But seeing as how these songs are essentially jam sessions, well recorded, and do not appear on other albums, I didn't hesitate too much to pick this up. This does NOT disappoint! If you liked the more active approach they took on "Stratosfear" then this will definatly thrill you! It still has the same urgency, and some live instruments of "Stratosfear," but its really trippy. The track "Desert Dream" features some of the darkest TD music ever, with the strange Egyptian feel in the second movement of the song. The song "Clearwater Canyon" is a bit more "active" than other TD songs, with a strong beat running all the way through the song. When you give this album a few listens it really grows on you.

As usual, its kind of difficult to really describe the way the album is because it is like a dream; it takes you away on a fantastic journey filled with abstract and normal sounds, evoking strong emotions, but when its done, you can only remember bits and pieces. "Encore" is not as unified as "Ricochet," nor as synth based, but its an absolutely essential TD album.

This is one of Tangerine Dream`s best album ever!! And that really says a lot,from a band that have released almost 100 albums from 1970-2003!! This is a live album from the north american tour-77 with the classic line up of froese\franke\baumann. They had material here for two double albums,but choosed these 4 tracks to make encore.each track runs up to 20 minutes, and that makes the listener to flow into the music!The Highlight is definately "monolight", this is emotions on a very high and spiritual level. You can listen to td in every state of mind, and it always makes you feel that you are part of something bigger than yourself.. If you like td you must buy this one,and "ricochet",exit","tangram" and "underwater sunlight" DREAM ON....

I think it is widely accepted that Tangerine Dream's (TD) "peak period" of creativity came with the unforgettable trio of Baumann, Franke and Froese. Albums that come to mind would be any one from the groundbreaking and stunning "Phaedra" to this, "Encore" - which was to be the last album featuring this classic lineup. While there were certainly other moments, no other period has been quite as influential or magical. Go to your local club and just listen - you'll hear those knob-twidlings and analog washes - hey, sounds a lot like it came from the good old days TD used to know about! Anyhow there are three TD live LPs from the peak period: "Ricochet" (1975), "Soundmill Navigator" (1976) and "Encore" (1977)(double LP). Although for a true Tangerine Dreamer they are all essential. If I had to choose one as the best summary of a live performance it would have to be the "Encore" LP. This recording captures more of a sense of lyricism that harmoniously enhances the trancy sequencer pulsations rather than just sound completely unrelenting (as in "Ricochet"). Furthermore you hear the many different tonal varieties and "moods" that TD can create. I might add I also recommend this over the '75 and '76 LPs since the sound quality of "Encore" is notably better (remastered) and the '76 recording, at least to my ears (I am an amateur musician), appears to have been "manipulated" and "touched up" with digital instrumentation not even available at the time of the performance. Honestly, "Encore" is my favorite perhaps, but I still listen to the others as well.

So anyway, how's the album? "Cherokee Lane" is worth the price of admission alone. From the opening sonic surrealism of low frequency oscillators gone haywire from too much knob turns to the minimal sequencer assault that follows coated by an icing of Mellotron strings and flutes and other effects you know you're in for a ride. "Monolight" follows a similar pattern with some different subtleties. "Coldwater Canyon" introduces an electric guitar (with a way-cool "wah-wah" effect)into the mix, though for some it may seem to meander endlessly. Finally, "Desert Dream" begins with sounds not heard from TD since the title track from "Zeit", with its theremin-like synth lead and eerie atmospherics. The title says it all. Soon a dark sequence begins not unlike "3 AM . . ." from "Stratosphere" then followed by more darkness.

Although I would have liked to see more official TD live releases from around the time of the "Phaedra" and "Rubycon" LPs, I was very impressed with the musical craftsmanship and quality of "Encore". This is a double LP that fits conveniently on one extra long CD. Highly recommended.

Fans of this should also listen to former TD member Klaus Schulze's solo output from the mid to late '70s. Also highly recommended.

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In 1977, Tangerine Dream toured the United States, bringing their moog synthesizers, sequencers, guitars and various other instruments to Los Angeles, New York, Cleveland and Washington. These were wildly successful tours: one can get a sense of the excitement of it all early on this album. Sadly, this was the last TD album that Baumann would perform on, and his beautiful flute playing would be missed on subsequent releases. "Encore" captures these performances in all their spontaneity, eeriness and mystery. Drawing upon elements from "Stratosfear", "Encore" shows Tangerine Dream at the height of their creativity and musicianship. These works are certainly "way out", and are certainly wouldn't appeal to the mainstream. Yet, for TD listeners who have enjoyed "Phaedra","Atem" and some of the other early albums, "Encore" is a pleasing way to experience some of the magic that solidified TD's place on the electronic music Pantheon.

In what was a triumphant 1977 Spring/Summer tour, Tangerine Dream solidified itself as a band that had to be seen as well as heard in what was already a prodigious catalog of studio work to appreciative crowds in venues across the United States.

Released in October 1977, the four selections are based on themes from the critically-acclaimed studio album, Stratosfear, and features the lineup of Edgar Froese, Chris Franke and Peter Baumannn. The latter would leave the group in November.

The most interesting track is Desert Dream, which has an ambient mood that draws in the listener through its stately elegance. The oftentimes underrated guitar work of Froese drives Coldwater Canyon. Though performed with a heavily-treated sound, his extended solo compliments the swirling rhythm by not overwhelming the textures from Franke and Baumann.

Cherokee Lane and Monolight work on the fringes of clubland, as the punchy beats tread near the trail carved by Kraftwerk, and explored by David Bowie during this time period.

The 1970s brought great commercial success to Tangerine Dream and Encore is an artistic statement from the stage which retains its relevance some 30 years later.