Steve Roach discussion

LNerell · December 13, 2007, 03:29:05 PM

One other thing I've been meaning to write is about Steve and Robert's work together. I just wanted to point to whoever it was that wished their was more colboration work from these two, that the compilation CD "Dali: The Endless Enigma" has two tracks from them as a duo, plus one from Steve and a lot of other interesting tracks from various other artists (including myself to be upfront). So, if you don't have that disc you'll have to track that one down too. ;D I think you can still order it via the Projekt website.

hdibrell · December 13, 2007, 06:39:13 PM

"Dali: The Endless Enigma", ooh, I have forgotten about that release. That is a really good recording! I need to go back through my extremely well organised ::) cd collection and find it. I haven't listened to it in quite sometime. Harry D

9dragons · December 13, 2007, 07:51:37 PM

Quote from: LNerell on December 13, 2007, 03:29:05 PM
One other thing I've been meaning to write is about Steve and Robert's work together. I just wanted to point to whoever it was that wished their was more colboration work from these two, that the compilation CD "Dali: The Endless Enigma" has two tracks from them as a duo, plus one from Steve and a lot of other interesting tracks from various other artists (including myself to be upfront). So, if you don't have that disc you'll have to track that one down too. ;D I think you can still order it via the Projekt website.

This one looks very interesting, thanks for the tip. The urge for more Roach/Rich collaboration came up last night, while listening to recently aquired copy of World's Edge (thanks to Judd for the recommendation). Had disc two on late last night, looking at art books and winding down. It is one longform track, and I was fully drifting off to it, when I suddenly felt something change in the air. And I realized that what was floating in the mix was the signature lap steel sound of Robert Rich. I hadn't read the liner notes, so it caught me unawares, which perhaps made it all the more wonderful. The music at that time took on a complete sense of the beyond, of a dramatic alienness. This illustrates to me just what a great combo Roach and Rich are. I can't claim to know anything about their individual personalities, but I feel that musically, perhaps Roach is more 'warm' or earthly while Rich is more philosophical, geometric. Both are of course sublime musicians in their own right, and have an amazing range in their respective solo efforts, but somehow their work together creates this dynamic. Just speculation of course...

Numina · December 15, 2007, 11:20:50 AM

I received Arc of Passion within a couple days of its release and it has been on frequently play around my ears. Incredible soundscapes, as usual. This is probably my favorite live release of his he's done. - Jesse

drone on · December 16, 2007, 11:01:05 AM

Arc of Passion is incredible. Probably his best live release ever!!!

Robert Logan · December 17, 2007, 12:30:03 PM

I'd be really interested in your opinions on the workshop things Steve Roach and his wife are doing...

http://steveroach.com/live/workshops/

I've never heard about that horse stuff before. Has anyone been on one of these retreats, or knows anyone else who has? Is the price fair?

I haven't got an opinion either way. Just curious.

forestmage · December 23, 2007, 05:23:08 PM

over the past month or so the Immersion series and Dream Circle have been getting regular late night airplay. I enjoy his space music more than the sequencer material, but that may be because I am less familiar with it.

lemonstar · February 13, 2008, 06:11:10 PM

"Ambient Expanse" has been on my mp3 player for a couple of months now - sounded great the other day when I was out cycling for 3 hours on a cool, calm day with the bright sun low and in my eyes most of the morning. The music is so formless, blissful - it really helps me to open up and connect to everything outside.

I like most of the collaborations - anything else in the same vein (even if it's by someone else) I should be listening to?

drone on · March 25, 2008, 10:25:45 PM

Not to be a smartarse, but I noticed recently on the SR site a two-disc set of the remaining "Ascension of Shadows" discs ("Somewhere Else" was reissued on Projekt, and the others were to follow). The description states Projekt decided to scrap the idea of reissuing the other two to "focus on other SR projects." Is this really the case? Or is it that the first reissue sold miserably? I have noticed the "Somewhere Else" reissue at Soleilmoon for $6.99. Sounds like they are not moving and gathering dust. And how did Projekt suddenly "discover/uncover" 80 discs 2 and 3 which were thought to be "sold out" long ago? Sorry, I guess my cynicism sometimes gets the best of me.

SiF · March 26, 2008, 12:53:10 AM

Well i think "Somewhere Else" is quit a nice release.
perhaps pretty good to start with. Especially by this
price.

Undershadow · March 26, 2008, 03:59:44 AM

Quote from: SiF on March 26, 2008, 12:53:10 AM
Well i think "Somewhere Else" is quit a nice release. perhaps pretty good to start with. Especially by this
price.

I don't think drone on's point was to do with the quality of Something Else, but rather the response of the consumer to something of an over-saturation of the market with Roach product. Basically, Roach has had so much new stuff coming out lately that reissues of a (fairly low profile) 9-year-old release are hardly going to be flying off the shelves. So with the Ascension of Shadows 'trilogy', Projekt seemingly experienced a disappointing uptake on the first, and so declined to take a bath on the second and third.

drone on · March 26, 2008, 07:10:15 AM

Exactly! (thanks Undershadow). Even Projekt has "Somewhere Else" at a budget price now. Along with "Inner Zone" (which didn't sell either). I guess my point was why give a dubious explanation for not reissuing the other Ascension discs when the real reason is obvious. Nothing to do with the quality of the music, of course. Both discs mentioned above are excellent. I don't think it has to do with any oversaturation, either. Simply that there was not enough demand for product.

sio · March 26, 2008, 09:55:38 AM

I, for one, am quite happy that they "found" this hidden batch, as i have been trying to get a hold on those for years now...And there seems to be a demand for them as they've already sold out of the 80 cds in a week time...For those who've missed out, i've noticed you can now buy the download at http://www.junodownload.com/artists/Steve+Roach/ (192, 320 KBPS + .Wav)...

9dragons · March 26, 2008, 12:23:47 PM

Seems strange to me that Somewere Else and Innerzone would be particularly unpopular releases. These are two of my all time Roach/Vidna favorites. Been listening to Somewhere Else for the past couple weeks, and it has given me much serene late night reading/hypnagogic pleasure. It's funny, but the other night while listening to it the last thing I thought as I was going to sleep was about the remaining Ascension reissues. Where were they? The next morn I happened to check Roach's website and when I saw the 'found' Ascensions I ordered it without hesitation. I'm glad I got one of the 80. I did think it was kind of strange (and the finding of only discs 2 and 3 didn't make sense), but maybe the reason given is true. Maybe Roach decided that with the massive Immersion series (which according to the Roach website turned out to be much bigger than originally planned with the last 3 disc set) he strategically decided to hold back on the rest of Ascension because it was too similar in style. I did wonder if Vidna didn't want aymore Vidna-related releases coming out, and leaving all out of print discs out of print, as I believe was mentioned in an earlier Hypnos thread. That is definitely his perogative as well, in order to focus on new projects, and I would respect that artistic decision. But I do think the reason given seems plausible. Yet it is curious that both Innerzone and Somewhere Else are on sale. Is it just a random thing that Soleilmoon and Projekt do? Are these releases just not 'mainstream' enough for Roach fans? Weird...Though whatever the reason for this, the music itself blows away any doubts...it is epic work...

drone on · March 26, 2008, 12:49:38 PM

Those 80 sets sold out already?? I don't believe it. I think only 20 sold and the rest will be put in storage until 2015 and then miraculously "unearthed" ;)

sio · March 26, 2008, 01:04:23 PM

I agree with 9dragons here about Innerzone. That is a cd that i do not play often, but everytime i put it on, it never fails to captivate me. Listening to the back catalogue and even the newest work from those artists, i haven't heard anything that sounds similar to that one. They've used a very original palette, in texture, sounds colors, moods and rhythms ...i find the result enthralling. An odd beast in their catalogue which may have taken their audiences by surprise...

Robert Logan · March 26, 2008, 02:13:32 PM

That's funny - 'InnerZone' has become my favorite Steve Roach collaboration disc recently too. It's just epic, dense, and incredibly potent.

LNerell · March 26, 2008, 02:22:08 PM

Quote from: drone on on March 25, 2008, 10:25:45 PM
The description states Projekt decided to scrap the idea of reissuing the other two to "focus on other SR projects." Is this really the case? . . . Sorry, I guess my cynicism sometimes gets the best of me.

Yes it really is the case and yes you are highly cynical. ;D

LNerell · March 26, 2008, 02:27:34 PM

Just an FYI for those who don't get the news letter. For the last month or so I've been uploading to youtube various Steve Roach videos. Their are some concerts of Steve, including a living room concert with the band Suspended Memories, some interviews, and some out-of-print video art from the 1980s. I'll be putting out more in the near future but to see what's up now you can go here to see them all:

http://youtube.com/user/steveroachdotcom

Brian Bieniowski · March 26, 2008, 02:56:41 PM

I really like Ascension of Shadows, a great set from the packaging to the music. Because it's in that little box, I hardly ever pull it out. Must remedy that asap.

Innerzone was never one of my favorites, and I don't even have a copy anymore. I'll have to check it out again, but I remember it being a little cold and metallic for my tastes. Same with Spirit Dome....