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Reviews of Escapism
ANDREW PARTRIDGE I am one of the (hopefully) growing number of people who bought Tiffany Lunn's CD 'Escapism'. Being a bit of a fan of Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and other instrumentalists, I was not disappointed. I particularly enjoy 'Cascade', 'Continuum' and 'Shadows', and like the change of tempo in 'The Journey' (which reminds me just a little of "Autobahn") and the introduction of the baseline in 'For Bruce (Lee)'. The only (very slight) issue I have is that when listening through headphones particularly, some of the parts have been panned to the left or right (particularly in the introduction to 'Escapism'), but it is a very minor point. I don't know whether Tiffany would take this as a compliment or not, but I don't think 'Shadows' would be out of place on Tubular Bells 2. It's certainly meant as a compliment!
All
in all, one very satisfied customer! It's definitely getting more
'airplay' in my car than anything else. And I'm listening to it at
work, as I'm typing this... Oh well, one day I might pull my finger
out and get writing again myself. Andrew Partridge
DOUG MILLAWAY Tiffany has done nice work on this CD. Its always a compliment when one composer says “I wish I thought of that” about another’s work. I found myself saying that throughout the CD. I think she did a very nice job with the engineering. I’m old enough to be her father, and if she were my daughter, I would be very proud of her. She has a lot of talent. Tiffany, just don’t forget me when you get rich and famous. Doug Millaway Website:- http://www.besonic.com/Solitary
PAUL NAGLE Escapism
- Tiffany Lunn - 10 tracks 45' 30" The CD begins with "For Bruce (Lee)" and a good start it is too with a pleasant koto-ish melody, well performed and arranged. The result is simple and not overdone and doesn't outstay its welcome at 4'31". The following track features rather disappointing percussion in style and scope and has a rather "backing track" feel. The next track is far better with a solid build up into an almost Pickford-esque melodic performance. This is stylishly played and makes me wonder what this girl could do on a Minimoog. If it had been longer and lost some of its restraint I would have been happier still but very enjoyable. Next we have the title track Escapism that has some clever chord shifts and a guitar-like melody. Here I'd love to have heard a real guitar although Tiffany does well on her Korg. Actually I should say that it is a brilliant demo of what someone can do with a single keyboard - when the drums and fast sequence kick in, followed by a number of interesting changes, the track becomes more complex and fascinating than those that went before. Towards the end the sequence reasserts itself before the fade. I thought this track showed the most potential and could easily have been longer than its 4 minutes. Cascade begins with a bell-like sequence plus a slightly irritating percussive pattern. It is rescued by a groovy delay-based sequence and underlying pad. It is all rather hypnotic and gets better still when the bass and delay-guitar line begins. This is a cool track with a little quirkiness. The Journey begins with a chiffy melody that noodles into drums and the ever-present pad strings. The piece builds very well with a good bass and generally nice feel. There are more panpipes and then more solid rhythms - only the omission of a soaring melody prevents this from being the cut of the album. Towards the end an electric piano section is tagged on. Sonata in F Minor is a lovely warm bath of a track encompassing waltz time and only drifting a little out of focus towards the end. It is a track that deserves a better piano sound, in my opinion. Continuum begins with an ambient noise, quickly replaced by those Korg strings with bass and a faint breathy backdrop, adding a little mystery. We then get drums and an understated squarewavey solo with enough changes going on to keep things interesting. It reminds me of something but I can't remember what... Shadows is another nice arrangement with a glissando-flutey melody, rhythm section, strings. Then a brilliant guitar-like melody glides in - my favorite solo performance on the album - and we almost enter progressive rock territory for a moment. Drums and choir work well together and the whole thing gels perfectly. The final track is Call and Response and, in my opinion, the only weak track on the album. It features a piano riff that I find rather annoying, maybe "funky" would describe it. Otherwise it is well played and arranged but leaves you feeling rather flat after more than enough highs previously. So overall I find this a remarkable work for someone who is young and has but a single keyboard. The playing is first class and all the arrangements are solid and balanced. There are signs of some nice underlying musical ideas too and as a debut it is very good indeed. I guess I'd like to hear something rather more uncontrolled, unconventional, out on a limb and "harder" in places and possibly a wider sound palette too or, better, inclusion of other musicians. Then, I have no doubt we'll see Tiffany doing some very cool stuff indeed... Paul
Nagle / Soft Room Music
DAVE BROCK For Bruce (Lee) - Love it. About 2 min 40 seconds in (with the string arrangement) the sound is very much like Hans Zimmers' "Black Rain". Great, should be longer. Night Life - Like electro medieval, with a folk music influence. Perfect for films. Very nice! Eagles Flight - This is one track that reminded me of Tangerine dream (only better) nice powerful main melody. Escapism - It's got that Tangerine dream sound to it with the guitar sounding melody. I like the way the edges are softened with the use of birdsong, water and the xylophone background. Cascade - Rather trance-like and lightly psychedelic, with a loose structure, a nice background music track. The Journey - I like the pan-pipe sounding opening. It took a couple of listens for the change to the electronic melody to fit in, but the contrasts made for interesting listening. Sonata in F minor - I love the pipes again, the way they mix with the main piano melody is especially good. A lovely bit of restful composing. I would love to hear the pipes replaced with a female voice, for an interesting variation. Continuum - Intro rather slow at building up, but once the main melody kicks in it's a winner. would be great over a film scene. Shadows - More film sounding music. Once again reminds me in bits of the Tangerine dream "Thief" soundtrack (only the composing and overall structure is far superior and complex). Good stuff. Quick call Michael Mann and see if he has a job going! Call and Response - I like this, catchy and fun. But I found it about a minute too long for a track with many repeated themes. Found myself humming it though!
SuperWolf3000 I bought Tiffany's cd Escapism and I thought I'd put up a review of it for you.Tiffany Lunn Escapism Track listing with comments 1.
For Bruce Lee 4:30 The music is spectacular and if you love synth performers like Tangerine Dream then you will love this. The music on the cd has an 80s feel to it which is great as the synth music in the 80s was fantastic, track 1 For Bruce Lee is one of my favorites of this cd. All these tracks range between 4 and 5 minutes each which is good listening time as it gives you chance to get into the scores and appreciate the music and the level of effort. The music itself is very relaxing, the sound quality is excellent and very smooth sounds but strong sounds as well. I really enjoy listening to this cd and I do recommend it to anyone here who loves music. A brilliant cd by Tiffany and what a talent she has.
Deeby Oh I Love this this CD so Much It is stuck in my new personal player...when I finally get home to Yorkshire I'm sure it won't be out of the main CD unit either.I was so shocked I'd won a copy, not won a bean in years and such a fabulous talented artist, I feel privileged to own a copy.
Mark Pugh Escapism does exactly what it says on the label....it takes you away from the stress of life and lets you escape to a better place!, you either fall into one of two categories, you've got Escapism or you haven't, I'm just glad I've got it and you'll be too.
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