It's becoming increasingly more important, especially in a society that is somehow not valuing music with the right amount of appreciation that this art form deserves, to remember, celebrate and cherish influential artists that have heavily contributed to the evolution of music throughout the last century.
Thankfully, some of said music artists are still with us, like the American composer Terry Riley, who has just celebrated his 90th birthday on 24th June and what better way to celebrate such an important life landmark than releasing a boxset called The Columbia Recordings, containing the 4 albums released through Columbia Masterworks from 1968 and 1980, a time of the world when the growth of music was at its healthiest state, thanks also to the phenomenal, constantly transformative and forward-thinking contribution provided by Riley himself.
The 4 albums included in The Columbia Recordings boxset, for those that are very familiar with Terry Riley's outstanding body of work, will need no presentation; In C (1968), A Rainbow In Curved Air (1969), Church Of Anthrax (with John Cale) (1971) and Shri Camel (1980) are considered pillars of sonic experimentation at the highest level, with the composer and multi-instrumentalist moving from minimalism (In C) to visionary Rock Avant-Garde (Church Of Anthrax) to Hindu Psychedelia (Shri Camel) in such an effortless, yet inspired, organic fashion.
Every album part of this very special release is so diverse, hypnotic, immersive and fully representative of the mind of an artist that was constantly, back then, two steps ahead to anybody else in terms of foreseeing where and how much sounds could be amplified and stretched, by cleverly and creatively constructing sequenced layer of sounds in such an imaginative style and sonic coherence.
The extensive 50-plus booklet that comes also as part of this very special release offers an even more in-depth and highly accurate explanation of how each individual album was born, together with a reprints of all essays and notes from the original vinyl releases, rare studio photos plus first-hand reflections from David Behrman, the original producer of In C and A Rainbow in Curved Air and an essay by Thomas M. Welsh, Terry Riley’s longtime manager and archivist.
A truly sonic feast for everyone that loves music passionately and wants to understand the enormous impact that Terry Riley's music has brought into the world of music at 360 degrees. And from all of us at Bluebird Reviews, a very heartfelt and warm "Happy 90th Birthday" to Terry Riley, one of the greatest music pioneers of the last century.
The Columbia Recordings is out now and it us available to be purchased via Amazon .
