Two years ago I went on a trip to the Netherlands, visiting family
& friends as usual, but also walking & cycling around, plus
taking loads of photos. Less time was spent in secondhand stores looking
for music, partly due to the amount of CDs I already have and the space
they occupy I guess.
Over the years I had seen the name of this Dutch Orchestra passing by, but couldn’t recall much, which was a bit awkward… As the book looked interesting, it had plenty of photos, discography, and a DVD, I couldn’t resist.
This book hit the spot, besides providing intriguing details about the post WW2 Dutch ‘light music’ scene, it was a pleasure to read as it became clear to me that I had been exposed to their music since my youth!
Over the years the Orkest has proved itself to be flexible enough to work with all kinds of artists, such as Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Jarreau, New York Voices, Tori Amos, Bono, Brian Eno, Hardwell, Elvis Costello, Within Temptation, Snarky Puppy, Marcus Miller, Todd Rundgren, Jacob Collier, Markus Stockhausen, Louis Cole, Triptykon, Cory Wong, Cory Henry, Basement Jaxx, Pat Metheny, Adrian Belew, and Robbie Williams.
As the Orkest
has released many albums over the years it was difficult to make a
selection for a single CD, but I included a few tracks from the 60 Years
DVD plus a sampling of recent works. It seemed fitting that I ended
with their cover of the Dutch rock classic “Hocus Pocus” (Focus!) from a long time ago…
Question: Please let us your favorite Orchestra or perhaps an orchestral cover of a song...
For Your Listening Pleasure: https://mega.nz/file/rYUhxKjQ#dzEHNvGKECEyEMEtEBoSbYSB5V_FLYhxq43H90APHKA
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI told you so. A few days ago the question was asked. What is the best of the best of this blog. I said that the best had yet to be outed. Here is such a glimse of the best. What a great idea, and a mighty fine compilation. And what are my favourite Orchestra's. Ethiopian Police Force orchestra, ICP, ASCO, Creative Orchestra, Berlin Symphonic, Penguin Cafe, YMO, de Volharding, Ensemble Intercontemporain. SUN RA, Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra, Klein Orkest, Innerzone, Duke Ellington, Egrem....... so many more.....and last Last. I think a lot of comments will have diving into new orchestra, that I have ignored for all my life, and shouldn't.
DeleteI deleted and reposted this comment, for the darnest of reasons.
While I was writing this, and effectively the most part of my music listening hours the last month, there was one constant factor. And the stupid man I am, I brag about all the Orchestras I like, love and want to promote. And I forget the best. Forgive me, pardonnez-moi. Il n'y a jamais un autre si grand que vous.
Franco Luambo Makiadi et son Tout Puissant Orchestre Kinois de Kinshasa.
Why The Electric Light, of course! ELO, don't ya know? - Stinky
ReplyDeleteThere was supposedly a group in Milwaukee back in the 1980's called the PLO (Palestinian Light Orchestra). Or maybe it was just a joke.
DeletePortsmouth Sinfonia, anyone?
At first ELO had enough band members to qualify the Orchestra part, until it became more of a Jeff Lynne solo act...
DeleteI like the party feel of the James Last Orchestra stuff, in particular the fun schlager renditions of glam rock tunes by Slade, Sweet etc. that they did in the '70s
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for all the 60s-70s orchestras doing instrumental versions of Today's Now Sounds, etc.as well as all the earlier Space Age Bachelor albums by Esquivel, Enoch Light, Ray Martin, etc, etc, but for original more recent orchestras Sun Ra's Arkestra & Penguin Cafe Orchestra are great choices from Richard and I'll add Orchestra Baobab to that list. This sounds like it will be a good listen -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra triggered a memory of THE CHAINS OF HELL ORCHESTRA! They released two cassettes in the early 80's that I really loved, Cairo's Ride and Doctor's Daughter. Definitely my favorite orchestra. Here's one: https://youtu.be/OVZAi3pYxNU?si=hK8OP8sEDTt6EiCj
DeleteOrchestra Baobab is awesome!!!!
Delete