In C is a musical piece by the composer and performing musician Terry Riley. As one of the first minimalist compositions and a masterpiece of this genre it's a response to the modern music that dominated the scene in 1968. The piece inspired a lot of famous composers, like Philip Glass and Steve Reich. In C consists of repeating cells and different rhythms, loosely based on the musical structures he had heard and loved in north African music. 53 short musical phrases is where the compositions is made of. The thing that makes In C so enduring is that, once all concept is stripped away, it's a seriously hypnotic piece of music. For listeners with a sympathy for minimalism it's a wild and impressive work, full of energy. In C's 50th anniversary is available as a limited edition of 500 individually numbered copies on transparent vinyl.
J**N
Five Stars
Incredible Musician!
V**0
Five Stars
old memories
M**A
Great albumn
This is a great recording. I love amost every single song on it. I have it in vinyl and wore out the grooves so it is good to get this in cd format.
D**T
Stands the test of time and still comes out swinging for the bleachers
When this record first came out in the late 60’s I was mesmerized. The range of his tone grabbed me then and has haunted my memories for decades. When I was finally able to but it again on Amazon it was like rediscovering a long lost friend, and finding the friendship stronger and deeper than remembered.Terry’s voice jumps effortlessly from a plaintive, almost girlish, whisper to a Janis Joplin-esque roar of pain and longing. Not bad for anyone, much less a twenty year old British kid. In fact, if it weren’t for Janis, I think Terry Reid might be the benchmark for all aspiring blues singers. Maybe so anyway...
J**N
Let's Make it Unanimous
My pick for greatest unknown album. I pulled this one out of a discount bin in 1970 for about $1.50, and then found it as a punchout CD for like three bucks two years ago. Life works that way sometimes.The album excels in vocals, instrumental work, songwriting, everything but production, by the dread Mickey Most. I don't think anyone has mentioned what an odd song lineup it is: it includes that rarity, a good Donovan cover (that's one for Mickey, to be totally fair), a solid cover of Dylan's "Highway 61" (with Terry making up many of the lyrics as he goes along--!!??!!), that's oddly intertwined with a Reid original, a quirk I've never encountered elsewhere. There's a no less than superb Jerry Ragavoy R&B cover. And there's a bevy of originals--"Mayfly", "Speak Now or Forever Hold your Peace", "Rich Kid Blues"--that equal or surpass any of the covers.A lot has been made of this album being a "60s" or "Woodstock era" piece, but no--this one strikes me as timeless. There ain't anything like this around today. But there wasn't much like it back then either.
D**Y
Well worth waiting for!
I must of come close to buying this record a dozen times or so back in the late sixties. I had really enjoyed Terry's first release "Bang Bang" a lot. But everytime I went to buy this one there semed to be something else released that I wanted a little more, and my weekly allowance precluded the purchase of more than one album at a time. So I didn't hear this magnificent music until about a year ago. This is one of the all time great Brit-rock albums. Terry's singing and playing are leaps and bounds above that of his debut, and his songwriting is also stronger and more assured. There are no turkeys here either. "Silver White Light", "Mayfly', and a cover of Donovan's "Superlungs" are tracks that modern day lessers like Blur and Oasis can only dream about achieving. Don't wait 30 years like I did to hear this amazing talent. Get it now and get it good.
P**Y
Terry, we miss ya
Terry Reid is the most incredible rock singer I've ever heard! I've listened to a lot of good singers, but nobody sings with the emotion and intensity of Reid.I think this is by far his best album, with "Bang Bang" coming in second. Back in the late 60's Terry had a chance to join a little band that Jimmy Page was starting, called Led Zepplin. But instead turned Jimmy down to pursue a solo carrer.Whatta band that would have been! I'd like to know what Terry Reid is doing these days. Terry, why don't you give Jimmy a call. He's not doin' anything nowadays but reviving the carrers of old "Black Crowes". I think this guy should be given a second chance. He's one of the great lost talents.
R**E
A Classic act
Terry Reid is "classic" rock n roll. Friends is a great song and brings back memories of smoke filled living room and actual srecords. He opened for some Stone concerts tours and was a great intro. Not sure why he never made it to the Top Ten. A lot of soul in his music and style. If a first time listener, you will not be disappointed...especially it your glory years were the 60's and 70's.
Trustpilot
3 days ago
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