Here's a surprising pickup for me. I found this perfect copy in shrink the last time I was in Pueblo for a dollar. I noted to myself that while these used to be ubiquitous in the record shops, I can't recall seeing one recently. Sure enough, it does have a little value now. I never took the time to hear what she had to offer back then, so let's go for it.
Boston based Suzanne Ciani definitely taps into the moods and sounds of 1986. You might recall my super rich buddy (Al Di Meola review) and his incredible stereo. This would have been the kind of album he would have owned to show that off. Musically it borders progressive electronic and new age, and has a very feminine sweet sound. I can't say I own too much music like The Velocity of Love and it does transport me to a time and place. Those are the type of albums I keep. If looking for comparisons, I'd suggest Vangelis was in this sound area around the same time. I think it's telling that the album was issued on RCA's Red Seal label, which is solely dedicated to classical music. That was the perceived audience for the time.
In reviewing Suzanne Ciani's biography, she was already 40 when this was released (she looks much younger on the back cover), and she's still making music today at age 77. Early photos demonstrate a young lady fascinated with electronics, and it's too bad there aren't any recordings of her music from the 70s (there's something from 1970, not sure what that's about). I can imagine they'd be more Klaus Schulze like than the more refined work of The Velocity of Love. I'm definitely interested now in her 1982 debut.
Ownership: LP: 1986 RCA Red Seal. Single sleeve. Acquired as noted above.
12/18/23 (new entry)
No comments:
Post a Comment