Moog synth versions of Gershwin classics sounds like a pretty goofy excuse for an album, especially considering that album title, and the ludicrous cover art of George G. looking like an ABA player with that gi-normous 'fro. But this 1970 release is actually really good, reworking those tired old songs like "Summertime" with unexpectedly fresh, Space-Age arrangements. (Gershon Kingsley would write an oft-covered standard himself, "Popcorn.") Bob Moog even stated in an interview that he thought that this was one of the best Moog-sploitation albums of that period, and I would agree - especially side two's "Porgy & Bess" medley (Proggy & Bess?). Kinsgley clearly learned a thing or two about using sound effects in novel musical ways from his old partner, tape-loop wiz Jean-Jacques Perrey, when they were the duo that practically invented electro-pop with their groundbreaking 1966 classic "The 'In' Sound From Way Out." On this album, Kinsgley is joined on some cuts by pianist Leonid Hambro.
Gershon Kingsley & Leonid Hambro: "Gershwin: Alive & Well & Underground"
5 comments:
I don't think I have heard any Gershon without Jean-Jacques Perrey.
I'm listening now to Rhapsody in Blue.
Wow! This is fabulous Mr Fab!
You live up to your name.
Thanks a heap!
Ha ha, well, you certainly live up to your name as well, you're a pal, thx. And Gershon did some cool post-Perrey stuff. his First Moog Quartet were a pre-Kraftwerk live band that made a couple of bitchin' albums.
You wrote on Oct 14?! Why is Blogger not sending me comments to moderate via email? Sorry for the delay in publishing your comment Doug...
This Rhapsody In Blue sounds like a joyful alien invasion
Thank you for re-posting this. You are the bastion of everything musically maniacal fer sher, Mr. Fab!
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