GREATEST HITS FROM OUTER SPACE.
GREATEST HITS FROM OUTER SPACE.
Throughout history, there’s always been a fascination with outer space. It always has, and aways will, fire up people’s imagination. Part of the attraction is the sense of mystery. The appeal is the unknown. There’s still so much that is unknown about outer space. That’s despite billions of Dollars were spent on the space race. America and the former U.S.S.R. devoted vast resources on putting a man on the moon. Then in July 1969, America won the space race, when Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon. Despite subsequent moon landings there’s still so much that’s unknown about space. Vast resources are still spent on research, while numerous books and thesis are written on the subject. Entire departments of universities devote their time and budget on discovering outer space’s secrets. However, it’s not just academics and writers that are fascinated by outer space. So are musicians.
From the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, outer space has fascinated musicians. Musicians from every genre have explored the subject of space. This includes soul, country, folk, blues, rock, reggae, jazz or classical music. Given so many songs about space have been released, it’s a wonder there haven’t been more compilation devoted to outer space. Ace Records have decided to rectify this with their latest compilation Greatest Hits From Outer Space, which was released recently.
Greatest Hits From Outer Space is a truly eclectic compilation. No musical genre is ruled out. Anything, it seems, goes. From folk, soul and rock ‘n’ roll, this journey through musical outer space heads towards jazz, library music, blues and classical musical. Often, things get just a little trippy during this eclectic, space-age journey. Featuring everyone from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, The Tornados, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Gene Vincent, Bobby Womack, The Byrds, David Bowie, Thelma Houston and John Stewart. As you’ll have realized, Greatest Hits From Outer Space is a musical journey with plenty of surprises in store. I’ll tell you about some of the surprises in store on the musical journey to the final frontier that is Greatest Hits From Outer Space.
It seems fitting that what’s probably the best known piece of music about space, opens Greatest Hits From Outer Space. This is Also Sprach Zarathustra, the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey, played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded in 1958, this is a seminal piece of music. Dramatic, evocative and atmospheric, it’s the perfect start to this journey through outer space.
Many people mistakenly, believe that the theremin is a modern musical instrument. It’s not. Invented by Lev “Leon” Theremin in the 1920s, it’s featured in numerous sci-fi films. One of the first musicians to master it, was violinist Samuel J. Hoffman. He played the theremin on Les Baxter Orchestra’s Lunar Rhapsody. Released in April 1947, this was part of the six-song musical-suite Music Of The Moon. Eerie and evocative, it’s also a quite beautiful, melancholy track.
Ella Fitzgerald’s delivery of Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer demonstrates why she was crowned “Queen Of Jazz.” During the fifties, speculation about space was at its peak. Academics, authors and songwriters were inspired by the sense of the unknown. This included Arthur Pitt. He wrote Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer which was released in 1951. It shows another side to Ella. Frivolous and with sense of playfulness, you realize her tongue’s planted firmly in her cheek as she makes the song swing.
The Tornados’ Telstar is a truly timeless track. Written and produced by Joe Meek, a true musical innovator, this wasn’t the first song he’d written about space. He released the album I Hear A New World in 1960. Three years later, Telstar reached number one in the UK. With its unmistakable sound courtesy of the Unix Clavioline organ played by Geoff Goddard, Telstar’s space-age sound would forever by synonymous with Joe Meek.
Not many people would mention blues and space in the same sentence. Even blues players weren’t immune from the hype and speculation surrounding space. Indeed, a little-know fact is that Lightnin’ Hopkins penned a tribute to the fifth man to orbit the earth, John Glenn. Happy Blues For John Glenn was released in 1962 and features the veteran blues man at his best. Unlike so many of his songs, Lightnin’ Hopkins it’s a much more upbeat song. Featuring his languid, worldweary vocal and searing, bluesy guitar licks, a piano and percussion play their part in one of the highlights of Greatest Hits From Outer Space.
Gene Vincent released Space Ship To Mars in 1962. The same year, Lightnin’ Hopkins released Happy Blues For John Glenn and The Beatles released Love Me Do. Music in 1962, was certainly eclectic. Space Ship To Mars was recorded in Britain and featured in the film It’s Trad, Dad. Produced by Norrie Paramor and featuring British musicians, it’s fast, furious, and rocky.
Compiler Tony Rounce could’ve chosen two Bobby Womack about space. The best known is the classic Fly Me To The Moon. Not as well known is Everyone’s Gone To The Moon. This was a track from Bobby’s 1969 sophomore album My Prescription. Released on the Minit label, this is vintage Bobby Womack. He breaths life and meaning into the lyrics with his languid, gravelly vocal.
Mr. Spaceman was written by Roger McGuinn, and featured on The Byrds’ third album Fifth Dimension. When Mr. Spaceman was released, The Byrds’ manager insured the band members against being abducted by aliens. It was safe to say, that Lloyds of London’s would never be called upon to pay-out the million-Dollars. That would’ve been the ultimate publicity. Despite the lack of alien abduction, The Byrds’ fusion of folk, psychedelia and rock would influence further generations of musicians.
David Bowie musical breakthrough came with his 1969 album Space Oddity. Released five years after his first single Liza Jane was released in 1964, Space Oddity was the album that transformed his career. It reached number seventeen in the UK and number sixteen in the US Billboard 200. Several recording of Space Oddity exist. The version that features on Greatest Hits From Outer Space is a version recorded before David Bowie left Deram in 1968. Dramatic and moody, it’s an innovative fusion of rock, pop and psychedelia that shows another side of the track. This wouldn’t be the last time David Bowie used space for inspiration. Indeed, compiler Tony Rounce could’ve chosen Moonage Daydream, Life On Mars or Jean Genie? He’s chosen well, with this oft-overlooked version of Space Oddity.
Closing Greatest Hits From Outer Space is John Stewart’s Armstrong. I was pleased to discover this track on the compilation, as John Stewart is a hugely underrated artist. Best known as a member of the made-for-TV band The Monkees, John Stewart is a talented singer, songwriter and musician. Armstrong released as a single in 1973, and featured on his album Cannons In The Rain. Veering between hopeful and wistful country, folk and pop combines to close Greatest Hits From Outer Space with a pensive, beautiful song.
Greatest Hits From Outer Space is something of a musical rarity. Usually, compilations are genre specific. Not Greatest Hits From Outer Space. Compiler Tony Rounce is allowed total freedom. He’s able to choose from any musical genre and does so. This results in a truly eclectic compilation, one filled with many musical surprises. Featuring everything from folk, soul and rock ‘n’ roll, this space-age musical journey takes in jazz, library music, blues and classical musical. Often, things get just a little trippy during this eclectic, space-age journey. Forgotten treasures are rediscovered, hidden gems unearthed and old favorites revisited.
Demonstrating just how eclectic Greatest Hits From Outer Space is, iLeonard Nimoy’s version of the Theme From Star Trek. There’s even the BBC Radiophonic Workshop’ version of the theme from Dr. Who, which used to traumatize a generation of British children each Saturday. One of my favorite tracks was Space Flight which comers courtesy of I Roy with Perry. It’s a compelling slice of spaced-out dub. Then there’s Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll, Billy Lee Riley and His Little Green Men’s delicious slice of rock ‘n’ roll. As you’ll have realized, the best way to describe Greatest Hits From Outer Space is as eclectic. So, if you’ve an eclectic taste in music, then Greatest Hits From Outer Space, which was recently released by Ace Records, is a space-age musical journey you’ll enjoy. Featuring a truly eclectic selection of music, there’s plenty of surprises in-store Greatest Hits From Outer Space. Standout Tracks: Ella Fitzgerald Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer Lightnin’ Hopkins John Glenn. Happy Blues For John Glenn, The Byrds Mr. Spaceman and John Stewart Armstrong.
GREATEST HITS FROM OUTER SPACE.
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