Gong - Gazeuse! (1976)

Guybrush · 01-03-2011, 02:28 AM

This thread is for discussing the jazz fusion album Gazeuse! by the band Gong. It was 2010's last homework album in the prog & fusion album club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Gong - Gazeuse! (1976)

The core of Gong is, roughly speaking, a Canterbury band that plays psychedelic rock/prog about some guy's search for eastern type enlightment and which also include space travelling tea pots, clever metaphors for taking drugs and a certain kind of english humour .. or something along those lines. However, some side projects have budded off Gong that may not be described by those same things. Some time in the 70s, guitarist Daevid Allen said a wall of force prevented him to go on stage and left the band. Other core members left as well and the drummer Pierre Moerlen gained control of the band. What he did was turn Gong into a jazz fusion band and the debut of this line-up is Gazeuse!, also known as Expresso in America.

Although that might not sound like the best premise for a new album, the result is actually pretty sweet. Besides Moerlen, the album includes famous Canterbury guitarist Allan Holdsworth and early Magma bassist Francis Moze, among others. Something interesting about the album is the amount of percussion instruments dominating the sound, like vibraphone, marimba and glockenspiel. Together, they make for a very melodic album with a distinct sound not quite like anything else I've heard.

After a while, this line-up budded off the Gong band under the name "Pierre Moerlen's Gong", becoming an independent band project alongside the old Gong as Daevid Allen and his cronies were re-united. Thus this album could be regarded as Pierre Moerlen's Gong's debut rather than a Gong album. But anyways, those who are interested in fusion or have heard some of Gong's earlier material, but not this, should definetly check it out. Recommended!

So, what do you think?

Guybrush · 01-03-2011, 03:21 AM

What I can clearly hear on this album which I have a relationship with outside of Gong is clearly Holdsworth the guitarist. The album is somewhat similar to Allan Holdsworth's solo material, but the instrumentation makes it unique I think. It's the only fusion album I know of with such an extensive use of percussive instruments and I love those clean, vibrating tones. The songs I appreciate the most are the first four which I think are all strong. Percolations : Part I & II sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of a video game, like an underwater world in some snes rpg. I hope that doesn't cheapen the song as I actually mean it in a positive way. It's a delicious, relaxing listen and a nice contrast to some of the more rocking tracks.

My favourite Gazeuse track at the moment is Esnuria. It has a great groove and I love the build up and just how the song develops with the percussion instruments, guitar and brass. It's a brilliant song with rocking bits as well as beautiful parts.

I don't think there's anything wrong with this album. Some would perhaps argue that the compositions could be more interesting, but I like where they've taken them and what they've done on this album. Usually, it's not a record I consciously sit down and dedicate attention to, but I might put it on while working on something and then I find myself grooving along after a little while.

It's a very good from me

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 01-03-2011, 03:45 AM

Nowhere near as awesome as Radio Gnome Trilogy or Camembert Electrique, but a damn good jazz-rock album. I didn't even know that Allen wasn't on board for this one, and I really don't notice the drop in quality from Shamal at all(unintentional rhyme ftw!).

Mrd00d · 01-21-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

There are a lot of Holdsworth guitar runs to keep the tracks moving along, but I found myself mainly listening to all the percussive details that make this album sound so special.
...
the only negative comment I have about Gazeuse is that the last, soft track is way too short: it feels like they were just warming into it when someone told them to pack up and get out of the studio!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

I love those clean, vibrating tones. The songs I appreciate the most are the first four which I think are all strong. It's a delicious, relaxing listen and a nice contrast to some of the more rocking tracks.

My favourite Gazeuse track at the moment is Esnuria. It has a great groove and I love the build up and just how the song develops with the percussion instruments, guitar and brass. It's a brilliant song with rocking bits as well as beautiful parts.

Usually, it's not a record I consciously sit down and dedicate attention to, but I might put it on while working on something and then I find myself grooving along after a little while.

It's a very good from me

Those ideas sum up where I sit at well. A close second is the track Expresso itself, which I find to be a very fun ride. Really dig that xylophone sound followed by really grungy garage drums.

I feel the excellent guitar playing on track two, Night Illusion, saves it, but the final track is a bit dull (Mirelle).... it's unforgivably down.

I enjoy the majority of this album very much... I really enjoy the playfulness...

Lisnaholic · 01-05-2011, 04:47 PM

Another solid album choice from the PFAC, and another album of impeccably-performed instrumentals.

There are a lot of Holdsworth guitar runs to keep the tracks moving along, but I found myself mainly listening to all the percussive details that make this album sound so special. As tore suggests, the real magic of the unusual instrumentation opens up on Percolations, but scattered throughout the tracks there are plenty of light, dancing sections where Pierre Moerlen`s various instruments dominate.

On the basis of this album, I`m going to check out Expresso II, which is apparently similar, and also the three albums that Skaligojurah mentions. I`m also going for a vote of "Brilliant" here, because the only negative comment I have about Gazeuse is that the last, soft track is way too short: it feels like they were just warming into it when someone told them to pack up and get out of the studio!

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 01-05-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

the three albums that Skaligojurah mentions

I highly highly suggest anyone listen to the Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy(Flying Pot, Angel's Egg, You). Probably one of the most consistently brilliant yet eclectic set of albums I've ever heard. Nearly every time I listen to one I often find myself listening to all three since it's difficult to stop listening.

Seltzer · 01-28-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

There are a lot of Holdsworth guitar runs to keep the tracks moving along, but I found myself mainly listening to all the percussive details that make this album sound so special.

I'm with you there. I'm not normally one for drum solos but Esnuria's intro is the greatest thing ever - I used to listen to it on repeat when I first discovered Gazeuse.

Chumley · 04-29-2011, 05:35 AM

Brilliant. Allan Holdsworth replaces Steve Hillage after Holdsworth appeared on Soft Machine's Bundles, another jazz fusion classic and the band takes a different direction more into jazz fusion/rock. An instrumental masterpiece where Holdsworth soloing dominates some songs like Expresso, Night Illusion and Shadows Of. The rhythm section of Pierre Moerlen and Francis Moze is exceptional and tight as it can get. Expresso II is well done but can't touch this essential jazz fusion album.

Guybrush · 01-05-2011, 04:59 PM

I can happily say that anyone who likes Gazeuse! will find that Expresso II is very much a continuation of the same kind of music. Hence the name, of course, as Gazeuse! is known as Expresso in north America.

Lisnaholic · 01-05-2011, 06:31 PM

Thanks, that sounds promising.

These Canterbury musicians were really in and out of bed with each other, weren`t they ? I wonder if you`ve ever looked at tuneglue.netwebsite: type in "gong" for instance,click the black circle,click "expand" and the whole story starts to unfold. It`s quite fun for a while.

View Poll Results: How would you rank the album?
Horrible!	0	0%
Bad	0	0%
Mediocre	0	0%
Good	2	25.00%
Very good	4	50.00%
Brilliant!	2	25.00%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

01-03-2011, 03:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	What I can clearly hear on this album which I have a relationship with outside of Gong is clearly Holdsworth the guitarist. The album is somewhat similar to Allan Holdsworth's solo material, but the instrumentation makes it unique I think. It's the only fusion album I know of with such an extensive use of percussive instruments and I love those clean, vibrating tones. The songs I appreciate the most are the first four which I think are all strong. Percolations : Part I & II sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of a video game, like an underwater world in some snes rpg. I hope that doesn't cheapen the song as I actually mean it in a positive way. It's a delicious, relaxing listen and a nice contrast to some of the more rocking tracks. My favourite Gazeuse track at the moment is Esnuria. It has a great groove and I love the build up and just how the song develops with the percussion instruments, guitar and brass. It's a brilliant song with rocking bits as well as beautiful parts. I don't think there's anything wrong with this album. Some would perhaps argue that the compositions could be more interesting, but I like where they've taken them and what they've done on this album. Usually, it's not a record I consciously sit down and dedicate attention to, but I might put it on while working on something and then I find myself grooving along after a little while. It's a very good from me __________________ Something Completely Different

01-05-2011, 04:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I can happily say that anyone who likes Gazeuse! will find that Expresso II is very much a continuation of the same kind of music. Hence the name, of course, as Gazeuse! is known as Expresso in north America. __________________ Something Completely Different

01-03-2011, 03:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra \/ GOD Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nowhere... Posts: 2,179	Nowhere near as awesome as Radio Gnome Trilogy or Camembert Electrique, but a damn good jazz-rock album. I didn't even know that Allen wasn't on board for this one, and I really don't notice the drop in quality from Shamal at all(unintentional rhyme ftw!).

01-05-2011, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Another solid album choice from the PFAC, and another album of impeccably-performed instrumentals. There are a lot of Holdsworth guitar runs to keep the tracks moving along, but I found myself mainly listening to all the percussive details that make this album sound so special. As tore suggests, the real magic of the unusual instrumentation opens up on Percolations, but scattered throughout the tracks there are plenty of light, dancing sections where Pierre Moerlen`s various instruments dominate. On the basis of this album, I`m going to check out Expresso II, which is apparently similar, and also the three albums that Skaligojurah mentions. I`m also going for a vote of "Brilliant" here, because the only negative comment I have about Gazeuse is that the last, soft track is way too short: it feels like they were just warming into it when someone told them to pack up and get out of the studio!

04-29-2011, 05:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
Chumley Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 69	Brilliant. Allan Holdsworth replaces Steve Hillage after Holdsworth appeared on Soft Machine's Bundles, another jazz fusion classic and the band takes a different direction more into jazz fusion/rock. An instrumental masterpiece where Holdsworth soloing dominates some songs like Expresso, Night Illusion and Shadows Of. The rhythm section of Pierre Moerlen and Francis Moze is exceptional and tight as it can get. Expresso II is well done but can't touch this essential jazz fusion album.

01-05-2011, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	Thanks, that sounds promising. These Canterbury musicians were really in and out of bed with each other, weren`t they ? I wonder if you`ve ever looked at tuneglue.netwebsite: type in "gong" for instance,click the black circle,click "expand" and the whole story starts to unfold. It`s quite fun for a while.