Project 1001: May 8, 2024; Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
"one of the most important, artistic, and exciting works in the history of electronic music".
The only thing I knew about Tangerine Dream before today’s album was generated for me is their work for the Risky Business soundtrack, which is great and a major reason I enjoyed that film so much. (Let’s be real, Rebecca De Mornay was also a major reason.)
I wonder whatever happened to her co-star? He seemed to have lots of potential.
Phaedra comes across to me as perfect music for a movie soundtrack. I subsequently learned that TD is possibly the most important artistic influence ever in electronic music. This is a style of music that I don’t sit down and listen to like I would do for more conventional popular music. But I value it and can think of many films that have been enhanced with it (The Social Network, score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, immediately came to mind.) A lot of the mood music and ambient music many of us play to help us sleep or work can also be traced - at least in part - to TD’s early work. While not something I would go back and listen to intentionally, I recognize the importance of this band and I think we’re better off from them existing.
My Rating:
For the playlist I just went with the Risky Business soundtrack.
The standouts for me are Bob Seger and Muddy Waters along with Phil Collins. (Although In The Air Tonight has been so overplayed and used for so many commercials and movies/TV that it doesn’t bring me the same joy it once did.)
What are some of your memories of the movie Risky Business? Or Tangerine Dream? Or electronic music in general? Please share in the comments!
Enjoy and listen without prejudice. Cheers!