Tangerine Dream
Antique Dreams
Third in the series of 'Classic Editions', 'Antique Dreams' presents a dozen tracks spanning the years '71 to '90. It's difficult to pick out any pattern to the pieces chosen, it's a seemingly random mix of studio and live material, though they are linked by their relative rarity. We're in "long deleted" or "never previously released" territory here. So, almost 70 minutes of classic TD rarities. Primarily Franke/Froese/Baumann or Franke/Froese/Schmoelling line-ups. How could it possibly fail to impress? The opener is 'Oedipus Tyrannus Overture'. Created in June 1974 for a theatrical play, it's a piece which has long had collectors digging up the Virgin 'V' double album on which it originally appeared. Have to say this piece has never really done anything for me, certainly compared to the high standard set on 'Phaedra' at around the same time, and its digital resurrection doesn't change my mind. Add the very "hissy" recording quality to the equation and I can't see this piece getting many revisits. Similarly the phrase "novelty value" springs to mind when I listen to the embryonic rock refrains of 'Ultima Thule Part 1'. The 1971 7" single has been, and probably still is, a Holy Grail for many TD collectors but really it's only the TD label which sheds any interest on this unremarkable piece.

OK, so that's the "bad" news. The good news starts with track 3 'Calymba Caly'. After hearing this piece on less than satisfactory (but better than nothing I hasten to add) bootleg tapes it's great to hear a relatively clean version of this section performed during the '81 European tour. The sequencing during the first section is nothing fancy but it still never fails to impress, and the Schmoelling refrains add so much lustre. At the 6 minute mark the tempo increased with one of those classic chugging beats, and the synth melodics really start to get going. All in all it's a fantastic 10 minute slab early 80's TD, the only disappointment being that it could have gone on for so much longer to allow Schmoelling's fantastic lead solo's to really hit home.

One notable feature of early 80's TD was their popularity with German TV producers, 3 of the pieces are taken from TV projects, the first being 'Flock of Seagulls' which is I believe is from the 'Das Madchen Auf Der Treppe' 12" single (forgive me for not checking but swapping belt settings on my turn-table to change the speed was never my favourite pastime). It's a fine piece, with a suitably edgy quality of searing sequencer work and whimsical motifs. 'Speed Dragon' is another TV piece but it sounds familiar from live concerts of that era, again a fine sequential beat is the main feature. 'Edinburgh Castle' is next, a section of the encore from the 1980 Edinburgh appearance. Again there's some startling sequencer work but, for me, this is not a highspot of TD's concerts of that era.

Onto 'Moorland', rare 7" 'B' side from the 'Tatort' TV series, and this really is a classic piece which sounds poised and pristine. As for the next track, read this list. 1981. Franke, Froese and Schmoelling. A live performance of sections from 'Sorcerer' and 'Thief'. What do you expect me to say?! Just turn up the volume and smile! Track 9 'Southend Mall' is the first totally unfamiliar piece to me, a Froese composition which never made it onto 'Le Parc'. It's certainly contemporary with that album and is an enjoyable romp. 'Cool Breeze of Brighton' is a live excerpt from Brighton 1986 and what a corking version of 'Scrap Yard' (from 'Thief') this is! A blistering 10 minute sequencer meltdown with guitar pyrotechnics. Again the fade leaves tantalising glimpses of subsequent sections I'd dearly love to revisit. Next is a 1990 live version of 'Phaedra', recorded in Nottingham. It's a sequence orgy, so I cannot help but enjoy this! Finally it's 'House of the Rising Sun' from the 1988, a pleasant enough ditty but those harpsichord synths really do get to you after while. Still, if nothing more it reminds you of Ralph Wadephul and the rather splendid 'Sun Gate' from 'Optical Race'.

In general the sound quality of the album is OK, hiss is most noticeable on 'Oedipus' and is evident on many of the pieces, especially the live sections. As for studio overdubs, or "tangentization" as it has become popularly known, well there are times when some of the sounds shine out with sonorous quality while the hissy background chugs along. But, I've given up pondering what's original and what's not, as long as overall it's not a complete distraction then what will be will be. And generally what this album will be is something which classic TD fans will enjoy and revisit often. OK, it's not perfect. But there's certainly enough here to glimpse what TD were, and to revel in the glory. And let's be optimistic, perhaps the next classic release will be even better. And, if it's better than this, it will be seriously good. (GG)

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