Glass: Songs from Liquid Days

I've had a cassette copy of this for many years, but our last cassette player died last year. So I put a CD copy on my Christmas list. Now I have it. Wow, just, wow.There aren't many semi-classical CDs that can be played at full volume on a road trip; this is one. On one of many drives across northern Arizona on I-40 last year, I had a library copy along, and it was the greenest and prettiest drive across the high desert from Flagstaff to Kingman, in the almost 40 years I've been driving this route. I got an early start eastbound out of Kingman, put on "Liquid Days" -- and by the time "Open the Kingdom" came around -- well, it sounded really, really good. Even in my 17-year-old Pathfinder at 75 mph, factory stock stereo, cranked up, Glass and Douglas Perry were done full justice. "Open the Kingdom, Open the Kingdom ... Returning Love...."If you don't own a copy, or (even more) if you've somehow missed out on Glass's masterpiece -- well, here it is, for ten bucks. You'll thank me when you get your copy. Though I can't guarantee such a sublime backdrop.Happy listening, and driving --Peter D. Tillman

Philip K.Glass has always been an enigma to me: a cab driver who composes; a classical composer who almost sounds like a Rock band at times. A Steve Reich clone or influence? But I saw him do an interview recently and he was very inspiring, informative and interesting. A friend suggested I get this CD of his, and so I did. I confess that I enjoyed his score to the movie "The Illusionist" a bit more than most of these songs. Check that out too before you buy this. BUt if you are a fan of those 'rock' artistes that skllfully navigate that slippery border between authentically rootsy rock and rollin, and pretentious art, then this may be just the package you'll cherish.

This to me is a perfect album. I had it on vinyl, and then on cassette and now I have it on CD at last. I saw Glass and ensemble perform this live in San Francisco and was blown away. Linda Ronstadt's voice was so astounding, I had no idea she could sing like that, and the Roach sisters harmonies behind her was the stuff of magic. I recommend you play this at a good volume and listen all the way through. Lyrics by Paul Simon, Suzanne Vega, David Burns and Laurie Andersen with the pulsing, emotive orchestrations of Philip Glass. Glass doesn't get much better than this. Amazing song cycle.

"Songs from liquid days" is now a new old favorite for me from Philip Glass. All the different artists participating is a fascinating part of the CD, and even though some of the lyrics are odd, the music and vocals keep me coming back to listen over and over again. The way Douglas Perry sings "Open the Kingdom" is so powerful, that I have decided I want it played full blast at my funeral.

I bought this solely for the two Linda Ronstadt performances, which I've had on vinyl since the late 80's. If you like Linda, or Glass, you will not be disappointed. The music is not for all listeners, and hard to describe.

I bought this LP right after the release. I played it over & over. Later on I attended the Live Concert & was blown away by the performance. This CD is Highly Recommended.

I read a review from someone, who said this collection was their driving soundtrack, and thought, "Wow, I need to buy this CD." Remind me not to go on a driving trip with this person. Let's just say that if they called "Music," I might call, "Shotgun."

Fine early Philip Glass. If you like his music, you'll like this.

Really good album. Amazing collaboration on classic songs. Perfect on all occasions ... not just for the liquid days !!

Frankly I expected the worst, from an esoteric and slightly experimental artist. But no. Easy listening.What is striking are features from which the group Muse must have found some inspiration. Otherwise, it's an amazing coincidence.

I am not sure that this constitutes anywhere close to Glass' finest work but, as an interesting concept and collaborative project, it does indeed still have merit. Some pieces work more cohesively than others and there certainly are times when the conventional songs that he reworks perhaps limits his scope for imaginative composition.Nonetheless, any Glass fan will want to won this.

A masterpiece of 1980s minimalism. I'm not usually a fan of this kind of thing, but this I love, especially the vocals of Bernard Fowler, Linda Ronstadt and the rest and thought provoking lyrics. Inventive, melodic and certainly different. Perhaps you need to be in the right mood to appreciate it, though.

Philip Glass, once the L'Enfant terrible of Minimalist Music is now almost 'classical' - such is the impact he has had on younger, more recent composers. However, his work endures - as on this splendid disc. Not all the singing is up to scratch, however but there are some remarkable performances.