Boots, Ron: Dreamscape
Title: Dreamscape
Artist: Boots, Ron
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 8715164000743
Genre: Electronic
This 2003 reissue of Ron Boots' debut CD in 1990 boasts new cover art, remastered originals, and the bonus track 'Rivers 2003'. I've never heard the original Dreamscape, except for the tracks 'Rivers' and 'The Stand' from the Boots 80s Box. So this was largely a new venture for me into Ron's musical past, and a worthwhile one. 'Cougarland' moves along at a deliberate pace, and though it seems a bit slow for an opening track the dreamy quality it imparts actually works rather well to get things going. Next is the 14-minute epic 'The Stand', which still holds up as a solid bit of EM, gently flowing along as Ron seamlessly weaves different musical phrases and themes together in a beautiful tapestry of sound. He really had a knack in the early 90s (and still does, for that matter) of being able to take a piece of music and just let it go, without feeling the need to hit the listener over the head. The musical subtlety and grace is evident here, not only on 'The Stand' but also on the soft floaters 'Silent Nature' and 'Cry of the Heart'. Each of these unfolds luxuriously, purposefully. The two parts of the title track are surprisingly different. Part I is dreamy synths and light sequencing, all played by Boots alone. Part II, on the other hand, has acoustic guitar in a sort of slowed-down flamenco style, an extended spoken-word text in Esperanto, and musical contributions by Bas Broekhuis, Ron Doesburg, and Eric van der Heijden. The speaking stops after four minutes, and the music changes from it's acoustic leanings into delicate sequencers and soft yet insistent rhythms. It's a very different piece for Ron, but really quite nice. The final track is 'Rivers 2003', with it's slow pulsing bass synth and simple majestic beat like the original, which appears earlier on the disc. Ron comments that he has much more technology at his disposal now than he did then and it shows, particularly as it gradually reaches it's peak. Done with synth flutes and horns on the original, the new version more smoothly blends the electronic and symphonic elements together into one overall sound. The conclusion, as with the rest of Dreamscape, is understated but highly successful. Phil Derby / Electroambient Space This is the 2003 remaster with the bonus track 'Rivers 2003' All tracks composed, played and produced by Ron Boots. 1989 to 1990. Except for 'Rivers 2003'. No extra parts were add to this version. Track 7 is played by Ron Doesborg, Bas Broekhuis, Eric v.d. Heijden, Wollie (4.46) and Ron Boots during an all night session in 1990 in Ron's living room. Text by Reina de Jong, spoken by Desiree Derksen in Esperanto. Press information 'Dreamscape' was Ron Boots' first album to be released on CD. It is about daydreaming and lucid dreaming. Ron uses his sequencing experience to begin his 'crossover' atmospheric style. His soundscapes are gentle and pastoral. He uses the 'MIDI Digital - Digital' method of recording to generate a crisp reproduction of his emotional music. The music evokes feelings of serenity and tranquility. The lucid dreams are cathartic and empowering. Ron urges listeners to drift with the music as the guide and the vehicle. Trite and corny as it may sound, listeners will go to their 'happy places.' Jim Brenholts.
Tracks:
1.1 Cougarland
1.2 The Stand
1.3 Silent Nature
1.4 Rivers
1.5 Cry of the Heart
1.6 Dreamscape, Pt. 1
1.7 Dreamscape, Pt. 2 ; 3
1.8 Rivers 2003
Artist: Boots, Ron
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 8715164000743
Genre: Electronic
This 2003 reissue of Ron Boots' debut CD in 1990 boasts new cover art, remastered originals, and the bonus track 'Rivers 2003'. I've never heard the original Dreamscape, except for the tracks 'Rivers' and 'The Stand' from the Boots 80s Box. So this was largely a new venture for me into Ron's musical past, and a worthwhile one. 'Cougarland' moves along at a deliberate pace, and though it seems a bit slow for an opening track the dreamy quality it imparts actually works rather well to get things going. Next is the 14-minute epic 'The Stand', which still holds up as a solid bit of EM, gently flowing along as Ron seamlessly weaves different musical phrases and themes together in a beautiful tapestry of sound. He really had a knack in the early 90s (and still does, for that matter) of being able to take a piece of music and just let it go, without feeling the need to hit the listener over the head. The musical subtlety and grace is evident here, not only on 'The Stand' but also on the soft floaters 'Silent Nature' and 'Cry of the Heart'. Each of these unfolds luxuriously, purposefully. The two parts of the title track are surprisingly different. Part I is dreamy synths and light sequencing, all played by Boots alone. Part II, on the other hand, has acoustic guitar in a sort of slowed-down flamenco style, an extended spoken-word text in Esperanto, and musical contributions by Bas Broekhuis, Ron Doesburg, and Eric van der Heijden. The speaking stops after four minutes, and the music changes from it's acoustic leanings into delicate sequencers and soft yet insistent rhythms. It's a very different piece for Ron, but really quite nice. The final track is 'Rivers 2003', with it's slow pulsing bass synth and simple majestic beat like the original, which appears earlier on the disc. Ron comments that he has much more technology at his disposal now than he did then and it shows, particularly as it gradually reaches it's peak. Done with synth flutes and horns on the original, the new version more smoothly blends the electronic and symphonic elements together into one overall sound. The conclusion, as with the rest of Dreamscape, is understated but highly successful. Phil Derby / Electroambient Space This is the 2003 remaster with the bonus track 'Rivers 2003' All tracks composed, played and produced by Ron Boots. 1989 to 1990. Except for 'Rivers 2003'. No extra parts were add to this version. Track 7 is played by Ron Doesborg, Bas Broekhuis, Eric v.d. Heijden, Wollie (4.46) and Ron Boots during an all night session in 1990 in Ron's living room. Text by Reina de Jong, spoken by Desiree Derksen in Esperanto. Press information 'Dreamscape' was Ron Boots' first album to be released on CD. It is about daydreaming and lucid dreaming. Ron uses his sequencing experience to begin his 'crossover' atmospheric style. His soundscapes are gentle and pastoral. He uses the 'MIDI Digital - Digital' method of recording to generate a crisp reproduction of his emotional music. The music evokes feelings of serenity and tranquility. The lucid dreams are cathartic and empowering. Ron urges listeners to drift with the music as the guide and the vehicle. Trite and corny as it may sound, listeners will go to their 'happy places.' Jim Brenholts.
Tracks:
1.1 Cougarland
1.2 The Stand
1.3 Silent Nature
1.4 Rivers
1.5 Cry of the Heart
1.6 Dreamscape, Pt. 1
1.7 Dreamscape, Pt. 2 ; 3
1.8 Rivers 2003
