Jun 4, 2010

DOUG RANDLE - SONGS FOR THE NEW INDUSTRIAL STATE (KANATA/CBC 1970)




A stunning collection of songs for and about the time we live in from the Canadian musician. Though the album was originally released in 1971, it's musical themes sound modern and timeless nearly 40 years after the album's original release. Songs was an introspective look at ever-dominant corporations, the cutthroat advertising world, our consumer society, decaying environment, and his own personal condition. The results crossed the epic studio creations of David Axelrod's Capitol output with Free Design vocal harmonies from notable vocalists Tommy Ambrose and Laurie Bower.
......................
This unique and curious piece of work from Canadian composer and arranger Doug Randle represents a song cycle based upon a dystopian vision of our consumerist future (or rather, our present). Each song cradles its barbed message within a package of sweet vocal harmonies and the kind of big band arrangements that would rival David Axelrod's output. "Doug was, and still is, a writer, arranger, musician, and conductor with roots deep in the Canadian jazz scene of the 1950s. After a lengthy spell working in England during the first half of the 1960s, he returned to Toronto and took up an in-house position at the government sanctioned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), where in 1970 he recorded his very own What's Going On. Commercially released by the short-lived Kanata Records label, Songs was an introspective look at ever-dominant corporations, the cutthroat advertising world, our consumer society, decaying environment, and his own personal condition."[boomkat]
A Great Pop-Psych Album...don't miss it!

Here

13 comments:

Cy at Pck said...

I've listened to 5 of Doug's songs and they come over very crisp, clear and relevant...the musicians play very well and support the 'essential' lyrics....
thanks for posting this....
greetings from Scotland

Niall said...

Fantastic post..........many thanks as always!!
Niall

Georgie Hirezola said...

a friend of mine told me about this record a couple of years ago.....
to tell the truth I could never imagine the unique sound & quality of this record just judging by its cover...
thanks guys
Georgie++++++++++++++

Right-Note said...

Thanks for exposing to some great music... I'm especially grateful for the last three postings

Anonymous said...

this sounds very intriguing - thanx for presenting it to us! best wishes, ubique

Unknown said...

This is one of my favorite soft pop albums of all time. Highly recommended.

Anonymous said...

excellent records, thank you. would love to see more like these last 3

rickk

Don said...

excellent album!

Unknown said...

Yes! More recordings like this, please. Soft Pop has become a favorite very quickly. Would love to find more gems....

Timmy said...

Very interesting LP. Thanx...

winton tostello said...

Α record I was searching...
Honestly thanks! I have to point out the ammount and quality of work you pour into this blog!
Να'σαι καλά!

Mr Hercules said...

Great! Thanks

Anonymous said...

enjoyed this ....thanks