Search - Bill Nelson :: The Love That Whirls (Diary of a Thinking Heart)

One of the greatest albums of all time

TM77 | nj, usa | 07/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Love That Whirls(Diary Of A Thinking Heart) convinced me that Bill Nelson is a musical genius.

This album is an incredible mix of synth-pop, electro-funk, ambient, other nameless brilliance. This came out in 1982 when electronics were everywhere in music but Bill Nelson was in a league of his own.

You'll hear Nelson's trademark e-bow guitar playing throughout the album. There is also an oriental influence on the songs Eros Arriving and the funky When You Dream Of Perfect Beauty It Comes True. You won't forget that guitar hook in Eros Arriving once you've heard it...believe me.

The song Empire Of The Senses features some nifty vibes and synth playing. The Crystal Escalator In The Palace Of God Department Store features one of the best synth solos I've ever heard, along with one of the longest song titles I've ever seen.

Waiting For Voices, The Bride Of Christ In Autumn, Portrait Of Jan With Flowers, and Echo In Her Eyes(The Lamps Of Oblivion) are all dreamy ambient pieces, which Nelson does as good as and better in some cases than people like Eno and others. Portrait Of Jan With Flowers features some beautiful piano playing.



I still have this on vinyl, but it was released in the late 80s on cd, on the now defunct Enigma label. You may find some copies out there on the internet, and you can believe they won't be cheap. I wish I had bought the cd when I had the chance. According to the Bill Nelson official website, The Love That Whirls(Diary Of A Thinking Heart) will be re-released one day. I only hope it's not too long. This is one of the greatest albums of all time from a genius who will probably never be fully recognized for his talents."

More intelligent pop Nelsonia

Anthony D Ravenscroft | Santa Fe, NM United States | 11/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For a fleeting moment, I was disappointed when I first acquired this album. I knew I had at least three of the 12 tracks elsewhere in my collection.I brightened quickly. The very first track is "Empire of the senses," a song that I would put forward as one of the finest examples of Nelson's lyrics, singing, arranging, guitar, etc. -- not the BEST in any of these categories, but the combination is truly top-notch.If you like Nelson's 4/4 vocal-pop side, & have a little too much cash in your pocket, then you could do worse. The first play will be a pleasant & still-fresh New Wave joy. Then, with repeated playings, you'll appreciate new things, wondering how you could possibly have missed some detail or other on previous listening. It's not a "play once" album.track list (from Cocteau LP):Empire of the senses
Hope for the heartbeat
Waiting for voices
A private view
Eros arriving
The bride of christ in autumn
When your dream of perfect beauty comes trueFlaming desire
Portrait of jan with flowers
The crystal escalator in the palace of god department store
Echo in her eyes (the lamps of oblivion)
The october man"

Passionate with Depth

Scott L. Mills | Blue Hill, ME. United States | 07/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Bill Nelsons Finest Hour. Passionate and deep, beautiful, light and dark.

A Top Ten Desert Island Disc For Sure.

A great mix of Bill Nelson and Be Bop Deluxe (his 70's formative band). If you like tasteful guitar work or just experimental stuff a la Bowie, and so much more, this may be for you. He has since put out over 50 (FIFTY) CD's and they are mostly worth checking into. Please do yourself a favor.

Some suggestions :

1. Plaything '04 (Experimental, guitar, found sounds & dialogue),

2. Rosewood 2 '06 (Guitar),

and, 3. Bill Nelsons Red Noise:Sound On Sound '79 (Some Of The Best Punk Pop On The Planet).

And if you really want a treat ... all five Be Bop Deluxe Albums (73-78)



Take the trip!"