Search - Boney M :: Oceans of Fantasy

Another boney m re-re-release

E. A. Verheijen | netherlands | 04/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, after it's original cd release in the early 90's here is a new remaster of the 4th boney m cd.

The cd (tracks-runningtime) is the same as the the first release except for 2 bonus tracks, that were recorded/ released after this album, but before the boonoonoonoos album. When this album was originally released on vinyl in 1979 it saw no less then 9 different pressings with different timings of the tracks. For me, as fan/ collector I am mostly intrested in the longest versions and that's not what this cd brings. No rare releases, just the tracks as given already so many times.

Even though some tracks appear to be ust a few seconds longer, they somethimes are completely different.



AS an example, here is the original cd tracklisting (which was the 6th vinyl lp pressing) with times and the second time is that of another version of that same song, but then from a different vinyl recording.

Let It All Be Music 4:55 (5:28)

Gotta Go Home 3:45 (4:24 and even a 2:58 version)

Bye Bye Bluebird 4:50 (5:15)

Bahama Mama 3:17 (3:30)

Hold On! I'm Comin' 3:37 (4:07)

Two of Us 3:16 (3:14)

Ribbons of Blue 2:00 (3:54 > as released on a Italian 7inch single)

Oceans of Fantasy 5:07 (5:27)

El Lute 5:57 (that is the longest version, though the 12inch ran 5:07)

No More Chain Gang 5:25 (5:50)

I'm Born Again 4:09

No Time to Lose 2:56 (3:23)

Calendar Song (January, February, March...) 2:43 (3:20)

I See A Boat On The River (Bonus track)

My Friend Jack (Bonus track)



As you can see, most songs appears in longer different versions as well, and then I did not even mention the 12inch versions for hold on I'm coming 5:46 / gotta go home 5:04 / bahama mama 5:12 / i'm born again 4:17



And what happened to the single (3:50) hooray hooray it's a holi-holiday that was released that same year but was never included on any album. Or the very short 1:02 version of ribbons of blue, that one was actually on the 6th pressing (the later cd version), but was removed and the 2 minute version was used instead, but why not the full 3:54 version???

I guess we will never know.

Hopefully, one day, they release this cd as limited edition 2 disc, with the original album and the longer/shorter versions from the other vinyl releases.



And, when can we finally expect a cd with all those great original 12inch version?"

Come Share With Me The Oceans!

Peter | 11/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Speaking as a casual Boney M. fan (is there such a thing?!), I have to say that this is a truly catchy and funky album. It was bought for my Dad by my Aunt as a birthday present back in '79 when I was just two years of age. During the ensuing years it was rarely off of our record player as my sister and I would listen to it continuously, whilst dancing round the living room miming to the lyrics. As children we appreciated its simplistic qualities: strong beats and memorable tunes. As an adult I indulged myself and bought the album on CD, if only to take a little trip down Nostalgia Lane. It was a wonderful experience to hear the music I knew so well as a crisp and clear digital recording. I remembered it as a rather scratchy and crackly affair due to the years of abuse my sister and I put the original vinyl LP through! Let's not kid ourselves, this is no musical materpiece, but there is a certain something there. It's a very neatly produced album with tight disco beats and wonderful bass tracks provided by Gary Unwin (whatever happened to him?!). It isn't just for nostaligic and rose-coloured reasons that I like this album. The title track is a personal favourite because it seems to sum up the whole experience: competent session musicianship, solid production, odd and intriguing lyrics, a weird fusing of German/European and Carribean cultures, and probably best of all, producer and closet singer Frank Farian's blatantly egotistical but amazingly successful attempt to replace the entire band with his own voice singing all the parts. Bizarre!"

Lover of the Russian Queen...

La La | Lawrenceville, GA United States | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This multi Platinum record selling group was formed in Germany in the mid 70s with Marcia Barrett, Liz Mitchell, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell. The project was put together by the German record producer Frank Farian. Coincidently all 4 members were from the West Indies area and different time of their life they all were settled in Europe.

It is sad that Boney M didn't have much success in America, but they had HUGE success in Europe and Asia. I was probably 4/5 yrs old when I first saw this tape. My elder brother used to listen to them. Needless to say I'd not understand all the wording, but I clearly recall even being a kid, I found their music just stunningly melodious. I don't think there is another band quite like Boney M or there will ever be another one!

20/25 years later I see some of the newer hip hop rap artist try to dance the way Bobby Farrell did back in the mid 70s! I was born in Bangladesh and grew up in US. While going to college I was working at a music store and I've asked dozens of my music customers if they have heard of Boney M. The response was always "who"?

Music that gets produced now days are often intended to last for maybe 2 tops 3 years. After that either the band breaks up or they just can't score any other track, but group like Boney M ruled the European chart for nearly 20 years!!! I wish there were such melody and simplicity in today's music, but I know I'm asking for a lil too much.



See my screen name. Do i need to say one more time how big of Boney M fan i'm? :)

If u r reading this review and don't have a single Boney M cd, get any of their cds and you won't be disappointed!



"