Search - Brian Eno :: Ambient 1: Music For Airports

4 Stars for the Disc, but don't double-dip!

Christopher Marlowe | Boston | 07/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have the newly remastered version of this album, as well as the older CD version, and I cannot tell any difference between them. I have tried (with high-end equipment), but both sound exactly the same to me!



Despite buying what is essentially a duplicate of my older CD (my pain can be your gain), I can easily forgive the work itself, which in my opinion is a great ambient album. It was my first real foray into the genre, and I went from here to other Eno, Harold Budd, Stars of the Lid and even Miles Davis.



Most reviewers will sing the praise of track 1, but the fourth track is the standout in my opinion. If you want to give ambient music a try, or even if you have experienced it before, you cannot go wrong with this album.



If you are interested in more ambient discs, try Eno's Thursday Afternoon, The Pearl, or Ambient 2 (both with Harold Budd). Ambient 4: On Land is much different that Ambient 1, and you will detect the difference immediately. Ambient 3... well, check the reviews and see for yourself.



Harold Budd is also a great ambient musician, and if you like Ambient 1, I would suggest also giving some of his albums a try. In addition to The Pearl, and Ambient 2, which are mentioned above, look into The White Arcades and The Serpent (in Quicksilver) & Abandoned Cities.



As I mentioned above, my interest in ambient brought me back to Jazz and Miles Davis. The trumpeter's funkier records actually come across as proto-ambient to me. Check out In a Silent Way, and Get Up With It for a taste.



If you already have the older CD, I would strongly suggest getting it up used. Do not, however, simply buy up all the new Eno remasters. I think you will be disappointed by the lack of enhancement."