There's No Other Group Like Oregon
Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 06/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Oregon, which had its origins in the Paul Winter Consort, boasts four multi-instrumentalists: Ralph Towner (12-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, French horn), Paul McCandless (oboe, English horn, bass clarinet), Collin Walcott (tabla, sitar, clarinet, piano) and Glen Moore (bass, violin, flute and piano). While they were at the forefront of the fusion jazz movement (they recorded for Vanguard from 1970-1979), it was not a fusion of rock but rather elements of folk, world music and Indian ragas.
This lineup of the band remained intact until Wolcott's untimely death in 1984. During their tenure at Vanguard they recorded seven studio albums and one live album. [In 1980, Vanguard released for the first time their 1970 debut OUR FIRST RECORD, but it had been recorded prior to their signing with the label.] With so many albums in their catalog, it is something of a surprise that this collection selects tracks from only their first three releases: "Tide Pool" from their third album (1974's WINTER LIGHT); "Aurora," "Canyon Song" and "Mi Chinita" from their second album (1973's DISTANT HILLS); and the remaining six songs are taken from their stunning debut (1972's MUSIC OF AN OTHER PRESENT ERA).
While all four members compose, Towner wrote six of the tracks and co-wrote two others. It's difficult to describe their music--there simply is no other group like Oregon. Their music has a pastoral quality that gives it a relaxing feel, but at the same time does not wander off into new age noodling. In 2000, Vanguard released VANGUARD SESSIONS: BEST OF THE VANGUARD YEARS which had fourteen tracks and covered their entire Vanguard career, but this 2007 collection provides an excellent introduction to this influential group. [Running Time - 53:55] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1