Glass: Songs from Liquid Days

Songs From Liquid Days has never rated, to this listener at least, as one of Glass's finer works; it's from that period when he seemed rather to lose his way, after the purer minimalism had worked itself out and before the more deeply colourful works of recent years had emerged. Nowadays Glass can marry strong rhythmic undercurrents with lush harmony and grand orchestral or choral flourishes. But then... Let's just say that, if not actually mediocre, Songs From Liquid Days is at best fair to middling. That said, it's worth another visit in this recording, which features a revised orchestration and the driving energy of the (on this evidence) skilful and versatile Crouch End Festival Chorus, who make a fine job of the material. Some of the Songs emerge simply as different in tone from - and for that alone interesting in comparison with - the original Glass recording. Some are definitely better. The finale is something truly majestic. The disc also features a rendition of Vessels from Koyaanisqatsi (somewhat weaker than the original, missing some lower registers) and, maybe the primary selling-point for Glass aficionados, a recording of Three Songs for Chorus a Capella. These supply the most intriguing and enjoyable moments on the disc. Just as well they come first!