harold budd

Lovely Thunder

In a review by Brian Kirby of All Music:

 

"The phrase 'Lovely Thunder' suggests a beautiful sound with an undertone of menace. One need go no farther than "Gypsy Violin," the last song and centerpiece of the album Lovely Thunder, to hear howHarold Budd takes the phrase and forges a musical equivalent. Underneath the plaintive melody of the synthesized violin and an occasional foghorn-reminiscent bass note lies a bed of synth chords that are present throughout, sometimes adding notes, sometimes dropping them, sometimes moving a chord up or down a key and into dissonance with the rest. The overall result is an undulating base that never quite lets the listener settle onto firm ground, giving the song a distinct edge.

 

Drones do figure prominently as a musical base for many of the album's other songs, yet the music is generally more akin to the reverberated keyboard treatments Budd utilized to stunning effect on his two collaborations with Brian Eno. Those looking to explore beyond The Plateux of Mirror and The Pearl would do well to give this album a listen, as they will most likely be both challenged and satisfied."

 

Credits

 

Design [Design Assistance] – David Coppenhall*

Design, Artwork [Cover Art] – Russell Mills

Mixed By – Harold Budd, Michael Hoenig (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7), Robin Guthrie (tracks: 5)

Performer, Composed By – Harold Budd

Photography By – David Buckland

Photography By [Photograph Of Harold Budd] – Michael Vosburgh

Producer – Harold Budd, Michael Hoenig

Recorded By – Harold Budd, Michael Hoenig (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7), Simon Raymonde (tracks: 5)

 

Notes

 

Recorded & mixed at Metamusic Productions in Los Angeles, except track 5 - recorded at the Cocteau Twins' Studio in London. 

1986