Ricochet
Tangerine Dream

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1974 - PhaedraAutobahn1975 - Rubycon*******RICOCHET*******1976 - Oxygene1977 - Encore

Ok. the subject is Ricochet.I bought this album exactly on 15.Oct.1999. It's one of my favorite EMalbums. Here we go with the dissecation.

0:00 - Begins what I call Ricochet part 1 part 1 (intro).0:00 - Ricochet part 1 begins with clapping. If there wasn't anyclapping, I could swear that this is a studio album.1:00 - Some background sequence starts.1:35 - Ricochet part 1 part 2 (main theme)1:35 - The intro ends. The first sequence ends too, followed by anotherbetter one.2:10 - Percussion.2:22 - The first and main and only chord of Ric. part 1. The guitarwork could have been more complex.6:42 - Ricochet part 1 part 3 (interlude)6:42 - The annoying, if I wasn't a fan, chord ends and the second partof the first part (how odd) begins. Those voice effects really scaredme at the first time. I listened to this at the first time before goingto sleep, the bedroom was completely dark. That closing effect heard bythe left ear, in the first voice effect (6:33), appears also in WhiteEagle, as well as the voice effect itself.7:20 - nice percussion, other unknown sound and another unknown sound.7:30 - Ricochet part 1 part 4 (sequences)8:08 - I started to dance at the first time I listened to this.10:00 - The final part continues to develop, in the good classical TDstyle.11:52 - more effects which are also heard in White Eagle. (maybeanother album?)12:30 - good deep-spacey sequence, with some other sounds andpercussions.13:15 - the main theme comes back, faster.14:40 - I really like this part, with percussions and other soundsappearing and the sequence going low and high.15:30 - Ricochet part 1 starts to end. This track has some influencefrom Rubycon part 2, maybe.

0:00 - Ricochet part 2 part 1 (intro - piano)0:00 - Perhaps the best intro by TD I've ever heard. Can be because I'mlistening to it now, but it's very very beautiful.2:38 - Ricochet part 2 part 2 (sequences)2:38 - Just like Rubycon part 1, which I consider to be the first TDsequencer-heavy track, a sequence similar to that nice high pitchedsequence from Rb.p.1(8:08), but more spacey. This sequence changes allthe time, just like in Rubycon part 2. And just like in Rubycon part 1,Ricochet part 1 also had only a basic sequence.5:40 - This is one of the best 2 minutes (5:00 to 7:00) of this album.10:10 - I didn't understand why the sequence went down and up here.11:00 - The first sequence (2:38) makes a small appearance.11:24 - This theme is from Ricochet part 1, isn't it?12:38 - Percussions announce the ending of Ricochet part 2 part 2.13:00 - Strange beats and effects here...13:15 - Ricochet part 1 part 3 (interlude)13:15 - Boingboingboingboingboingboingboing??!?!?! Weird and somehowout of place.14:00 - Flutes, usual element in interludes and endings.14:41 - Ricochet part 1 part 4 (more sequences)14:41 - The same fantastic sequence from 2:38.16:00 - Ricochet part 2 continues its voyage. This part is very good.18:30 - The sequences feast suddenly stop. This moment marks thebeginning of Ricochet's end.

This album is very similar in structure, but incredibly richer thanRubycon. Probably it's because of those many hours of concert peoplehave been talking about.

Ricochet gets 5 AS!

gfj.

Gustavo Ferreira Jobim

Well, well. The first TD live album for us to review. Ok, so this is astudio construct from 400 hours worth of material, but then aren't allTD live albums fiddled in some way. It doesn't matter one jot to mehow much the original material is messed about with, providing the endproduct is good.

Ricochet (1975)

1. Ricochet Part One2. Ricochet Part Two

Froese/Franke/Baumann. No equipment credits as such, however, thanksare given to Moog, ARP, Projekt, Farfisa, Mellotronic, EMS and Hohner,so all of the usual suspects seem present in the instrument line up.

This just rocks. The intro is great. I think it really evokes a senseof drama, and when that bass line starts at about 1:50 shortlyfollowed by the organ, then percussion, then treated guitar, I feeltears coming to my eyes. This is compositionally excellent. Thesequence that starts at about 8:20 is fantastic too... not sure whatsynth it is coming from, but the timbre is wonderful. And at 10:45 weare cooking now. My amp is cranked up to number 11 listening to this.These were the golden days before DAT's or midi files and computers.Everything here was manipulated on the fly. Check out 12:40 to 13:10.Absolutely magnificent. Probably the best 30 seconds TD have everperformed live. Oh to have been on stage, a part of this.

The start of track 2. Sublime piano, opens in Cm, the saddest and yetmost beautiful of keys. Absolutely superb flute work holds us andfloats us towards _THAT_ sequence. My God. Do you know, I once saw aband perform a cover version of this track (you know who you are!) andit was a fantastic interpretation. I would dearly love to hear thatone day (I know that it was recorded). The sequence work on this trackis pretty much what made me fall in love with TD and this style ofmusic. No-one comes close to producing this, even now. There's nowjust a relentless meshing of ever shifting sequencers, synth horns,and more sequencers. Brilliant.Eventually joined by wailing guitars and 'white noise' percussion,what more could you want in a track?! If only every live TD album hadthis feel about it... around 11 minutes, _that_ sequences makes acouple of cameo appearances. The sequencers and guitar are goingbonkers by now... I reckon the 3 of them must have been on such a highplaying this stuff, it's just so groovy. At 13 minutes, all the musicdisappears to be replaced by some 'voice effects' and various othersounds that are of no discernible tone.. apart from the oddpercussion. This serves as a small bridge to another foray on theflute, haunting, yet peaceful, and then, in no time at all _that_sneaky sequence pops up again, this time morphing into a slightvariant before somewhat subdued bass (compared to earlier) heraldsanother sequencer masterpiece from the lads. I could literally listento this track on repeat play for 24 hours. It's just phenomenal.

Some of this album is constructed (supposedly) from the LiverpoolCathedral concert. How I wish I had seen them there, in my home town.Of course, I was only 4 years old at the time, but I still reckon Iwould have dug it! So much atmosphere.

To me, _this_ is where TD start their golden era, not Phaedra orRubycon. I'm not sure I can fault anything they create from now untilabout 1983.

The first album I've rated under the Armin scale, and it comes out as5AS. (And it's not even my favourite album!). It's only fault is thatit isn't 90 minutes long. To the odd few that mentioned that they donot have this album. BUY IT! NOW!!!!

Regards,Lawry

I feel Ricochet Part 2 has too much sequncer driven work.It's absolutely harsh like Rubycon Part 1. Listening tothis loud in the car with speakers next to you is aboutas harsh as I can make it! But Rubycon Part 1 (and 2)are better IMO. Ricochet Pt. 2 follows closely toCherokee Lane and both kind of drone but Ricochet pt. 2is still a bit better. This is dominated by Frankes moogwork which I feel from 76 to 78 were his domination in thelong sequencer tracks such as Ricochet pt. 2, Madrigal Meridian,and Cherokee Lane. This is about the most synthetic TD hasgotten (Coldwater Canyon a good example but starting withRicochet). Of course I'm still talking about Part 2 here people.

Ricochet Part 1 is great! The best connection to this trackthat I have noticed in official released stuff is Force Majuere.The drums are fantastic as are the phasing stereo voices. Atfirst the guitar melody seems to get old but there's enoughvariation to keep listening (the real bonus is that this melody isused throughout the entire track!). I like the transitions from mellowto drum/sequencer to spacey. Of particular notice is the effectedout guitar around 8:30 that seems to reside in the distance.When the drums come in attaching to the sequencer it reallymakes for quite an experience!

Ricochet Part 2 is great up to 2:30 then it gets entire sequencery likeI wrote above. The brass work is okay but not my favorite (sounds likemellotron). It all still remains cold to me but don't ever go to sleep ortrance out and wake up during this one--you'll find yourself grabing forthe volume control! I'd guess this one is by Tangerine Nightmare. The'do it-do it' and flute sounds are very odd and this bit is so short itdosn'tmake sense and again the sequencer comes back with those icy notes.About 15.15 starts what I call "Your local action news weather jing-a-lingpart."True to the album's name though, I felt like I was in a small cave being'ricocheted' around endlessly.

3AS

Greg H.

Just a few comments concerning Ricochet part 2.I might be a sequencer besotten nut who sucked that bit way too oftenover the last 18 years and even partly agree with Greg's comments about theharshness of its sound - but then Rubycon is pretty lo-fi sounding comparedto Ricochet part 2 - there's not much going on above the 10 KHz mark -frequency wise -almost everything around 0.5 - 1.5 Khz is way too loud in the mix, IMO.

BUT even after 18 years I still think those multi layered varied sequences(with loads of overdubs that can't be done live in one take), that almostchanges every second barare the dogs bollocks. There's hardly any better sequencer work done by TDlet aloneother artists to date.

> Greg H.

Well, fiddling with Rebirth surely helps understanding as well as knowinghow do use reverb and delay in sequences. I'm fully aware of what you canarchive with Rebirth, ARP*8,SQ 303 (two other software sequencers/multilayered ARPeggios programs)and hardware sequencers such as the Doepfer MAQ 16/3, the MAM SQ 16, theRM1x1,the ARP sequencer to name but a few (*). Still the overall developing andvariationslet alone the usage of multi layering *with* key changes (a,c,e) shown inRicochet part 2aren't easy to chum out especially back in those days. Hence there'sstill a lot of respect and love left even after 18 years! All IMHO, ofcourse.

Compared to the fantape recordings of TD live gigs around that timewhere I often find the sequencer work pretty lame yet boring (Air Sculpturefor example recently put TD live to shame with a brilliant live improvisedsequencer stonker during their e-live performance a few weeks ago)- Ricochet part 2 adds ice to the cake, IMO. Tasty, tasty. :-)

It would be interesting to know how Paul Ellis (D@TT) and Marcel Engels(FSP)rate the sequencer work of Ricochet 2 in particular.

Best Regards

Jens

I agree, the first track of Richochet is superb. In my opinion, it hintsat some elements of Sorcerer, but maybe that's just in my mind.Actually, Ricochet Pt. 1, Sorcerer, and parts of Force Majeure remind mea bit of "fantasy music" in the vein of, oh, say Bo Hansson. (Doesanyone here know of him?)

One thing I must object to -- golden days, shmolden days. You know whatI'm talking about. Technology, or lack thereof, does not a musician orcomposer make. I would say that TD may have taken many more chances atthat time then they do these days, but that's a choice they've madeindependently from DATs, MIDI files, or computers. If they wanted to,they could unplug all their computers, digital sequencers (BTW, THEYDON'T USE DATS!!!!!), and the like, and just play a few of their digitalkeyboards in the same way they did analog gear in the 70's. They*choose* to utilize computers, digital sequencers, and MIDI files totheir advantage to present the music they like to present to audiences.Be thankful they don't just techno-groove to incredibly irritating danceloops like the bazillions of wanna-be EM artists all over everywhere.MP3.com's a scary place. ;)

Anyway, sorry for rambling! Take care folks,

Jared

P. S. Ricochet Pt. 2 isn't my favorite, but I like it a lot. I think youneed to give it a few more listens, Greg!

Maybe I've got a bad copy of Rubycon because I still think the qualityis quite bad. Not much high frequencies. I've got a picture disc of it.But the music is great and thats what counts.

A short 'review' of Ricochet.

Part one.Excellent opening!!!So simple and yet so beautiful and haunting/powerful.I'm quite inspired by these intro's (as you may notice on the opening ofPointless)Nice mellotron brass which starts the track. Again a simple 3 note (or is it4if you count the muted note? :-)) sequence which some typical TD notes ontop.After a while it really starts with some great sequencer, guitar and drumwork.And ends the same as the beginning, I like that!

Part two.This is the best track of the 2 imo.In fact its imo almost the best track TD ever did (if you're in the rightmood).Nice piano work and mellotron flute.And then the sequencer...what can I say about the sequencer...it's justfantastic.But this is definitely studio-work...if you listen to Croydon '75 which hasa lot incommon with Ricochet then you don't hear any of these majorsequencer-changes.I also wonder if that can be done live on stage. But nevertheless they can"tamper"any day like this because I like it!I also think that there is some hand-played sequencer work in there...Ithink noteverything comes from Chris's Moog.After the voice part it's quite hypnotising and I could swear I hear somekind ofvoice being played when Chris tunes or changes a sequence...not the voice ofsomeonebut a coincidence when changing the sequence. (or maybe I'm ripe for thenuthouse? :-))Ends with some superb choirs...

definitely 5AS.

* Well, one of the attractions of Rubycon to me is the rather darkquality in the EQ. I wouldn't want all their albums EQ'd like this, but Ithink it fits Rubycon's mood perfectly. Picture disc as in vinyl?Poly