Another recent thread mentioned the find of the Moody Blues' "Days of Future Passed." Can anyone else think of great rock albums or songs that used full orchestra? One song that I have always enjoyed is Neil Young's "A Man Needs a Maid." That was such a great example of Neil Young's skewed sense of humor. A mundane subject like hiring a maid put to music with expansive use of orchestra. Gotta love NY.

Regards,

D-Ray

YES's Magnification is pretty good..using the San Diego SYmphonic Orchestra

http://images.wikia.com/yes/images/e/e7/Magnification_Cover.jpg

The Who - "Tommy"
Procol Harum - "Live With The Edmunton Symphony Orchestra"
Yes - "An Evening of Yes Music Plus."
London Symphony Orchestra - "We Know What We Like - The Music of Genesis."
I think Stomu Yamashta - "Go" used an orchestra as well.

Pink Floyd "Atom Heart Mother" - orchestra and choir

most anything Rick Wakeman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman)

Does it have to be a full orchestra?
I think that Paul Buckmaster's muscular string arrangements on Elton John's albums Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water were, and still are, really good; adding considerably to the drama and atmosphere of songs like Sixty Years On and Leavon.

The orchestral version of Tommy performed by the "London Philharmonic Orchestra" with guest soloists (on ODE records) was spotty but pretty interesting, too.

http://991.com/newGallery/The-Who-Tommy---London-Sy-129438.jpg

Then, of course, there was the hit single Conquistador, by Procol Harum live with the Edmonton Symphony. I owned a copy of the album on 8 track, but I honestly cannot remember anything else about it at all.

Does it have to be a full orchestra?


It's all just about sharing good music. BTW, I agree about the Elton John albums. The total package made them classics. No glitz, just good music. Better than his later stuff IMHO.

Regards,

D-Ray

I was listening to Days of Future Passed last night. Good stuff.

Led Zepplin - Kashmir

A bunch of the Beatles songs.

I know there are a lot more... have to think on it.

A bunch of the Beatles songs.

"Eleanor Rigby" Wonderful string quartet.

Regards,

D-Ray

Deep Purple did an entire album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra early in their career which is pretty good. I think it preceded their In Rock album, but I'm not sure.

Good thread, & all good music mentioned. :thmbsp: Conquistador is pretty awesome, but not very well-known. Maybe some folks here will get inspired to check it out, if they haven't already.

Another recent thread mentioned the find of the Moody Blues' "Days of Future Passed." Can anyone else think of great rock albums or songs that used full orchestra? One song that I have always enjoyed is Neil Young's "A Man Needs a Maid." That was such a great example of Neil Young's skewed sense of humor. A mundane subject like hiring a maid put to music with expansive use of orchestra. Gotta love NY.

Regards,

D-Ray

Interesting... These two were exactly what came in my mind when I saw the tittle...

I've always admired the Beatles "Long and Winding Road".
procol harum is the best.

Another one, more recently released, is Joanna Newsom "Ys". Full orchestra behind her voice and harp. Nice album.

Also, if I may say, my band's last album used a string quartet to nice effect. The Coral Sea "Volcano and Heart"

Metallica used an orchestra on S&M.

The Who - "Tommy"
Procol Harum - "Live With The Edmunton Symphony Orchestra"
...I think Stomu Yamashta - "Go" used an orchestra as well.

Go, with Paul Buckmaster and Michael Quartermain. Klaus Schultze added synths, Steve Winwood vox, and Michael Shreive percussion.
Not to forget Al DiMeola on gtr!

There is an orch version of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.

Philip Glass wrote a symphony using bowie's 'Heroes".

My fav is Mahavishnu Orchestra's Apocalypse!

The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DVD.

XTC - "Greenman" or pretty much anything on the CD "Apple Venus Vol. 1".

Another one, more recently released, is Joanna Newsom "Ys". Full orchestra behind her voice and harp. Nice album.

Also, if I may say, my band's last album used a string quartet to nice effect. The Coral Sea "Volcano and Heart"

Nice tunes, there!:music:

What about anything from ELO?

I would have to say that Buddy Holly probably started it all with "True Love Ways". :yes:

Ray Charles.

Nice tunes, there!:music:


Thank you, sir!
Recording a new one as we speak...

Jethro Tull...A Classic Case.

Pete Townshend

"Street In The City" from the Rough Mix album

Check out Haggard and later Therion.

One recording where choir/orchestra in the re-arrangement made a heck of a difference is 'Outside the Wall' by Floyd in the film soundtrack version.

The great melody, supported by french horns, swelling choir and yet the same trembling vocals, makes the thing sound damn near like a hymn, and makes for an incredible version compared to the one on the album.

I always wanted it on CD, but, contrary to rumors, it was evidently never released officially.

C.

Pete Townshend

"Street In The City" from the Rough Mix album

AMEN!

Jethro Tull...A Classic Case.


I'm either dense, or that is an album/song I don't know, even though I am a big fan of Ian and the boys. Any enlightenment?

Regards,

D-Ray

Anything that has the word Philharmonic in it is instantly loved by me. My overall favorite - Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

another one
Metallica - Trans Siberian Orchestra

Also anything by Vitamin String Quartet

OK, what about "Jesus Christ Superstar"? I had another good day at the thrifts, & found a copy in excellent condition, including the little book inside. :smoke: Most of the rest is good classic rock, but I also got the 1812 Overture done by The Nord Deutches Symphony Orchestra (I always wanted to hear the real cannons), and to expand my mind a little, Louis Armstrong In Concert. The Armstrong says RCA Custom Edition/Stereo effect reprocessed from mono. DRL1-0065(e) Sorry, I got a little off track, lol. :D

Check out Haggard and later Therion.

I never heard of Merle doing anything with an orchestra. Sounds interesting. I am not familiar with Therion but I will keep an ear out

On the subject of Country I bet Johnny Cash did something with an orchestra. After all, he pretty much touched all the bases in his career. :music:

I like the way Train incorporated an orchestra into "Calling All Angels". It added to the song without completely taking over as frequently happens...

:music:

Check out Collective Soul - Live with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra on DVD.

a lot of spiritualized stuff does.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6089/p3020004cn4.jpg

Pieces (3) for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra, Op. 50
William Joseph Russo
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
with Siegel Schwall Blues Band
conducted by Seiji Ozawa

Deutsche Grammophon

most anything Rick Wakeman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman)

Indeed! Of the two best known 70s vintage Wakeman rock/orchestral works I like Myths And Legends just a wee bit more than Journey (but they are both great):yes:

Stones-"Moonlight Mile" from Sticky Fingers
I can't believe nobody's mentioned the orchestra-gasm from "A Day In The Life".

Because I like the bands....and I may be alone on this one! :D

KISS - Symphony: Alive IV

Dream Theater - Score

The Who - "Tommy"
Procol Harum - "Live With The Edmunton Symphony Orchestra"
Yes - "An Evening of Yes Music Plus."
London Symphony Orchestra - "We Know What We Like - The Music of Genesis."I think Stomu Yamashta - "Go" used an orchestra as well.

The version of "Can Utility and the Coastliners" is wonderful on this LP.

Check out Haggard and later Therion.

Haggard is an orchestra. :D


Therion playing with the Budapest Symphony was very cool.


Carl

I'm either dense, or that is an album/song I don't know, even though I am a big fan of Ian and the boys. Any enlightenment?

Regards,

D-Ray

The London Symphony Orchestra plays the music of Jethro Tull
http://www.collecting-tull.com/Albums/AClassicCase.html

A great one for sure!

And what about Queen? Both Bohemian Rhapsody and Who Wants To Live Forever made heavy use of an orchestra to good effect.