The Best n.10💫

2004 Best Of Collection

A few things to say. I composed this song in 1982, fresh from reading of 'War and Peace'. Now I find a certain youthful verbiage in the lyrics, the song (naked and raw) has a 70s style. The recording of voice and guitar (live) is a few years old, rather sloppy, with bad mixing and excessive application of echo in some places.
To try to rescue it from its obvious banality, and to hide some of the errors and flaws, I've been arranging it these days using some vocal sampling as well, hoping to make it somewhat interesting.

Cover image: Louis-François Lejeune, "Visiting a Bivouac on the Eve of the Battle of Austerlitz, 1st December 1805" (1808). Musée de l’Histoire de France, Versailles.

English lyrics (rough translation)

The French counted the stars under Austerlitz
there had never seen so many fires lit in just one night
memories suspended in the winter, as cold as their hands
they had never been so pale, so skinny and far away
the emperor was dreaming or perhaps not sleeping
a woman he was waiting for in that night 
a war that was not waiting for him

the soldiers sang the cannons were silent
inside the chariots at the bottom of the plain 
the stars chased each other
the emperor drank, drank or maybe got drunk
a woman killed that night
a woman who smiled
the drunken emperor was looking
at that woman he did not know
Paris shrouded in a circle of smoke that was moving away

Paris woman dressed in black
Paris bride then already withered
Paris daughter of old Europe
Paris already betrayed
Paris bride dressed in dark
Paris woman then already grown up
Paris daughter of old Europe
Paris already lost

The French counted the wounded under Austerlitz
there had never seen so crosses hung in just one night
Suspended fragments of anger, hot as their hands
they had never been so pale, so alone and far away
the emperor was sleeping now he was dreaming
a woman who appeared that night 
a war that resembled him

the soldiers were silent the cannons smoked
in the hearts and at the bottom of the plain the voices hid 
the emperor drank, he drank now he got drunk
a woman he loved on that night
that woman frightened him
the drunken emperor was looking
that woman he recognised
Paris at the centre of a circle of light that drew closer

Paris woman dressed in white
Paris young frightened bride
Paris mother of new Europe
Paris already betrayed
Paris bride dressed in white
Paris woman then already grown up
Paris mother of new Europe
Paris already lost

---------

Music and lyrics by Michele Ansani (1982).
Posted on Soundcloud: 2024, July 2.

Austerlitz *

Recorded in Modesto Ca.   Featuring Gibson 335 Electric guitar solo. Alto Saxophone solo. Fender Electric Bass. Roland Synthesizer Bass. Hammond B3 Organ Rhythm. Horn Section, Baritone Saxophone Background, Trumpet Background. Trap Drum set full kit. Percussion Ago go Bells, Tambourine, Bongos.

Midnight Funk

Happy Hour

The Good Fairy (2024)

Ultrasonic

Gravity- Stay High, Never Get On Your knees. Can You Feel It too? 🚀🔊💃🕺🙌😉

Beyond Andromeda (2004)

Vortex (2004)

Celebrate (2004)

The Chase (2004)

Delta (2004)

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From 1st June 2025, celebrating 10 years of KORG KRONOS music with lots of brand new music showcasing the wonders of this iconic workstation in all it's glory. Also as a nod to the release of the KRONOS 3, which will take KORG into the next generation.
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Am posting some Jarre sounding pieces as homage to my lifelong hero of electronic music, using some of the sounds and instruments he has used along the way. Jar of Jarre is my collection of memorable sounds which have changed the way we appreciate modern electro.
Keep an eye out for my new collection of 2024 Remastered best of tracks, coming soon.
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Finished remastering up to and including 2023 now. Has been a mammoth task but well worth the effort. Next year I shall be working on a remastered series of my pre KORG days 2000 to 2008, in 8 volumes, as well as celebrating in style my 10 years of KRONOS magic, can't wait for 2025.
Have now amassed over 1000 tracks on SC (that's over 8000 minutes of music) and it has been a blast sharing them with you all. Next year 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the start of my KORG journey.
Am currently putting together a remastered Anthology collection of all my best tracks from 2015 onwards. 2015 consists of a 3 volume set (Now available on Bandcamp). 2016 consists of a 4 volume set. (Also available on Bandcamp). 2017 consists of a 4 volume set. (Available on Bandcamp) 2018 consists of a 4 volume set. (Also available on Bandcamp). 2019 consists of a 4 volume set. (Now available on Bandcamp). 2020 consists of a 3 volume set (now available on Bandcamp).
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Music is my life - has helped me through many dark places, is a big part of who I am. I put my heart and soul into every single piece of music I produce. I have found many wonderful friends on SC and many exciting talented people.  Been writing and producing music now for 40 years plus. Specialised in electronic based orchestral compositions. I have created my own genre which I call 'electrorchestration'.
Favourite artists/bands include Gary Numan, Little Boots, Jools Holland, Eno, Edgar Froese (1944-2015), Jordan Rudess, Kebu, Madis, Keith Emerson (1944-2016), Rick Wakeman, Richard Wright (1943-2008), Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre, M83, Public Service Broadcasting, Dream Theater, ELP, Yes and Mystery to name but a few.
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The Chase (2004)

Magi©ian™ (Making music make a difference)