Barbican

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
The sole creation of Steve Mecca, Serious Black is designed to expand and exploit the bounds of electronic gothic-industrial music. Within the framework of this genre, Serious Black takes old-school goth-industrial and applies a sonic defibrillator to revive the jaded listener. After years of exploration and refinement of synthesizer and sampler programming, Serious Black was born.

Although Serious Black relies heavily on complex electronics, it’s the song writing skills that Mecca brings to the table that that separates Serious Black from so many other electronic artists in this genre. Variety from track to track is what makes Serious Black unique.

According to Serious Black, the creative formula is simple. Take the framework of a song and make it accessible but arcane. Rivet in a rhythm that cannot be denied, sculpt and lathe complex sonorities and weld a compelling vocal track to it. Mix judiciously with selected treatments and master to perfection. Make no two works alike. Pour liberally into listener’s ears. Repeat the process.

On the first Serious Black release, "Barbican", Mecca enlists the aid of Rich LaVere (vocals on "Days of Future Past") and Qortni (vocals on "The Garden of Earthly Delights") to further enhance and diversify the audial experience. The title track on the CD, "Barbican", is a dark ambient work and the lone instrumental piece. It was used in a PBS Television documentary (TV Station WSKG, Binghamton NY) about a disaster in upstate NY entitled The Flood of ’35, produced by Brian Frey.

Steve Mecca’s previous recording credits include Nature’s Fantasies with the Tangerine Dream inspired group Malaysian Pale and a compilation recording of New Jersey artists with the techno-pop group Chemistry Set.

Enter the world of Serious Black now, where all is seen through a glass darkly. The portal is open and the wraiths of future-retro gothic –industrial music issue forth. The voices are now calling inside your head…. And there will be no compromise…

Album Description
On "Barbican", the debut release by Serious Black a sonic potpourri of electronic-based, future-retro songs throw you headlong into the maelstrom. While the majority of material can be stylistically categorized in the electronic goth-industrial genre, there are diversions. "Days of Future Past" is a sentimental love song, "Waste 'Em With My Crossbow!" a rock & roll spoof and the title track "Barbican" a dark-ambient opus. "Barbican" should appeal to fans of Depeche Mode, Frontline Assembly,and those that wished electronic bands of the 80s were still making new music today.

Album Description

Live in London 2006. Special packaging. Luaka Bop. 2007 release.

Roy Goodwin: 633 Squadron; Drake 400 Suite; Arabian Celebration; New Zealand Suite

Average customer rating:

shame you couldn't get his name right

Roy Goodwin: 633 Squadron; Drake 400 Suite; Arabian Celebration; New Zealand Suite

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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British Light Music

ASIN: B000004607
Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

Theme From '633 Squadron'
Drake 400 Suite: The Eddystone Seascape
Drake 400 Suite: Song Of The Mewstone
Drake 400 Suite: The Barbican
Drake 400 Suite: The Hoe On A Summer Night
Drake 400 Suite: March: Plymouth Hoe
Drake 400 Suite: The Eddystone Seascape (Reprise)
Puppet Serenade
New Zealand Suite: Acotearoa (The Land Of The Long White Cloud)
New Zealand Suite: Milford Sound
New Zealand Suite: Picnic At Rotorua
New Zealand Suite: The Earnslaw Steam Theme
New Zealand Suite: The A & P Show
New Zealand Suite: Po Atarau
Arabian Celebration
The Venus Waltz
Prisoners Of War March (The Kriegie)
Minuet In Blue
Theme From 'The Trap'
Girl With A Dream
Theme 'Lancelot And Guinevere'

Customer Reviews:

shame you couldn't get his name right.......2007-04-29

The man's name is Ron Goodwin for heaven's sake (not Roy). He is one of the most popular light classical (some would say very light) composers of the 20th century. Earnslaw is the one I was looking for, just fantastic. The rest is OK, in fact mostly better than that, but not very demanding.

Sondheim Tonight: Live From The Barbican Centre, London (1998 Concert Cast)

Average customer rating:

There is something for everyone on this CD!
Hardly ideal, but nice instrumentals
Sondheim is my fav....but sheesh!
DAME EDNA IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR
What a disappointment!

Sondheim Tonight: Live From The Barbican Centre, London (1998 Concert Cast)
Stephen Sondheim
Manufacturer: Jay Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sunday in the Park With George (2006 London Revival Cast)
A Stephen Sondheim Evening (1983 Concert Cast)
Sondheim: A Celebration (1997 AIDS Charity Benefit Cast)
Sondheim Evening: A Musical Tribute (1973 Concert Cast)
A Little Night Music

ASIN: B00000DHY3
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Overture for Stephen Sondheim--Orchestra
Comedy Tonight--The Soloists
Ned Sherrin
March to the Treaty House--Orchestra
Next--Orchestra
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd--Len Cariou, The Soloists
Len Cariou
Night Waltz--Orchestra, The Soloists
Losing My Mind--Maria Friedman
Not While I'm Around--Clive Rowe
Send in the Clowns--Cleo Laine, Maria Friedman, Clive Rowe
Julia McKenzie
Stavisky Suite--Orchestra
I Remember--Julia Migenes
Green Finch and Linnet Bird--Julia Migenes
Ned Sherrin
A Very Short Violin Sonata
Dame Edna Everage
The Ladies Who Lunch--Dame Edna Everage
More--Maria Friedman, The Soloists, The Dancers

Tracks:

A Salute to Stephen Sondheim--Orchestra
Company--The Soloists
Barcelona--Julia McKenzie, David Kernan
Ned Sherrin
Good Thing Going/Not a Day Goes by--David Kernan
David Kernan
I Never Do Anything Twice--Milicent Martin
Maria Friedman
Variations on a Theme (Katie Malone)
Elaine Stritch
Len Cariou
Beautiful Girls--Michael Ball, Company
Michael Ball
Loving You--Michael Ball
Michael Ball
Broadway Baby--Michael Ball
Being Alive--The Soloists, The West End Chorus/Another Hundred People--The West End Chorus/Sunday in the Park with George--The Soloists, The West End Chorus
Ned Sherrin
Stephen Sondheim
Finale--Company

Amazon.com

As Stephen Sondheim's new shows become fewer and further between, tribute concerts have become a popular way to fill the gaps. Among others, there was Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall in 1993. There was Sondheim: A Celebration in 1997. Now there's Sondheim: Tonight's Celebration--err, make that Sondheim Tonight, a live London concert, and a mixed bag it is. Longtime Sondheim followers will enjoy Len Cariou's brief return as Sweeney Todd, the reunion of the cast of Side by Side by Sondheim, and the appearance of British singers Cleo Laine, Maria Friedman, and Michael Ball. On the other hand, Dame Edna Everage (a.k.a. Barry Humphries) provides a revised "Ladies Who Lunch" that is best skipped. Most notable are the recorded premieres of two instrumental works Sondheim wrote as a student, A Very Short Violin Piece and the more interesting Variations on a Theme (Katie Malone) for solo piano. This two-CD set clocks in at a generous 139 minutes, but over a half-hour is monologues and reminiscences (all separately tracked, thankfully), and another 16 minutes is pleasant but undistinguished orchestral arrangements. No doubt the concert was more entertaining to attend than to listen to on CD, but the Sondheim completist should find something of interest here--or at least get a fix while waiting for Wise Guys. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

There is something for everyone on this CD!.......2002-08-15

Stop with the Dame Edna insults! She performed with the blessing of Mr. Sondheim - helped sell tickets for an excellent charity - and thrilled both the audience and cast. The cast members filled the wings to hear the Great Dame! The audience was in stitches. The London Philharmonic was in top form. And while one reviewer may not like Michael Ball - he has legions of fans that do love him. Julia Mackenzie's Barcelona is awesome! Admittedly I am biased about this CD - but rest assured, there is something for everyone on this recording. And the sales of the CD benefit the Alan J. Lerner Cancer Charity!

Hardly ideal, but nice instrumentals.......2000-07-07

It seems to be a long held maxim that, although the Brits adore Sondheim, they often have little idea how to perform his work. This concert recording of Sondheim's work (I expect that there will one day be more concert recordings of Sondheim's work then cast recordings), with one or two exceptions, seems to bear this out.

The most enjoyable performance on this album comes from the musicians. The opening overture and the Act II Entr'acte, as well as a lovely arrangement of two songs from Pacific Overtures, are given a delightful treatment by the London Philharmonic. Two instrumental obscurities written by the young Sondheim, a violin sonata and a piano theme, are capably played in what I believe is their recorded debut.

And then. I personally can live with Dame Edna's twisted rendition of "Ladies who Lunch," but Michael Ball's tortured singing is a taste which I have not yet acquired (although he does provide one of several amusing anecdotes between songs). Most of the remaining performances are quite forgettable, and although there aren't any major clunkers as there were on the LA cast recording, there aren't any major redeeming performances either.

If you're a Sondheim fan, you've probably heard all these songs done better. It's a bit frightening that the most enjoyable parts of a Sondheim concert are the bits between the songs.

Sondheim is my fav....but sheesh!.......1999-12-23

There have been SOOOO many excellent concerts of Sondheim's work....and this ISN'T one of them. Many people hate Dame Edna's LADIES WHO LUNCH, well they are unaware that it is a joke! Maria Friedman disgraces all of Sondheim's beautiful work, as do many of her co-stars. Please consider another compliation of Sondheim's work.

DAME EDNA IS ONLY FOR THOSE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.......1999-12-12

This CD set perfectly showcases the greatness of Sondheim's music and lyrics. As a bonus, it has the privilege of Dame Edna singing The Ladies Who Lunch like it has never been sung before or ever will be again. It has to be heard (and to laugh with and enjoyed). A must for all theatre and music lovers.

What a disappointment!.......1999-10-10

I am a devoted Sondheim fan but these discs try my loyalty. Dame (or is it Damn?) Edna is an insult to Sondheim and his music. Now I know why they waited so long to release these discs.

Taneyev: Piano Trio in D major; Piano Quartet in E major

Average customer rating:

Taneyev: Piano Trio in D major; Piano Quartet in E major

Manufacturer: Dutton Labs UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Symphony 2 & 4
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ASIN: B0009VKR8K
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Mutantes Ao Vivo - Barbican Theatre, Londres, 2006- Duplo

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Mutantes Ao Vivo - Barbican Theatre, Londres, 2006- Duplo
OS MUTANTES
Manufacturer: Sony & BMG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000PD19AW

Product Description

Disco 1 1. Don Quixote 2. Caminhante Noturno 3. Ave Gengis Khan 4. Tecnicolor 5. Virginia 6. Cantor de Mambo 7. El Justiciero 8. Baby 9. I´m Sorry Baby 10. Top Top 11. Dia 36 Disco 2 1. Fuga Nº II 2. Le Premier Bonheur du Jour 3. Dois Mil e Um 4. Ave Lucifer 5. Balada do Louco 6. I Feel a Little Spaced Out (Ando Meio Desligado) 7. A Hora e a Vez do Cabelo Nascer (Cabeludo Patriota 8. A Minha Menina 9. Bat Macumba 10. Panis Et Circenses

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Schnittke: Piano Quintet; Piano Trio

Manufacturer: Quicksilva Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005QITO
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Piano Trio: Moderato
Piano Trio: Adagio
Piano Quintet: Moderato
Piano Quintet: In tempo di valse
Piano Quintet: Andante
Piano Quintet: Lento
Piano Quintet: Moderato pastorale

Average customer rating:

Piano Trios
Rachmaninoff , Tchaikovsky , and Barbican Piano Trio
Manufacturer: Guild
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006F1HJ
Release Date: 2005-01-17

Average customer rating:

Serious Black is Seriously Unique!
A dark, powerful electronic album
A remarkable debut

Barbican
Serious Black
Manufacturer: Dante's Landlord
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00007F8JI
Release Date: 2002-10-31

Tracks:

The Gathering Storm
The Prowler
Voices in My Head
Discipline
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Barbican
Pleasure Seekers
Days of Future Past
Invincible Force of the Power Source
One Life
Waste 'Em With My Crossbow!

Album Description

On "Barbican", the debut release by Serious Black a sonic potpourri of electronic-based, future-retro songs throw you headlong into the maelstrom. While the majority of material can be stylistically categorized in the electronic goth-industrial genre, there are diversions. "Days of Future Past" is a sentimental love song, "Waste 'Em With My Crossbow!" a rock & roll spoof and the title track "Barbican" a dark-ambient opus. "Barbican" should appeal to fans of Depeche Mode, Frontline Assembly,and those that wished electronic bands of the 80s were still making new music today.

Customer Reviews:

Serious Black is Seriously Unique!.......2004-06-03

Serious Black is currently a one-man band comprised of Steve Mecca. Steve is no stranger to music; As a kid he started out as a bass player in a garage band called "Spider Willie & The Merchants", and later, a progressive rock band called "Leviathan". The future held more bands for Steve, including "Clowns Ahoy", "Kathexis", "Malaysian Pale", and "Chemistry Pop" before venturing out on his own with Serious Black. The genres of these bands ran the gamut from punk to progressive rock, and now he has found a comfy home in the Goth/industrial scene.

Before you say "Oh puhlease! Not another Goth/industrial band" let me just explain first.

Yes, I agree that it seems that the Goth/Industrial genre of music is at an all time spike lately. With bands like Midnight Syndicate, Nox Arcana, and other similar bands hitting the scene, you can't help but feel suffocated with the electro synth sound - but trust me, Serious Black is unique. You have heard nothing like this I can assure you of this!

I was a little disappointed when I read some of the reviews of this newcomer on the scene. Well, ok, Serious Black is not "bright and shiny" new, Barbican has been out since 2003 - but I digress... Many people who have reviewed this little gem have noted the influences of Depeche Mode and Siouxsie - I on the other hand heard some subtle Joy Division or very early New Order influences. I did hear the DM and Siouxsie inflections, and I think with all of these influences that I personally heard, it made me really embrace this CD.

If you are old school Goth/Industrial/ "New Wave" like I am - you are really REALLY going to dig this CD. If you follow the new school of this genre, it's ok - you're going to like it too! Barbican is an eclectic mix of tracks that is sure to please everyone. With dance tracks, shocking lyrics, and dark looming sounds, you are going to at least like one of the 11 tracks on this CD if not all of them.

And speaking of the 11th track - Hey Gamers!!!!!! Waste 'Em With My Crossbow is a little ditty about RPGing. I thought it was hilarious since I am married to an avid gamer. I think others will appreciate it as much as I did.

I rate this a 4 stars as it is worth a serious look. Sample the tracks and decide for yourself. This is such an eclectic mix I personally feel that everyone should have a copy. I look forward to hearing new stuff from Serious Black. Serious Black is a refreshing change from the mainstream!

A dark, powerful electronic album.......2003-10-07

This debut release from Serious Black is indeed a powerful electronic collection that definitely portrays a dark, gothic atmosphere. But I believe it benefits most from the impeccable production that went into the making of this album. It is technically polished while still delivering a powerful electronic spirit.

Previous reviewers have compared it 80's electro rock and a cross between Rammstein and Depeche Mode, which may be accurate. But I believe it has a more original, developed sound. Although the songs are quite different from track to track the similarities they all share are dark electronic power.

While many groups produce records that start off big and then kind of run down towards the end (read Chemical Brothers) from start to finish Serious Black's album keeps turning in a new direction with every track. It's not like they saved the best for last, but they could have.

I'm not sure how Serious Black can produce another album that can maintain such a fervent, technical yet powerful effort. But when they do, I will snap that one up too!

A remarkable debut.......2003-02-12

And now for something completely different...

If you know Steve Mecca from his work with the New Age project "Malaysian Pale", or if you've heard the widely-acclaimed RPG spoof "Waste 'Em With My Crossbow" from this disc, you might think you KNOW Serious Black.

Think again.

Mecca's debut album (on the Dante's Landlord label--nice touch, that) is a virtual blender of musical styles and influences. There's a heavy 80's influence here to be sure, but there's also a smattering of dark don't-listen-to-this-with-the-lights-off pieces, dance tracks that are guaranteed to pack the floor, a gentle love ballad, and a hilarious spoof of role-playing gamers (the aforementioned "Waste 'Em...).

It's a credit to the genius of Serious Black (and Mecca's estimable songwriting skills) that the whole thing doesn't get bogged down in its own eclectic stew. Somehow, it just all works. And it works remarkably well. From the ominous opening chords of "The Gathering Storm" to the final shouts of "Hoody Hoo!" on the final track (trust me, it makes sense when you know the backstory), this is a stunning debut. Don't wait. Buy it now.