VISTAMIX

My introduction to Bill Nelson--in any form--was via David Sylvian's 1986 album, Gone to Earth. I found myself so attracted to his playing that I began to seek out recommendations into his back catalogue and found this. I was excited to see the crossover of other artists contributions like Preston Heyman (Kate Bush) and Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO) but also from the knowledge that this was a compilation/best of/greatest hits album for Bill--which then launched me into other albums of his and Be-Bop Deluxe.

While I found the album eminently listenable, start to finish, both sides, with no song putting me off, I've kept a few songs on regular playlists over the years, especially "Tender Is the Night", "A Real Adventure", "Do You Dream in Colour?" "Flaming Desire", and "Another Day, Another Ray of Hope." (I swear sometimes that Mick Karn had to be on board!)

I loved the beat box drum machine rhythms, the techno synths and odd bass sounds (treated fretless), Bill's odd and often quirky David Byrne-like vocals, weird lyrics, and, of course, his skillful Robert Fripp-like lead guitar tone, play, and solos. To see and know how much of the music was all his--virtually all the tracks--was also quite intriguing.

This is a revised/updated Americanized version of Bill's 1983 releases, Chimera.

Not sure this is deserving of a full five stars on a progressive rock website, but his leading edge sound exploration and technological experimentation definitely makes me want to fully acknowledge his progressive tendencies and genius.