THE VIOLIN PLAYER

VANESSA-MAE's DEBUT POP ALBUM

The violin Player - track listing

1 Toccata and Fugue in D minor (J.S. Bach, arr. Mike Batt)

2 Contradanza (Mike Batt)

3 Classical Gas (Mason Williams)

4 Theme from Caravans (Mike Batt)

5 Warm Air (Mike Batt)

6 Jazz Will Eat Itself (Mike Batt)

7 Wilde Screen (Mike Batt)

8 Tequila Mockingbird (Mike Batt)

9 City Theme (Mike Batt)

10 Red Hot (Ian Wherry and Vanessa-Mae)

(Data about the recording studio is not provided in the booklet)


 

Overall impression:
With the release of 'The Violin Player,' Vanessa-Mae became a superstar overnight with world wide fame and acclaim. 'The Violin Player' is Vanessa-Mae's debut pop album and her first release on the EMI label. Mike Batt deserves many credits for his outstanding work as composer of 7 tracks of the album and, most of all for his unique and wonderful arrangement for violin of Bach's well-known work 'Toccata and Fugue. T&F was the first single from the album and topped the charts in many countries all over the world. 

The album as a whole is unique as it defines a new style of music that won many followers due to the enormous success of the album and due to its artistic potential. Vanessa-Mae called it techno-acoustic fusion, but others categorised it as classical crossover music. With this album, Vanessa-Mae presented herself as talented violinist, unique musician and, moreover, as interesting  personality for the media, commerce.

The Violin Player sold over 8 million copies world wide and this is quite a respectable number for an instrumental album. It is still Vanessa-Mae's greatest success commercially. 'The Violin Player' topped many album charts world wide, as did all the singles that came from it. 

The art work:
(Click the thumbnails to view larger images!)

The artwork of the album is an artistically designed compilation of nice photos, a biography section with the basic facts, track listing and personal notes for Vanessa-Mae. The photos are part of the famous 'wet T-shirt' series that brought Vanessa-Mae a lot of attention, but also severe criticism. The special 'The Violin Player Remembrance page'  and 'My reply to Vanessa-Mae's critics'  provide more information on this.

Description of the music

The music on the album is full of character and power, and therefore it will not get outdated. Even after 10 years, Vanessa-Mae receives long lasting standing ovations when she plays music from 'The Violin Player' at her concerts.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor
T&F is a blockbuster opening of the album and forces to keep listening. It is a brilliant arrangement by Mike Batt based on Bach's famous work. Vanessa-Mae keeps to the theory that Bach wrote this music for violin initially. I can't judge her opinion but she can very well be right since the song sounds so intense and well suited for violin. 

Contradanza
Contradanza has a wonderful rhythm. The snoring sound of the electric violin at the start of the song matches the beats and drums at the beginning very well. Also the electric violin sounds great.

Classical Gas
Classical Gas is the third single from the album, but then in its reggae version. The song is varied and in up tempo. The closing high note of Vanessa-Mae at the end is brilliant.
    
Theme from Caravans
The theme is a rather quiet song to slow down the high speed of the first part of the album. Nicely played by Vanessa-Mae showing her ability to vary greatly in speed and dynamics with great and fluent technique. A true wonderful sounding piece of music.

Warm Air
An oppressive slow piece of music to dream away with into sleep. The staccato play of the accompanying violin and flute sound wonderful with the snoring electric violin of Vanessa-Mae.

Jazz Will Eat Itself
Vanessa-Mae playing her violin in brilliant dialogue with the accompanying drum and saxophone. Great piece of music!!

Wildscreen
The acoustic guitar and violin at the start make this piece. It then gently flows on in fine rhythm. A true romantic piece of music for slow dancing cheek to cheek, or to dream a way with in philosophical thoughts.

Tequila Mockingbird
A twin track of 'Wildscreen' with as ame kind of rhythm. Changes in dynamics make this an exciting piece that make it differ from 'Wildscreen' in the fact that you will not dream away, but stay alert!    

City Theme
The staccato play of Vanessa-Mae at the start promises an interesting piece of music: and it is just that!! 'City Theme' is brilliant in itself, but also because it prepares adequately for a spectacular end of the album the next track.   

Red Hot
Red Hot is composed by Vanessa-Mae herself in close collaboration with Ian Wherry. This is a truly spectacular end of a sheer brilliant album!! 'Red Hot' is fireworks every note from start to end. The song exhibits the same power and endurance as 'Toccata and Fugue.' and was the second single of the album with equal success. The rhythm is contagious, energising and suited for wild dancing. Red Hot is a brilliant composition showing Vanessa-Mae adage that the violin is a modern instrument which provides enormous fun and satisfaction.

copyrights of the text VMSPOS @ http://www.vanessa-mae.nu, Groningen, The Netherlands, 2005