Track Listing

1. Koyaanisqatsi
2. Vessels
3. Cloudscape
4. Pruit Igoe
5. The Grid
6. Prophecies

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9921 in Music
• Released on: 1990-03-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Dimensions: .19 pounds
• Running time: 46 minutes

Customer Reviews

Very good but it is abridged. There is a new version out.
There is a new version of this which is unabridged.

The original recording of Koyaanisqatsi was issued at what was a distinctly uneasy time - for the record companies at least. The LP era was coming to an end and the compact disc was only beginning to enter its primacy. Because the LP, which was then the more popular medium by far, could rarely hold more than 25 minutes per side, it was decreed that the score for the Glass/Reggio film should be radically abridged for its initial release.

Fifteen years later, it is a pleasure to have virtually all of the music from Koyaanisqatsi on disc, including about a halt hour of material that has hitherto been available only with the film.

Gut wrenching inspiration.
Once you follow any one of the musical threads in any of the tracks of this album, then let your mind lose focus and notice the twists, turns and new musical "plays". It is effortless genius and I love the incredible power that surges from the musicians/chorus during the many build-up finales.

As with all favourite albums there are associated memories too. When I saw the film/heard the soundtrack I just gave up on my 2nd year degree exam revision. I had to take a huge step back and take a long hard look at life/universe etc. 1984 was a very important crossroad for me which this album with its complexity and power fully embodies.

The Koyaanisqatsi 'Suite'
As other reviewers here have written this is very much an abridgement to the soundtrack of Reggio's remarkable eponymous film. However in being so much shorter it stands alone, almost as a 'Suite' from the film and makes for a tighter score easily assimilated whilst listening. However for the complete soundtrack, including sound effects, Orange Mountain Music's masterful release [Koyaanisquatsi (Original score)] fits the bill but is a little odd without the visuals. Happily I have bought both as I know the film so well that I can almost visualise every frame to the music while at other times I like the discipline imposed by this shorter work.