Offering (Christian Vander)

[chalkpie]

There doesn't seem to be an official thread on Offering here yet, so here we go. I have heard a track or two about 5-6 years ago, and that's the extent of it, but would appreciate any suggestions, insight, recommendations, etc. I would assume that the compositions are special (at their best) since CV is such a brilliant composer. I would also assume that folks who can't get enough of Magma or have mined all/most of their treasures would go here at some point. I'm ready to dive in - give me a push.

Merci

[calyx]

Whatever Vander might say about all his projects being some sort of continuum, it's really a different vibe and music (IMHO). To be honest, I've never had too much time for it, although on occcasion they have produced some beautiful choral-based music. I would suggest "A Fiieh" as a good starting point. Some of the music on that could definitely appeal to you if you're a fan of "Félicité Thösz".

[Mekanik Zain]

Del..

[NogbadTheBad]

I saw them at RIO one year and to be honest it did very little for me, it lacked the energy and drive of Magma and seemed primarily a vehicle for Christian to get out from behind the drumkit and sing.

[Steve F.]

Not terrible or anything, but not really a fan.

[Mekanik Zain]

For me Offering represent different direction comparing to Magma - more relaxing and dreamy music with strong vocal jazz flavour....

[Zeuhlmate]

I never got really carried away...
But I like this track

[chalkpie]

Thanks for responses guys. Different opinions on this music for sure. I'll check out those clips to start. And yes Aymeric, I am a huge fan of "Felicite" so I'm sure there will be stuff that I will dig.

[jazz2896]

I dig some of it, the shorter pieces of theirs get more listens from me, I feel like the longer pieces tend to drag on a bit much. However, if you do give their work a listen, there's a lot of melodic references to Magma, Ehn Deiss contains a melody from the known versions of Zess (of which I'm guessing due to the group playing Ehn Deiss live as of recent, it will probably be incorporated into the Zess album), Hymne Kobaien is a melody from Fur Dihhel Kobaia on Wurdah Itah, and I'm sure there's more. It's definitely related to Magma, but it doesn't have the drive and urgency from the parent band. A Magma listening mood is not an Offering listening mood.

[aith01]

Please allow me to chime in as well...

A little over a year ago I got the Offering box set, and I think it's great. Different for sure, but there are some pieces that I like even more than Magma actually ("Another Day" and "A Fiieh" are showstoppers). There's a lot of focus on piano and vocals, but the instrumentation still varies quite a bit across the compositions -- enough to keep things interesting. Félicité Thösz is similar to Offering in a lot of ways, which may be why I'm so fond of that one too.

Frank, I think you would like it, based on what I know of your taste. If you're a fan of CV's compositions, there's plenty to enjoy here IMO.

[aith01]

[...] A Magma listening mood is not an Offering listening mood.

I think this is a great way of putting it.

[unclemeat]

A Magma listening mood is not an Offering listening mood.

Although Magma did perform "Another Day" in 1982-83.

[Mekanik Zain]

Yeah, we can also discuss Vander' jazz projects, such as Christian Vander Trio or Christian Vander Quartet...Totally different listening mood....
This is not my cup of tea though....

[flytomars]

Not a fan of Offering, but there is a Christian Vander project called "les cygnes et les corbeaux" - a lovely piece of music, and it is what I imagined (and hoped) Offering would sound like if it was any good

[Mekanik Zain]

Del...

[chalkpie]

Ouch.

[Lino]

One of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear.

[zeprogmeister]

I like the first one, I-II the best. Like others said, more laid back and oriented on jazzy vocals and piano. These are a couple pieces I like, the first one more atmospheric, the 2nd one more Magma-ish

[Udi Koomran]

Earth is a favorite of Kermi

[flytomars]

I like the first one, I-II the best. Like others said, more laid back and oriented on jazzy vocals and piano. These are a couple pieces I like, the first one more atmospheric, the 2nd one more Magma-ish

Ok, I got to admit, long time since I heard this and this sounds very good, perhaps I was too harsh in my previous post
I am still not a huge fan of scatting, hence my not really liking most of Offering offerings.

[chalkpie]

Shit, I'm diggin all of this stuff that's been posted! I'm probably going to be a fan...I'm easy to please I guess.

I will explore further.

[aith01]

One of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear.

Man, I love this track. The piano during the middle section... goosebumps, every time.

[chalkpie]

Man, I love this track. The piano during the middle section... goosebumps, every time.

Ok, this kicks Kobaian ass. This really is beautiful.

[aith01]

Ok, this kicks Kobaian ass. This really is beautiful.

So glad you're liking this stuff, man. I had a feeling you might.

IMO, the Magma Presente Offering box set was worth every penny.

[Zappathustra]

Nice thread - good music.