goodbye, pan am
Here’s another one for my list: BT’s album ESCM, specifically the track “Remember” (although there are several on the album that were very influential). I first came across the album in the fall of ’97, during my freshman year at NCSU’s Design School. I had a fledgling interest in electronica but didn’t have avenues for developing my interest. Another student in my freshman design studio was an electronica buff and had been for years. We built a tenuous friendship around that single mutual interest. He turned me on to the KLF, Apollo 440, Underworld, the Platinum on Black series, Orbital, the Crystal Method (not all of whom I kept up with or even liked) and above all, BT. ESCM had just come out and when I bought it I found it to be creative like none of the electronic music I had listened to thus far. Far from a monotone series of linear beats with a successive layering of sound, the music had a variety to it that meshed perfectly with my burgeoning interest and the emphasis on creativity that pervaded Design School. BT seemed to exploit the full range of sounds, tempos and effects available, borrowing from several different genres and creating something new, the way the best musical innovators do. He still is, too–this album looks positively stellar. As for “Remember,” for best results find a system with sufficient bass, crank up and close eyes.
David W. and i listened to a lot of BT back in the day. Around 1999 or so…the years of highschool freedom and tons of free time. I have some great memories of those times…and it’s sad that they’re gone. You never really see things change until you look back on them and realize it’s just a memory.
I have memories of David and BT as well… I introduced him to the artist on a trip up to Asheville to visit our then-recently-moved Shakespeare club director and her family. Long time ago…
1999… You had the 850 then, right? BT would have been ideal for that car’s system.
Ah. So it comes full circle. Very nice.
I remember this song. It was one of our favorite BT tracks.
Yup…pimpin’ the 850. One of the best sounding systems i’ve ever heard in a normal person’s car. You were virtually surrounded by clear, powerful music…sometimes we would just arrive at our destination and park, open the moonroof, and listen. Stars, moon, fresh air and crystal clear sound enveloping you in your cocoon. It was truly amazing. I miss those times. We were both much younger then…
~jd
(Forgot my darn password again! Ugh.)