The Dreaming

I remember reading somewhere that playing this Kate Bush's THE DREAMING on Halloween might serve to invite all manor of demons, goblins and things that go bump in the night into one's life. Well, it certainly is one of the eeriest records I've ever heard, but I doubt anyone's in danger of accidentally summoning "Captain Howdy" no matter when you play it.I would caution you to be careful for WHOM you play it. THE DREAMING was my own intro to Kate Bush's work back in the early '80s and it threw me for an absolute loop. I had never heard anything quite like it--quite as brilliant that is. I was never one to object to letting a little "weirdness in." But I surmised even then what I know now: this one's gonna scare the proverbial wits out of a lot of neophytes. As off-the-wall as "Wuthering Heights" or "Running Up That Hill" were in their ways, they'll always serve as better texts for Kate 101. Save this brilliant record for your grad level work, I'd say.Kate's misterioso side was given full reign on THE DREAMING. Back in the day, I only had a little cassette player in my German dorm room and the European tape I had provided no lyric sheet. For some reason, I thought ALL the songs had something to do with death and the world beyond. I interpreted the caper-gone-wrong song, "There Goes A Tenner," as being told from the point of view of the ghost of one of the would-be perps (who failed to treat the "gelignite tenderly" and blown themselves to kingdom come).That may have been an over-interpretation. When I look at the actual lyrics these days, I don't see what prompted me to draw that particular conclusion. On the other hand, "All the Love," "Houdini," and, especially, "Get Out of My House" really are quite spooky, in their various ways. And the title tune is, while having more to do with Aboriginal lore, is just as eerie when you get right down to it. Guaranteed you've never heard anything quite like it.Listening to THE DREAMING might not lead to actual demonic possession, but it WILL turn your head around.

When people speak of The Beatles reinventing music with Revolver, this is that very same type of experience. This is nothing short of genius, and easily Kate's best album. For what was to come in 1985 with Hounds of Love being her Sgt. Pepper - The Dreaming is her Revolver. An amazing album with great short stories, characters and texture...not to mention that it is Out There. One for the ages. And I was one of it's detractors as a kid...I was in love with Kate's first three albums, and then The Dreaming came out in 1982, when I was 14 - and I was baffled by it..! It took six months before it started to sink in, and once I got into the right space with it, it became like breathing air to me. It is not an easily accessible album by any means - but like a book of good stories by Poe or Lovecraft...once you get it, it unfolds itself to you and you are a lifer. There is no better album than this from that decade. This is the definitive Kate Bush.

It was not until I head she had worked with Peter Gabriel that I decided to investigate Kate Bush. I did so with two cd's, this one and The Sensual World. I have to say that I preferred Sensual to this one but they are both good cd's. The Dreaming simply does not have the melodic elements that Sensual does. The Dreaming took a little longer to grow on me. It is however a good cd and one with its own style and musical 'fashion'. It stands well on its own, again with it's own style. It simply makes me more interested in hearing some of her other cd's.

One listen and I knew that this was something special. I already had "Sensual World" and was impressed but not blown away. Now keep in mind it took me at least 3 listens to declare Yes's "Close to the Edge" a masterwork. "The Dreaming" is a sonic wonder and a marvel of a recording; with techniques and arrangements like I've never heard (and I have over 150 great CD's). To say even more is that I've never found the female voice to be very effective emotionally. I guess it's the fact that I tie in womens' voices with relentless feminisitic pleas. Though I am skeptical any Kate Bush album can rival "The Dreaming" I cannot pass up any other critically hailed album of hers. She's infected me with her musical vantage.

Rediscovered this album after about 20 years when I read an article that she was coming back to the music scene. The tunes were still in my head, but giving them a fresh listen only confirmed what a great artist she is. A classic, quirky but memorable collection of songs from a true artist. Not every single track is perfect, but Kate Bush is willing to explore sounds and story lines like nobody else and she is so emotionally engaged in every song that s sometimes takes my breath away.

WIITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED AND UNIQUE RECORDING ARTISTS IN THIS OR ANY OTHER REALITY OF ALTERNATE DIMENSION. SO UNIQUE IN FACT, IT MAY TAKE MORE THAN ONE LISTEN TO GET THE GIST OF THE SONG.(NOT HATING). IF YOU CAN LOOK UP ANY OF HER VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE, THAT MAY LEND YOU A HAND IN THAT DEPARTMENT. ALSO IF YOU CAN GET USED TO HER WIDE VOCAL RANGE WHICH IS AT TIMES OPERA LEVEL, EVEN OTHERWORLDLY, YOU JUST MIGHT GO 'WOW'.

I have been looking for this CD in stores forever. Then I decided to try Amazon for the first time. I was amazed that it was there.It was a used CD but said "good condition." I was afraid it would be scratched. It was perfect! It looked brand new except for no plastc wrap over it. The quality was excellent. Not only that, it came to me in the mail in 3 Days! I am so happy. I will use Amazon for most of my purchases.