The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music

Chapter 06, Analog and Digital Synthesis Basics, Part 1

Episode 144
Chapter 06, Analog and Digital Synthesis Basics, Part 1. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 06, Analog and Digital Synthesis Basics, Part 1 from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: Early Experiments and Synthesizers
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:40
00:00
1 Halim El-Dabh, “The Expression of Zaar” (alt. title Wire Recorder Piece) (1944). Middle East Radio, Cairo. Composed using a magnetic wire recorder.
01:53
01:40
2 Hugh Le Caine, “Dripsody” (1955). Canada. Using Le Caine’s special purpose tape recorder.
02:00
03:30
3 Josef Anton Riedl, “Folge von 4 Studien” (1959). Siemens Studio für Elektronische Musik.
02:35
05:30
4 Milton Babbitt, “Ensembles for Synthesizer” (1961– 63). Using RCA Mark II Electronic Music Synthesizer
10:41
08:06
5 Mauricio Kagel “Antithese” (1962). Siemens Studio für Elektronische Musik.
09:22
18:46
6 Konrad Boehmer, “Aspekt” (1966).  State University Electronic-Music Studio, Utrecht.
15:15
28:08
7 Pauline Oliveros, “I of IV” (1966). University of Toronto Electronic Music Studio. Using Hugh Le Caine’s tape loop system.
25:29
43:34
8 Alice Shields, “Study for Voice and Tape” (1969). Columbia– Princeton Electronic Music Center.
05:14
01:08:52
9 Charles Wuorinen, Time’s Encomium (1968– 69). Using RCA Mark II Electronic Music Synthesizer.
30:47 
01:14:06
10 Douglas Leedy, “Entropical Paradise I” (1970). Side 1 of three-LP set. Six “sonic environments” using the Buchla Modular Electronic Music System and Moog Modular Synthesizer at UCLA.
20:09
01:44:55
 
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 05, The Physics of Musical Sound

Episode 143
Chapter 05, The Physics of Musical Sound. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
 
Playlist
 
Time
Track Time*
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:28
00:00
John Cage, “Cartridge Music” (1960). Uses phono cartridges to amplify small sounds.
19:57
01:30
Robert Ashley, “The Wolfman” (1964). Uses a mike inside of the vocal cavity as a feedback and distortion chamber for audio that is highly amplified.
15:27
21:26
Beaver and Krause, “Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music” (1968). Two complete albums of examples from this landmark album. Includes examples of synthesis and principles using the Moog Modular synthesizer. The first track is a composition called “Peace Three” that is repeated as the final track of the album; in this case I only play it once at the end of the album. See the image below for a scan of the album’s title sequence.
45:16
37:00
Steve Reich, “Pendulum Music” (1968). Manipulates the feedback properties of a microphone swinging over a loudspeaker.
05:54
01:22:16
David Tudor, “Toneburst” (1975). Incorporates an internal feedback loop where Tudor fed the output of his handbuilt instruments into other. Partly analog, partly digital.
29:19
01:28:06
Jason Kahn, Toshimaru Nakamura, “Track 1” from Repeat (1999). No-input feedback, which is basically a feedback loop produced without external (acoustic) input. All digital.
08:02
01:57:26
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 04, Electronic Music Composition by Process

Episode 142
Chapter 04, Electronic Music Composition by Process. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
 
Playlist
 
Time
Track Time*
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:31
00:00
Yves Klein, “Monotone-Silence Symphony” (1947). I could not find any recorded versions of this piece, so I produced this realization of my own to capture the feel and nature of this process work. Klein conceived this as performance art in which an orchestra would only play a single note, continuously, for 20 minutes followed by another 20 minutes of silence. I’ve examined the score and can see that Klein also intended that the same note could be played in different octaves. The playing would have been staged so that one group of musicians could overlap another, both for reasons of fatigue but also to allow smooth transitions for the wind instruments because players would need to take a breath. My version includes electronic instruments for multiple parts, each part playing the same note, often in different octaves. The introduction of instrumental groups was planned in stages, each overlapping the previous grouping, gradually shortening in duration as the piece goes on.
40:03
01:34
Steve Reich, “It’s Gonna Rain” (1965). Process piece using tape loops and phasing.
08:03
41:38
La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, “31 VII 69 10:26 - 10:49 PM” (1969). Early work employing electronic drones. Eponymous untitled album popularly known as "The Black Record" or "The Black Album" Mine is an original copy. The cover is black gloss print on matt black and very hard to read. Numbered edition limited to 2800 copies of which numbers 1-98 are dated and signed by the artists. This work “was recorded at the date and time indicated in the title, at Galerie Heiner Friedrich, München. The work “31 VII 69 10:26-10:49 PM” is a section of the longer work: Map Of 49's Dream The Two Systems Of Eleven Sets Of Galactic Intervals Ornamental Lightyears Tracery. Play this side at 33 1/3 rpm only.” Early work employing electronic drones. By the mid-sixties, Young and his partner Marian Zazeela were creating music for electronic drones as an extension of their group, The Theatre of Eternal Music. Using a Heathkit sine wave oscillator and later Moog modules as sources, they created drone pieces that employed “extended duration time signatures” and “long sustained tones, intervals, triads and chords to create the musical texture.” A reissue has now occurred on the label Super Viaduct.
22:49
49:24
Terry Riley, “A Rainbow in Curved Air” (1969). Minimalist process work for electronic organ.
18:46
01:12:08
Steve Reich, “Four Organs” (1970). Process piece for four electronic organs.
24:11
01:31:04
Brian Eno, “Discreet Music” (1975). Process piece for synthesizers.
31:35
01:55:12
David Behrman, “Figure in a Clearing” (1977). Process piece using the KIM- 1 microcomputer
19:13
02:25:30
Laurie Spiegel, “A Harmonic Algorithm” (1980). Self-generating program running on an Apple II computer.
03:08
02:44:48
Alvin Lucier, “Music for Piano with One or More Snare Drums” (1990). Process piece for amplified piano and snare drum.
09:20
02:47:48
Marina Rosenfeld, “Two (Joy of Fear)” (2005). Process piece for a timed improvisational live performance.
10:22
02:56:50
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 03, How Electronic Music is Composed.

Episode 141
Chapter 03, How Electronic Music is Composed. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
 
Playlist
 
Time
Track Time*
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:26
00:00
Pierre Henry, “Antiphonie” (1953). Early serial tape composition.
03:00
01:30
Edgard Varese, “Poème électronique ” (1958). Classic tape composition using montage.
08:08
04:30
Iannis Xenakis, “Concret PH” (1958). Modified and amplified small sounds.
02:41
12:32
Pauline Oliveros, “Sound Patterns” (1961. Electronically modified voices and electronics on tape.
04:00
15:12
İlhan Mimaroğlu, “White Cockatoo” (1966). Tape composition using abstract sounds applied to sonata form.
04:23
19:10
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Telemusik” (1966). Tape composition using world music recordings; also a component for included for live performance.
17:38
23:30
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Hymnen” (1966– 67). Classic tape composition.
29:53
41:08
David Tudor, “Rainforest IV” (1973). Sounding objects, transducers, and contact microphones.
25:12
01:11:12
Ruth Anderson, “Points” (1973– 74). Synthesis using sine tones.
05:33
01:36:22
Eliane Radigue, “Adnos I– III” (excerpt) (1973– 80). Minimalist drone music for synthesizer; the full length is over an hour.
33:52
01:41:46
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 02, Listening to Electronic Music

Episode 140
Chapter 02, Listening to Electronic Music. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
Playlist
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:27
00:00
David Tudor, “Anima Pepsi,” from the Pepsi Pavilion (1970)
23:03
01:32
Pauline Oliveros, “Big Mother is Watching You” (1966)
33:45
24:34
John Cage, “Fontana Mix” (1958)
11:34
58:18
Tetsu Inoue, “Kaze” (2007)
07:26
01:09:50
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 01, Electronic and Experimental Music, Recommended Works

Episode 139
Chapter 01, What is Electronic Music? Recommended Works from Electronic and Experimental Music 
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
Playlist
Time
Track Time*
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:16
00:00
Pierre Schaeffer, Cinq Études De Bruits Étude Violette (1948). Example of musique concrète.
03:25
01:16
Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry, Bidule en Ut (1950). Example of musique concrète.
02:11
04:36
Herbert Eimert, Klangstudie I (1952). Example of elektronische music.
03:57
06:46
Herbert Eimert and Robert Beyer, Klang Im Unbegrenzten Raum (1952). Example of elektronische music.
10:33
10:40
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Studie I (1953-54). Example of elektronische music.
10:00
20:59
Karlheinz Stockhausen, Gesang Der Jünglinge (1955-56). Example of electroacoustic music.
13:40
30:28
Else Marie Pade, Symphonic Magnetophonique (1958). Example of electroacoustic music.
19:28
43:38
Edgard Varèse, Poème Électronique (1958). Example of organized sound.
08:08
01:02:54
Max Mathews, Numerology (1960)
02:45
01:11:05
Daphne Oram, Four Aspects (1960). Example of Oramics or electroacoustic music.
08:15
01:13:36
Henri Pousseur, Trois Visage de Liège (1961). Example of electroacoustic music.
17:54
01:21:44
James Tenney, Collage No.1 (Blue Suede) (1961). Example of electroacoustic music.
03:27
01:39:32
Delia Derbyshire, Falling (1964). Example of radiophonic music.
08:45
01:42:58
Ann Hamilton, Mantle (1998). Example of sound art.
32:09
01:51:39
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Electronic Music of Conrad Schnitzler—A Retrospective, Part 1

Episode 138
Electronic Music of Conrad Schnitzler—A Retrospective, Part 1.
Playlist
Time
Track Time*
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
06:06
00:00
Conrad Schnitzler, “Meditation” from Rot (Red) (1973 Conrad Schnitzler Self-released. Composed, performed, recorded, and produced by Conrad Schnitzler.
19:44
08:28
Conrad Schnitzler, “Die Rebellen Haben Sich In Den Bergen Versteckt” from Blau (Blue) (1974 Conrad Schnitzler Self-released. Composed, performed, recorded, and produced by Conrad Schnitzler.
18:44
28:06
Conrad Schnitzler, “05/1975 B (6:11),” “05/1975 A (4:29),” “12/1975 A (1:53),” “14/1975 A (2:21),” “03/1975 A” from Filmmusik 2 (2017 Bureau B). Composed, performed, recorded, and produced by Conrad Schnitzler.These works were for composed for films that did not yet (most never) existed. They date from 1975 and fill an interesting niche in his work from the time. These shorter works contrast nicely to the extended works that he was producing up until this time.
18:47
45:40
Conrad Schnitzler + Wolf Sequenza, “Nächte In Kreuzberg” (3:48), “Humpf” (2:51), “M5-477” (4:39), “Pendel” (4:16), “Wer Geht Da?” (3:46), and “Copacabana” (5:17) from Consequenz (1980 Conrad Schnitzler Self-released). Composed, performed, recorded, and produced by Conrad Schnitzler and  Wolf Sequenza (Wolfgang Seidel).
24:36
01:05:22
Note: These are all complete album sides. For Filmmusic 2 and Consequenz, the album sides include several individual tracks and the timings for each are shown in parentheses in the descriptions above.
Opening background music: Conrad Schnitzler, “Untitled” (excerpt, side A) of the Red Cassette (1974 Conrad Schnitzler Self-released) (09:08).
 
Introduction to the podcast voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 
 
 

Merry Moog 2024

Episode 137
Merry Moog 2024
Electronic Music for the Holidays Performed on the Moog and other Synthesizers
 
Playlist
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
04:34
00:00
1.     Hans Wurman, “Overture Miniature” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). This Austrian composer made several remarkable, classically influenced Moog Modular albums from 1969 to 1976. This was one of his last big Moog projects and is difficult to find. 2:54
02:54
04:32
2.     Hans Wurman, “Danse De La Fee-Dragee ( Sugar Plum Fairy)” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 1:33
01:33
07:24
3.     Hans Wurman, “Danse Des Mirlitons (Flutes)” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 2:14
02:14
08:56
4.     Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Nutrocker” from Nutrocker / The Great Gates Of Kiev (1972 Cotillion). Arranged by, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Written by Kim Fowley.
03:48
11:08
5.     Sounds Of Broadcasting 2, “Night Of The Kings” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
01:01
14:56
6.     Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Jingle Bells” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
01:44
15:56
7.     Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Christmas Bells” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
01:52
17:40
8.     Douglas Leedy, “The Coventry Carol” from A Very Merry Electric Christmas to You (1970 Capitol). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer and Buchla Synthesizer.
04:46
19:30
9.     Joseph Byrd, “Christmas in the Morning” from A Christmas Yet to Come (1975 Takoma). USA. ARP 2600 Synthesizer with an Oberheim Expander Module.
01:34
24:16
10.   Armen Ra, “O Come All Ye Faithful” from Theremin Christmas (2018 Sungod). USA. Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin.
04:43
25:50
11.   Beck, “The Little Drum Machine Boy” from Just Say Noël (1996 Geffen). USA. Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer.
07:02
30:32
12.   Alan Horsey, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” from Switched-On Christmas (1985 Snowflake Records). Italian album with electric organ by Alan Horsey. This is reminiscent of Hooked on Classics as the entire album seems to be woven together by a drum machine beat. This is played on organ. Seems a little late for disco.
03:10
37:30
13.   Denny Hinman, “Christmas in July” from Plays The Yamaha Electone E-70 (1980 Yamaha). Denny Hinman plays the Yamaha Electone E-70. A release by Yamaha.
01:45
40:36
14.   Miharu Koshi, “Belle Tristesse” (妙なる悲しみ)from We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1984 Yen). Japan. A compilation of specially recorded Christmas-themed songs from various artists on the Yen Records label. Written by, synth-pop with vocals by Miharu Koshi. Miharu Koshi is a keyboardist and singer with a long-standing collaborative association with YMO-founder Haruomi Hosono.
03:43
42:20
15.   Taeko Onuki, Inori (Prayer) from We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1984 Yen). Japan. A compilation of specially recorded Christmas-themed songs from various artists on the Yen Records label. Japanese synth-pop with vocals by Onuki. Maybe Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards.
03:44
46:02
16.   Frank Collett, “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (1970 Privately Made Release). USA. This is a special addition to the Merry Moog podcast. I found what is likely a one-of-a-disc private pressing by Frank Collett using the Moog Modular Synthesizer. This 45 RPM disc was recorded at Finetone Recording Studio in New York City and is inscribed with the hand-written message, “To John & Loretta: Merry XMAS. Composed and arranged by Frank Collett” This appears to be disc made of metal with a vinyl coating. One side includes his rendition of Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” plus a short tune called “Little Joey” (see below). The flip side contains the same recording of “Little Joey.” Dated December 22, 1970. Clearly made using a Moog Modular Synthesizer. Collett (1941-2016) was a noted session pianist and sometimes led and recorded with his own trio. He was raised in New York. In 1968 he was accompanist to Sarah Vaughan. The following year he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.  He became the house pianist, with the orchestra in the main showroom of the International Hotel (which became the Las Vegas Hilton).  It was during this period that he made this recording in NY. 
01:57
49:44
17.   Frank Collett, “Little Joey” (1970 Privately Made Release). Frank Collett using the Moog Modular Synthesizer. From a 45 RPM disc recorded at Finetone Recording Studio in New York City (see above). Dated December 22, 1970. Clearly made using a Moog Modular Synthesizer. Collett (1941-2016) was a noted session pianist and sometimes led and recorded with his own trio. Moog Modular Synthesiser, Frank Collett. Whose Moog Synthesizer did he use to make this recording? I can only speculate and guess that he made the recording at the studio of Gerson Kingsley in New York.
01:56
51:40
18.   Romantic Synthesizer, “Oh Tannenbaum” from Christmas Memories (1983 Dureco Benelux). French-Dutch album. Arranged, produced, synthesizers by Gerto Heupink, Robert Pot.
02:53
53:34
19.   Keiko Ohta (Ota), “Here Comes Santa Claus” from Electone X’Mas Present (1975 Canyon). Yamaha Electone GX-707 (GX-1), arranged by Keiko Ohta. Ohta was a female Electone star from Japan. The GX-1 was an early polyphonic synthesizer and a new branch of the Yamaha Electone family tree.
02:43
56:24
20.   Keiko Ohta (Ota), “Blue Christmas” from Electone X’Mas Present (1975 Canyon). Yamaha Electone GX-707 (GX-1), arranged by Keiko Ohta. Japan. Yes, the song originally made famous by Elvis Presley. Ohta was a female Electone star from Japan. The GX-1 was an early polyphonic synthesizer and a new branch of the Yamaha Electone family tree.
04:11
59:06
21.   Paul Haig, “Scottish Christmas” from Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. Scottish songwriter, musician and singer.
02:46
01:03:16
22.   Les Cousins Dangereux, “What Child Is This” from Gotta Groove Records 2012 (2012 Gotta Groove Records). Holiday album with various artists. Les Cousins Dangereux is Mr. Tim Thornton.
01:59
01:06:00
23.   Joy Electric, “Angels We Have Heard on High” from The Magic Of Christmas (2003 Tooth & Nail Records). Joy Electric is Ronnie Martin from Ohio. American synthesizer-pop musician. Among his many releases is this crafty Christmas album.
01:48
01:07:58
24.   Koichi Oki, “Jingle Bells” from The Man From Yukiguni (1975 TIM/RS). Japan. Koichi Oki's Christmas album performed solely by his Yamaha Electone E-3. “Yukiguni” means snowland. Oki was a hugely popular Electone artist in Japan.
01:50
01:09:46
25.   Koichi Oki, “Winter Wonderland” from The Man From Yukiguni (1975 TIM/RS). Japan. Koichi Oki's Christmas album performed solely by his Yamaha Electone E-3. “Yukiguni” means snowland. Oki was a hugely popular Electone artist in Japan.
02:18
01:11:34
26.   Edhels, “Oriental Christmas” from Oriental Christmas (1985 Cabana Music). Recorded in France. Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Jacky Rosati; Guitar, Jean Louis Suzzoni; Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Composed by, Marc Ceccotti; Keyboards, Noël Damon. I was sent this as a promotional album back in 1985 with a kind little note from the artists. Sorry it took me so long to put the Christmas-related track in my podcast. This is great example of synth-pop from France in the 1980s.
04:22
01:13:52
27.   Bob Wehrman, John Bezjian and Dusty Wakeman, “Joy to the World” from Christmas Becomes Electric (1984 Tropical Records). Produced in L.A., a collection of pre-fab synthesizer classics. Not the same record of the same title as Douglas Leedy.
02:40
01:18:12
28.   Bob Wehrman, John Bezjian and Dusty Wakeman, “Ring Christmas Bells” from Christmas Becomes Electric (1984 Tropical Records). Produced in L.A., a collection of pre-fab synthesizer classics. Not the same record of the same title as Douglas Leedy.
01:46
01:20:50
29.   Romantic Synthesizer, “So This is Christmas” from Christmas Memories (1983 Dureco Benelux). French-Dutch album. Arranged, produced, synthesizers by Gerto Heupink, Robert Pot. We don’t often hear an instrumental rendition of this Lennon and Ono X-mas tune.
03:22
01:22:34
30.   Swinging Buildings, “Praying For A Cheaper Christmas” from Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. This group was once rumored to be New Order in disguise. But no, they were in fact The Bowling Balls in disguise.
03:07
01:25:54
31.   Bernie Krause, Philip Aaberg, “Feliz Navidad” from A Wild Christmas (1994 Etherean Music ). This delightful cassette is from Bernie Krause, known for his Moog explorations with Paul Beaver back in the day. All animal and ambient sounds recorded on location worldwide by Bernie Krause with the exception of the fish (courtesy of U.S. Navy). Animal samples, Bernie Krause and Phil Aaberg. Arrangements, new materials, all keyboards (Kurzweil 2000/Emulator III) Phil Aaberg. Percussion on Feliz Navidad performed by Ben Leinbach. 5:37
05:37
01:28:58
32.   The Original Cast: R2-D2, Anthony Daniels As C-3PO, “R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas” from Christmas In The Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album (1980 RSO). Vocals, Arthur Boller, Donald Oriolo, Jr., Dori Greenberg, Ivy Alexenburg, Jake Yeston, Jessica Taylor, Marney Alexenburg, Ricky Haayen, Roddy McBrien, Russell Poses, Scot Randell, Stacy Greenberg; Keyboards, Derek Smith, Harold Wheeler, Pat Rebillot; Sound Effects (R2D2), Ben Burtt. The whole Star Wars crew seems to have a part in this holiday album. I wanted to highlight a track featuring the melodious electronic beeping of R2D2.
03:33
01:34:34
Opening background music: Sounds Of Broadcasting 1, “Christmas Logos” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer. Notice how the melody imitates a familiar tune without ever hitting the same notes. A copyright thing. Another name of this track might as well be, “It’s Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Christmas.” Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Tijuana Christmas” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer. Don Voegeli, “Chanukah” from Holiday & Seasonal Music (1977 EMI). USA. Produced at the Electrosonic Studio of the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Visual design by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.