Iva Davies Boxes LP 1985 Icehouse

	A$		35
	$		23

Iva Davies Boxes LP 1985 Icehouse

Boxes is a soundtrack album by Australian band, Icehouse released by Festival Records / Chrysalis Records in November 1985. The work was originally conceived by its composers, Iva Davies and Robert Kretschmer, in collaboration with choreographer Graeme Murphy of the Sydney Dance Company for performance as the ballet Boxes. The first live performance of Boxes was given by the Sydney Dance Company together with Davies and Kretschmer of Icehouse and guest percussionist Masaki Tanazawa in the Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House on 7 November 1985. Boxes was released in the US under the name Icehouse and Sydney Dance Company. The single "No Promises" was released as a 12" in November and a cassingle in December on Regular Records for Australian and New Zealand markets, it contained other tracks from Boxes; two tracks from Boxes were later released on their next studio album Measure for Measure in April 1986.

In 1985 the ballet score Boxes was commissioned by Sydney Dance Company and the resulting work conceived by Iva Davies, Robert Kretschmer and Graeme Murphy opened on 5th November 1985. The music is a mix of ambient synthesiser & percussion, with several Icehouse tracks performed and reprised by Iva Davies, who actually performed them in the staged production.

“Boxes opened at the Sydney Opera House Opera Theatre on November 7th, 1985. The action takes place within and above a large square scaffolding structure (the box) mounted on the revolving stage. The box houses an amorphous group of dancers called "the Insiders," while another group, "the Outsiders," composed of the musicians and other, more distinctively clad dancers occupy a platform topping the scaffolding walls.

As the ballet develops, some individuals begin to emerge from the throng of Insiders and lead the interchanges with the seemingly superior creatures above. The whole of the action is punctuated by spectacular lighting effects (designed by John Drummond Montgomery) and accompanied by the music of ICEHOUSE performed on stage by Iva Davies, Bob Kretschmer and guest Japanese drummer/percussionist Masaki Tanazawa.

The ICEHOUSE musicians, as members of the group of Outsiders, provide an integral part of the dramatic action of the ballet. In one striking example of this, Iva Davies descends into the box in a circle of light and engages in an interplay of dance and song with leading ballerina Janet Vernon, performing the role of one of the outstanding Insiders. This integration of musical performance and theatrical action tended to identify the ballet with the medium of music video clips, even if on a somewhat larger scale.

Something out of the Box

Although Boxes was hailed as the theatrical event of the year, there were some interesting variations to the general reaction of acclaim. This ballet was such a mixed media production, such a combination of so many and varied forms of expression, that it posed some distinct reviewing problems, especially to critics with specialist knowledge in one particular form.

The dance purists found difficulty in accepting the possible subjugation of the dance to the many spectacular mechanical and lighting effects and the unusual musical score. They generally opted for the safer ground of the pas de deux "Shimmering," a delightful pure dance piece which occupied the earlier part of the programme.

The music for Boxes defied easy classification. Because it was provided by ICEHOUSE, it was assumed by many from the outset that it would be quite definite rock music. When in the event, this expectation was not met, even the rock music critics found difficulty in deciding how to respond to it or, even, describe it. Many attempted, with one review even referring to the "score of heavy metal rock music," hardly an appropriate description for any ICEHOUSE music. Perhaps the most accurate description of the Boxes music was given by Tim Toni in the Sydney Morning Herald, in stating that "it bravely runs a course through the largely uncharted waters of technological avant garde, occasionally pulling into the safe port of pop."

Notwithstanding the few misgivings of some of the specialists, those who were able to see and enjoy Boxes for what it really was — an innovative, spectacular piece of theatre employing an unusual combination of visual and audio effects — were loud in their praise and acceptance. ~  from   http://www.spellbound-icehouse.org/story5.html  (© 1992 Neville Davies)

 Side One:

Early Images;

Terra Incognita:

Solitaire;

A Break In The Clouds;

Love Dance;

No Promises;

The Tempest – Part One;

The Tempest – Part Two

Side Two:

Gravity;

Indian Summer;

Russian Dolls;

Regular Boys;

Familiar Winds;

The Walker;

No Promises (Reprise);

Surgery;

Regular Boys (Reprise);

Labyrinth – Parts 1 & 2;

Liberation – Parts 1 & 2

CONDITION:

SLEEVE: EX—  has v. slight ring wear and staple holes top left.

RECORD:   NM (visible), however a few pops on intro grooves and occasional in quiet passages.

 RECORD GRADINGS

(May be further qualified by + or - )

M = Mint

Must be in perfect condition with no audible or visible defects whatsoever. The record and cover/sleeve should be exactly as brand new.

NM = Near Mint

Almost mint but has one or two minor visible marks on the cover/sleeve or surface with sound quality remaining perfect.

EX = Excellent

Not quite perfect. There may a slight chance of minor deterioration in sound quality. The cover/sleeve may show slight wear.

VG = Very Good

The surface and cover/sleeve shows visible signs of wear due to the fact that it has been played on a regular basis. There will be some audible surface noise but it will not effect the listening experience.

G = Good

The sound quality has deteriorated due to having been played often. The cover/sleeve and surface will show considerable signs of wear and tear with some possible damage.

F = Fair

Has been neglected, but is still playable. There will be major audible defects such as loud clicks or jumping. The cover/sleeve maybe badly damaged.

P = Poor

Technically playable, but with serious deterioration in condition and sound quality. The cover/sleeve will be badly damaged.

VP = Very Poor

In terrible condition and absolutely unplayable. Would only be of use as a last resort to complete a collection.

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TOS current 8 June, 2010