Description
“Songs of Experience was supposed to have a different feel than Song of Innocence. You see, music is a great outlet. And regardless of what the titles say, and as close as I wanted it to be to William Blake, what was going on in my life took precedence.” – David Axelrod
The second album by composer, arranger and producer David Axelrod, Songs of Experience (1969) follows his debut Song of Innocence. It was recorded after the death of his son Scott, and is, thus, a work concerned with mortality and spirituality. Again, it was inspired by the 18th-century poems of William Blake, set to the urban bombast of a full Los Angeles orchestra, with Wrecking Crew vets contributing dark funk. The album includes the hits "The Human Abstract" and "The Fly," the former later sampled by DJ Shadow. Songs of Experience showcases powerful orchestral textures, smooth jazz vibes, and experimental sounds that were ahead of it's time, remaining a timeless masterpiece.
“There are very few people who see the Grand Picture of the Universe and understand the Nothingness that it all comes from. There are even fewer who can express these ideas through music - David could do it all.” – T-Ray
Tracklist:
1 A Poison Tree
2 A Little Girl Lost
3 London
4 The Sick Rose
5 The School Boy
6 The Human Abstract
7 The Fly
8 A Divine Image
