Magenta Mountain Stereo
(Les Baxter, Yma Sumac - 3:03)
Recorded in 1971  |
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Review and Analysis of Magenta Mountain by Nicholas E. Limansky
From Yma Sumac - The Art Behind the Legend
used with permission - all rights reserved, © Nicholas E. Limansky
Read more on the Legacy of the Diva Web site! |
| Of the twelve selections originally recorded for this album, there are only four that are outstanding for either Yma's singing, or the combination of acceptable material (even if badly presented) and singing: "Savage Rock" (which was originally rejected), "Remember," "Medicine Man" and "Magenta Mountain." "Remember" is the album's up-tune. "Magenta Mountain" is its ballad. It is a nostalgic, Spanish flavored piece that recalls Yma's earlier floated work in such songs as "Taita Inty" (Hymn to the Sun) and "Suray Surita."
"Magenta Mountain" begins with a simple guitar accompaniment as Yma warbles high Cs and E flats with her initimable humming technique. An echo device is used to simulate the sound of her voice traveling over mountain ranges. Although the quality of these highest notes is thin, it is not unattractive and Yma fearlessly spins them out over the accompaniment.
The middle section is unfortunate. The echo device is abruptly dropped as Yma repeats the (admittedly) slight melody an octave lower and is suddenly accompanied by the full rock ensemble plus organ, in pounding, relentless rhythm. This jolting effect cheapens and completely negates the effect Yma had created with her unearthly vocalising. The result is a hatchet-like dividing of sections that is jarring and vitiates the initial impact of lyricism. Yma provides an unusual two octave glissando to high E-flat and the echo device is reapplied. The song ends as abruptly as it began, with a return to the guitar accompaniment and Yma finishes by leaping to a finely-spun, hummed high E-flat, rich in upper harmonics. When originally released in America the ending of this track was abrubly cut off - an editing error not present on European releases. Fortunately, for the 1998 CD release, this was corrected. Although a minor problem, it did vitiate the overall effect of Yma's soft warbling on the E-flat.
Webmaster's note: the reasons that Mr. Limansky stated for dismissing the middle section of this song are the very things that make it the most enjoyable to us and to many fans. The abrupt cut from the guitar and soaring voice to the hard rock beat and vocals an octave lower really add to the song and are similar to techniques performed by Nina Hagen. Also, it is only the U.K. release of this album that had the faulty ending. Apparently a limited number of these premature releases were available in the U.S. too. All other releases around the world have the proper fadeout. |
catalog no: ASIN: B00585N1IU
Not to be confused with another album called The Final Recordings by yma-sumac.com which contains Yma Sumac's actual last recordings from the 1990s, this bootleg download-only album was taken directly from the new Miracles reissue including a 13th previously-unreleased track. This album is being pul . . . 2011 United States
catalog no: SHU-8431
released in the U.K. in 1971 from an unfinished mix. The incomplete mix is most notable in Magenta Mountain which is chopped off at the end. Because of the incorrect credits, Les Baxter was sued and the record pulled as soon as Yma saw the U.S. version when it was released in 1972 so the U.K. versio . . . 1971 United Kingdom
catalog no: SAHA 8431
Recorded in 1971 and released throughout the world in 1972 (U.K. version was released in 1971 from an unfinished mix), this was Yma Sumac's seventh U.S. album and the first since 1959. This pressing from Australia has a different back jacket than others, being black on white and in a different . . . 1972 Australia
catalog no: SLC-430
Seventh album, recorded in 1971 1972 Japan
catalog no: XPS-608
This was Yma Sumac's seventh studio album and was her first venture on disk in rock and roll. Produced by Robert Covais, Jim Branciforti and Bob Kreppel (KBC International), this album had an accidental premature release in 1971 from an unfinished mix and was officially released in 1972. 1972 United States
catalog no: SHA-U 135
Seventh album, recorded in 1971, this German pressing was made without the consent or knowledge of the producers as were those from several other countries as well. 1972 Germany
catalog no: XPS-608
Seventh album, recorded in 1971, this particular pressing is from Peru. Although made in Peru for the Peruvian market, it has liner notes that are in English. 1972 Perú
catalog no: LSL-70498
Seventh album, recorded in 1971, this Yugoslavian pressing was made without the consent or knowledge of the producers as were those from several other countries as well. 1972 Yugoslavia
catalog no: XPS 608
Canadian release of Yma Sumac's rock recording which, until recently, we did not know existed even though we have been involved with Miracles since 1972. Other than the location name in fine print, it is identical to U.S. releases. 1972 Canada
catalog no: SIR004LP
Miracles vinyl reissue with two previously-unreleased tracks that were not heard on the original releases and, before now, were heard only on the 1998 CD release, Yma Rocks! but from a different mix. This new LP was made from the original master tapes and is being released here for the first time sp . . . 2011 Australia
catalog no: RR-5519
Bootleg CD made from vinyl source, paired with 101 Strings' Astro Sounds From Beyond the Year 2000. 1995 United States
catalog no: Omni 144
Miracles reissue with three previously-unreleased tracks that were not heard on the original vinyl releases and two that were heard only on the 1998 CD release, Yma Rocks! but from a different mix. This new CD, actually called Miracles (Expanded and Remastered), has a 13th track from the original ma . . . 2011 Australia
catalog no: JOM-1027-2
First legitimate reissue of Miracles and featuring two previously-unreleased tracks in all-new packaging. This highly-collectible Compact Disc was made in very limited quantity and each one is serialized with a unique serial number.
1998 United States
catalog no: JOM-1027-13
First legitimate reissue of Miracles and featuring two previously-unreleased tracks in all-new packaging with expanded booklet containing new notes and previously never before seen photos. This highly-collectible limited edition Compact Disc without serialization was made for general distribution us . . . 2018 United States
catalog no: SACU 8431
This was Yma Sumac's seventh U.S. album recorded in 1971, and the U.K. versions were released in 1971 from an unfinished mix. This is most noticeable on Magenta Mountain, which ends abruptly. 1971 United Kingdom
catalog no: RCOA 40 166-C / 608-C
Seventh album, recorded in 1971 and released in ine U.S. in 1972. This is the Record Club of America release and was packaged in a white vinyl box rather than in the plastic case as most cassettes. 1972 United States
catalog no: M 57 191
Seventh album, recorded in 1971, released in 1972 and the cover art shown here is from the U.K. release but is probably close to this U.S. release. 1972 United States
catalog no: LON M 72191
Seventh album, recorded in 1971 1972 United States
catalog no: LON M 72191
Seventh album, recorded in 1971 1972 United States