Did Vangelis REALLY play that piano on 'Memories of Green'?

Hear me out:

First off, I confess that I only have the Blade Runner soundtracks, Themes, and The City. But in all I've heard, I can find no other evidence of Vangelis having the kind of piano chops displayed in 'Memories of Green'. The harmonic sense, the dynamics, the phrasing, this piece is just head and shoulders above everything else I've heard from him. I mean, come on... 'Piano in an Empty Room'?

So here's my conspiracy theory:

1. Vangelis has an idea for a tune for 1980's See You Later; it'll be a bluesy, human piano, surrounded by cold, futuristic sound effects. The effects are no problem, but Vangelis doesn't quite have the piano chops he wants for the song, so he hires a Ringer to improvise on the changes and basic melody he's written. The Ringer plays the piece uncredited, gets paid a flat fee, contracts are signed, and See You Later is released.

2. Ridley Scott and Terry Rawlings, looking for a composer for Blade Runner, hear 'Memories of Green', love it, and hire Vangelis. They also cut the piece into the film.

3. The ringer discovers his performance is not only being used uncredited in the film, but is also intended to be included on a forthcoming soundtrack on Polydor records. His contract specified that the piece would only appear on See You Later. The Ringer sues Vangelis and/or The Blade Runner Partnership, who cancel the proposed Polydor soundtrack release until the matter can be resolved.

4. In its place, they release a 'cover' version of the soundtrack, played by the New American Orchestra, conveniently sidestepping the problem of the Ringer and his pending litigation.

5. In 1989 Vangelis releases Themes, re-releasing 'Memories of Green', but cleverly not describing it as being from Blade Runner (were any of you guys as surprised as I was to buy that disc, and discover that there was actually a third Blade Runner track on it?).

6. In 1994, the legal squabbles between the Ringer, Vangelis, and the Blade Runner Partnership are resolved, and an official Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack is released, which includes 'Memories of Green', as played by the Ringer.

What do you think? Am I crazy? Either way, if you can point me to another Vangelis track where he plays like he does on 'Memories of Green', I'd be happy to hear it!

[Kipple]

Wow!

Well, let's see.

From CHINA, "The Long March"
http://www.last.fm/music/Vangelis/_/The ... ?autostart


There must be others. It's probably too "simplistic" for his taste. He seems to like to create a complex environment of sounds to express his "vision".

I wouldn't be surprised if he played it. I don't doubt his abilities.

Regardless of who played the piano, it's still a beautiful Vangelis song.

'Piano in an Empty Room' is good!

Plus, if you don't believe Vangelis has piano chops, check out his piano-playing abilities on the track 'Desolation Path'. Just gorgeous

Vangelis is a very good keyboardist/arranger. You only seem to know him from his lazy and boring period. To get a better understanding of the man and his music, please check out his output from the early '70s until Blade Runner.

Vangelis is a very good keyboardist/arranger. You only seem to know him from his lazy and boring period. To get a better understanding of the man and his music, please check out his output from the early '70s until Blade Runner.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Off to the 'wrecka stow'...