Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)

Last updated
Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)
Vangelis Portraits album cover.jpg
Compilation album by
Vangelis
ReleasedMarch 11, 1996 (1996-03-11)
Recorded1973–1992
Genre Electronica, classical, new-age
Length74:40
Label Polygram
Producer Vangelis
Vangelis chronology
Oceanic
(1996)		Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)
(1996)		 El Greco
(1998)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear) is a 1996 compilation album of works by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis.

Contents

The album features some of the most-renowned Vangelis' solo work, as well as songs from Jon & Vangelis, his collaboration with Yes vocalist Jon Anderson.

Track listing

All songs were written by Vangelis, except where noted.

No.TitleOriginal releaseLength
1."To the Unknown Man" Spiral 6:33
2."Italian Song" (Jon and Vangelis) Private Collection 2:49
3."Pulstar" Albedo 0.39 5:37
4."La Petite Fille de la Mer" L'Apocalypse des animaux 5:48
5."Alpha"Albedo 0.395:32
6."I Hear You Now" (Jon and Vangelis) Short Stories 5:05
7."I'll Find My Way Home" (Jon and Vangelis) The Friends of Mr Cairo 4:26
8."State of Independence" (Jon and Vangelis)The Friends of Mr Cairo6:07
9."Himalaya" China 6:50
10."Conquest of Paradise" 1492: Conquest of Paradise 5:30
11."Hymn" (New version first performed at Night of Poetry and Eureka concert 1991)Previously unreleased5:05
12."Antarctica" Antarctica 3:43
13."Sauvage et Beau" (Previously unreleased)Previously unreleased3:17
14."Chariots of Fire" Chariots of Fire 3:22
15."So Long Ago, So Clear" (Jon and Vangelis) Heaven and Hell 4:56

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)
Chart (1996)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [2] 58
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [3] 3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [4] 4
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [5] 5
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [6] 4
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [7] 13
Portuguese Albums Chart [8] 1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [9] 59
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [10] 7
UK Albums (OCC) [11] 14
US Billboard New Age Albums [12] 8

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)
Chart (1996)Position
German Albums Chart [13] 89

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria) [14] Gold25,000*
Belgium (BEA) [15] Gold25,000*
France (SNEP) [16] Gold100,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [17] Gold50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [18] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [19] Silver60,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) [20] Platinum1,000,000 [21]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Sailing to Philadelphia</i> 2000 studio album by Mark Knopfler

Sailing to Philadelphia is the second solo studio album by British singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler, released on 26 September 2000 by Vertigo Records internationally, and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album contains featured vocal performances by James Taylor, Van Morrison, and Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze.

<i>1492: Conquest of Paradise</i> (album) 1992 soundtrack album by Vangelis

1492: Conquest of Paradise is a 1992 music score to the film of the same name by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. The film, a recount of the voyage to America in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, was directed by Ridley Scott, for whom Vangelis had previously composed the music score for Blade Runner, in 1982. The album and the single "Conquest of Paradise" enjoyed a revival in 1995 for various reasons and broke many sales records.

<i>Not That Kind</i> 2000 studio album by Anastacia

Not That Kind is the debut studio album by American singer Anastacia. It was released on June 16, 2000, by Epic Records and Daylight Records. The album features production by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Ric Wake, Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Rickey Minor, and The Shadowmen.

<i>Left of the Middle</i> 1997 studio album by Natalie Imbruglia

Left of the Middle is the debut studio album by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia, released on 24 November 1997 by RCA Records. It is primarily an alternative pop album. Spurred by the success of lead single "Torn", the album reached number one in Imbruglia's home country and top 10 in both the UK and US. The album went on to secure Imbruglia an ARIA for Best Pop Release and three Grammy nominations, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the single "Torn", and Best New Artist.

<i>Enrique</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Enrique Iglesias

Enrique is the debut English album and fourth studio album by Enrique Iglesias recorded in English and released on 23 November 1999. The album launched two number one US Billboard Hot 100 hits, "Bailamos" and "Be with You".

<i>Themes</i> (Vangelis album) 1989 compilation album by Vangelis

Themes is a 1989 compilation album of works by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. It featured some previously released tracks from Vangelis's other albums, as well as some pieces from movie soundtracks that had not previously been released.

<i>So Far So Good</i> (Bryan Adams album) 1993 greatest hits album by Bryan Adams

So Far So Good is a compilation album by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams, released by A&M Records in November 1993. The album reached number six on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and was a number one hit in the United Kingdom and many other countries.

<i>Backstreets Back</i> 1997 Backstreet Boys album

Backstreet's Back is the second studio album by American boy band Backstreet Boys, released internationally August 11, 1997 by Jive Records and Trans Continental Records, with the exception of United States. It was a follow-up to their successful debut album Backstreet Boys (1996). Some songs from this album and the debut album were compiled into a second self-titled album, Backstreet Boys (1997), which was released only in the US.

<i>Escape</i> (Enrique Iglesias album) 2001 studio album by Enrique Iglesias

Escape is the fifth studio album and second English-language album recorded by Spanish singer and songwriter Enrique Iglesias. It was released by Interscope Records on 30 October 2001.

<i>Life</i> (Simply Red album) 1995 studio album by Simply Red

Life is the fifth studio album by British pop and soul band Simply Red, released in 1995. The lead single "Fairground" became their first number 1 hit in the UK. Due to this success, the album also made #1 on the UK album chart. It also included "We're in This Together", the official theme song for Euro '96. This was also the last album to feature band members Fritz McIntyre and Heitor TP.

<i>Space Jam</i> (soundtrack) 1996 soundtrack album by various artists

Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the original soundtrack album of the 1996 film starring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes cast. An album featuring the film's score by James Newton Howard was also released. The soundtrack was released by Warner Sunset and Atlantic Records on October 29, 1996. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly was first released on the soundtrack.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Simply Red album) 1996 greatest hits album by Simply Red

Greatest Hits is the first compilation album released by British pop and soul group Simply Red, which contained material from their first five studio albums and included a newer track, a cover of Aretha Franklin's 1973 classic, "Angel".

<i>Backstreet Boys</i> (1996 album) 1996 studio album by Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys is the debut studio album by American boy band Backstreet Boys, released on May 6, 1996, by Jive Records in Germany. It was a success, becoming one of the biggest debut albums ever. It contains a number of the band's most memorable singles. All of those singles were later released on the group's second self-titled album, Backstreet Boys (1997), their debut in the United States in 1997, which compiled songs from this album and the band's second international release Backstreet's Back (1997).

<i>The Very Best of Elton John</i> 1990 compilation album by Elton John

The Very Best of Elton John is a greatest hits compilation album by English musician Elton John, released in October 1990. His first career-retrospective compilation album, and fourth official greatest-hits album overall, it was released in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, and in other countries such as Japan and Australia, but not in the United States, where the box set To Be Continued... was released the following month instead.

<i>The Greatest Hits</i> (Cher album) 1999 greatest hits album by Cher

The Greatest Hits is the second European compilation album by American singer-actress Cher, released on November 30, 1999 by Warner Music U.K.'s WEA label. The album was very successful worldwide, topping the charts in Austria, Germany, and Denmark. It peaked at #7 on the official UK Albums Chart, and reached the top 10 in several countries across Europe and the rest of the world. This compilation was not available in the United States, due to the release of the US-only compilation, If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits which was released that same year. The album sold 3 million copies as of January 2000.

<i>The Best of Wham!: If You Were There...</i> 1997 greatest hits album by Wham!

The Best of Wham!: If You Were There... is the second UK-released compilation to summarise the career of British pop duo Wham!. It was released in 1997, and peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart. The end of the album features a hidden track that was first heard on their debut album, Fantastic.

<i>This Is the Life</i> (Amy Macdonald album) 2007 studio album by Amy Macdonald

This Is the Life is the debut studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald, released on 30 July 2007. It reached number one on the UK Albums Chart on 13 January 2008 and sold over 900,000 copies in the UK as of February 2017, awarding the album a certification of 3× Platinum.

<i>Almost Heaven</i> 1996 studio album by The Kelly Family

Almost Heaven is the tenth regular studio album by European-American pop group The Kelly Family. Based on a concept by Dan Kelly, it was co-produced by Kathy and Paddy Kelly and released in 1996 throughout most of Europe. Following the major success of previous albums Over the Hump and Christmas for All and the number-one single "I Can't Help Myself," the album debuted number-one in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It also entered the top 5 in the Netherlands and Norway and made it to the top 20 in Belgium. Almost Heaven eventually sold more than three million copies worldwide, making it the band's second biggest-selling release to date.

<i>Tango</i> (Julio Iglesias album) 1996 studio album by Julio Iglesias

Tango is a studio album released by Spanish singer Julio Iglesias on 19 November 1996. This album became his first number-one set on the Billboard Top Latin Albums and the recipient of a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

<i>Reload</i> (Metallica album) 1997 studio album by Metallica

Reload is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on November 18, 1997 via Elektra Records. The album is a follow-up to Load, released the previous year, and Metallica's last studio album to feature the ...And Justice for All-era lineup, with bassist Jason Newsted leaving the band in January 2001, though it was not his last release with the band. Reload debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 436,000 copies in its first week. It was certified 3× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping three million copies in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia’s Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  3. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . May 11, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved May 1, 2021.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  10. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Vangelis – Portraits (So Long Ago, So Clear)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  11. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Vangelis Chart History - New Age Albums chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – Vangelis – Portraits - So Long Ago So Clear" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  15. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  16. ↑ "French album certifications – Vangelis – PORTRAITS" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  17. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 941. ISBN   84-8048-639-2 . Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  18. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Vangelis; 'Portraits So Long...')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  19. ↑ "British album certifications – Vangelis – VANGELIS - PORTRAIT (SO LONG AGO, SO CLEAR)". British Phonographic Industry.Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type VANGELIS - PORTRAIT (SO LONG AGO, SO CLEAR) in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  20. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2001". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  21. ↑ "Boyz And Corrs Win IFPI Certifications". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 47. November 24, 2001. p. 65. Retrieved August 19, 2016.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.