Steve Halpern – Christening for Listening
Kind of a confusing record ’cause there are two nearly identical versions, but one is missing the best track “Something For Every-Body Suite”. For the most part though, both versions are almost identical to Halpern’s classic “Spectrum Suite”, which can surely be found in a dollar bin near you.
Confused? OK, so here is the run down as best as I can figure it – this version of Christening with the jazz funk track came first. But then, maybe thinking it not new age enough, he replaced it with a different, mellower track. The front cover of this second version is the same with the leaf, but the back cover is blank. He later took this second track listing & renamed it “Spectrum Suite” which has a different cover entirely. But, I’ve had later copies of Spectrum Suite from the 80’s that have yet another cover & an even different track list. Anyhow, the jazz funk track is awesome & unlike anything else he ever did. I believe Steve played all instruments but drums on it which is kinda hard to imagine if you’ve ever seen a picture of the guy.
11 Comments
this album maked me say fuk!
Crink,
This song is tough! I’ll be on the lookout for this one. Thanks for posting.
my guess is that that he probably took the track off because the bass is HORRIBLY OUT OF TUNE
there’s another version of ‘christening for listening’ with the same front cover as above but halpern changed the track name ‘something for every body suite’ to ‘subtle body suite’. the music is exactly the same but there are some minute difference on the back cover. ayo
This record is surprisingly tough to find
Yeah, I just got the second pressing and boy was I disappointed – fortunately the real track was posted here! I had the first pressing a few years back but sold it like a MORON, I thought I would be able to acquire another copy fairly easily… what a mistake that was!!! Thanks for posting the clip and the information.
Mine has “Something For Every-Body Suite” listed on the LP label itself, but it is not the jazzfunk track. Another variation? Halpern, you old dog.
i think there are 3 different LP versions of spectrum suite.
4 if you include this album above.
gotta love the halpern….
Hi!
This forum seems to go back to 2008, but I’ll try to reach out anyway.
I have a sealed copy of Stephen Halpern – “Christening For Listening”.
Now… I have a problem finding out which release it is, as the only way to find out is to open it up.
Are there any other ways of finding out except for the differences of the titles on the label versus on the back cover?
Yes, there is…look at the credits on the rear and if it lists the credit of, “EL SITO” on percussion, you’ve got the first pressing.
If you think that’s weird, I found a cassette tape he did called Organ of Perception. All his music is new agey and upbeat, this is some dark ass organ music you would hear playing in Dracula’s castle or something.