Preamble:
Wizard Of Arp is the final recording credited to Bill Horn and Double Image. The album was recorded in 1977 and was released on Baldwin Sound Productions. The album was most likely recorded there as well. Bill Horn was made a spokesperson for the synthesizer producer ARP Instruments, INC. in the mid 1970’s. As a result, Horn began accumulating an array of synthesizers and keyboards made by the company. These synthesizers began to change Double Image’s sound on stage.
The duo returned to the studio to record an album that showcased ARP’s products and Horn’s compositions. The resulting album was a departure from their past work. The album features mostly original material by Horn which is unlike any of his other albums. It also features a predominant funk influence with multiple solos and jam sections. Horn’s jazz influence is still present on a third of the album.
General Lineup:
Bill Horn: Lead and Backing Vocals, Synthesizers, Electric Piano, Pianos, Keyboard Bass, Effects; Clavinet on “2001 - More Time”, Possible Drum Machine on “Two Of Us”
George Pearson: Drums, Percussion, Co-Lead Vocals on “I Write The Songs”, Backing Vocals on “Biography”
Tom Piggot: Synthesizer on “Wizard Of Arp”, Clavinet on “2001-More Time”
Homer Odyssey: Saxophone on “Will I Live The Same Way Again”
Track By Track:
Two Of Us:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Bill Horn
Performed Live: ?
The album opens up with a disco influenced instrumental that showcases the string synthesizers produced by the ARP Synthesizer Company. It’s a fun disco tune that reminds me of music an infomercial would play in the background. A really groovy synth solo at the end is abruptly cut off which is a shame. There is a light count in that is either a drum machine or metronome.
Personnel:
Synthesizers, Electric Piano, Keyboard Bass, Drum Machine (?) - Bill Horn
Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Evergreen:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Paul Williams, Barbara Streisand
Performed Live: Probably
Horn then conjures up an interesting re-arrangement of Barbara Streisand's monster hit “Evergreen”. Horn’s take features many layers of synthesizers mostly for strings. He also performs a pretty cool synth solo towards the middle of the tune. This is one tune I’m confident Horn performed back in the day.
Personnel:
Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboard Bass - Bill Horn
Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Biography:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Bill Horn
Performed Live: ?
A very interesting track written by Horn. The lyrics are about struggling with and overcoming self-doubt. The title of the song doesn’t really have much to do with the lyrical content. The song fuses a ton of genres including soul, jazz, lounge, and funk. It shouldn’t really work but it does. The sloppy drum work and liquified electric piano and synth sounds make for a really unique tune. Features many solos with effects.
Personnel:
Lead and Backing Vocals, Electric Piano, Keyboard Bass, Synthesizers, Effects - Bill Horn
Backing Vocals, Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Wizard Of Arp:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Bill Horn
Performed Live: ?
This progressive jam track written by Horn showcases the capabilities of the ARP Synthesizer very well. The tune is very fast paced and reminded me of tracks by Frank Zappa due to its effects and fast paced chord changes. This is one of two tracks on the album to feature keyboard work by Tom Piggot. Piggot was credited as “soloist” on two tracks on the back cover. I assume that he played all if not most of the solos on this tune while Horn contributed the main riff and effects.
Personnel:
Synthesizers, Electric Piano, Keyboard Bass, Effects - Bill Horn
Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Synthesizers - Tom Piggot
Will I Live The Same Way Again:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Bill Horn
Performed Live: ?
This tune harks back to Horn’s jazz compositions of the early 1970’s and 1960’s. Standard crooner jazz / lounge fair with upfront piano and many synthesizers backing him up. This song’s lyrical content is very similar to “Biography”. Both songs are about overcoming self-doubt and becoming a better person.
*Homer Odyssey is credited with playing saxophone on this tune but it sounds like a synthesizer and one of Horn’s keyboards was an Odyssey. Putting two and two together it’s likely Horn on that “saxophone” solo.
Personnel:
Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano, Keyboard Bass, Synthesizers, - Bill Horn
Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Saxophone* - Homer Odyssey
I Write The Songs:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Bruce Johnston
Performed Live: Yes
An interesting rendition of one of the most covered songs ever written. Horn mostly keeps the corny schmaltz of the original intact. He does however add a nice piano solo and the bridge has a funky tempo change. I also like the dual vocal of Pearson and Horn during the choruses. This was one tune the duo probably played a ton of times live.
Personnel:
Lead and Backing Vocals, Pianos, Synthesizers, Keyboard Bass - Bill Horn
Backing and Lead Vocals, Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
2001 - More Time:
Recorded (1977)
Written By: Richard Strauss, Bill Horn
Performed Live: ?
The concluding track on the album is the longest recorded song of Horn’s career. Horn re-arranged the classic theme from “2001 - A Space Odyssey” and added multiple jam sections titled “More Time”. The track was transformed from a classical tune to a pure jazz-funk jam. Horn was assisted on this track’s production by Tom Piggot who also played synthesizers on the title track. Piggot most likely played the intricate clavinet solos (might be a synthesizer) while Horn played the main riff and added wah wah effect laden synths.
Personnel:
Synthesizers, Electric Piano, Keyboard Bass, Effects - Bill Horn
Drums, Percussion - George Pearson
Clavinet - Tom Piggot
Conclusion:
This is a very unique and interesting recording by a world class entertainer. Horn must have put a mass amount of time and effort into this album. It differs significantly from all the other material he put out during his career. The album's synthesizer work is very impressive, which showcases Horn's talent and foresight into the synth prominent age of the 80's.