Dionne WordPress Banner

The Second Disc

Expanded and Remastered Music News

  • Home
  • News
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Features
    • Release Round-Up
    • The Weekend Stream
    • Giveaways!
    • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Release Calendar
    • Coming Soon
    • Now Available
  • About
  • Second Disc Records
    • Full Catalog
  • Contact

/ Reviews

Review: Klaus Nomi, "Klaus Nomi" (Real Gone Vinyl Reissue)

July 1, 2019 By Sam Stone 4 Comments

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

With the new reissue of Klaus Nomi's self-titled debut album, Real Gone Music has presented another lost classic album on vinyl for the first time since its original release some three decades ago. It's one that is full of strangeness, starkness, and subtlety. Klaus Nomi stuns with a diverse repertoire, an over-the-top theatricality, but, more importantly, a dedication to craft that sometimes gets lost in the narrative. Yes, the NYC performance artist collaborated with David Bowie (as seen on SNL circa 1979); he wore outrageous costumes and vaudevillian makeup; and his vocal timbre was unusually high and operatic. While some might label these other-worldly characteristics as head-scratching shticks, they were extensions of Nomi's persona and an integral part of the art he created during his all-too-short lifetime. Real Gone's new pressing of his debut album - reissued on fittingly-hued "cabaret smoke" grey vinyl - allows listeners to delve into a diverse group of selections performed as only Nomi could.

If the dramatic album cover wasn't enough of a clue, just one look at the track listing for Klaus Nomi and you know you're in for a listening experience unlike any other.  The full range of Nomi's multitude of musical influences are on display here. There are reinvented versions of '60s hits (including a drastic retelling of a Chubby Checker dance-floor favorite, a recast proto-feminist anthem, and a dramatic reading of a teeny-bopper love song); an interpretation of Saint-Saens' aria "Samson and Delilah" from Mon coeur s'ouvre à la voix; contributions from New York artist Kristian Hoffman and music producer and frequent Nomi collaborator Man Parrish; a joint effort with guitarist Scott Woody called "Wasting My Time"; and a Nomi original with the Bowie-esque title "Keys of Life."  It's the latter that opens the album.

"Keys of Life" introduces listeners to an alien character who has departed "from ancient worlds" to assess the future of Earth.  The character warns, "Much work has to be done, you're running out of time - beware the sign."  "Do not ignore advice, you hold the keys of life."  Foreboding synthesizer drones, and multi-layered vocal parts and effects, and a propulsive beat provide a glimpse into one segment of the multi-faceted musical world of Klaus Nomi.

From a futuristic foretelling comes a pair of '60s classics, reimagined as only Nomi could.  The first is a drastic reinterpretation of Lou Christie's "Lightnin' Strikes."  To make the song his own, Nomi employs a particularly ominous vocal style in the verses to re-contextualize the song's original intent, before shifting into his ethereal countertenor for a truly unique chorus.  Next, Nomi reintroduces his "Keys of Life" alien character to give "The Twist" a unique re-casting.  "Come on, humans - let's do The Twist!" it begins. Nomi, as the intergalactic traveler, uncovers the seductively menacing connotations of the song and its hip-swiveling requests.

Nomi's subversion of classics continues with "You Don't Own Me."  Originally a hit for Lesley Gore, the powerful track is now considered a feminist anthem.  But the song takes on a new life as a gay rights anthem as Nomi delivers the song's original lyrics in a direct and pointed delivery.  "I'm free and I love to be free," he sings, providing a liberated note for the LGBT community just as Gore did for the burgeoning second-wave feminist movement in the decades prior.

Side Two begins with "The Cold Song," a dramatic, operatic piece based on a melody from by baroque master Henry Purcell's 1691 opera King Arthur.   With chilling vocal delivery and lyrics alike, it's an arresting interpretation and yet another example of Nomi's vast talents.  "Wasting My Time," a co-write by Nomi and Scott Woody is more conventional fare - a disco-tinged heart-breaker with reversed guitars and other effects.  "Though I say I'm in love / Just don't do me no good," Nomi sings.  "Though I say I'm in love / Just don't feel like it should."  And yet, the narrator concedes that though his time may be better spent elsewhere, "[A]ll I can do, is just thinking of you -- because all I can feel is my sweet love for you."

"Wasting My Time" segues into the grooving, up-tempo rocker "Total Eclipse," with frantic backing and frenzied vocals that support the panic behind its nuclear holocaust-themed lyrics.  From its final, bomb-like drum blast comes an eerie synth-orchestra soundscape performed by Jon Cobert and composed by Man Parrish entitled "Nomi Chant."  It serves as an introduction to the album's final track, Nomi's reading of Saint-Saens' aria "Samson and Delilah."  The performance, recorded live at Merlyn's in Madison, Wisconsin, is the perfect finale to Nomi's first artistic statement.  Following the takes on '60s classics and opera, the disco originals, and the synthy interludes, "Samson and Delilah" demonstrates the magnificent purity of Nomi's unique voice in a straightforward, classical context.  Here, he embodies all the anguish of the original and delivers a masterful version that's somehow otherworldly.

It's that mystifying depth of beauty that permeates Klaus Nomi from start to finish.  Though his look and his character were sometimes ridiculed, there's an undeniable mastery in his vocal that shone through from the outset of his career.  While some of his contemporaries in the New Wave vaudeville scene cultivated comedic characters that were intentionally ironic and "outsider," Nomi's act - for all its outlandish visuals - was beautiful, uncompromising, and convincing to even the edgiest, most cynical audience member.

While the full effect of Klaus Nomi's work was best rendered in a live performance, his debut album gives listeners the opportunity to experience his talents in a different way. On wax, Nomi's gripping vocals and the dependable work of his musical collaborators take the starring role.  Klaus Nomi is a landmark in so-called outsider music, one that hasn't seen a vinyl release since 1982.  Real Gone Music's reissue gives vinyl enthusiasts an opportunity to rediscover Nomi's extraordinary musical skills, which were truly alien to anything else released at the time.  Real Gone has elected to replicate the original inner sleeve of the Klaus Nomi album, so while no details were given about the vinyl cutting process for the reissue, the copy we auditioned had no noticeable production flaws and was an immersive listening experience that properly showed off the dynamics of the material.  Add to it the handsome packaging and clever cabaret smoke color vinyl, and Real Gone Music's reissue of Klaus Nomi proves itself to be a fitting tribute to the magnificent first album by one of music's unsung singular talents.

The color vinyl reissue of Klaus Nomi is still available in limited quantities, with only 1,000 copies pressed.  You can secure your copy with the following links:  Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada.

Categories: Reviews Formats: Vinyl Genre: Classical/Opera, Disco/Dance, Everything Else, Pop Tags: Klaus Nomi

Avatar photo

Sam Stone

Sam Stone has been obsessed with catalog music ever since his folks gave him a Contours best-of collection for his fourth birthday. He quickly began to learn all he could about rock and roll history and beyond, a passion that continues to this day. Sam followed his love for music to the classroom, earning a B.A. from Towson University in Electronic Media and Film, concentrating on radio and audio production, as well as an M.A. in Audio Arts from Syracuse University. He has put his knowledge and skills to work at prominent reissue labels and is excited to bring his perspectives on catalog music to a broader audience. When he’s not writing for The Second Disc, Sam can be found researching about music, talking about Joni Mitchell’s career, and adding another box set to his Amazon wish list.

Connect With Sam: Twitter

You Might Also Like

  • TheWho WHODeluxe TargetCDRelease Round-Up: Week of December 6
  • CountryJoe FillmoreWestRock and Soul Music: Real Gone Announces Reissues of Country Joe, Mamas and Papas, Klaus Nomi, Tony Joe White Titles
  • KlausNomi KlausNomiMetamorphosis Exploration: Real Gone To Reissue Cult Classics From The Deviants and Klaus Nomi

Comments

  1. BillyD says

    July 1, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    Is that 1,000 pieces color vinyl total or for territory?
    I have on original pressing as well as the cd.
    Can never have too much Klaus Nomi.
    I still watch the movie occasionally. Very entertaining and very sad.
    He deserved much more than he got in his lifetime.

    Reply
  2. Avatar photoSam Stone says

    July 1, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Hi Billy, my understanding is that there are 1,000 copies total worldwide. Nomi really was a special talent, as this reissue demonstrates. I’m sure the vinyl will be a nice addition to your Klaus library. Thanks for reading!

    Reply
  3. Ben says

    July 2, 2019 at 5:46 am

    Like BillyD, I have an original copy of this. People still say 'Who is THAT?!' when they see the album cover! That was my thought anyway when I saw the record for sale, back in '81.

    Reply
    • Ben says

      July 2, 2019 at 5:52 am

      Make that '82! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Ben Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Upcoming Releases

  • Backstreet Boys Millennium 2 0
    Millennium 2.0
    Backstreet Boys
    July 11, 2025
    US UK
  • Kinks The Journey Part 3 Cover
    The Journey: Part 3
    The Kinks
    July 11, 2025
    US UK
  • Jethro Tull Still Living in the Past
    Still Living in the Past
    Jethro Tull
    July 11, 2025
    US UK
See Full Calendar

Connect

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,682 other subscribers

Popular Posts

  • Most Commented
  • Most Viewed
  • Rod Stewart Ultimate Hits Amazon exclusiveHe Wears It Well: Rod Stewart's 'Ultimate Hits' Due in June
  • Stream 2025The Weekend Stream: April 5, 2025
  • Brian Wilson At My Piano Promo ShotIn Memoriam: Brian Wilson (1942-2025)
  • record store day logoThe Second Disc's Guide to Record Store Day 2025: Our Favorite Picks
  • John Williams Anthology 1Mondo Maestro: New John Williams Box Set Series Announced, Plus 'Star Wars' Re-Recordings on Vinyl
  • Frank Zappa Cheaper Than CheepWowie Zowie: Frank Zappa's "Cheaper Than Cheep" Premieres Lost Concert Film, Soundtrack

Music Resources

  • Addicted to Vinyl
  • Crap from the Past
  • Discogs
  • Film Score Monthly
  • IMWAN Forum – From the Vaults
  • MusicTAP
  • Musoscribe
  • Pause & Play
  • Popdose
  • Slicing Up Eyeballs
  • Steve Hoffman Music Forums
  • Ultimate Classic Rock
  • Vintage Vinyl News
  • Wolfgang's Vault

Labels of Note

  • Ace Records
  • Analog Spark
  • Bear Family
  • BGO Records
  • Big Break Records
  • Blixa Sounds
  • Cherry Red Label Group
  • Craft Recordings
  • Demon Music Group
  • Friday Music
  • Funky Town Grooves
  • Iconoclassic Records
  • Intervention Records
  • Intrada
  • Kritzerland
  • La La Land Records
  • Legacy Recordings
  • Light in the Attic
  • Masterworks Broadway
  • Now Sounds
  • Omnivore Recordings
  • Real Gone Music
  • Rhino Entertainment
  • Rock Candy Records
  • SoulMusic Records
  • Sunset Blvd. Records
  • Supermegabot
  • Varese Sarabande
  • Vinyl Me, Please
  • Wounded Bird
Copyright © 2025 The Second Disc. All rights reserved. · Site by Metaglyphics

The Second Disc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy