Andain - Beautiful Things [2003]

[dmgtz96]

Massive trance hit from back in the day.

The best-known version (the one that was played in Tiesto in Concert*) is the Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged mix**:
It leans more toward vocal/progressive trance

Another great version is the Photon Project remix, which is a serious uplifter:

*Oof, the singer is lip-syncing
**Some people claim the Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged mix can't possibly be trance because it's unplugged. That's a lie, and it is unquestionably a trance classic. End of the story.

 

[Progrez]

Massive trance hit from back in the day.

The best-known version (the one that was played in Tiesto in Concert*) is the Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged mix**:
It leans more toward vocal/progressive trance

Another great version is the Photon Project remix, which is a serious uplifter:

*Oof, the singer is lip-syncing
**Some people claim the Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged mix can't possibly be trance because it's unplugged. That's a lie, and it is unquestionably a trance classic. End of the story.

Well, there is nothing really trancy about it. The vocals are great, there is no doubt that it's a great track. However, the question unplugged means that it has acoustic sounds and no electronic amplification.

 

[dmgtz96]

My point still stands. It's widely considered one of the best vocal trance tracks ever. Even though it does have acoustic sounds, it still uses synthesizers and electronic drums. It also has a trance-like arrangement and a trancy feel to it. In fact, even Resident Advisor has it listed as trance.
Presumably, the Gabriel & Dresden version was nominated for "Best Progressive / Trance" at the International Dance Music Awards, but I couldn't find a reliable source for it (the wiki link leads nowhere).
If the Gabriel & Dresden version isn't "trancy" or is non-trance, then what do you think it is?

 

[Uplifted]

Love both versions, G&D remix is actually my ringtone now

Also the unreleased Billy Gillies rework is such a masterpiece - just listen to that build-up starting at 1:22!!

 

[Archon]

So far I've only ever listened to G&D Unplugged Remix, and I don't think anything would beat it. I don't care about the genre, but for me it's an ultimate vocal progressive/trance classic, end of story. Such a relaxed, easy-going track with sweet vocals. Probably works the best as an "introduction to trance" track for people who don't like or haven't listened to trance.

 

[chreddy]

I always loved this one. Ultimately it's all about the G&D mix for me, however the Photon Project remix is also pretty amazing!

Btw. there's also a remix by Elevation, which I like a lot as well. Sadly this was never released though.

 

[Bluemoon]

This version is also kinda nice, but nothing will ever beat G&D version for me ^^

 

[dmgtz96]

I always loved this one. Ultimately it's all about the G&D mix for me, however the Photon Project remix is also pretty amazing!

Btw. there's also a remix by Elevation, which I like a lot as well. Sadly this was never released though.

Yeah, G&D is *the* classic. I am slightly biased toward the Photon Project remix, though. It was the first version I heard, and its sound design is amazing. Never heard anything like it in uplifting trance.
Elevation would have been a rookie producer when he made his Beautiful Things bootleg. His break didn't really happen until Clear blue.

 

[Progrez]

My point still stands. It's widely considered one of the best vocal trance tracks ever. Even though it does have acoustic sounds, it still uses synthesizers and electronic drums. It also has a trance-like arrangement and a trancy feel to it. In fact, even Resident Advisor has it listed as trance.
Presumably, the Gabriel & Dresden version was nominated for "Best Progressive / Trance" at the International Dance Music Awards, but I couldn't find a reliable source for it (the wiki link leads nowhere).
If the Gabriel & Dresden version isn't "trancy" or is non-trance, then what do you think it is?

It's just a good pop ballad track and sure it maybe voted as best vocal trance ever we've observed that through the years with ASOT and Armin van Buuren's shitty tracks being voted best tracks ever. There is a reason why it has "unplugged' in the title.

The unplugged version doesn’t use any electronic production, has no trance rhythm, no synthwork, just some guitar work a bit of drum work which has been stripped away— and it’s performed at a much slower tempo. It’s closer to a contemporary pop ballad or singer-songwriter performance, not a trance track.

I would call vocal trance is the old oceanlab and if we are talking about good cheesy euphoric vocal trance then Chakra and Space Brothers and Darren Tate's stuff and Velvet Morning. Also Andain - Summer Calling (Airwave Club and Progressive Mix) are proper examples of vocal trance. If we are talking about recent track then Airwave - Atlas Winds (Original Mix) the original vocals before he changed the vocals.

 

[Anderanao]

Love the G&D mix, and enjoy the Elevation mix. Elevations "Afterhours" breakbeat mix is also good too.

has no trance rhythm...much slower tempo

I see your arguement about it feeling more poppy than trance, but It's a 4/4 beat at 134bpm, which you'll find for many trance tracks. Xpander is 128, so tempo is clearly not the be all and end all.

 

[Progrez]

Love the G&D mix, and enjoy the Elevation mix. Elevations "Afterhours" breakbeat mix is also good too.




I see your arguement about it feeling more poppy than trance, but It's a 4/4 beat at 134bpm, which you'll find for many trance tracks. Xpander is 128, so tempo is clearly not the be all and end all.

The track is heavily focused more on the vocals and I am not saying there is a specific definition that a certain bpm or time signature defines trance. More house tracks are more heavily focused on vocals. I would say it's more progressive and ballad pop rather than Vocal Trance but the unplugged part means an acoustic arrangement as well. There is a guitar riff and some drums there is only a slight synth part towards the end.

 

[Katadunkass]

I don't care if it's trance or not, the unplugged mix is a fucking masterpiece

 

[Altair]

IMO, the Unplugged Mix is tied with As the Rush Comes (Sweeping Strings Mix) as the greatest vocal trance song ever. Funny coincidence that both were on the same disk of Nyana.

And trust me, it counts as trance. Electronic music with acoustic instruments has been a thing as long as people have been making electronic music, and I don't know how someone can say this track doesn't have synths - what else is that playing over the second chorus but a fat analog synth line? What about the pads?

A large part of the reason I don't spend as much time on this forum as I used to is because of how petty the genre elitism can get.

 

[trancedanne]

Its prog trance and its indeed one of the best vocal tracks ever made, one of few good ones. Schulz remix is also fantastic

 

[Sleepy Robot]

Why would this not be considered trance just because the remix has Unplugged in the name? Then what about Southern Sun (G&D Unplugged Mix)? Would you say that one isn't also trance? I think the unplugged vibe is also a bit of the G&D style , it's in many of their tracks and remixes.

I don't have a clear winner for all the remixes. As said above the Schulz Remix is also very good and i also like the Josh Gabriel and the K&D Breaks mix.