Ken Nordine: Colors (2001)

By

MATT ROBINSON,

Matt Robinson

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Published: January 20, 2003

Originally intended as a nine-part series of commercials for a paint company, Ken Nordine’s 1967 classic is still a brilliant and, um- colorful trip through the big crayon box. Re-released with ten new 90 second shades, Colors (the American spelling, thank you!) gives form and flesh to a J. Crew catalog full of familiar but perhaps underappreciated tones. Though the usual suspects such as Yellow, Brown and Black are in revue, Nordine also reaches out to such colorfully entitled tints as Ecru, Chartreuse, Azure, Muddy, Russet, Sepia and Nutria. From fat Burgundy to cautious Beige, Nordine breathes baritoned life into hues that often pass our eyes but which can now color our ears as well. In the process of encouraging an otherwise drab Olive, Nordine explains the regality of Purple and captures the neutrality of Amber. While "Maroon" is simply a reading of a rhyming dictionary, "Blue" is a self-descriptive swing and "Black" is full of dark simile. Despite his best efforts, however, even the creator of ‘Word Jazz’ can not find a rhyme for "Orange" ... though he has fun trying!

Track Listing: 1. Olive 2. Lavender 3. Burgundy 4. Yellow 5. Green 6. Beige 7. Maroon 8. Ecru 9. Chartreuse 10. Turquoise 11. White 12. Flesh 13. Azure 14. Puce 15. Magenta 16. Orange 17. Purple 18. Muddy 19. Russet 20. Amber 21. Blue 22. Black 23. Gold 24. Crimson 25. Brown 26. Rosey 27. Hazel 28. Mauve 29. Fuschia 30. Sepia 31. Nutria 32. Cerise 33. Grey 34. Coral

Record Label: Asphodel | Style: Beyond Jazz