Often known as the Viking of 6th Avenue, the blind New York City street performer and Norse-inspired sartorialist Moondog (born Louis Thomas Hardin) was in fact a groundbreaking composer, jazz musician, and musical avant-gardist. Among Moondog's many admirers were Charlie Parker, Philip Glass, Leonard Bernstein, and New York Philharmonic maestro Artur Rodzinski. His unique artistry was a combination of the then blossoming minimalist compositional style, bop, and free jazz aesthetics, as well Moondog's own divined musical philosophies, which would generate creation of, among others things, the percussion instrument the trimba. Moondog moved to Germany in 1974, where he lived and worked until his death in 1999.

This disc combines what were originally two separate albums recorded in the late '60s and early '70s. With the larger budget he had to make these recordings, Moondog (born Louis Harden) was able utilize a substantially larger orchestra than he had previously. The pool of musicians were largely classically-based players, but also included such jazz regulars as Hubert Laws (on piccolo) and bass players George Duvivier and Ron Carter.

The music ranges from the rhythmically charged "Stamping Ground" to the ethereal "Symphonique #3." A number of these pieces are the result of Moondog's ongoing fascination with the overlapping form of the round (which he began composing in the early '50s). While orchestral in scope, there is a folk-like bearing to his overall vision. This is warmly engaging music and a perfect entry point into the musical world of this unique composer.

Personnel:
Moondog (keyboards); Eugene Becker, Raoul Poliakin (tenor, viola); Aaron Rosand, Paul Gershman (violin); David Schwartz, Emanuel Vardi (viola); Joe Tekula, Charles McCracken , George Ricci (cello); Harold Bennett, Andrew Lolya (flute); Hubert Laws, Harold Jones (piccolo); George Silfies, Jimmy Abato, Phil Bodner (clarinet); Ernie Bright (bass clarinet); Henry Schuman (English horn); Wally Kane (bassoon, baritone saxophone); Joynce Kelly, Don Macourt, George Berg, Jack Knitzer (bassoon); Joe Wilder (trumpet, flugelhorn); Teddy Weiss, Alan Dean, Melvin Broiles (trumpet); Danny Repole (bass trumpet); Richard Berg, Brooks Tillotson, James Buffington, Ray Alonge (French horn); Charles Small, Tony Studd, Buddy Morrow (tenor trombone); Paul Faulise (bass trombone); Phil Giardina, John Swallow, Bill Stanley, Don Butterfield, Bill Elton (tuba); Irving Horowitz (horns); Jack Jennings, Elayne Jones, Dave Carey, Bobby Rosengarden (percussion).

Complete Track List:
1. Theme
2. Stamping Ground, in D minor
3. Symphonique No.3 ("Ode to Venus")
4. Symphonique No.6 ("Good for Goodie")
5. Cuplet, poem
6. Minisym No.1
7. Lament 1 ("Bird's Lament")
8. Witch of Endor
9. Symphonique No.1 ("Portrait of a Monarch")
10. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 1. Bells are Ringing
11. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 2. Voices of Spring
12. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 3. What's the Most Exciting Thing
13. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 4. All is Loneliness
14. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 5. My Tiny Butterfly
15. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 6. Why Spend a Dark Night with Me
16. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 7. Coffee Beans
17. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 8. Down is Up
18. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 9. Be a Hobo
19. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 10. Remember
20. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 11. I Love You
21. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 12. Nero's Expedition
22. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 13. No, the Wheel Was Never Invented
23. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 14. With My Wealth
24. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 15. This Student of Life
25. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 16. Some Trust All
26. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 17. Wine, Woman and Song
27. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 18. Sadness
28. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 19. Maybe
29. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 20. Each Today is Yesterday's Tomorrow
30. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 21. Imagine
31. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 22. You the Vandal
32. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 23. Trees Against the Sky
33. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 24. Behold
34. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 25. Sparrow
35. Madrigals, Rounds, Canons: 26. Pastoral