Yellow Magic 78 is a music album that was released in 1978. It was created by the Japanese electronic music group called Yellow Magic Orchestra or YMO. The album is considered one of their most influential works and is often credited with pioneering the electronic music genre. Yellow Magic 78 features a unique blend of synth-pop, new wave, and traditional Japanese music. The album consists of nine tracks, each showcasing the group's experimental and innovative approach to music production. Some notable songs from the album include "Firecracker," "Cosmic Surfin'," and "Mad Pierrot.
Some notable songs from the album include "Firecracker," "Cosmic Surfin'," and "Mad Pierrot." One of the reasons why Yellow Magic 78 is significant is its use of synthesizers and drum machines. YMO was one of the first groups to extensively use these electronic instruments, which were still new at the time.
Crystal Balls and Witchcraft Oh My! ‘Wizard of Oz’ Item Showcased in Kroch Library
The most famous crystal ball in the history of film — the crystal ball from The Wizard of Oz — arrived at Cornell for exhibition from somewhere over the rainbow and can now be found in the Kroch Library rotunda from April 25 until June 25.
The crystal ball is showcased as part of “The World Bewitch’d: Visions of Witchcraft from the Cornell Collections,” a collection first started by the University’s co-founder and first president Andrew Dickson White that documents the spread of ideas on witchcraft across Europe, with a focus on the history of persecution of accused witches.
The Wicked Witch of the West used the crystal ball in the iconic film to track Dorothy and her friends’ whereabouts as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road, explained Lance Heidig, reference and instruction librarian for Olin and Uris libraries.
The Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination, a private library in the home of founder and owner Jay Walker ’77, housed the crystal ball since it was re-discovered in a prop house after it was missing for many years.
Walker and Eileen Walker ’76 MBA ’78 together chose to loan the ball to the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collection, located in Olin Library. The ball’s appearance at Cornell marks the first time it has been displayed anywhere other than the Walker Library, according to the Cornell Chronicle.
The Wizard of Oz was “special and exciting” when it first came out in 1939, and many people of that generation “feel [it] is the best movie of all time,” Heidig said. In fact, prior to the advent of on-demand streaming services, the public waited for the annual broadcasting of the film, and given the anticipation to the event, it felt like “the longest day in the year,” Heidig said.
“You got one chance a year to see it because they broadcast it on television. You got this one only chance,” Heidig said.
Today, however, given the ease of access to streaming services, people can watch the film at any time, rendering the movie not “special any more,” Heidig said.
“I don’t think people get the magic of it. But my father saw it when it first came out in 1939 … It is the first time we saw a movie in color. So the exclusivity made it very special.” Heidig said.
When visitors to the collection first saw the crystal ball, they were thrilled to see “something from this important movie is here,” Heidig said. Many people “stay and watch large section of the movie” projected beside the crystal ball.
“It may be not as special for younger generations. … [But] there are people of my age and older, they have tears in their eyes. They are just moved,” Heidig said. “You see their eyes light up, you see their smiles.”
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
“[The crystal ball] is a nice association with our witchcraft materials, and again it is associated with our history of our first President who is a book collector,” Heidig said. “We have the largest collection of witchcraft materials in North America [thanks to him].”
When “Hundreds of hundreds of people” attended Cornell Bring Your Child To Work Day on April 26 — the day after the crystal ball arrived — many made a visit to Kroch Library to see the crystal ball at Cornell.
“I don’t know who will enjoy it more, the young children or the adults, but everyone who saw the movie want to be able to stand there and tell people about this thing,” Heidig said. “Seeing their smiling and laughing and taking lots of pictures and taking lots of selfies, it was really fun. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The crystal ball brings with it additional connections to the University: the actor who played the wizard in the movie, Frank Morgan ’1921, attended Cornell for one year in 1909, and Maud Gage Baum ’82, the wife of the author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum, also attended Cornell in 1881-1882, before dropping out of Cornell to marry him.
The album's futuristic sound and catchy melodies captivated listeners and helped popularize electronic music around the world. Yellow Magic 78 also pays homage to traditional Japanese music by incorporating elements of traditional instruments such as taiko drums and koto. This fusion of traditional and modern sounds created a unique sonic landscape that was ahead of its time. The success of Yellow Magic 78 paved the way for YMO's international recognition and influenced countless musicians in the decades to come. The album showcased the group's skill and innovation in music production, setting a new standard for electronic music. Overall, Yellow Magic 78 is a groundbreaking album that continues to be celebrated and revered by music enthusiasts. Its unique blend of electronic and traditional sounds, along with its pioneering use of synthesizers, contributed to the evolution of the music landscape and solidified YMO's legacy as one of the most influential electronic groups of all time..
Reviews for "Celebrating the Artwork and Design of Yellow Magic 78"
1. John - 1/5 Stars: Yellow Magic 78 was a major disappointment for me. I had high expectations, given all the hype surrounding it, but it fell flat. The story was weak and the characters were one-dimensional. I found it hard to connect with any of them and felt no emotional investment in their journey. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of dull and uneventful scenes. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and regretful of the time I wasted on this book.
2. Sarah - 2/5 Stars: Yellow Magic 78 didn't live up to the hype for me. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create a unique and fantastical world, it was just too confusing and poorly explained. I felt lost most of the time, trying to decipher the convoluted plot and understand the rules of this magic system. The writing style also left much to be desired, with clunky dialogue and excessive use of clichés. I wanted to like it, but unfortunately, it was a struggle to get through.
3. Amanda - 2/5 Stars: I was really let down by Yellow Magic 78. The story had so much potential, but it lacked depth and substance. The characters felt flat and lacked development. It felt like the author was trying to force too many ideas and themes into one narrative, resulting in a disjointed and messy plot. The world-building was also underwhelming, with little explanation or exploration of the magical elements. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster and forgettable read.
4. Mark - 3/5 Stars: While Yellow Magic 78 had its moments, it ultimately left me underwhelmed. The concept was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and mundane moments interspersed with brief bursts of excitement. The characters were decently written, but I found it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and left many loose ends untied. Overall, it was an average read that didn't quite hit the mark for me.
5. Emma - 2/5 Stars: Unfortunately, Yellow Magic 78 was a letdown for me. The writing style was overly descriptive and tended to drag on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, following a formulaic structure that left little room for surprises. The characters, while initially promising, became cliché and lacked depth. I found myself having to push through the book, hoping for a redeeming twist or turn that never came. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and underwhelmed by this read.