Cocteau Discs, the home of Bill Nelson’s catalogue between 1971 and 2001, continues their series of on-going releases with the release of a newly remastered edition of the album, “Iconography”. The album was issued in 1986 credited to Orchestra Arcana, due to the contractual situation Bill found himself in with CBS Records. The music within comprises recordings made at Bill’s Echo Observatory home studio in 1984 and 1985.
Iconography” is a fine album that remains fascinating and engaging nearly three decades later. The new Cocteau Discs edition fully restores the original album artwork and features a new note.
Bill Nelson reflected on the album thus; “Whilst these recordings are “lo fi” in nature, I have always been fond of them. These recordings serve as a reminder that expensive technology isn’t always the key to creativity.
Iconography” is a fine album that remains fascinating and engaging nearly three decades later. The new Cocteau Discs edition fully restores the original album artwork and features a new note.
Bill Nelson reflected on the album thus; “Whilst these recordings are “lo fi” in nature, I have always been fond of them. These recordings serve as a reminder that expensive technology isn’t always the key to creativity.

Track Listings:
- 1 Christ Via Wires 3:06
2 Clock Conscious 4:23
3 I Wonder 2:17
4 Eastern Electric 3:25
5 Search And Listen 2:10
6 News From Nowhere 2:39
7 One Man's Fetish Is Another Man's Faith 4:59
8 Right, Then Left 3:33
9 Iconography 2:15
10 The Gods Speak 2:20
11 Life Class 2:52
12 Altar Natives 5:29
13 Sex, Psyche, Etcetera 5:38
14 Several Famous Orchestras 3:22
15 Who He Is 3:10
Artist Name(s):
Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson
Producer(s):
Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson
Release Year: 1986
Style:
Ambient, Experimental, Synth-Pop
Ambient, Experimental, Synth-Pop
Album Type:
Studio
Studio
Formats:
Cassette, Compact Disc, LP 33 1/3
Cassette, Compact Disc, LP 33 1/3
Studio Name:
Echo Observatory
Echo Observatory
Mastering: Bill Nelson
Engineer(s): Bill Nelson
Liscense:
Copyright
Copyright
Label / Publishing
Label Name:
Cocteau Records, Enigma Records
Cocteau Records, Enigma Records
Catalog Number(s):
7 73388-4, JC 18
7 73388-4, JC 18
Location:
UK
UK
Sources
Editions / Reissues
- Cocteau Records JC 18 UK 1986
- Enigma Records (3), Cocteau Records 7 73388-2 US 1989
- Esoteric Recordings, Cocteau Discs COCD 1008 UK 2013
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