Funny Rat

[7/4]

from a long time ago, i was asking peoples opinions on here of "one too many salty swift and not goodbye" or whatrever the hell it is called because i see it is often highly lauded among cecil taylor's work and i felt i wasn't feeling what was so super about it in the greater contrinuum of music.

after further listening i have grown to very much appreciate ronald shannon jackson's playing on this album and especially how it complements taylor's playing. i find some of the drumming very exciting. especially how jackson brings in elements of what would be, i guess, kind of prosaic rhythms to many listeners of this sort of music (and why most complaints about this album i have seen focus on jackson's performance, i assume). but i really like it and it brings the music together for me.

This is a terrific performance by one of CT's best bands. Welcome to "that" club.

Amen.

[Guest Chaney]

I thought I'd revisit One Too Many Salty... and offer a few comments but MAN!, what a firestorm! Definitely NOT what I'm in the mood to listen to.

Got thorough CD1, liked the duos, especially Lyons / Malik (short and sweet, with Malik behaving himself, shrieking only when it sounds as if Lyons throws-him-for-a-loop by playing a gently descending figure) (is that what that's called?) and the Ameen portion of Ameen / Sirone (someone PLEASE remove the bow from the hands of Sirone!). The drum solo I could live without but as it's mercifully brief, I'll not whine. The last two tracks -- the Unit, minus Lyons and Malik -- is certainly fiery but the lack of air is beginning to make me anxious..

Ronald Shannon Jackson? Not a favorite but I'm minding him less each time I hear this set. That being said, if I could substitute another player, I would, but as I can't...

I wonder how much better the new Hat reissue sounds. It would be nice if Siron'e bass had a less rubbery sound and more body / presence.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aurora Josephson/Damon Smith duo on kfjc Sat. 6/24 4pm

Posted by Damon smith (Thursday June 22 2006 @ 05:54PM MDT)

Saturday June 24 at 4:PM (West Coast time)

Double-bass improvisor Damon Smith and vocalist Aurora Josephson perform breathtaking duos. Hosted by Nozmo King. http://kfjc.org/

Edited June 24, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

I'm also not quite in the mood to listen to "One Too Many..." or similar sort of stuff at the moment.

What I did listen to with pleasure recently was:

I get more excited about new Rune Grammofon (a label co-owned/sponsored by ECM) than new ECM recordings.

Have any of you heard Maja Ratkje's debut album 'Voice' on the Rune Grammofon label?

The most amazing vocal album ever.

Yes, if you are into extreme vocal techniques. I am. Recorded in various inappropriate places (elevators, roofs, basements, etc.). You want a cover? Here is the cover:

Now looking forward to listening to Fe-Mail's (of which Ms. Ratkje is a memebr) "All Men Are Pigs" (gameboy) with talented Mr. Lasse Marhaug.

You want more covers? Here is the cover:

[Guest Chaney]

I thought I'd revisit One Too Many Salty... and offer a few comments but MAN!, what a firestorm! Definitely NOT what I'm in the mood to listen to.

I'm also not quite in the mood to listen to "One Too Many..." or similar sort of stuff at the moment.

An early symptom of abbeyfication?

~~~~~~~~~~

Listening to and loving From Between: No Stranger To Air. (Sprout)

The liner notes: On March 1st, 2005 at Pied Nu in Le Havre, France, the trio From Between performed. Michel Doneda, Jack wright, and Tatsuya Nakatani used mouth, hands, air, two soprano saxophones, a sopranino saxophone, an also saxophone, a gong, cymbals, singing bowls, a bass drum, a snare drum, a floor tom, a Roto tom, brushes, sticks, rids, a bow, rosin, and possibly a few other objects.

Good stuff. Michael Anton Parker should be very proud having this gem as an initial release.

Edited June 24, 2006 by Chaney

[jon abbey]

An early symptom of abbeyfication?

he's got a looooong way to go, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Bright Moments]

has anybody bought the 12 cd set located here:

http://www.ictusrecords.com/

[ep1str0phy]

Ronald Shannon Jackson? Not a favorite but I'm minding him less each time I hear this set. That being said, if I could substitute another player, I would, but as I can't...

I wonder how much better the new Hat reissue sounds. It would be nice if Siron'e bass had a less rubbery sound and more body / presence.

~~~~~~~~~~

I find Sirone's bass to be fairly well-defined on the reissue, if (still) a little plastic here and there (at times, he's got monumental plucking pressure--makes for a unique, if often rough sound). Inevitably, Jackson swallows up the show here and there (although I'm a huge fan of his work--even in these 'jazzier' idioms... an awesome addition to the Ayler group, for a time).

[Guest Chaney]

has anybody bought the 12 cd set located here:http://www.ictusrecords.com/

Hallo, Domo, and all that...

My first post in Funny Rat.

I've been really enjoying this ICTUS 30th Ann. boxset

for the past few days, but I wanted to mention something about

it in case anyone else is considering picking it up.

ICTUS Box

You should have a razor blade handy

'cause that's what you'll need to use to get into

not only the box itself, but each of the individual 12 discs.

As a matter of fact, there are even directions for doing just this.

So, if you are at all anal retentive about the way your discs should

be treated or look, then you may want to think twice before getting it.

I kind of wish the artwork for the front of the box was as good as the

beautiful individual discs, but maybe that would've tacked on too many bucks

to the whole thing(?)

The music, as most of you know, is a superb collection of pieces

and just a look at the site above should give you some proof.

Anyway, I'm not really reviewing this set because I'm not good at such things,

but I did want to mention the bit about actually getting to the discs.

Rod

I too have the set. Very nicely done, package-wise. Thus far I've surgically opened only the first CD, In Concert, with Steve Lacy, Kent Carter and Andrea Centazzo. Weakest link? Centazzo. Good thing he's not on every CD in the set. Wait a sec...

[ep1str0phy]

has anybody bought the 12 cd set located here:

http://www.ictusrecords.com/

A pity so few will have the disposable income for this one--I'd like to hear some comments, too.

-Looks like I've been beaten to the punch--nice to hear some people have access to this stuff.

Edited June 24, 2006 by ep1str0phy

[Guest Chaney]

Keep in ming that a sampler of the set is available. A retailer sent me the sampler, gratis, after I already had the set. I sent the sampler along to a fellow Rat. He seemed impressed by what he heard.

[Д.Д.]

I thought I'd revisit One Too Many Salty... and offer a few comments but MAN!, what a firestorm! Definitely NOT what I'm in the mood to listen to.

I'm also not quite in the mood to listen to "One Too Many..." or similar sort of stuff at the moment.

An early symptom of abbeyfication?

I am not sure how you guessed I've been listening to Jon's stuff lately ...

Drumm/Dörner duo CD (erstwhile 015) is highly recommended.

Just checked the Erstwhile website, and it's OOP! Temporarily, I guess?

[jon abbey]

no plans to reprint it, I don't think you guys understand just how dreadful the market is for CD sales these days, and there's no real way to reprint less than 1000 copies. Keith Whitman still has at least one for sale here:

http://www.mimaroglumusicsales.com

[Guest Chaney]

Actually, I think we guys understand quite well.

[Д.Д.]

Beacuase we guys actually buy it. And us guys like this are not too many.

[Guest Chaney]

If it weren't for the fact that the ladies love guys who love this shit...

[Д.Д.]

The music that separates the guys who understand from the guys who don't.

[Guest Chaney]

Cool pictures... with links to dozens of pages more at the bottom of the linked page.

~~~~~~~~~~

JANDEK NEWS: The DVD edition of Glasgow Sunday is now out. See this mailing list post.

And so does Jandek enter the digital age...

DVD showed up today, the cover being identical to the CD of 0779. The difference is on the back and I've provided a scan of this (sorry for the file size). Interestingly, the songs aren't listed here, but ARE listed on the back of the inside card. And the film?

It's a revelation. Really. I can honestly say that I've been more excited about the AUDIO releases of upcoming Corwood projects than the DVDs. Plus, it's taken so long - I started to assume that he may have scrapped the idea. Instead Corwood has sent out its most daring project to date.

Daring because the fourth wall comes down and we get up close and personal with the Corwood Representative (and band). The DVD includes three options for viewing: Camera 1, Camera 2 and a mix of both. Depending on which you pick you can then choose to watch either one song at a time or "play all."

Camera 1 is the REALLY daring thing, as 90% of the time it's focused in zoom exclusively on the man from Corwood. You see every facial expression (including the "speculative look" he gets when he seems to be deciding which song to do next, flipping pages in a file folder). You also see his guitar styles and get a real look at him "rocking out" (as he does throughout, but especially on "Real Wild.") It's interesting to see his interpretation of the lyrics (he makes some very sarcastic faces at a few of the lyrics). He also smiles at the applause.

That point says a lot - when the film starts we get a short period where the band is setting up (and only a green light elucidates the stage) and he's putting the guitar on. When the full lights rise, it's obvious that the man is nervous. REAL nervous. He starts each song and nods little things to the bandmembers. After each applause, he relaxes a bit more until, at the end, he looks thoroughly relaxed. This is more the artist that I saw in Austin. This show is the experience of watching him transform from a man who is obviously not sure if this thing is gonna work to someone who is enjoying himself.

Camera 2 is largely from the back of the place (and at times zooms in on Alex and Richard, occasionally catching audience members). The mix, of course, is the best way to see the show. It's curious to see how at ease Alex in particular is. Richard jumps around rocks out, but Alex is grinning from ear to ear, pulling some cool percussive tricks. Both are obviously on top of the world. The communication is already on between the three of them.

The DVD goes for $16 new (or $8 each in a pack of twenty). It is WELL WORTH THE MONEY. I hope he continues to release them - an interesting perspective on the artist BUT also a whole new thing in Corwood history. Up to this point photographic images have been cryptic, to say the least. A mix of boyhood photographs and travel journals, freezing expressions from moments we can never be completely certain about. This is the show as played by three men in front of an audience who had no idea what was going on.

Curious to get responses from others, as I've had a stronger reaction to this than I expected. VERY excited about 'Newcastle Sunday' - and I wonder if, now that he knows how he wants them to look, shows will come out more contemporary to their audio versions.

Whatever, this is great stuff. A classic moment captured.

Danen

Edited June 24, 2006 by Chaney

[jon abbey]

Beacuase we guys actually buy it. And us guys like this are not too many.

right, all I was saying is I'm not sure you realize just how few of "you" there are these days. maybe you do, but it doesn't make much sense for me to repress a disc that took 5 years to sell out of its initial 800 copies (not counting promos and musician copies). not saying I won't repress anything again, but it makes increasingly less sense in this marketplace.

[Guest Chaney]

Found this link over at Avant Music News:

December 2005

EXPLORE RECORDS

Announce April 2006 launch of label at Midem 2006

Explore Records aims to explore the large number of existing recordings of rare and unusual repertory which have never been available internationally on CD - or which have only been available for a limited period of time on CD in the past.

The label is launched with a selection of 15 titles which clearly reflects the name and spirit of the label - "Explore" - rarities and sought-after recordings which span over 400 years of Western music - from vocal works by the English composer William Lawes (1602-1645) through large-scale orchestral works by acknowledged modern masters such as Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001).

The label focuses on rare and unusual repertory - it is not artist driven although many acclaimed names in their respective fields of musical interest and expertise do appear - ensembles such as The Consort of Musicke, keyboard performers such as Christopher Hogwood and Malcom Binns, and important exponents of twentieth-century repertory such as conductor Elgar Howarth and pianist Roger Woodward.

The initial phase of releases is drawn from the Decca catalogue and its various labels; future releases will continue to explore this and other catalogues, crossing genre to embrace jazz and world music rarities.

This diverse and fascinating repertory is brought together on EXPLORE RECORDS with highly distinctive packaging and liner notes in English, French and German. In the majority of releases the liner notes are the original LP notes - frequently written by acknowledged specialists in the style of music on the disc. Detailed recording information relating to the original release is included and those CDs containing vocal works include sung texts.

Further releases are planned for June and September 2006.

Contact for all press, label and licensor enquiries.

Lys Hayles

Explore Records

l.hayles@explorerecords.com

Tel: 020 8987 7094

~~~~~~~~~~

The 11 CD/1 DVD set of percussionist Vladimir Tarasov's ATTO pieces appears to be nearing release:

http://www.leorecords.com/?m=select&id=CD_LR_817/828

11 CD-box (audio) plus one DVD: GBP 90.00. That's around $165. Can't say I was ever tempted and at that price, I'll likely remain un-enticeable. (Is that a word?)

Besides which, I think I've found a copy of the OOP psi: The ___ who had begun his career as a useful ___ of the ___ court later became the ___ of ___ and the ___ of ___. and I've been eyeing the SPOOL label. L O V E 12 Milagritos (except for tracks one and twelve): John Butcher, tenor or soprano saxophone; Gino Robair, percussion, bows and motors, ebow snare, faux dax; and Matthew Sperry, bass and preparations. Sperry is especially phenomenal.

ON THE EDIT: If anyone is interested, Cadence has a "few more" copies of The ___ who had begun his career as a useful ___ of the ___ court later became the ___ of ___ and the ___ of ___.. For a 15 minute sample, click Mr. Alien Head above.

Edited June 26, 2006 by Chaney

[clifford_thornton]

My 2 cents on that Cecil band: fucking heavy!

I need to buy back those New World records too; used to fade them, but the Hat Hut box is so badass that I might as well get the rest of it. Knaw mean?

Raphe Malik is one of the greats, too...

[Alexander Hawkins]

My 2 cents on that Cecil band: fucking heavy!

Oh yeah.

[p.s. especially compared to those 'jazz-lite' units he'd often lead ]

[Guest Chaney]

Some interesting (free!) sounds courtesy of CONV.

CONV is a non-profit, cdr/net.label focused on experimental sound art mainly;

our aim is to promote independent releases by artists from all over the world

who are creating and processing sound in unconventional ways.

All our releases ( except cdr editions ) are free for download with artwork under Creative Commons Licenses

[jon abbey]

a similar label I find more interesting is homophoni:

http://homophoni.com/

I particularly recommend 004 and 013.

[David Ayers]

Still holding out against One Too Many...

Hey - like what you like! But for me everyone plays for too long here and is over-exposed - i.e becomes boring. In great music every event is well-defined and essential. In this concert the portentous atmosphere is everywhere - as if something mighty is always *about* to happen - but for my money everything is spun out, Shannon Jackson does not fit, the bassist is short of ideas, and the introductory duets and solos are dull - though the trumpet and sax do well in the group section, the only highlight, IMO.

Liking this record does not mean joining an inner circle, alas.

[B. Clugston]

Still holding out against One Too Many...

Hey - like what you like! But for me everyone plays for too long here and is over-exposed - i.e becomes boring. In great music every event is well-defined and essential. In this concert the portentous atmosphere is everywhere - as if something mighty is always *about* to happen - but for my money everything is spun out, Shannon Jackson does not fit, the bassist is short of ideas, and the introductory duets and solos are dull - though the trumpet and sax do well in the group section, the only highlight, IMO.

Liking this record does not mean joining an inner circle, alas.

I neither love it nor dislike it. I agree the intros are dull and the whole affair goes on too long. But I like the fact Roland Shannon Jackson does not fit; some of his almost funky beats are a shocking contrast to the shitkicking the drum set usually getsat a Taylor concert. (Kind of a similar contrast to Franky Douglas' guitar on Incarnation.) And Lyons can play as long as he likes AFAIK.

Among the Hats, I like It is in the Brewing Luminous the best.