Arborea – Red Planet

Red Planet opens with a short instrumental track of solo guitar, The Fossil Sea, that rather fittingly sets the tone for the whole CD. Subdued, tense, mysterious and teetering on the edge of this world and another.

You can count on Shanti Curran’s instantly recognizable vocals to complete the transition into the other world. Between her vocals and the excellent treatment they get in production, you are gently yet firmly escorted into gauzy ether.

Buck and Shanti will play anything and everything with strings to get the sound and feel that they want. Shanti’s banjo style is minimalistic and restrained no foolish light speed pickin’ here! And a lot of the attraction to this effort for me is the diverse line up of stringed instruments.

Spain is a particularly stand out piece. Helena Espvall’s haunting cello is in perfect synchronicity with the guitar work, precise and yet so achingly human. An absolutely beautiful piece and probably my favorite vocal work by Shanti.

In fact everything on this disc is so well fit together, melded into a musical whole that you dare not play only a select song or rearrange the track list. Please do not put this into shuffle on your player, you might well rend the time and space of our universe!

They aren’t afraid to stray from the plucked song, Red Planet is a soundscape that continues the tension and mystery of the effort as a whole, ideally placed between the vocal efforts that bookend it.

After 51 minutes of being under the Arborea spell you might wonder where you’ve been. It’s a time spent in another world, it feels a bit frightening but irresistible.

Careless Love by Strange Attractors

An interesting local note for me is that Taylor Mesple is credited with taking part in the engineering of the disc. Mesple’s father owns a local guitar shop and headed the band Wind Machine for many years. Taylor and his brother were members of the band at a very young age when I saw them playing and I was impressed with how good the two were, they had to be in their early teens. Glad to see he’s keeping good company.

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Anonymeye - I Am Feeling Very Olympic Today

Review by Andrew Stranglen


Loops, drones, and more loops, synthesizer, acoustic guitar, and possibly a Harmonium or Shruti Box as well, briefly sums up what Anonymeye is all about. These four live performances are precisely irrepeatable, but repeatable in their essence. That is the roundabout way of saying they won’t sound exactly the same way with each execution. But this is the nature of this kind of improvisational work. Fans of Jim O’Rourke’s solo work will definitely like what Anonymeye is doing with guitar music. At times Faheyesque, but also going beyond what John Fahey ever did in this vein; Anonymeye is certainly carving new territory with the CD “I Am Feeling Very Olympic Today.” There are Synthesizers laying down loops on top of which guitar is also played and looped.
It almost sounds as if the whole thing could be done with a Line 6 (DL4) digital delay, or a couple of Delay/sampler pedals.
In the first video below Andrew uses a synthesizer, guitar, and apparently a laptop for loop manipulations.

See him (Andrew Tuttle) at work here

An interview here

This may be challenging listening for some, but I found the experience rewarding. It’s also similar to some of the things I have done, and therefore piques my interest. Give Andrew Tuttle/Anonymeye a chance, you might just like it!
I’d give this effort a solid 4 out of five stars!
Andrew Stranglen

Anonymeye on Bandcamp
  

John Fahey Enters the Library of Congress

New Entries to the National Recording Registry

Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian, with advice from the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB), is tasked with selecting every year 25 recordings that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and are at least 10 years old. The selections for the 2010 registry bring the total number of recordings to 325.

17. "Blind Joe Death," John Fahey (1959, 1964, 1967)
In 1959 solo guitarist John Fahey self-published the first version of this album, pressing only 100 copies and distributing them locally in Washington, D.C. and among his acquaintances. In subsequent years, he re-recorded selections of the album on different occasions, expressing a preference for the more technically demanding performances on the 1967 stereo release. Heavily influenced by classic blues and folk 78-rpm recordings he had collected since his youth, Fahey’s solo guitar compositions also incorporate such surprising influences as the work of Charles Ives and Bela Bartok to forge uniquely personal statements.

Thanks to the Dust-to-Digital newsletter for drawing my attention to this gem.

Glenn Jones - Limited Vinyl Release

Record Store Day is almost here and I must mention that Glenn Jones has a split LP out from his new label, Thrill Jockey.  Titled Even to Win is to Fail this teaser of a future release should whet your appetite for the August release.
I mentioned it's a split LP, the other side is The Black Twig Pickers & Charlie Parr.  The release includes an insert with manifold stew cooking recipes courtesy of Charlie Parr, hell that's worth the price of admission alone!!  Very cool.
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Nick Jonah Davis - Of Time And Tides

Nick Jonah Davis 

“Of Time and Tides - Guitar Recordings Vol II”

Review by Andrew Stranglen

“Of Time and Tides” is a collection of 11 songs that would have seamlessly meshed into the Takoma catalogue. Nick is a fine player who strikes the balance between player and instrument, letting the guitar guide him as much as he is guiding it.

Fans of the Takoma & Kottke/Lang/Fahey (and others!) tradition, will not be disappointed in this latest coup de gras by Mr. Davis. Track 7, “Nocturne” is dominated by the piano, assumedly also played by Nick Jonah Davis (or perhaps pianist Ed Earl, see ‘Guitar Recordings Vol I') with just a slight hint of guitar accompaniment alongside. Track 10, “A Broken Circle” explores accompaniment of a single shimmering chord, reminiscent of John Fahey’s improvising against the hum of refrigerators and the like.

I know something is good, when I get lost in the reverie of listening to what I am supposed to be reviewing. I found nothing to dislike in this new album by Nick. He hails from somewhere in Nottingham, U.K. This probably means some British folk influences, Renbourn and others, are present, but not overwhelming. As I previously stated, this album could pass for a Takoma ‘blast from the past’. Being a guitar player myself, I also know something is good if it makes me reach for my guitar. This it did, but I restrained myself from playing alongside or stopping the playback to indulge myself, until it was over.

“Of Time and Tides”’s sequence is flawlessly chosen. Sometimes that can mean the difference between an okay album and an excellent album. But in this case it probably would not make a great difference if you shuffled things around a bit. Never boring, very captivating is my diagnosis, ***** Five Stars!

Good job Nick! -Andrew Stranglen

You can find Nick Jonah Davis on MySpace and buy the vinyl release on Tompkins Square.

Andrew Stranglen - Doggone Gone Dog

Folks, I'm proud to present to you a recording by Andrew Stranglen, available for download.  If you aren't familiar with Stranglen's work you need to check it out.  This is an older one that was never released for sale.  But he has those too, be sure to check the links at the end of the post.  His "Harken" release made my Tops of the Decade list.  So without further ado, take it away Andrew...

Doggone Gone Dog

Def.1   An American colloquial expression of exasperation

          at the impermanence of life;   An expression of loss of

          a close friend or relative.  “Doggone it, the doggone

          dog is done gone!”

Def.2  A collection of experimental music recordings ca1999,

          by Andrew Stranglen using two Teac reel to reel tape

          decks in an endless loop setup, a la Steve Reich, or

          Fripp & Eno, earlier pioneers of R2R 2 R2R audio tape

          music experimentation. 

Conception

     Doggone Gone Dog was originally conceived while playing around with two Teac reel to reel tape decks.   And 12-string acoustic guitar with all lighter gages tuned DGGDGD.

Deck 1 is the record & supply deck, and deck 2,  set some few feet away is the playback & take-up deck which plays back into deck 1 opposite channels.   This creates a delayed repeat or long echo that slowly fades as new audio material is continually added, creating riffs that morph throughout time.  Other noisemakers on this collection include an electric guitar(Harmony Gibson S-G copy), kalimba, jaw harp, tambourine, voice, whistling, electronic cicada toy, and on the Bonus track (Jivas extracted from Splendor)  I bring a harmonica into the mix. 

Formerly an extremely limited edition

     Here is the new and improved “Doggone Gone Dog” album originally made in 1999 with a limited issue of probably no more than 20 cdrs ever produced.   I've remastered it for normalization and elimination of some pesky resonances.   It sounds better than ever, and I still enjoy it a lot!    I'm happy to give it away, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

  

Notes on the cover art

      Front cover: Dog + Lightning = Electrik Dog => Lectrikdog(as currently).

A collage of a lightning sky turned upside down, midground is a blue disc shaped birdbath

sized fountain in front of which: a wolf type dog is eyeing us whilst licking his snout for a better whiff.

           Back cover: another collage I made, “Magic Dust”,  it's what the little girl has in her container, which she's opening whilst looking apprehensively at the undulating reddish-orange blob which is creeping towards and over the boardroom table, or is it creeping away?        

   Is Mr. Executive attempting to warn her?, or is he simply freaked out about his own situation?  There is a radio telescope array seen outside the windows of the boardroom. 

Notes on the Songs

1)     “Doggone Gone Dog, Gone Dog”

Yamaha slotted head acoustic 12-string with custom light gages tuned all mid-high register D-G-G-D-G-D(Dog-Gone-Gone-Dog-Gone-Dog).

2)     “Tropical Force Pt.1”

Title inspired by a pre-Katrina hurricane Floyd(mid September 1999).

Electric guitar in Standard tuning plus assorted other instrumentation.

3)     “Tribal Interlude”

a respite?, from the chaos of tropical storms, maybe.

4)     “Electric Gone Dog”

The original theme of track 1 is reiterated here using a Harmony “Gibson SG” copy tuned DGGDGD.

5)     “Tropical Force Pt.2” 

See Track 2.

6)     “Tribal Interlude(Conclusion)”

See Track 3.

7)     “Gone Dog”

Straight 12-string no tape loop manipulation, Fingerpicking with slide DGGDGD.

8)     “A Song For Jon”

Straight 6 string – again no tape machines, tuned DADFAD(Dm open)

Bonus Track 9

            “Jivas, Extracted from Splendor”

            This piece was made in 2000 also using the dual reel to reel technology. 

To me it sounded like music to accompany Jim Woodring's “Frank” in his world of the Unifactor, see http://www.Jimwoodring.com , or

http://www.rudyrucker.com/blog/2009/02/04/jivas-and-yuels/ 

see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiva

Guitar 12-string, jaw harp, harmonica, voice.

Ralph Johnston said recently upon hearing Jivas,

“'Twas a curious little field holler performed by nanobotic nematodes while creating  the magnificently monolithic ice crystal cathedrals of the Skapa Flow”.

then:

“Andrew...hiowdy!  I indeed love "Jivas"!...check out Scapa Flow on Wikipedia...they will give you a much better, detailed description than I ever could...at first my impressions were of my late pooch Kyri ecstatically rolling around in my back yard...enthralled with a cookie treat and revelling in my rapt attention to her canine antics...but then...sinister images began to appear...images of nanobotic nematodes and huge chrystalline ice structures being constructed in places where humans labored and fought...for truth...justice...and the...American way...sorry...I loved the 1950s Superman TV series starring George Reeves.”

I figure if Ralph likes it, well that's a job well done then.

ENJOY!

Andrew

Download it HERE includes all artwork.

If you enjoy this please visit Andrew Stranglen's CD Baby page or iTunes 

Thanks to You!

Hi folks,

I just want to say thanks so much for stopping by and reading the ol' Delta-Slider blog.  I've recently hit some good numbers, over 10,000 page views in a 30 day period, 300 feed subscriptions, 50 Google followers and I'm oh-so close to 100 email subscribers.  I know that in the wide world of the internet that is a pittance.  But for my little blog and the tiny little corner of music that it represents, well...I think it's just fine.

I enjoy this blog and I want to keep it that way.  I don't promise any sort of regular content nor can I promise regular posting every day or so.  It just flows where it goes and that is best for my sanity and for keeping it enjoyable.

Really the best part is getting to know all the great musicians that have been SO incredibly generous with their time and music.

THANK YOU!
 

Lionel Young Band - Boulder Creek Festival

Here's a nice little set from The Lionel Young Band, local boys here in Colorado.  If you haven't heard of Lionel Young and you like the blues with a twist you ought to check this out.  Young plays the violin.  He's won the International Blues Challenge twice, only double winner ever.


Lionel Young Band
May 24, 2009 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Boulder Creek Festival
Band Shell
Boulder, CO
Total Time = 60:36

01 Groovin' on a Sunday Afternoon 8:43
02 Down the Road 4:17
03 Everybody come together 9:54
04 Whole Lot Love 5:22
05 Respect myself? 7:18
06 Born on the Bayou 7:55
07 What a beautiful day 4:30
08 Sugar Coated Love 5:34
09 Papa got a brand new bag  3:05
10 Bass Solo  Drum Solo 3:52

Down load it HERE

Vinyl Reissue of John Fahey - Requia

This year, Vanguard Records have announced five albums they are reissuing for the day. Each were remastered from the original master tapes, and will be pressed in a limited edition of 1000 copies each. They will be available ONLY at participating stores on this day, and while it’s safe to say that they may be available elsewhere, if you can scoop a copy or two up, do it early:

Skip James-Today!
John Hammond-So Many Roads
Mississippi John Hurt-The Immortal
John Fahey-Requia (and Other Compositions for Guitar Solo)
Country Joe & the Fish-Electric Music for the Mind and Body

Visit the official Record Store Day site for info.

On the subject of records...
Here's an interesting article on a band that mixed their music to vinyl and back to digital to try to emulate the vinyl sound.  Also a few very interesting words on how the quality of the music changes as the needle moves toward the center of the record.  Very interesting, but short post, though there are numerous links to other articles.


  

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Charlie Schmidt - Doppelgänger Blues

 Folks, I'm happy to present a special treat today.  Charlie Schmidt has sent me an excerpt of an unreleased tune for your listening pleasure.
As Charlie mentioned in his essay earlier this week, he believes in playing Fahey for the sake of Fahey, the artistry of the music itself.  And yet he is perfectly capable of composing and playing in his own voice, his own style.
In this original piece, Doppelgänger Blues, Charlie walks the fine line of blending his own composition with the feel and the spirit of a Fahey tune.  Hence the title.
It starts with a pipe organ and you may not know it yet, but you've just entered the temple of the steel string!  Charlie takes his time developing the tune, building the anticipation, introducing the guitar as though we are actually experiencing the song somewhere in the middle, a transitional point, we aren't quite sure where we are or what's about to happen, but we know something is imminent.  Then the guitar is suddenly there, front and center as though it just broke free.  The pipe organ is left behind as the tune surges forward on the guitar.
So begins the Doppelgänger Blues.  I have to point out that I love just about any tune in a minor key and this is no exception.
Check it out, I hope you enjoy.

 Doppelgänger Blues

( P.D., arr. C. Schmidt, all rights reserved )  guitar by C. Schmidt, pipe organ by Dr. G. North

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Xanthe Terra by Charlie Schmidt

  

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