Interesting compilation this. It starts with some early electronic pieces, but by the mid point is covering some lengthy Choral works. As such it's a rather jarring compilation, but once you're used to it incredibly diverse.
Absolutely stunning percussion piece this. It's called A Light Hour because, hey, thatg's what it is - an hour long. Reminds a lot of Reich, but without the patterns (or at least extended patterns and repeated tones). All kinds of percussion is used, so it stays fresh the whole time. The recording from Dacapo - who put out tons of Scandinavian music - is also top notch. Perfect this.
To be honest, though this ought to be really interesting and right up my street, I do find it hard going. The ideas are strong, but in execution they don't always make for an interesting sound. The booklet is full of mumbo-Jumbo and phonetics, along with anatomical drawings showing where in your mouth, your throat, or your larynx a particular sound should come from. All using an invented language with only vowel sounds. As I say, as an experiment and idea it's decent, but as a music CD to put on and listen to.... it's all science and no passion.
Interesting disc. Some might be put off by the lengthy radio play "The City Wears a Slouch Hat" from 1942 - here in full. However, persevere and you might be surprised. And anyway, Music for Changes after it is excellent.
I like La Monte Young, but find it incredibly silly that he continues to hold on to tapes of this band, refusing to release them. The CD here is from a (worn) cassette that Conrad had. So the majesty and denseness of the music is lost, since everything is so thin. This sounds not just like a bootleg, but like a very poor quality bootleg. On the other hand it's an essential part of musical history. If not for these guys there never would have been a Velvet Underground, for example. It's drone, if that's your thing. I also see it as a vital historical document. Three more similar titles have been released under Cale's name, all good.
