Travis – Psychedelic, flute and a voice I do know, but can’t place? Maybe a voice copier? It sounds like it is from the early 70’s but could be a re-creation, some sounds don’t place to that time – which doesn’t mean they didn’t exist, just that I can’t place them. I think the ambient electronic and feedback underneath everything sounds more controlled than I think was conceived at that point in the early Seventies. The flute, the guitar sound and his voice + the way it was recorded all feel 50 years old. This juxtaposition leads me to believe it is newer – precise metric qualities in the rhythm and the vibrato/delay effects feeling too in-time to be from that period, but still capturing the timbre of the 70’s sounds. There is also a lack of dissonant conflict in this, which I would expect to have some with with the feedback and layering that is present. Digital recording can smooth out those odds. We shall see…. Bill Callahan – “Summer Painter” – Yes, 2013, so NEW/OLD thing in full effect.
Matt – Terry Callier – “What Color is Love” – Such a deep and beautiful album, which Matt says was introduced to him by the great J. Michael Harrison, of WRTI, on air and JMH dubbed it “his Kind of Blue”. Meaning the inspiring, seminal gateway album that opened his mind, and heart, to the possibilities. It is a great album, one I only recently became hip to. I think Callier isn’t properly celebrated. That could be because of how/who he was and perhaps how he navigated popularity or it could be that his music is more mysterious and magical rather than following clear conventions. This song has an unusual arrangement, the parts (all beautiful) seem to run together rather than arrive and his voice is slippery and emotive. You can’t really cop Callier’s style, whereas there are several attempts at Stevie Wonder-like voices today (they don’t do it for me, but they exist). Hard to say which (or both) are more credible explanations for his lack of recognition, plus everyone has a different path, but this is a gorgeous album (& cover!!) that should be more widely known.
Dan – I go indulgent. A Father’s Day house cleaning style, by playing a trio of long-waiting-to-be played tracks, from my Seshjawn back-ups playlist, for the trio of us.
Dick Twardzik – “Albuquerque Social Swim” Great title! I mistakenly re-purchased this a few weeks ago and had a different song from the same album “A Crutch for a Crab” on my back up playlist for years. This song spoke to me more during that re-listen, such a weird song! I love discovering different sonic, composer worlds and Twardzik’s is unusual, but he also only has a handful of recordings, so we never really see where it goes. This sonic world, though only briefly documented, stands up well next to Monk, Nichols, and other post-Bop piano explorers. *Note – Only look up Richard Twardzik for images…..
Chico Buarque – “Barbara” – Another longtime, stashed track. I love Buarque but his work is less available compared to other Brazilian stars. I heard this song on a version by Chico and Caetano live, and then vibed to this original recording with its cool instrumental parts. The accordion in particular gives this a particularly evocative feeling.
Arvo Part – “Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten” – Finally a third song to take us out. Also out of the stacks and really just a extended resolution. Everything just leads to that reverberating ending. I think it is sort of a descending Shepard Tone which feels to be constantly cycling downward, but is in fact constantly looping. Auditory illusions to end the evening.
Found Sounds 