VARIOUS
Relay Eight
2:13
CD 011
Easier to describe -- or perhaps participate in -- then write about, this
22 track CD is an almost 70 minute aural documentary of a three-hour event
which rotated 17 musicians in twos and threes through four different London
venues.
The
idea behind this annual relay, which has taken place during the Stoke
Newington Midsummer Street Festival, since 1993, is that the musicians
congregate in randomly determined combinations in performance spaces located
about five minutes walk from one another. The number playing at each venue
must remain constant, though, so that when one arrives, another must leave
and so on. The rather odd track titles refer to which of the spaces is
being used for that performance.
Heard
as something midway between a Dadaist happening and the equivalent of
the sound track from what could be home movies of some of Britain's most
interesting improv players, the end product exists more as an artifact
than an artistic statement. Besides the music you hear children screaming,
parents reassuring them, crowds milling about, dogs barking, random street
noises and backstage chit chat, gossip and laughter from the musicians
themselves and some members of the audience. Tunes range in length from
under one minute to 13 minutes plus, with the majority in the three, four
and five minute range.
Thus
you'll hear some impressive tone melding between, say, soprano saxophonist
John Butcher, electronic manipulator Phil Durrant and one of the percussionists
on one track, then on others put up with nonsense verses or burlesque
riffs from other musicians. You can hear how a hitherto protected child
copes with Phil Minton's many vocal tones or listen to Jonathan Bohman
putting aside his unprepared object to shave off his moustache with an
electric razor. Other impressive bits come from trombonist Gail Brand
and one of the string players, perhaps Angharad Davies.
With
the disc, organizer and participant guitarist John Bisset has proven that
given the proper circumstances acoustic and even electronic improvisations
can be accepted and enjoyed by unsuspecting audiences. It should be noted
though, that track 22, the longest, which features extended sampling and
electronics unrolling at varied speeds, tempos and volume took place in
a club confines.
A taste
for the usual, especially for found sounds, will help with your appreciation
of what happens on here. You'll hear some engaging music all right, just
don't expect a formal concert.
--
Ken Waxman
Track
Listing: 1. Dome; 2. Home; 3. 2:13; 4. Knut; 5. Knut; 6. Knut; 7. Home;
8. Home; 9. Home; 10. Knut; 11. Dome; 12. Knut; 13. Home; 14. Dome; 15.
2:13; 16. Home; 17. Home; 18. 2:13; 19. Knut; 20. Dome; 21.Home; 22. 2:13
Personnel:
Gail Brand, trombone; John Butcher, soprano saxophone; Angharad Davies,
violin; Ivor Kalin, Charlotte Hug, violas; Mark Wastell, cello; John Bisset,
guitar; Rhodri Davies, harp; Pat Thomas, keyboards, electronics; David
Leahy, bass; Burkhard Beins, percussion; Phil Minton, voice; Phil Durrant,
live electronic manipulation; Jonathan Bohman, unprepared objects; Adam
Bohman, objects; Knut Aufermann, sampling and refreshments