Terry Riley's minimalist classic In C is one of those pieces that's instantly recognisable, despite the fact that no two performances of it can ever quantitatively be very similar. Each musician is given a sequence of 53 musical phrases. He or she repeats each phrase for as long as they like (though Riley suggests that as the piece should last around forty minutes, anything between 45 and 90 seconds is best) before playing the next one. If the musician can't play a phrase, they just skip it. There are no guides as to instrumentation, though the usual number of performers is around 30.
As Riley's simple phrases drift in and out of sync with each other, complex, hypnotic patterns emerge and dissolve, making concentration a tricky business for the performers, but an experience of potentially psychedelic proportions for the listener.
Though Riley's music was undoubtedly a big influence on a generation of drone-rockers, it's only recently thatIn C's been visited recently by the likes of Acid Mothers Temple, and now by New York band The Styrenes. Riley's emphasis on group listening and relaxed approach to technique makethe piece an obvious fit with the dynamics of ye olde rocke group, and this album's proof.
The Styrenes were formed by Paul Marotta, previously of Cleveland art punkers The Electric Eels, back in 1975. Having met Riley, he'd become convinced of the possibilities of an In C played with rock instrumentation (previous recorded versions have usually featured tuned percussion and wind instruments), though held off actually doing it for some years.
Here appearing as a septet, the bandmanage 20 instruments through a spot of studio magic, playing the whole thing through twice through plus a few overdubs. And it's a beautiful noise. Props go to drummer Mike Hoffman, whose sensitive deployment of various elements of his kit provides propulsion and texture in equal measure. Guitars, keys and marimba provide the melodic wonderment that generally arises during a performance of the piece, and the Styrenes infuse the proceedings with a scratchy, raw energy that's immediate and infectious. Good stuff.
@Brighternow, yer most welcome and thanks right back to you and all that have posted about Terry Riley. I really enjoyed the listen and I agree with that wise man....one can never have to many. I'll certainly keep an ear out for more. I'm always humbled by how little I really know but better late than never! @greg - The whole Label Love series is great and Free. Thanks to @Doofy for the introduction and for the African Scream Contests, another welcome addition to the library. Another most interesting T... Thomas Fehlmann 2004 2007 2010
This five-movement chamber work for six percussionists explores popular music's evolution, reproducing and imitating styles from the 1930's to present day. This is the fifth movement which focuses on music styles of the 2010's. Featuring Zachary Hale and Christian Smith on percussion.
Recorded by Chris Johns at the MMR of the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, Montreal, February 14, 2014.
@greg Can't beat Blue Train but I've just discovered this muscular work-out which has some tight ensemble playing. Good fun and quite probably recommended by someone here.
@greg Oh yes - you know its a while since I played those albums as actual albums. That is I have the three Prestige box sets and of course they are all moulded around session dates so for instance I couldn't at this stage even tell you the track listing of Lush Life (for shame!)
Just one last album before heading out for beer, food and a Sloth Racket gig at 100 Years Gallery.
Comments
In today's mail...
- A wise man once said:
As Riley's simple phrases drift in and out of sync with each other, complex, hypnotic patterns emerge and dissolve, making concentration a tricky business for the performers, but an experience of potentially psychedelic proportions for the listener.
Though Riley's music was undoubtedly a big influence on a generation of drone-rockers, it's only recently thatIn C's been visited recently by the likes of Acid Mothers Temple, and now by New York band The Styrenes. Riley's emphasis on group listening and relaxed approach to technique makethe piece an obvious fit with the dynamics of ye olde rocke group, and this album's proof.
The Styrenes were formed by Paul Marotta, previously of Cleveland art punkers The Electric Eels, back in 1975. Having met Riley, he'd become convinced of the possibilities of an In C played with rock instrumentation (previous recorded versions have usually featured tuned percussion and wind instruments), though held off actually doing it for some years.
Here appearing as a septet, the bandmanage 20 instruments through a spot of studio magic, playing the whole thing through twice through plus a few overdubs. And it's a beautiful noise. Props go to drummer Mike Hoffman, whose sensitive deployment of various elements of his kit provides propulsion and texture in equal measure. Guitars, keys and marimba provide the melodic wonderment that generally arises during a performance of the piece, and the Styrenes infuse the proceedings with a scratchy, raw energy that's immediate and infectious. Good stuff.
- Musicbrainz
ETA: No longer available from Emu.
@greg - The whole Label Love series is great and Free. Thanks to @Doofy for the introduction and for the African Scream Contests, another welcome addition to the library.
Another most interesting T...
Thomas Fehlmann
2004 2007
2010
Thanks @Confused. I had downloaded this and of course I haven't played it for a long time. I'll also explore some of their other albums.
Not played this in ages and enjoyed every chord
Thanks Guvera. I'll never forget you
Recorded by Chris Johns at the MMR of the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, Montreal, February 14, 2014.
1980 - 82 2001 Dr Alex Paterson's Voyage Into Paradise
Holger Hiller, Ralf Hertwig, Timo Blunck Various Artists Compiled by
F.M. Einheit, Thomas Fehlmann Dr. Alex Paterson
This is taking me back decades to small smoky rooms listening to local blues bands playing cover versions of many of these tracks
Who said that?
My current favorite version: Africa Express Presents... Terry Riley's In C Mali.
November 16, 2007
Matilda Hofman, director
Re-released 1984 Don Pullen album that I never heard of? I'm in.
2007 The Future Academy Of Noise, 2009
Rhythm And Gardening
2015 2016
2016 2016
2017
With the Ictus version up next, followed by the The Sensorium Saxophone Orchestra version.
As a rule I say enough already with the jazz homage albums, but I think I'm ready to make an exception for this
2007 2007 with Ensemble Signal & Brad Lubman
2007 w/Baritone Saxophone – Alex Hamlin, Argeo Ascani 2008/09 Singles FMA
Bass Clarinet – Eileen Mack, Sara Buddle
2009 w/ Daniel Walden. Blip Festival 2011 FMA
2013 w/ Meehan/Perkins Duo 2013 Vicky Chow
@djh Blue Train is my favourite of his, but this runs it close