Tuesday 31 May 2022

Morton Feldman – Rothko Chapel / Why Patterns?

 




















New Albion 1991

01 Rothko Chapel I
02 Rothko Chapel II
03 Rothko Chapel III
04 Rothko Chapel IV
05 Rothko Chapel V
06 Why Patterns?

Modern classical composer Morton Feldman is best known for his association with John Cage and other avant-garde modern composers of the time.

In 1971, Feldman was commissioned to create a composition to accompany a series of paintings by Mark Rothko in a non-denominational chapel. Scored for chorus, viola and percussion. First performed April 1972, the Rothko Chapel, Houston, Texas.

'Why Patterns?' for flute, glockenspiel and piano, was first performed October 1978, San Francisco.

Engaging, droney soundscapes.

The Gosdin Brothers - Tell Me / One Hundred Years From Now

 




















Unreleased single 1966.

01 Tell Me
02 One Hundred Years From Now

Most here will know The Gosdin Brothers from their appearance as the backing vocalists from Gene Clark's debut album. They didn't make too much of a commercial mark on their own, with only one album (1968's 'Sounds Of Goodbye') and a couple of singles that failed to chart. They were however, very influential harmony singers and songwriters and several solo albums followed.

There were several attempts to break Vern and Rex into the mainstream, the best of which went unreleased but is right here and was produced by none other than The Byrds Chris Hillman. The Gosdins had developed a relationship with The Byrds; touring with the band and sometimes guesting on recordings.

In December 1966, managers Dickson and Tickner arranged a session to produce a new single. Perhaps to harness popular appeal, Bryds bassist, vocalist and now songwriter Chris Hillman was drafted in to produce the single. Three songs were recorded; 'One Hundred Years From Now', 'No Matter Where You Go (There You Are)' and 'Tell Me'.

The first two tracks were released the following year on one off imprint Edict Records but failed to achieve the desired effect. The Gosdin Brothers felt uncomfortable with attempts to move their sound to a more contemporary setting and soon returned to a more traditional country sound.

Unreleased track 'Tell Me' is the real gem here; nice mid sixties groovy swing that sounds like it could of fallen off both 'Gene Clark and the Gosdin Brothers' and 'Younger Than Yesterday'. Not only was it recorded in the same studios as those albums in 1966, the record features Chris Hillman on bass, Mike Clarke on drums and Clarence White on guitar. It has more Byrds than some Byrds records!

Needless to say, this is for Byrds fans.




Monday 30 May 2022

Mystery Spring - This House Is On Fire

 




















TOR086. 

01 Manuela
02 Ghost Ship
03 Rainmaker
04 Wish You Well
05 Cold Country
06 Black Dog Heal
07 Unbroken Light
08 Kiss For Kiss

Marc Gillen - Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Piano, Melodica,
Drum Machine and Field Recordings.
Catherine Reding - Vocals, Violin, Bass and Keyboards.
Alastair Popple - Mixing and Additional Production.

All songs written by Marc Gillen.

Mixed and mastered at The Kitchen Sync by Alastair Popple.

Recorded at home May 2021 to April 2022.

Artwork by Stephen Benson, back cover photograph by Marc Gillen.














Extremely limited CD and free download available from Bandcamp.