Label:
Opus One – number 15
Format:
Vinyl, LP / Country: US / Released: 1972
Style:
Contemporary, Experimental, Minimal
Label
based in Maine run by composer Max Schubel
Works
from 1971
Artwork
[Cover Art] – Ursula Belden / ?
There
are two colour variations of the cover: Green and Orange
Engineer
[Recording] – Mike Wolfe
Executive
Director – Max Schubel
Composed
By – Garrett List
Matrix
/ Runout (A): OPUS ONE 15AR
Matrix
/ Runout (B): OPUS ONE 15B
A
- Your Own Self
...................................................................... 18:34
B
- Your Own Self
...................................................................... 16:37
VOICE
–––
Joan LaBarbara
Jay Clayton
Jerry Kaplan
Jon
Gibson ––– Saxophone
Mark
Gould ––– Trumpet
Lou
Ranger ––– Trumpet
David
Jolley ––– French Horn
Garrett
List ––– Trombone
Roy
Pennington ––– Vibraphone
Barry
Jekowski ––– Vibraphone
Rick
Cutler ––– Piano
Frederic
Rzewski ––– Piano
Gregory
Reeves ––– Percussion
Gordon
Gottliebs ––– Percussion
Mike Williams –––
bassThis piece is a beautiful example of a minimalist/jazz crossover which is exceptionally unique. It inhabits a somewhat similar world to Fred Rzewski's "Coming Together" and "Attica", but is much more indebted to jazz, with a heavily improvised middle section...
Garrett List ––– Trombone
The
piece begins with an organ drone, and some quiet singing and reciting of
phrases from the text. Gradually more instruments are introduced, primarily
horns playing long tones. After a couple of minutes the bass comes in, and
starts playing sparse notes, which over several minutes become more frequent
until it's playing a full-fledged jazzy bass-line. The horns follow a similar
build-up from long tones to faster playing.
The
build up in this piece is perfect. It's so slow and fluid, you barely notice
anything is happening, until you compare two points in the piece. At 11:00ish
on side A there's a sudden break, and a fast, hihat-based drum beat comes in,
the first major change in the piece. This section has a beautiful texture with
fast piano scales, sparse bass notes, long horn tones, fast vibes, and
vocalists singing and reciting the text.
Side
A fades out, and Side B begins where A left off, jumping quickly into a long
section of freeish jazz, with a propulsive rhythm section laying the base. This
goes on for about 9 minutes, and then the piece goes back into a section
resembling the first part, with long tones and quiet speaking voices.
There's Fred Rzewski
on piano, Jon Gibson on sax, and vocalist Joan LaBarbara (who is an excellent
composer as well, and appears on the classic 70s recording of Philip Glass' "Music
in Twelve Parts").
Excellently
pressed. Great dynamics and sound. Stunningly beautiful piece to be listened to
at high volume. Wonderful!
Your
Own Self, sought and received, mister ..... correct silence.
If
you find it, buy this album!
