Flotation Device says goodbye to two of minimalism's OGs: Phill Niblock (1933–2024) and John White (1936–2024). We sample their work, contemplate their role in the development of drone music and English minimalism respectively, and look for their influence among younger musicians such as John Adams and Sarah Davachi. We also sample a stack of new recordings featuring intriguing new tracks by Myra Melford, Russ Johnson, Cassandra Miller, James Moore, Langham Research Centre and Hound Dog Taylor's Hand, plus reflections about witchcraft and death, and a Stockhausen tune used as a free improv vehicle.
Creative and improvised music from the Northwest and around the world with host Michael Schell, from 91.3 KBCS-FM Bellevue/Seattle/Tacoma. Annotated playlist and photo credits with Comments.
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Flotation Device 2024-01-14: Annotated playlist by host Michael Schell
Intro and SET 1: Machine music [0:00]
1. [1:13] Myra Melford: Insertion One. From Hear The Light Singing (RogueArt, 2023) with Fire and Water Quintet: Myra Melford (piano), Ingrid Laubrock (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone), Mary Halvorson (guitar), Tomeka Reid (cello), Lesley Mok (drums), Nick Lloyd (recording engineer)
2. [10:58] Russ Johnson: TRM. From Reveal (Calligram, 2023) with Russ Johnson Quartet: Russ Johnson (trumpet), Mark Feldman (violin), Ethan Philion (bass), Timothy Daisy (drums), Anthony Gravino (recording engineer)
3. [12:38] Russ Johnson: Long Branch. From Reveal (credits as above)
4. [20:30] John White: Autumn Countdown Machine. From Machine Music (Obscure, 1978, reissued 2023 by Dialogo in The Complete Obscure Records Collection 1975–1978) Christopher Hobbs (bassoon, percussion), Sandra Hill (double bass), Gavin Bryars (double bass, metronome), John White (tuba, metronome, percussion). NOTE: Composed 1971
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SET 2: John White (1936–2024) [26:01]
1. [29:06] Mark Hjorthoy: The Ballad of Goody Ayres. From Witchcraft and Black Magic in the United States (Eighth Tower/Unexplained Sounds, 2024)
2. [34:37] Robin de Raaff: Orphic Descent. From Orphic Descent (Challenge Classics, 2023) with Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Lawrence Renes (conductor). NOTE: Composed 2002–03
3. [40:14] Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14, Op. 135 - 5. Les attentives I. From Works Unveiled (BIS, 2023) with Ekaterina Bakanova (soprano), Nicolas Stavy (piano), Florent Jodelet (percussion), Fabian Frank (recording engineer). NOTE: Composed 1969. Premiere recording of the version for soprano, piano and percussion
4. [43:25] John White: Son of Gothic Chord. From Machine Music (as above) with Christopher Hobbs, John White (piano). NOTE: Composed 1970
5. [53:36] Outro with John Adams: China Gate (Yuja Wang)
6. [59:01] Cassandra Miller: Perfect Offering (excerpt). From Perfect Offering (HCR/NMC, 2023) with Explore Ensemble, Nicholas Moroz (artistic director). NOTE: Composed 2020, revised 2021
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SET 3: Desolation Zodiac [1:04:38]
1. [1:06:13] Stockhausen: Gemini. From looking out | looking up (The Night With…, 2022) with a cellar full of noise: Tom Poulson (trumpet), Danielle Price (tuba), Timothy Cooper (electronics), Timothy Cooper, Matthew Whiteside (recording engineers)
2. [1:13:38] Hound Dog Taylor's Hand: Monkey Organ. From Things That May Exist (Bandcamp, 2024) with Jeffery Taylor (guitar), John Seman (contrabass, recording engineer), Mark Ostrowski (drums)
3. [1:15:58] Iain Chambers: Rogue Memories. From Rogue Memories (Bandcamp, 2023) with Langham Research Centre
4. [1:20:02] James Moore: Desolation Pops - 5. M' Ugly Spine. From Desolation Pops (New World, 2023) with Kathleen Supové (piano), The Rhythm Method: Leah Asher, Marina Kifferstein (violins), Carrie Frey (viola), Meaghan Burke (cello), Bernd Klug (recording engineer). NOTE: Composed 2016–18
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SET 4: Phill Niblock (1933–2024) [1:25:10]
1. [1:27:20] Phill Niblock in conversation with Michael Schell (October 1, 2023)
2. [1:31:18] Phill Niblock: V&LSG. From V&LSG (XI, 2023) with Loré Lixenberg (voice), Guy De Bièvre (lap steel guitar). NOTE: Realized 2015
3. [1:52:53] Outro with Daniel Menche: Atrophied Divinity
Photo credits: John White via Convivium Records, Cassandra Miller by Andrew Parker, Russ Johnson via the artist, Dmitri Shostakovich via National Portrait Gallery London, Phill Niblock at Experimental Intermedia Foundation with Shelley Hirsch and Katherine Liberovskaya via The Wall Street Journal, Fire and Water Quintet (Lesley Mok, Tomeka Reid, Myra Melford, Ingrid Laubrock, Mary Halvorson) by Don Dixon, Robin de Raaff by Cecilia de Raaff, Mark Hjorthoy via the artist, Held Tones by Phill Niblock, Langham Research Centre via the artists, John Adams via UCLA