Composer/philosopher Rothenberg
sets clarinet and woodflute against synthesizer and synth drum sounds. The
machines are played by hand, not by an electronic pulse, giving the music a
distinctly non-synthetic feel. Includes Tibetan wind pieces from the Nyingmapa
and Gelugpa Buddhist traditions, folk songs from Scandinavia, Hasidic chants,
works inspired by texts from Eskimo shamans and the I Ching, transformed by an
exuberant playing style.
"A sense of
virtuosity traveling all over the world"
-John Cage
"Colorful
sounds, exotic rhythms, flashy clarinet solos...calling Laurie Anderson to
mind."
-Tim Page, New York Newsday
"For
Rothenberg, the machine is a totally natural extension of human playing."
-Tod Machover
"Hauntingly
beautiful music."
-David Strassman, Parkland Press
Personnel: David Rothenberg,
cls, kbs, wind synth, exotic winds, words; Hamid Drake, tabla (14), Tibetan
bowls (3,10); Graeme Boone, guitar (4); Dion Sorrell, electric cello (8).
Tracks: 1.We Need Deserts;
2.Thoreau Falls; 3.Se Lo; 4.Awake in Dreams; 5.Song from Rettvik; 6.Nalungiaq;
7.Wind of Design; 8.Nigun of Ladi; 9.The Last Day; 10.Mani; 11.Ras al Khaima;
12.Ellipsis...; 13.Keeping Still; 14.Three Sounds.
