WR

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: :: :: - WHAT'S RATTLIN'? - :: :: The Weekly (or so) Digest for Canterbury Music Addicts :: :: Issue # 166 :: :: Tuesday, October 10th, 2000 :: :: :: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOPPER GOES DUTCH... AGAIN (AND AGAIN) Seeing Hugh Hopper's band these days is a rare treat, and always different every time. Indeed, Hugh doesn't tour as much as he once did, so his concerts now tend to involve one-off line-ups. One such occasion was his recent 3-date Dutch "tour". Whereas his previous performance, last November in Paris, had an all-French line-up of Patrice Meyer on guitar, Pierre-Olivier Govin on sax and Francois Verly on drums, this particular Hugh Hopper Quartet was half-British, half-Dutch - joining Hugh were Robert Jarvis on trombone, heard to good effect on "Carousel" (quite possibly my favourite HH album), Frank van der Kooij on alto sax and bass clarinet, the last remaining founding member of Hugh's 80s/90s group, and newcomer Oscar Schutze on drums. Despite the lack of guitar or keyboards I had no particular fear about this minimal instrumentation - more space in the sound is never a bad thing for Hugh's music, which can be equally effective with small or large line-ups. Anyway this wasn't a "small" group in every respect, since the addition of trombone helped create a "brass section" feel which brought to this listener memories of the great Soft Machine septet. It was particularly effective on the more "riffy" material - notably old favourites like "Sliding Dogs" (Jarvis had played on the original recording), "Seven For Lee" or "Miniluv". A particularly surprising inclusion to the setlist was the band's rendition of "Was A Friend", which I didn't identify straight away - yet another version of what is fast becoming a Canterbury "classic". In addition to Robert Wyatt's "Shleep" it has appeared on Hughscore's "Delta Flora", Hopper/L.Kloessner's "Different" and soon "Parabolic Versions", a Voiceprint anthology of Hopper's song material, which includes yet another version, with Robert Wyatt adding vocals and piano to the original 1983 instrumental backing track. Both Hugh and Robert Jarvis offered new compositions - "Virus Day" ("dedicated to computers all over the world") and "Wrong Gong" for Hopper, and "Morrow's Tale" and "The Green & The Yellow" for Jarvis. Hugh's pieces were typical of his work, great riffs; Robert's were intended as a contrast, more reflective and quiet, not perfect in the context of a noisy pub like Rotterdam's Dizzy, but very good indeed. I can only wish that Robert will become a permanent member of the band (if that means anything), both for his input as a composer and for his talent as a player. Additional pieces played included "Our Last Remark" from Hopper & Kramer's "A Remark Hugh Made", and the FrangloDutch classic "Wanglo Saxon". A complete setlist can be found below. As a conclusion, I wish Hugh will soon get around to recording the follow-up to his last band album to date, 1995's "Carousel". I also would like to thank Teatse Vogelaar for translating the Dutch newspaper review of that gig. First set: Wanglo Saxon Virus Day Morrow's Tale Improv Was a Friend Sliding Dogs Second set: Seven For Lee The Green And The Yellow Lux Beta Last Remark Wrong Gong Miniluv ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From "VOLKSKRANT", 26 september 2000 "HOPPER IS A GREAT MUSICAL THINKER" Around 1970 Hopper was seen in general as one of the most important bassplayers from the rockjazz, as fusion was called at that time. Because he apeared to be the most productive musician from the adventurous British Canterbury scene, it is strange that he is generally only known as the bass player of Soft Machine, with whom he recorded 5 LP's before he quit the band in 1973. Hopper participated afterwards in the most different bands, from bigbandcomposer Carla Bley, to psychedelic jazzdance from Hughscore. His ideas about the bass guitar have changed little. Beautiful, hypnotically repeating bass figures and a still unique use of the fuzz determine his playing. He rarely plays solos. Utterly display plays no role in Hopper's universe. One of the highlights of his recent work is the popsong was a friend, which can be found on SHLEEP from ex-Softmachine singer Robert Wyatt. At the BIMHUIS was a friend sounded from the low instruments of his Hugh Hopper band, bassclarinet, bassguitar and drums. Long notes filled the venue and while the tension was increased tragicly slowly, didgeredoo-like uppernotes rose from the groupsimprovisations. Not only the songs of Hugh settle in your memory, also his jazzthemes have a high sing-along rating, as complex as they are. The bas splayer sang, with lights of pleasure in his eyes underneath his everlasting hat, his own basslines, enjoying his own basssound as well. This small Hopper line-up, without guitar or synth, was very atmospheric and (frozen/not moving), but also a bit empty sometimes. Drummer Oscar Schulze could almost not untie himself during uneven time signatures from his in-trance playing bandleader. Too little happened behind the warmhearted soli from tromboneplayer Robert Jarvis. It got really tense when there was space for free improvisations. Hopper laid down an iron logic with which he send his fellow musicians down the lane. Short counterthread motives and intruiging loops took care of surprising moments of grip (hold-ons?) and determined the shape, that was nothing less than a written composition. Again it showed that Hopper is not only a intresting composer but also a great musical thinker who still is heard by a small crowd of dedicated admirerers. Remco Takken translated by Teatse Vogelaar from Harlingen ------------------------------------------------------------------------- GONG IN FRANCE... NOT!! I have been reliably informed that the planned French dates in Gong's upcoming European tour will now not happen. The French leg was supposed to take place between October 28th and November 3rd, but it appears that the tour agent let the band down by not being able to book anything. There was subsequently an attempt to save the tour by getting another promoter to do some shows but they said it was too late to book and promote shows in France. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Dan Kurdilla" <dkmjf@fast.net> Subject: Annie Whitehead / Gilgamesh Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 22:08:18 -0400 Bon jour, Aymeric, I don't think I've seen any mention in WR so far of the new Annie Whitehead CD, 'The Gathering'. This is a very nice disc on the British label Provocateur, featuring throughout a quintet with Ian Maidman, guitar, Steve Lodder, keyboards, Steve Lamb, bass, and Liam Genockey, drums. Of particular interest to WR readers will be a 9+ minute track called 'Before We Knew', which has guest Robert Wyatt on voice, trumpet, and percussion. I think any devoted Wyatt fan will find this worth having. Unfortunately, I don't know of any source for Provocateur discs in the USA -- I got my copy when visiting London a couple weeks ago. Provocateur does have a web page at www.provocateurrecords.co.uk which indicates they intend to provide online ordering -- but it's currently 'under construction'. Also, I just listened to the new archival Gilgamesh disc on Cuneiform. Very good stuff, I recommend it. The sound quality seems quite good to me, too. Compliments to you, Aymeric, on the booklet -- a very nice history of the group, with lots of quotes from people who were there. It is certainly sad to realize how very little success the group had, considering how good their music is... This booklet also mentions that you're working on a book about the history of Canterbury music. This sounds like no small task, but in good hands. I'll certainly look forward to reading it when it becomes available. Best of luck with it! Hoping all is going well with you, Dan Kurdilla ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Hugh Hopper Subject: allen/burroughs Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 09:45:48 +0100 Hi, Aymeric Thanks for WR#165 From Daevid's interview:>A: Actually I was performing with Bill Burroughs and Brian Gysin>at the ICA in London round the time the DA Trio gig was recorded,>and in Paris at the American Centre in boulevard Raspail during>the period that Robert and Hugh visited me in Paris, but we >didn't all play together... Also involved in the ICA show was Ted Bing, a Canterbury photographer friend (see Wrong Movements). He did some black & white photos of surreal things when we were living at Belsize Park. Daevid standing in a poubelle etc. Daevid used a lot of his images projected when we played our set (Daevid Allen Trio). Burroughs and Gysin did a set at the same ICA night. Ted Bing now lives in the north of Norway! I know he has email, but I don't have the address. I will try to contact him. Maybe Mike King has it? All the best, Hugh ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Roger Bunn <policy.office@mihra.org> Subject: What's Rattling Daevid Allen and other matters Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 23:31:58 +0100 How nice to hear how a a man of experience can talk. DA : "To (double) quote Carla Bley: "What do you think I am, a rock star?" DA : (I found?) "Sun Ra in a bin in Melbourne". (The mind doth boggle...) DA : And with a life that includes such as "Bill Burroughs and Brian Gysin at the ICA in London round the time the DA Trio gig was recorded..." And (one hopes) the (Soft Machine) political animal? "I was soon back in Paris after having been refused re-entry into the UK as an illegal Alien Australian" And that's where Elson and Siska and DA and I got to "do our thing" for a night. A long time ago huh? But think about this, somewhere in my backroom, I've got the album DA, Elson and Siska made... So who knows. It may make the obscurity charts yet ;-) Anyone want a copy? ;-) Music Industry Human Rights Association http://www.mihra.org / policy.office@mihra.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Craig <v-dorje@ticnet.com> Subject: Daevid & the Sun Ra LP Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 20:19:39 -0500 >Q: Speaking of jazz - I have heard a rumour that Gong was formed>after proper application of an old Sun Ra LP. True or False? >>A: Yep. I found a used copy of a Sun Ra record in a bin in>Melbourne in 1958 and was immediately transported into a vision>of my own future calling. I was too broke to buy the album but I>never forgot his name or what it meant to me. I didn't see him>play live till Peter Blegvad took me to watch a dawn-to-dusk>open-air full-moon gig on the Wharves in Manhattan in 1979. Which LP?????????????? I`m *most* curious. Craig Shropshire ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Peter Carlton" <peter.carlton@monopoly.dircon.co.uk> Subject: Caravan Video delayed Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 21:21:21 +0100 Hi Aymeric Could you please let people know that there's been a slight delay to the completion of the video I'm putting together, now entitled "Where but for Caravan would I...?" (partly because I've only just been able to get hold of some archive material showing the band performing "Place of my Own" on Beat Club in Hamburg in 1969). Should be ready in a couple of weeks. Peter Carlton ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "bill.house" <bill.house@wanadoo.fr> Subject: Canterbury anecdotes Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 20:37:37 +0200 Salut, So many years have passed since I was at Canterbury, I don't really have many anecdotes to tell. While I was at the University, there was a sit-in where Egg did a free gig, if I remember correctly. The main group I used to see at the time was Caravan. They used to play about once a term at the University and, of course, I would always go. Their second album (if i could do it all over again...) is closest in my mind to what they did live. (And, of course, the cover photo brings back many memories of the woods around Canterbury and the 'escapes' from city life they would provide.) The most memorable concert was one they did in an 'alternative' cafe which, if I remember correctly, was called the Foundry. It was too small for the group to set up their stuff downstairs, so they played upstairs. Those of us who could get in were crammed in downstairs with the music coming thro' the ceiling ! But what is probably treason for you, much of the music we listened to at the time was American: Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Grateful Dead. I continue to listen to Caravan in particular, as well as other groups on your site, and am amazed at how many have a Canterbury connection. All the best, Bill ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: IChippett@aol.com Subject: Telerama Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000 15:50:54 EDT Aymeric is far too modest to mention this but today I ran across a two-page article about him and Calyx complete with big photo of him in a national TV magazine here in France ("Télérama"). A great piece of publicity for Canterbury as well as giving Aymeric some credit where it's due. Nice one! Ian Chippett ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Amphibious Records <amphibious@harsmedia.com> Subject: -- COMMUTERS -- Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 19:59:27 +0100 ********************************************* * ---------------------------------- * * | DAGMAR KRAUSE | * * | RONALD HEILOO & HAROLD SCHELLINX | * * ---------------------------------- * * | | * * | ** C O M M U T E R S ** | * * | | * * ---------------------------------- * * * * Record=released :: februari 1983 * * Record=NOT available :: for over 17 yrs * * * * :: NOW :: FINALLY :: NOW :: * * * * a BITTER-BRILLIANT re-ISSUE on CD * * by the VOICEPRINT Group of Companies * * * * LA COOKA RATCHA, 2000 * * cat. no. LCVP127CD * * * * Visit Website :: Watch Movie * * BUY CD * * * * http://www.HarsMedia.com/Amphibious/ * * ---------------------------------------- * * "... here's what I became ..." * * ---------------------------------------- * * [amphinews-sep2000] * ********************************************* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** FORTHCOMING CANTERBURY-RELATED CONCERTS ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [for more info : check out the 'Concerts' page of CALYX] http://perso.club-internet.fr/calyx/index/concerts.html ==> CARAVAN <=========================================================== Oct 14 - GLASGOW, Renfrew Ferry / Oct 15 - CAMBRIDGE, Junction Nov 17 - Chiddingfold Club Nov 25 - PARIS (France), Le Bataclan Line-up: Pye Hastings, Geoff Richardson, David Sinclair, Richard Coughlan, Doug Boyle, Jim Leverton, Simon Bentall ==> F.FRITH/C.CUTLER/T.DiMUZIO <========================================= Nov 12 - LOS ANGELES (CA) / Nov 13 - SAN FRANCISCO (CA), Great American Music Hall ==> F.FRITH/I.MORI/Z.PARKINS <=========================================== Jan 12 - PARIS (France), Sons d'Hiver [solos evening] / Jan 13 - PARIS (France), Sons d'Hiver [Traffic Continues w. Ensemble Modern] ==> GONG <=============================================================== Oct 17 - VERVIERS (Belgium), Spirit of 66 / Oct 18 - MODENA (Italy), Vox / Oct 19 - ROME (Italy), Palacisalfa / Oct 20 - TREVISO (Italy), New Age / Oct 21 - RIMINI (Italy), Velvet / Oct 22 - FLORENCE (Italy), Tenax / Oct 24 - VIENNA (Austria), Szene / Oct 26 - LINZ (Austria), Posthof / Oct 27 - WINTERTHUR (Switzerland) [nr Zurich], Gaswerk Nov 04 - ATHENS (Greece), Radon Club / Nov 05 - SALONIKA (Greece), Mylos Nov 20 - LONDON, Hackney Empire / Nov 22 - SHREWSBURY, Music Hall / Nov 23 - WHITLEY BAY, Dome / Nov 24 - ABERDEEN, Lemon Tree / Nov 25 - GLASGOW, Renfrew Ferry / Nov 26 - EDINBURGH, Liquid Rooms / Nov 27 - BIRMINGHAM, The Foundry / Nov 28 - SHEFFIELD, Boardwalk / Nov 29 - CAMBRIDGE, Junction / Nov 30 - NORTHAMPTON, Roadmenders / Dec 01 - ALDERSHOT, West End Centre Line-up: Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Mike Howlett, Theo Travis, Gwyo Zeprix, Chris Taylor + Didier Malherbe [on selected dates] ==> GONGZILLA <========================================================== Dec 12 - PITTSBURGH (PA) / Dec 13 - BUFFALO (NY) / Dec 14 - CLEVELAND (OH) / Dec 15 - CINCINATTI (OH) / Dec 18 - DETROIT (MI) Line-up: Bon Lozaga, Hansford Rowe, Benoit Moerlen & Vic Stevens ==> JOHN GREAVES <======================================================= Oct 21/22 - BRESSE-SUR-GROSNE (France), A L'Ouest de la Grosne Trio with Patrice Meyer (guitar) & Manu Denizet (drums) ==> DIDIER MALHERBE TRIO <=============================================== Nov 28 - EPINAL, Theatre Georges Brassens / Dec 18 - PARIS, New Morning Hadouk Trio with Loy Ehrlich (hajaj & synth) & Steve Shehan (percussion) More info: http://www.multimania.com/malherbedidier/ ========================================================================= * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** AND OTHER GOOD GIGS... ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ==> BILL BRUFORD'S EARTHWORKS <========================================== Oct 15 - STIRLING, Cowan Theatre / Oct 16 - ABERDEEN, Lemon Tree / Oct 17 - EDINBURGH, Queen Charlotte Rooms / Oct 18 - GLASGOW, Renfrew Ferry / Oct 19 - ARNOLD [nr Nottingham], Leisure Centre/Bonington Theatre / Oct 20 - WAKEFIELD, Sports Club / Oct 21 - COLCHESTER, Arts Centre / Oct 23 - BRIGHTON University, Gardner Centre / Oct 24 - SOUTHAMPTON University, Turner Sims Auditorium / Oct 25 - DARTINGTON (Devon), Arts Centre / Oct 29 - MANCHESTER, Royal Northern College of Music / Dec 09 - St.ALBANS, Maltings Arts Centre ==> CHRIS CUTLER <======================================================= with PA.LINCK.XL:Oct 19 - AMSTERDAM (Netherlands), Bimhuis / Oct 23 - EINDHOVEN (Netherlands), Festival More info: http://www.ccutler.com ==> SOPHIA DOMANCICH <=================================================== Oct 24 & 25 - PARIS (France), Duc des Lombards[Eric Barret Quartet, with Jean-Jacques Avenel (b) & Simon Goubert (d)] ==> JOHN ETHERIDGE <===================================================== Oct 19 - London, Montague on the Garden Hotel / Oct 20 - London (Stoke Newington), Vortex Jazz Bar / Oct 25 - London, Cafe Rouge (Soho Jazz) / Oct 28 - London, Pizza Express Jazz Club / Nov 02 - London (Stoke Newington), Vortex Jazz Bar (with New Noakes Quartet) / Nov 03 - Brentford, Waterman Arts Centre ==> FAUST <============================================================== Oct 25 - LONDON, Royal Festival Hall [020 7960 4242] / Oct 26 - COLCHESTER, Arts Centre [01206 500900] / Oct 28 - MANCHESTER, University Main Debating Hall [0161-832 1111] / Oct 29 - NEWCASTLE, Whitley Bay Dome [0191-454 4494] / Oct 30 - GLASGOW, Old Fruitmarket [0141-287 5511] / Oct 31 - LEEDS, Irish Centre [0113 245 5570] ==> MAGMA <============================================================== Oct 27 - ANGERS (France), Le Chabada / Nov 03 - GENEVE (Switzerland), L'Usine / Nov 04 - VERNOUILLET (France), La Scene / Nov 10 - EVREUX (France), L'Abordage / Nov 17 - LYON (France), Le Kaos / Nov 18 - MARSEILLE (France), Espace Julien / Nov 23 - MULHOUSE (France), Le Noumatrouff / Nov 24 - NANCY (France), Salle Poirel / Dec 22 - RENNES (France), Salle de la Cite ==> SUPERSISTER <======================================================== Updates at: http://www.stips.net ==> BARBARA THOMPSON'S PARAPHERNALIA <=================================== Oct 14 - NORWICH, Arts Centre / Oct 15 - LICHFIELD, Guildhall / Oct 19 - EXETER, Phoenix / Oct 21 - MILTON KEYNES, The Stables / Oct 27 - KENDAL, Brewery Arts Centre / Oct 28 - STOCKTON-ON-TEES, The Ark / Oct 29 - CHESTER, Alexander's Jazz Theatre Bar / Nov 01 - BANBURY-OXON, Mill Arts Centre / Nov 02 - POOLE, Arts Centre / Nov 03 - BATH, Arts Theatre / Nov 04 - NARBETH, Queen's Theatre / Nov 05 - HAYWARD'S HEATH, Clair Hall... followed by tours in Germany, Austria & Switzerland... and... Dec 01 - NORTHAMPTON, The Roadmender Paraphernalia will be promoting their latest CD – "Thompson's Tangos & Other Soft Dances" Line-up: Barbara Thompson (saxes & flute), Jon Hiseman (drums), Peter Lemer (keyboards), Billy Thompson (violin), Paul Westwood (bass) ================================================================================================================================================== END OF ISSUE 166_________________________________________________________________________ WHAT'S RATTLIN'? - WHAT'S RATTLIN'? - WHAT'S RATTLIN'?_________________________________________________________________________ CALYX - The Canterbury Website http://perso.club-internet.fr/calyx THE ULTIMATE ONLINE CANTERBURY DISCOGRAPHY http://perso.club-internet.fr/calyx/cantdisco WHAT'S RATTLIN'? BACK ISSUES - ONLINE ARCHIVE http://musart.co.uk/watrat/watrat.htm + search engine : http://musart.co.uk/ssearch.htm * To subscribe, send me an e-mail with 'WR sub' in the subject line.* To send a message for inclusion in the next issue, send it with 'WR: [subject]' in the subject line.* If your e-mail address changes, please notify me and mention both your old and new addresses so I can remove the former and add the latter.* If you can no longer receive WR or don't want to anymore, don't forget to unsubscribe! (i.e. send me a message)* All contributions are welcome! Please write to: CALYX@club-internet.fr_________________________________________________________________________