----------What I offer to you, technically, is the soundtrack to the movie of the same title; however, "soundtrack" is a bit misleading. The film is a documentary of Fred Frith and his interactions with heavyweights of the late 80's avant-rock/improv scene (Tom Cora, John Zorn, and Arto Lindsay, to name a few). Again, "documentary" may not be the best word choice, for even the subtitle reads "A ninety minute celluloid improvisation by Nicolas Humbert and Werner Penzel". That is, Step Across the Border was shot through the sporadic filming of band practices (mainly Skeleton Crew, I believe), live performances, accidental conversations, and impromptu improvisations. Thus resulting in a collage of (i) music at moments resembling Frith's solo work but mostly in the vein of his 80's colloborative efforts (especially Art Bears and the aforementioned Skeleton Crew), (ii) found urban sound, and (iii) musings on art, life, and politics. No better is this, and dare I say Frith himself, encapsulated with this final scene.
But again, what I provide below is the soundtrack. Please do add this film to your Netflix queue, if not for its merits as a film, but at least for the wondrous integration of sound and vision. There is a certain tenderness to some of the shots, in particular those with René Lussier, wherein the improvisations take on an extremely melodic form, almost defiantly composed, yet obviously spontaneous. The only further musing I have is on the track 'Morning Song': I cannot shake the feeling that, with the use of the alarm as a rhythmic element, this track is a nod to Derek Bailey.
Note: Both this album and a DVD copy of the film can be purchased at the label link provided at the top of the post.
Note: Both this album and a DVD copy of the film can be purchased at the label link provided at the top of the post.
6 comments:
http://anythinggoes-jazzme.blogspot.com/2009/03/masayoshi-urabe-alto-sax-solo-psfd-81.html . This is a link from my blog " any genre goes " For another Masayoshi Urabe link , post it if you want but please use my link thanks Steve
this is sooooooo good.
glad you like it alex! when i was watching this (the film), i had to hold back every urge to treat it like an album.
Probably the best music documentary ever made.
Totally awesome :O
I designed the Orthotonics "Luminous Bipeds" (1986) cover for Fred, who was the producer.
You might find this interesting.
We refer to it as "Analog Music from a Lost World" -- previously unreleased post-punk experimental rock from 1981, unlike anything else recorded before or after.
"It’s out there but a really good listen...some awesome experimental work." — Richmond Playlist
"It’s challenging music made by a collection of people who know what the f_ck they’re talking about when it comes to records...fantastic record...holds its own unique feel and straight weirdness. What more could you want?" -- anuncontrollableurge.com
"...enjoyed it immensely! Odd, odd sounds, but funky in a twisted way." — snapcrackleandpops.blogspot.com
"It's amazing!" -- Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock
"...pretty weird: mixtures of grrl band vocals, psych rock and spaced-out guitar, and 60s style poetic verse.
Pretty weird, in the good way." — g-spotlight.blogspot.com
“...lovely and odd...” -- No Rock and Roll Fun.com
"...some hefty grooves, and plenty of 'holy shit" moments'. It's a spacious but highly rewarding listen, and I wouldn't be surprised if some label makes an effort to press this on vinyl in the near future." -- ongakubaka.blogspot.com
Jason Sigal, Managing Director at WFMU said:
"This is amazing stuff and we would be honored to feature it in wfmu's curated portal on the free music archive. I'm very sorry for our slow response, we have a lot of stuff to wade through to find gems like these."
http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Karen_Cooper_Complex/
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