They Compared it to Morton Feldman for Christ's sake.

1. I just finished reading an interview with Chris Hedges, war journalist and writer, in this month's issue of The Sun. I find myself quite struck by what he has to say, and how he says it, one of the better interviews (short) I have read in some time. I recommend seeking it out for sure. I would write more about it, but it just needs to be read, I think.

2. I received in the mail today a stunningly beautiful new cd. Yes, it is from my dear friend Christian Kiefer, yes we have made records together, yes my lauding of his work could be seen as a conflict of interest. But I don't care. The design is REALLY magnificent, and the music...well...wonderful. Just wonderful.

From the label website:

"Low Cloud Means Death" is a series of sea-inspired improvisations that are fighting a continual battle with the silence between each note. This is sparse music at its finest. Minimal notes float in the air as Corcoran lays a web of various percussion beneath the organic layer Akiyama and Kiefer weave. The instrumentation is varied - Akiyama sticks to acoustic guitar while Kiefer splits time on accordian, piano, and other vices. What the trio produces ends up coming off like an all-improvised Morton Feldman or something of the like.

This is a journey on salt-encrusted waves, traipsing through empty spaces in search of whatever aural mystery can be found. It goes something like this: Thump. Quiet again. Twang thump. Quiet. Quiet. Still quiet. Distant blap. And let me tell you, it is one fantastic voyage."

If I were you, I would buy it.

As a matter of fact, it occurs to me that I should put up one of those lists full of suggestions about what to buy people for Christmas for those who are still stumped. Things that might have some greater meaning. Tomorrow perhaps.

Posted by jeff pitcher at December 12, 2008 03:14 PM

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