Friday, February 6, 2009

Clara Rockmore and Tallest Man on Earth



DC gave me like 8 gigs of avant-electronic stuff, which was a really good hook-up. A lot of it is weird vintage stuff, early experimentation with electronics, some of it pretty accessible and melodic actually. I've been listening to this Clara Rockmore album a lot, 2 songs, each about 25 minutes long. I thought it was vocals and piano but then DC pointed out that it is actually a theremin and a piano. If you don't know what a theremin is (which I didn't) check it out on youtube, it is pretty cool. Clara Rockmore was a Lithuanian violin prodigy but due to some malady resulting from malnutrition she couldn't play the violin at some point. She met the guy who was developing the theremin and helped him perfect the instrument. It is spooky the way when you listen closely it sounds like a human voice, and her control is amazing. The music is dark and sounds classical, great for late at night with a last drink.
I'm also listening to Tallest Man on Earth, a folk singer from Sweden. The guy sounds just like Bob Dylan when you first listen, and while that impression lingers he definitely stands up on his own, really worth checking out.

9 comments:

Jim Turbert said...

There is a documentary about the theremin called "Theremin" >>> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/
they talk about Clara Rockmore and her relationship with Leon Theremin, but they also talk to a bunch of people who used or were somehow involved with the instrument. The movie is at least worth checking out to hear crazy Brian Wilson talk about the theremin.

DC said...

Patrick Barrett rocks the Theremin. And the Speak N' Spell.

Gabino said...
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Gabino said...
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ator said...
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DC said...

What's with all the deleted comments, you jerks?

ator said...

hey FUCK YOU man!!! Its some kinda weird Internet vortex or something. just yolkin

actually, I posted something I didnt mean to on accident and deleted it a moment later, but didnt realize that it leaves a little "Post has been removed" msg or else I wouldve just corrected my original post with another one. Wont happen again.

The others were I believe Gabino, which by the way I didnt find offensive in any way so not sure why he shitcanned them

Big Steve said...

you are both shitcans! no, it is just a joke i am making.

Gabino said...

I'm all for the Shitcannery