Search - Tod Dockstader, Paul Dresher, Joseph Kasinskas :: From A to Z

From A to Z
Tod Dockstader, Paul Dresher, Joseph Kasinskas
From A to Z
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Special Interest, New Age, Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

From A to Z offers ten enticing selections of compelling, engaging electroacoustic music. It?s a specially priced compilation that?s an excellent introduction to the Starkland label. The diverse music ranges from Tod Docks...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Tod Dockstader, Paul Dresher, Joseph Kasinskas, Joseph Lukasik, Pamela Z, Charles Amirkhanian, Philip Bimstein
Title: From A to Z
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Starkland
Original Release Date: 1/1/1993
Re-Release Date: 7/24/1994
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Special Interest, New Age, Pop, Classical
Styles: Ambient, Electronica
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 754702020322

Synopsis

Album Description
From A to Z offers ten enticing selections of compelling, engaging electroacoustic music. It?s a specially priced compilation that?s an excellent introduction to the Starkland label. The diverse music ranges from Tod Dockstader?s powerful musique concrète to the digitally sampled bovine vocalizing in Phillip Kent Bimstein?s udderly charming portrait of a Utah farmer. The CD opens with three excerpts from Starkland?s two Dockstader CDs (?Quatermass? and ?Apocalypse?), both widely praised in over 25 highly positive reviews. Bimstein?s piece (from his ?Garland Hirschi?s Cows? Starkland CD) combines comments from both Utah farmer Garland Hirschi and his cows, in a delightfully mooving work that has triggered hundreds of calls to radio stations. Paul Dresher?s Underground (from his ?Casa Vecchia? Starkland CD) uses a custom-built multi-track tape loop system that starts with a few simple synthesizer sounds and creates a lovely, layered, languidly flowing composite. Joseph Kasinskas creates refreshingly straightforward, often ritualistic music. The Rider, for marimba, gongs and digital echo, is part of a large theater work, Demeter?s Lament. Techno whiz Joseph Lukasik syncs multiple synthesizers and samplers to create the richly atmospheric Utamaro?s Dreams. The ?funny, inventive and talented? (Village Voice) Pamela Z blends extended vocal techniques and delay units with riveting, and sometimes humorous, results. This CD has her hauntingly personal In Tymes of Olde and the dark, harp-accompanied Obsession. Charles Amirkhanian?s Vers Les Anges (from his ?Walking Tune? Starkland CD) merges sampled sounds, related to the extraordinary life of Nicholas Slonimsky, into a mysteriously evocative collage.
 

CD Reviews

Inventive
Allen Salyer | Troy, MI United States | 01/10/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation features 7 little-known, highly imaginative American composers. Phillip Kent Bimstein's "Garland Hirchi's Cows" combines comments from both the Utah farmer and his cows to create a wonderful, whimsical piece. Charles Amirkhanian uses sonic calliope, roulette wheel and chirping birds to form "Vers Les Anges." San Francisco performer Pamela Z works primarily with voice creating lush vocals textures. Using Tarzan howls, toucan squalks and MIDI controllers "In Tymes Of Old" she sings about the good old days. Paul Dresher layers loops and high-pitched sonics that cut through the dark clouds like sunbeams in "Underground." Tod Dockstader's electronic music reminds me of the "Fantastic Planet Soundtrack.""