Pat Thomas's commentary in booklet for The Complete Songs:According to Tim Lawrence’s biography of Arthur Russell,Hold On to Your Dreams, Allen Ginsberg first saw Arthurplaying cello with the Kailas Shugendo Mantric Sun Band ina San Francisco park in 1971. Ginsberg recalled that Arthur“was wearing a strange composite Buddhist uniform, semi‑military, semi‑Mongolian.” The two men quickly bonded over“music, poetry, and Buddhism,” and they began playing musictogether—focusing on Ginsberg’s Blake adaptations. Accordingto witnesses, the blend of Allen’s harmonium and Arthur’s cellowas delightful, and they worked on Hindu devotional songs(bhajans) together as well.Alan Senauke: "Arthur Russell was young, a very good musicianand quiet—nothing assertive about him at all. You’d never imag‑ine this guy would become a figure in the avant‑garde or punkscene. There was great depth there that I didn’t get to see. Hewas very easy to work with."Allen asked Arthur to join him at recording sessions during Julyand August 1971, in San Francisco at Pacific High Studios.
Thomas also quotes AG producer (also rock writer and Beatles' Zapple label manager) Barry Miles's book In The Seventies for background on Arthur's situation at this point:Allen . . . wanted to tape more Blake songs as well as somemantras. For this we needed musicians and Allen made contactwith a Japanese Tantric Buddhist sect, known for their choir andinstrumentalists, who lived in San Francisco in an old house at2362 Pine. They were called Kailas Shugendo (Yamabushi) andpracticed fire-walking. Their leader was a stocky Mussolini-jawed Russian who spoke perfect English and claimed to havebeen in Tibet, though he was unwilling to tell me exactly wherein Tibet or to name any towns when I asked him. His followersknew him as Ajari or Vajrabhodi but he went under the name ofMister Warwick in the outside world (later Dr. Warwick).Their religious practices included running an ambulance rescueservice that specialized in fire-related incidents like getting peopleout of plane crashes and fires, as well as mountain climbing,playing country and western music and daily fire rituals of sev-eral kinds . . . I understood that Ajari came on much too strongfor most women, and those that were there were coupled upwith men in the group. Allen asked one of them if they had sex.She was driving us back to Grant and Columbus at the time.She turned her head from the road and looked Allen coldly inthe eye and said, “Well it’s Tantric Buddhism so it’s Tantric sex,you know.” Allen was very intrigued by the whole subject buther attitude showed she was not interested in saying any morethan that. Allen nodded knowingly, though he didn’t know andwanted to very much.Thomas continues:From this group of reprobates, Arthur Russell emerged. Hejoined up with Allen and played on the San Francisco recordingsessions that summer as well as the November 1971 First Bluessessions in New York, and soon moved there. Flutist JonathanMeyer remembers that: “Arthur Russell was involved in a quasi‑Tibetan Buddhist cult. We called him ‘Jigme,’ which is a Tibetanname (meaning ‘fearless’). Arthur was a very good cello player.He eventually dropped out of that cult.”There’s just over five minutes of the 1971 mantras in the Holy Soul,Jelly Roll boxed set, but since we’ve sourced the original uneditedmaster tape for this release, that five‑minute Padmasambhavamantra titled “Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum”—which translates as “body speech mind diamond teacher lotus poweramen”—has been expanded into a soul‑searching, mind‑expand‑ing twelve minutes! (In addition, two more unreleased mantras inthe five‑ to six‑minute range are included on Disc 2.)Jonathan Meyer: 'I don’t remember what the source was forthe music that Allen was using for these mantras—if he gotthem from monks or what—but the whole thing was fun! Allendefinitively had a very nice musical sense. I think Allen justreally wanted to make a record."
― dow, Monday, 15 May 2017 19:52 (six years ago) link
Those First Blues tracks with Arthur, mentioned by Thomas above, were incl. in last year's expanded AG reissue, The Last Word On First Blues.
― dow, Monday, 15 May 2017 19:56 (six years ago) link
To clarify (and then I'll shut up about this), here's the tracks incl. AR on Ginsberg's Complete Songs of Innocence and Experience (out 6.23.17) DISC 2: BLAKE SONGS1. A Cradle Song2. The Divine Image3. Spring4. Nurses Song5. Infant Joy6. A Dream7. On Another Sorrow8. Holy Thursday9. The Fly10. The School Boy11. The Voice Of The Ancient BardMANTRAS12. Padmasambhava Mantra13. Om Namah Shivaye14. Roghupati RaghavaTracks 1, 5–7, 9–11 originally issued onHoly Soul Jelly Roll: Poems And Songs 1949–1993,Rhino R2 71693 (1994)Tracks 2–4, 8, 12–14 previously unissuedArthur Russell: celloJon Meyer: fluteAllen Ginsberg: vocals, finger cymbals, harmonium,Tibetan thighbone trumpetPeter Hornbeck: violin, violaJon Sholle: guitarAlan Senauke: mandolinReverend Adjari & Buddhist Chorus (Tracks 12–14)Tracks 1–11:Words by William BlakeMusic by Allen GinsbergTuned by Allen Ginsberg in Cherry Valley, N.Y. 1968Tracks 12–14:Old Tibetan Mantra(s) of PadmasambhavaTuned by Allen Ginsberg (presumably in San Francisco 1971)Produced by Barry MilesRecorded at Pacific High Studios,San Francisco, July–August 1971Master for Disc 2 was taken from a Scotch Tapebox inscribed: “Arthur Russell’s Copy – Allen Ginsberg”
― dow, Monday, 15 May 2017 22:18 (six years ago) link
The Necessaries' Event Horizon reissued in September:https://www.bewithrecords.com/products/the-necessaries-event-horizon-lp#product
Russell's keyboard melody on "Driving And Talking At The Same Time" keeps popping up in my head out of nowhere very regularly, I'll get the reissue just for that song.
― willem, Thursday, 27 July 2017 13:32 (six years ago) link
That's great news. Awesome album cover, too.
― Le Bateau Ivre, Thursday, 27 July 2017 13:43 (six years ago) link
"More Real" on that is one of my fave Arthur tunes. Absolutely amazing and so shifty.
― in twelve parts (lamonti), Friday, 28 July 2017 17:57 (six years ago) link
A lot of unreleased stuff on this weeks RA podcast
Tracklist /Arthur Russell - Another Thought Arthur Russell - See Through Arthur Russell - Unknown/unreleased (from World Of Echo test pressing) Indian Ocean - Unknown/unreleased Arthur Russell – Unknown/unreleased (from World Of Echo Test Pressing) (Soon-To-Be Innocent Fun / Let's See??) Arthur Russell - Hiding Your Present From You Arthur Russell - This Is How We Walk On The Moon Jah Wobble / The Edge / Holger Czukay - Hold On To Your Dreams Lola - Wax The Van Arthur Russell - I Like You Indian Ocean - This Is How We Walk On The Moon (Unreleased version from Sleeping Bag Test Pressing TLX-3) Arthur Russell - Hop On Down Arthur Russell - You And Me Both Arthur Russell - Wax The Van (with extra dubbing by Dan Tyler) Loose Joints? - Let’s Go Play Baseball?? (Unreleased acetate) Loose Joints - Is It All Over My Face (Female version) Nicky Siano - Tiger Stripes (Re-Edit) Loose Joints - Tell You Arthur Russell - See My Brother, He's Jumping Out (Let’s Go Swimming #2) Indian Ocean - Schoolbell / Treehouse Dinosaur - Kiss Me Again (Unreleased Japanese version) Dinosaur L - Go Bang (Unreleased version from acetate) Loose Joints - The Only Usefulness (Unreleased acetate) Arthur Russell - Lucky Cloud Loose Joints - Pop Your Funk (7-inch version) The Necessaries - The Finish Line Indian Ocean - Untitled/unreleased (from Sleeping Bag Test Pressing) Arthur Russell - A Little Lost
https://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?id=594
― I am using your worlds, Monday, 16 October 2017 11:05 (six years ago) link
Possibly the greatest RA podcast yet.
― Acid Hose (Capitaine Jay Vee), Monday, 16 October 2017 12:19 (six years ago) link
OMFG
― sleeve, Monday, 16 October 2017 14:18 (six years ago) link
These unreleased tracks are SO GOOD
― paolo, Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:51 (six years ago) link
yes they are!
― sleeve, Tuesday, 24 October 2017 14:05 (six years ago) link
yeah, pretty cool that there is still stuff this strong in the archives! this one sent me back to a very old beats in space show w/ some other unreleased stuff: http://www.beatsinspace.net/playlists/440
― tylerw, Tuesday, 24 October 2017 14:20 (six years ago) link
If anyone wants this to listen to on-the-go I can Dropbox it. They stopped the download facility on it.
― Kat Slater Slag meme. (jed_), Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:08 (six years ago) link
i would be into that ...
― tylerw, Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:16 (six years ago) link
please.
― by the light of the burning Citroën, Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:35 (six years ago) link
I'll upload it overnight and post the link tomorrow.
― Kat Slater Slag meme. (jed_), Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:40 (six years ago) link
thanks. I subscribed on iTunes just for this but was too late for the d/l if there ever was one
― Jeff W, Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:42 (six years ago) link
There was for a bit.
― Kat Slater Slag meme. (jed_), Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:43 (six years ago) link
As far as I can tell they changed it because they didn't want unreleased tracks to be available at a decent quality. I get and don't get the politics of that but I can't imagine it would apply to anyone here, regardless.
― Kat Slater Slag meme. (jed_), Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:45 (six years ago) link
thank you thank you. this mix is incredible.
― kurt schwitterz, Thursday, 26 October 2017 22:59 (six years ago) link
That old Beats In Space show with Ted Knutsen is a gem as well
― in twelve parts (lamonti), Friday, 27 October 2017 08:12 (six years ago) link
Steve right?
― dan selzer, Friday, 27 October 2017 13:22 (six years ago) link
Steve! Yeah, it is great — that hip hop remix is awesome. Is there any more of that kinda thing floating around?
― tylerw, Friday, 27 October 2017 13:59 (six years ago) link
sorry, I forgot to post the link, here it is an an mp3
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Friday, 27 October 2017 20:49 (six years ago) link
https://mega.nz/#!BmonTSBQ
https://mega.nz/#!BmonTSBQ!iguPx7jyWLTPEfLzs7b2b1VZ_QKzkOsh3I9AjrPKoyQ
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Friday, 27 October 2017 20:50 (six years ago) link
thank, man!
― tylerw, Friday, 27 October 2017 22:24 (six years ago) link
Thanks so much Jed
― albvivertine, Friday, 27 October 2017 23:21 (six years ago) link
you're welcome!
― Susan Stranglehands (jed_), Friday, 27 October 2017 23:39 (six years ago) link
xp doh sorry Steve Knutsen, Audika dude.
― in twelve parts (lamonti), Saturday, 28 October 2017 08:20 (six years ago) link
Jed you legend <3
― Le Bateau Ivre, Saturday, 28 October 2017 19:37 (six years ago) link
Just got a bandcamp notification about a new album called Iowa Dream. One song, “You Did It Yourself”, available now.
― Jeff W, Friday, 4 October 2019 15:10 (four years ago) link
brilliant news. love the track. thanks!
― What a ridiculous clusterfuck of totally uncool jokers (jed_), Friday, 4 October 2019 15:22 (four years ago) link
Can't wait to hear this!
― Maresn3st, Friday, 4 October 2019 17:17 (four years ago) link
Presumably this is from a forthcoming album?
― I am using your worlds, Friday, 4 October 2019 17:20 (four years ago) link
yes
― sleeve, Friday, 4 October 2019 17:21 (four years ago) link
Oops’ I see I misread. One of the tracks is out on Spotify already. Looking forward to Iowa Dream
― I am using your worlds, Friday, 4 October 2019 17:21 (four years ago) link
on a separate note, I had no idea that Audika label head Steve Knutson has a long history of involvement with Tommy Boy and Wax Trax.
― sleeve, Friday, 4 October 2019 17:27 (four years ago) link
Nice!! Seems like this is gonna be Love Is Overtaking Me pt. 2
― J. Sam, Friday, 4 October 2019 19:08 (four years ago) link
Love Is Overtaking Me is the only country album I've ever enjoyed
― paolo, Friday, 4 October 2019 20:18 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGtQASRq2Ak&feature=youtu.be
― sleeve, Friday, 4 October 2019 20:35 (four years ago) link
dammit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGtQASRq2Ak
― sleeve, Friday, 4 October 2019 20:36 (four years ago) link
ah, there are at least a couple other good country albums! even if i probably prefer bluegrass and/or western swing.
― Calpico Girlfriend (rushomancy), Friday, 4 October 2019 20:44 (four years ago) link
so hey, while this is being revived for other purposes, i'm just going to ask:
what's a good starting place with this dude? i had first thought best thought for a while and i really liked the first run of tracks on disc one, but the rest of it kind of lost me. i know he was kind of all over the place, ranging from house records to modern composition. i seem to recall hearing this one back during my tower records tenure, but i don't think i was quite hip to the vibe just yet. perhaps a revisit would be worthwhile in that case.
so, my question is: what's the one disc that will showcase the best representation of what makes his music awesome?
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Friday, 4 October 2019 20:48 (four years ago) link
well that comp (The World Of Arthur Russell) is the best place to start IMO
after that, I'd say maybe Calling Out Of Context? They are all pretty different
― sleeve, Friday, 4 October 2019 20:49 (four years ago) link
Or the Another Though album perhaps?
― stirmonster, Friday, 4 October 2019 21:19 (four years ago) link
I would say Another Thought and World Of Echo
― Maresn3st, Friday, 4 October 2019 21:33 (four years ago) link
Or the Nick The Record RA podcast above
― paolo, Friday, 4 October 2019 21:40 (four years ago) link
Well, it depends on what you're looking for; he was restless and at home on quite a range--for me, the gateway was The World of because I was looking for this guy, described in a blurb on the shrinkwrap: In The early 80s, Russell brought the avant-garde with futuristic music that inspired people like Phili[ Glass, Francois K, David Byrne and many more. He blurred the line between Disco, Classical, Jazz and Dub." Another blurb doesn't bother with the namedropping: "a thrill-a-minute collection of dubbed-out-disco, echo-laden acoustics, reverberating vocals and horns. Wonderful!"According to his bandcamp, the new album will have some of this approach and the "dream-bicycle" Great Plains jingle-jangle of Love Is Overtaking Me as well.
― dow, Saturday, 5 October 2019 00:50 (four years ago) link
brought the avant-garde to the dance floor, that is. He told Allen Ginsberg that he was going for "Buddhist bubblegum," though he went for several other things as well.
― dow, Saturday, 5 October 2019 00:52 (four years ago) link