Modern Adventures in Sound - Phil and Adam take us on a journey through sound - with news, events and music.
Mneme + Simon Fell (2002) Recorded at Bluecoat Arts Centre
This was recorded I think during the 2002 festival. Mneme was / is an acoustic string group that has had a number of different people playing either in it or with it. The original line up was Phil Hargreaves, Neil Murphy and Adam Webster, however cellist Simon Bradley from Leeds and Liverpool violinist Simon Jones have all played with some sort of regularity. Mneme have also been joined by a number of other string players, Simon Fell on this recording, Christoph Irmer, Andrea Martin and Jon Edwards.
Track length 7.33
Phil Hargreaves (cello), Neil Murphy (viola), Adam Webster (cello) Simon Fell (dbl bass)
FBB with Ben Patterson (2002) Recorded at Bluecoat Arts Centre
This was a performance of the Frakture Big Band with Ben Patterson, from Fluxus, who happened to be in Liverpool. The concert was split into two halves – one performing Ben Patterson’s graphic scores and the other half, dare I say it, free improvisation, of which this is one. There may be a couple of musicians, who I have accidentally missed out from the FBB line up too – such a transient group.
Look at http://www.patsfallgraphics.com/pages/patterson.html
Track length 13.05
Phil Hargreaves (sax / flute), Phil Lucking (trumpet), Neil Murphy (viola), Steve Hood (guitar), Adam Webster (cello), Rob Dainton (drums), Ricardo Fernandez (piano), John Wittington (guitar), Mole (sax), Ben Patterson (dbl bass), Martin Robinson (sax)
Swung Dash Recorded at Bluecoat Arts Centre 28 September 2001
This was recorded at possibly Swung Dash’s first gig, which was part of the Listening Room series of events. I think possibly even as a fill in for something else that didn’t happen. It is a predominantly Liverpool based quartet that nobody knows whether they exist as a quartet anymore. When a couple of the musicians were asked they said ‘I don’t know’.
Track length 8.08
Phil Morton (accidents and treatments), Phil Lucking (trumpet), Adam Webster (bass guitar), Budgie (drums)
FBB recorded at The Oratory, St James Cemetery, Liverpool
The Frakture Big Band is a large-scale improvising group from Liverpool. This was recorded as part of a project for 80 Days Around the City where the Frakture Big Band performed and recorded in the Picton Reading Room at Central Library, the Williamson Tunnels and St James’ Oratory, where this was recorded. And it was very very cold. The Picton Rooms and the Williamson Tunnels were performed in front of audiences however this was purely a recording session. Look at http://www.frakture.org/ensembles/fbb.htm
Phil Lucking (trumpet), Neil Murphy (viola), Adam Webster (cello), John Wittington (guitar), Mole (sax), Simon Jones (violin), Garfield Southall (guitar), Phil Morton (accidents and treatments), Tim Downey (guitar), Ray Dickaty (sax)
The Bohman Brothers are a London based duo that used to run the Bonnington Centre in Vauxhall. They are non-instrument based players whose performances are often wonderfully funny. Looking at http://www.xs4all.nl/~lukas/pagina/bohmans.htm will give you more extensive and better information than I could. Adam
Track Length 5.10
Adam Bohman (toys and other things), Jonathon Bohman (assorted stuff)
S & M (2006 ) Recorded at Wolstenholme Gallery at Frakture Festival
This was recorded at a gig during the 2007 Frakture festival. I personally like that lack of subtlety in the sound world, although there is plenty of subtleness in the playing and approach. I am particularly fond of the sound of the electronics on this piece. They also sound rude - ish. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=147496816 is where to go to hear more and even read a bit about them.
Track length 8.45
Simon Bradley (cello) Mark Webber (electronics)
Remote Viewers 24 April 2003 Recorded at Bluecoat Arts Centre
This is quite an unusual piece by Frakture’s general level as it uses beats – and even a song. With words. And melody. The Remote Viewers were very good at that. http://www.theremoteviewers.com/ is the place to find out more and more.
Track Length 7.51
Adrian Northover (Sax) Louise Petts (Sax) David Petts (Sax)
FBB with Brigitte Küpper (2004) Recorded at Arena Art Studios
This was recorded at Arena studios as part of 8 Days A Week Liverpool Cologne exchange. The performance was moving round the studios, with Brigitte, Ray Dickaty and Phil Lucking starting in the gallery space, and then moving around the building finding the rest of the Frakture Big Band. On this recording though, some of the FBB weren’t found, as they were hidden away in the very top of the building…
Track length 26.13
Phil Lucking (trumpet), Tim Downey (guitar and effects), Ray Dickaty (sax), Garfield Southall (guitar), Phil Morton (accidents and treatments), Neil Murphy (viola), john Whittington (guitar), Brigite Kupper (voice)