RIP Jim Ryan

 

News is spreading amongst the Improvised Music community of the passing of Woodwinds player, composer, visual artist, and poet Jim Ryan. I got to know Jim in about 2014, after having seen one of his bands a few years earlier. During that time, Jim was making major changes in his life. After several years apart, he and his sweetheart Millie had reconnected and resumed their romance. Hence, Jim was in process of making the decision to move to her in Washington D.C., one that he went through with. Within that dynamic, Jim was still generous with me, spending time making music and talking about things. A conversation with Jim was always characterized by passion. He felt his passions with great depth, and was not shy about voicing them. He was no push over! Here was a guy who, in his 80's, could be kind of scary and intimidating. That said, Jim Ryan was a really sweet soul. He traveled all over the place, making music and art and poetry. He was surely a guy that influenced plenty of people. Farewell Jim Ryan, the rich tapestries that you wove will not be forgotten.

Glen Weyant-cello forest; digital single, self released via Bandcamp 2023

 

Vermont-based sonic explorer Glen Weyant, in a recent email to his Bandcamp supporters, stated bluntly "...2023 sucked." Disaster Amnesiac felt sad to have read the sentiment, but was stoked by Weyant's inclusion of a free track, cello forest, that was attached to said email (and all the more so because it was sent as an mp3 unattached to Bandcamp's codes, which my old computer hasn't been able to read in a long time now). cello forest spends a bit over eight minutes showcasing Glen's facility with bowed cello playing, and it sounds wonderful. He sticks to standard bowing techniques as he probes the sonic field of what sounds like the entire soundboard of the instrument after starting from bass pizzicato. The action pretty much remains bowed for the rest of the piece, which also features a songbird that's decided to join in duet. Sweet moments there! Weyant coaxes a lot of great sounds from his cello on cello forest, and Disaster Amnesiac is happy to have been given a chance to hear them. Hopefully you'll have some better times in 2024 Glen!

Live shot #103!

 

Innuendo Trio, Berkeley Arts Festival circa 2015. Bigge Vinkeloe, Scott Looney, Donald Robinson.

Random Christmas time shot!

 

Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Tucson AZ 12/15/2023. May there be an end to suffering, collective and individual. May all people know peace within their souls. Merry Christmas.

Live shot #102!

 

Hogwind, Hemlock Tavern San Francisco; July 2017 or '18.

Philip Gayle-Mammoth Flower; Public Eyesore Records #156, 2023

 

Several weeks have passed since Disaster Amnesiac received Mammoth Flower, Philip Gayle's new recording for Public Eyesore. It's been a daunting process to try to review it, in large part due to my having noticed certain repeated tropes within reviews, tropes that, when noticed, became extremely aggravating. Sounds such as those produced on Mammoth Flower deserve better than that. Disaster Amnesiac has listened, many times, but just really doesn't want to get reductive about describing the album. Maximalist pieces such as the title track, wherein all sorts of musical elements, especially the wonderfully "inside/outside" alto sax of Shogo Ohshima, blend into a fantastical soundscape that evokes night scenes from Shinjuku or perhaps a jungle at its most dense spots, or Zone, with its glistening string slides and percussives, drop the listener into spaces that are almost overwhelming at times. It's been fascinating to note the astute uses of the multi-track recording process on both of them. This stuff is thick. Gayle also finds time for more reflective musical ruminations on geketsutoketsu, a sparse, spacious guitar piece worthy of Takoma Records (not that Public Eyesore is anything to sneeze at, mind you) and the similar minus inu. I Ain't Got No Think has Disaster Amnesiac tweaking as fingers skitter across strings and Omusubi-san and Fuuchan get primitive in the human vocal range, while TN 35 gets all SF Tape Music Center while pairing up with a returned Ohshima. Solo waterphone gets a lovely treatment on Ceann Ruadh Tiresias. An instrument with potential for such lovely, lonesome sounds, played well by Gayle. Richard Waters had a bit of a cranky side, or so I've heard, especially when it came to his opinions about musicians using his invented instrument. Surely he'd have heard the beauty within this track? 

Along with all of these wonderfully challenging sounds, Mammoth Flower is presented with groovy Abstract Expressionist painting by Kohei Akiba for its cover art. Wonderful stuff, full of blendings between lighter, brighter shades and darkness. Very cool. 

Philip Gayle traverses several distinct sonic approaches on Mammoth Flower and all of them are worthy of deep, dedicated listening. No platitudes present on it. Disaster Amnesiac hopes that they are also absent from this review. Sounds such as Philip Gayle's are worthy of deeper consideration.

The sounds that men make, when they're breaking down

 

It had been a number of years since Disaster Amnesiac played my copy of Candy Machine's 2004 CD before yesterday evening. For some reason, I just felt really compelled to do so and in fact did listen, at least until a scratch on the disc made it impossible after track ten. That being said, those first nine tracks......man. They are the sounds that men make when they're breaking down. Disaster Amnesiac must admit that I had befriended George Earth, the man behind this particular Candy Machine (and God knows, there must be at least a dozen musical projects with this same moniker over the decades), during the time of this recording, and was somewhat familiar with the dynamics within his life. These dynamics were mostly stressful as I recall, mostly alienating, mostly heartbreaking. When Earth sings longingly about an unnamed woman, I am pretty sure that I know who this woman is. When his verses document being broke and unable to participate in social functions of any nature, I recall his beat up car, used as a tour vehicle that he drove all over this country, hounding down gigs wherever he could find them. When he describes just generally being BROKEN, Disaster Amnesiac has a pretty clear idea about the whys and wherefores of that feeling that George had to endure for years.  Even when Earth has a female friend sing a few songs, several cuts deep into the album, the listener can still feel his angst through her intonations. Seriously, if you need a soundtrack to your breakdown (and I hope that it doesn't do permanent damage), seek out this recording from Candy Machine. Just try not to collapse permanently. 

A more subtle breakdown has been presented by Paul Simon on Seven Psalms. Mr. and Mrs. Amnesiac listened to it on Youtube, and we were both blown away by it. Just a bit over thirty minutes of sparse guitar and singing on it, and I swear I hear Jandek as an influence! As Simon gets into some WAY spiritual musings, the high lonesome vibes of his adopted Texas hill country are very much present. Paul seems to be documenting a much different type of breakdown than George on Seven Psalms, one that is characterized by the recognition of the lifting of the veil of mortality; Simon really does describe the beauty of letting go, of letting God be seen and felt within EVERYTHING. Its a musing and summing up of a human life that is closer to its final chapter. We all know how the breakdowns pile up during that phase, don't we? Disaster Amnesiac is not sure if he's accepted Christ as his Savior, but the possibility is indeed hinted at. So, the breakdown is quite different from the one documented by Earth. Still, a breakdown none the less. If you've not heard Seven Psalms, it's easily accessed, ad-free on Youtube. If for no other reason, check it out and then tell me if you hear the Corwood influence upon it. 

Are you breaking down? Have you broken down in the past? Of the myriad methods that a person can deal with a break down, music and art are among the best. Send Disaster Amnesiac your breakdown documents! I promise to listen and respond.