Tony Conrad - "Ten Years Alive On The Infinite Plain" 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, 2017 (Superior Viaduct)

A combination of Violin, something called the Long String Drone, and of course, the Bass Pulse is a blissful listening experience.  Ambient it's ain't because the music makes the listener pay full attention.  A good work to play loud, and a groove maker it is.   Tony Conrad had put together a multi-media presentation called "Ten Years Alive On The Infinite Plain" in 1972, and this is the recording of its soundtrack or music at the world famous Kitchen in New York City. 

I can't speak for the event because I wasn't there, but the music holds up significantly due to its length, and the skills of the three musicians on this specific piece.  Laurie Spiegel plays what I think is a bass guitar, but not sure.  The liner notes are not that clear what she's exactly playing.  Rhys Chatham plays the Long String Drone, an instrument made by Conrad.  It is a drone instrument, but it has a bass type of sound as well.  So the combination of the Bass Pulse and Chatham's playing of the Drone has a strong rhythmic foundation backing Conrad's cluster full of droning notes. 

As most things called Minimalism, this is actually a maximum piece of work.  Pure in mind, but complex in its structure and takes a physical stance playing this music.   Conrad had done performances of this piece using various instrumentation, but alas, those shows were not recorded (as far as I know), so the opening or premiere is what this album is.  The ultimate headphone laying on the floor with a pillow type of music. I love it. 

Donovan - "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" Vinyl, LP, Mono, Album, 1968 (Epic)

You can never go wrong with an album that is credited "A Mickie Most Production."   Beyond that, you can't normally go wrong with a Donovan album.  "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" album is the Donovan album that people don't talk or write about.  It has two hit singles "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (amazing) and the charming "Jennifer Juniper."  Of the Mickie Most / Donovan albums, this one is his most Indian/world/exotic instrument LP.  

First of all, Donovan is the most underrated singer of his generation.  A superb stylist, with jazzy overtones.   Two songs that stand out for me on "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" is "Peregrine" and "Tangier."  Both have a strong Indian / drone influence, and yet, Donovan makes it very much his own.  His approach to his songs is very much him.  There is really no other Donovan.  It's not only his voice but the presence and style of his music that makes him a very unique artist.   

There is also the "twee" image Donovan has cultivated over the years, but when I hear his music, I don't think of the softness, but the beautiful arrangements.  His psychedelia is different from say someone like the band Traffic (but close...) or the Fab Four.  Some of the "drone" songs were co-written by David J. Mills, a close friend of Donovan's.  "Teas" reminds me a bit of George Harrison, but I also hear Dave Brubeck's piano running through the mix as well.  John Paul Jones, although not credited on the sleeve was very much part of the album through his talent as an arranger.  It is rumored that Jimmy Page is on the album as well, but not proven.  For sure Clem Cattini did the drumming.  Nice to have a Joe Meek reference here.  Clem was the drummer for The Tornados.