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2006.05.29Drums of Deaf
More extreme drumming ...
This time provided by Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt at a phenomenally loud gig at The Luminaire, another classic night out from Upset The Rhythm!.
Clicky below for a video clip. Caution: Contains loud music. I can't hear very well today.
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2006.05.17
Chris Corsano
Free-Jazz Drumming.
Some video clips of Chris Corsano playing with Barr at the Luminaire in Kilburn last night. Corsano's drumming was hypnotic, first time I'd seen him live, but he must be seen again. Preferably without Barr, who rather spoiled it for me - Corsano seemed a bit trapped with the click-track and song format, though still managed to excel in that space.
Notable mentions to Temperatures and Birds Of Delay for great support slots. Magik Markers didn't really do it for me either. Thanks to Upset The Rhythm! for another excellent line-up.
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2006.02.14
Wearing my heart on my sleeve...
for Angie.
Music: "Lovin' You" by Minnie Ripperton
Idea inspired by Paul Bruty 0 Comments: -
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2005.11.16
HH Echo Unit
After years of hunting
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HH Echo Unit
– already installed at bottom of stack
I've been wanting an HH Electronics Echo Unit since I first played with one belonging to Chris years ago, but it's proven hard to find one. Eventually one cropped up on Ebay earlier this month, but due to a browser crash I missed a last minute attempt to grab it. However it seems fate was on my side, and the winning bidder didn't complete, thus risingpete gave me the chance to purchase.
This is the unit that makes the warm echo sound on Delicate Release, and try as I've might I've never been able to get quite the same effect, with either other tape delays (I've also got a Roland RE-201 Space Echo... any offers?), digital delays or software. I just had to have one - even if I can't afford it at the moment.
Of course, a poor craftsman blames his tools, so I'm now going to have to get down to making some more music I'm happy with - when I get some time...
6 Comments:
Hi, do you still have the HH tape echo? On my unit one of the two inputs is not working propparly and was wondering if yors does both and if you have a copy user or service manual for me? What replacement tape do you use?Thanks in advance.
I do still have the unit - though not getting to sue it as much as I would like.Both of the inputs on it work very well for me, though I tend to use input 2 (from a line level input) as the gain seems to be slightly different on it and more suitable to my needs.
I'm afraid I don't have the manual, and I've not (yet) replaced a tape in it, but I've been told you can get both the tapes and service manual here: www.majelectronic.co.uk
Nice nice, Im hoping myself will get a hold of one of these units one day
Dorian, you mentioned that you'd sell the 201. Still interested? Carl
Hi, i was wondering how much you paid for the tape echo unit??Cheers
John
I paid about £150 in the end, IIRC. Too long ago now to remember for sure! -
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2005.10.19
FontExplorer X
For the obsessive compulsive font hoarder
I've just found this, which has answered my prayers after years of trying to find a way - short of several trees being felled - of browsing all the fonts I have. Lino type have answered my prayers... and what's more it's free to download, presumably subsidised by the iTunes like interface to their shop.
I've not played with it fully yet, but the fact that it imported my font library like a flash and I can browse it easily has made my day.
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2005.04.20
Iiyama technical support
kudos for a call well handled.
I've been having problems with my Iiyama flatscreen display. I've generally been happy with it, but lately it's developed a fault with the VGA input.
I just placed a call with them which was one of the most efficient, helpful and friendly calls I've had in a long time. No waiting in a length queue, no horrible scripted support questions that patronise anyone but the most technologically inept, and my report has prompted them to send me a replacement monitor out on Friday.
Good work Iiyama!
And At the same time : "YA BOO SUCKS" to Sony. Apparently my 3 year old Video projector isn't worthy of repair as it's warranty has expired, and they don't actually provide any repair service for out of warranty products, or recomendation of repair service. Neither do Micro Anvika who I bought it from. I won't be buying any
Sony products again if I can help it.
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2005.01.15
QuickSilver
Object orientated productivity
QuickSilver is what it's creator, Blacktree Inc., call "An evolving framework for accessing and manipulating many forms of personal data." ... to me its a huge step forward in the way computers should work, and I can't wait to see how they extend it's functionality in future, especially with Tiger.
It addresses a flaw I've long found in computers which is an emphasis on application and operating system, rather than an emphasis on documents and tasks which seems much more practical.
To this end one extension I could see being great for QuickSilver - though maybe this is the programmer/CLI geek in me - is being able to access the script facilities of programs directly. So, for example, you could call up iTunes and then have access to all of the simple functions in the AppleScript Dictionary for that album that could operate on a third parameter. In a way this would give a shell/CLI like interface to windowed applications.
Having written that I'm guessing that it is probably me that would want it. It's also a bit like something I'd like to see in a shell, which is a way of simplifying parameter completion, which would be pretty hard to do in a shell context, but would work in the visual context that QuickSilver provides.
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2004.10.28
Streetmusic Arabe
Nettle / Nass El Ghiwane / DJ/Rupture at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
A night of music representing the development of arabic music by the influence of western styles.
Nettle started the evening with the geeky looking Jace Clayton (DJ/Rupture) introducing the players. Buidling upon live precussion and string parts Clayton added to this his own style of sampling and controlled maniupulation to extend the sounds off. At times the three musicians seemed to simple be on stage together by accident, each looking equally at odds with the other. Abdel Hak, on strings, looked like he had simply been placed on the stage, unaware of the audience around him, perhaps a reflection of his skill in the form of experience. The percussionist, Grey Filistine, looked uncomfortable in his suit, but then when they started to move into the music together you could see his eyes becoming entracned by his rhythms. The music all started to form together and the group achieved their potential. These moments more than made up for the moments where it didn't quite seem to work.
They were followed by Nass El Ghiwane. They built up some amazing trance rhythms whlst playing with their audience and eliciting some amazing vocal harmonies. Their longstanding ability and the comfort of the line-up working with each other was apparent with the ease with which they worked together and built up the songs, proving that this 30 year old, ever changing line up, can still engage. So beautiful it's left me lost for how to describe.
After a short interval DJ/Rupture returned to the stage, this time as DJ. A difficult taks to pull of he is a DJ, not a turntablist, and watching someone play records in a seated venue isn't the best exepriece. Non the less he should some excellent skills, quickly mixing between arabic vocal tracks on to break beats and layering them together. At times it was difficult to tell if he was actually mixing his skills were so seemless. His skills here show that he has the capability to be a good producer and emphaise what can be achieved by Nettle.
Following DJ/Ruptue were Clotaire K an Egyptian and Lebanese HipHop band. I couldn't really get into this, and ended up leaving after 4 songs. I think perhaps it would have made more impact had I been able to understand what they were singing (mostly in French) but otherwise it was a bit lost on me. And perhaps the wrong type of band to be following up the other artists, too intense in the theatrical nature of their performance.
It was nice to see Jace Clayton and Grey Filastine hanging out in the foyer during the interval, helping tout their wares, rather than hiding backstage.
StreetMusic Arabe
Post World Industries (Grey FIlastine)
The Agriculture (Nettle) 0 Comments: -
2004.10.15
Chris Watson - Weather Report
Field recordings from a former Cabaret Voltaire member.
John bought me Weather Report for my birthday last year, and I've been enjoying it ever since. It pops up on my iPod from time to time, and when I'm listening to home. I particulary enjoyed playing around with it on Final Scratch.
I recently also picked up "Outside the Circle of Fire" which has got some amazing recording on it. Again had some comedy moments going "Owl's, in London?" only to realise it's a track off of this CD picked up on Random. Such are the quality of his field recordings.
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2004.10.10
William Shatner - Has Been
In particular, "I can't get behind that" with Henry Rollins, and "You'll have time"
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