Rooster_Ties Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 (edited) Just saw this on The Bastards' website, and it -- shall we say -- caught my eye... Oakland Elementary School Arkestra (w/ Marshall Allen, Terry Riley, Fred Frith) Label: Modern Harmonic, Recording time period: Mid 90's https://www.dustygroove.com/item/888724?cat=jazz One of the coolest records of school kid music you could ever hope to own – and not just because avant legends Terry Riley, Fred Frith, and Marshall Allen each make an appearance on the project! In fact, even without those big names, the music here would still be tremendous – as it stems from a unique project in the Oakland public school system – one that introduces young grade school children to music, even if they've never performed together – combining all their efforts into a large ensemble with some really tremendous results! The lineup shifts from track to track, but there's a really unified vibe here – as reed, string, and percussion players are all finding a space to come together – often with phrasing and rhythms that are primitive, but with very modern edges – maybe like some of the larger projects by Moondog. Some of the kids are really impressive on their solos, and the overall ensemble sound is wonderful – maybe earthier than even some of the early Arkestra recordings on Saturn. This release brings together music from obscure CD and cassette releases in the 90s – with over 30 tracks in all, including "Bambi Meets Godzilla", "Waves", "Help I'm Drowning In A Sea Of Harmony", "Fireclouds", "Crazy Strings", "Excuse Me Ms Steigerwald", "Double Bock Double Rock", and a version of the Sun Ra tune "Planet Earth". Edited September 22, 2018 by Rooster_Ties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 https://theoaklandelementaryschoolarkestra.bandcamp.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted September 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 Only $33 on colored vinyl too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 I want the Sun Ra colouring book ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted September 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 4 minutes ago, sidewinder said: I want the Sun Ra colouring book ! OK, I missed seeing that. I want one too! -- probably way more than the music.. Also includes a printable version of our Interplanetary Activity Book! (Sun Ra coloring book) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted September 23, 2018 Report Share Posted September 23, 2018 (edited) https://theoaklandelementaryschoolarkestra.bandcamp.com/album/the-thornhill-sound My grade school, some time after my departure, under the direction of my old friend and a local hero, Randy Porter. Thornhill isn't what it once was (at least what I can tell from afar); it was progressive, even "experimental" in the early sixties. Edited September 23, 2018 by BeBop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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