2009
In that light, a couple of little things that might be interesting. First up, Puremagnetik has a new Micropak out this morning, B-System: Percussives, which is short, sharp samples from a Buchla 200e. This is intriguing on a couple of levels, as (a) it's probably useful, and (b) it strongly implies they'll be doing other Buchla sample sets. Downloading it now.
Next, and the true point of this post. I'm pondering writing a (shortish) book, at my wife's behest. The reason for this pondering is that I noticed both with the Delia Derbyshire posts and the Pierre Schaeffer comments in the previous thread that some people were like "who the fuck?" I thought it might be interesting to make a primer of sorts with a section on each of the people that comprise the core of the birth of electronic music. I remarked to Adam this morning that for many people the sun rises and sets with Bob Moog and Wendy Carlos, and that's actually a bit sad, as there are people that certainly deserve common recognition but have thus far managed to avoid the limelight.
Obviously, this would not be a learned textbook, but rather a creative overview, as is my wont. In that light, I'm trying to compose a list of who might be included, in order to determine what I might be in for. So far, I have the following:
Delia Derbyshire, Pierre Schaeffer, Bruce Haack, Piero Umiliani, Louis and Bebe Barron, Maurice Martenot, Luigi Russolo (maybe), Evgeny Murzin (tough to find info on), Herbert Eimert, Raymond Scott (possibly), Pietro Grossi.
Obviously, I'm not interested in making a complete Tome On The History Of Electronic Music, as there are many unreadable examples of same, but rather just a little primer on some people that should be known, and putting it in a nice collectible package. I imagine there will be many, many people that should be on that list but aren't. While that's certainly true, I'm not really interested in people that didn't have a measurable impact on things. It's like the Vikings discovering America. When Christopher Columbus discovered it, it stayed discovered. I don't really care about what someone did in their garden shed if it can't be put in the timeline with following events. (I'm thinking of that Polish woman who's name escapes me right now.)
Anyhow, if there's names that shouldn't be in that list that are, or names that should be that aren't, I'm willing to hear arguments. And if you're planning on just posting a name or list of names with no support and making me look each one up, seriously, you know the drill here. Support your argument with, like, facts and stuff or don't bother.
posted March 25, 2009 by the83
(In that vein, I look askance at Bruce Haack. He creeps me out, and his contributions are arguable.)
-CR
posted March 25, 2009 by Chris Randall
So very glad to see the Barrons on that list! Yay Louis & Bebe!
And terribly disappointing to see just how many people were unaware of Derbyshire and Schaeffer, or the guy that mentioned 'Nancy' Ciani (and, seriously, how is such a mistake possible?).
My suggestion would be for Harald Bode- early instruments like the formant organ and melochord being rented or commissioned by many of the important early European EM studios, and his later vocoder and frequency-shifter designs were terribly important, too (and, in a nice bit of dovetailing, in the '79 Keyboard interview Ciani said she was working with him on a 'ducking/matting' vocoder... wonder what came of that?).
But again, Yay for the Barrons!
posted March 25, 2009 by wavingpalms
posted March 25, 2009 by natehaas
Anyway, this is only tangentially related but I was thinking the other day "Man, it was intriguing when CR was talking about the big analog desk at Trax or whatever Re: early Chicago production techniques— I'd like to know more about that."
So, you know, feel free to totally change the focus of your book from early electronic to 'early dance'. You know ... if you want to?
Kidding. But really, if you have any URLs / other reading recs that would be great. Sorry for the diversion ...
posted March 25, 2009 by peterBING!
Perhaps Miles Davis/Teo Macero, for their use of the recording studio, or Yasunao Tone, for being as close to the inventor of digital glitch as anyone?
And Tod Dockstader wrote music for Tom&Jerry cartoons, which I think makes him that much more cool.
posted March 25, 2009 by shamann
posted March 25, 2009 by AntonTV
Sorry, dude, for my error. It's too bad I got her last name right, or you'd have a point.
posted March 25, 2009 by dualphin
You also might be interested in a radio series I produce called The Tone Generation. It is now in its 14th episode and covers the unsung pioneers of early electronic music. The first ten shows each focus on a different country and its composers whilst the last 4 shows have looked at subjects such as early computer music, electronics in jazz, electronics in dance and we did an Expo 67 special too. It is presented by DIY synth builder, artist and film maker Ian Helliwell. Get it from my website www.simonsound.co.uk/sound
Simon
posted March 25, 2009 by simon james
