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Ram-headed serpent (1970)

Alan Davie

Alan Davie

Album title: The Alan Davie Music Workshop 001
Title: Ram-headed serpent (Track 01)
Publisher: ADMW Records, London
Date: 1970
Medium: record 30 cm
Edition: 99
Cover: Alan Davie

 

Alan Davie recorded the track Ram-Headed Serpent and the whole album The Alan Davie Music Workshop at Ding Dong Studio in Cornwall with Goudie Charles on the bass, Vince Clarke on the percussions, Douglas Cook on the piano and the xylophone, Mac Johns on the trombone and the bass and Janet Thomas on the violin. Davie played the saxophone, flute and xylophone. For the recording, Davie used a Tandberg 72B tape machine and released a vinyl LP limited to 99 copies.

The performance seems improvised, spontaneous and varied, reminiscent of the forms of free jazz that had developed in the 1960s. At the same time, a concrete composition can be discerned over the length of the piece, which gives the listener support and orientation. Davie develops an exciting alternation between free, energetic unfolding and quiet passages that open and close the musical arc.

PS