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Duration: 6:40
This is the second of three pieces collectively called Urban Dance Music, for live sax and virtual (i.e., MIDI) ensemble, commissioned by a local ballet company. The first piece in the set, Late-Night Blues, was my first MacJams upload.
This version uses a MIDI sax, whereas when it is played live, a live sax player is used. I realize that a live sax sounds better, and if any alto sax players out there are good readers and want to do a collaboration, let me know. I also made a version of these three pieces that was performed in a concert last summer with a flutist, a live turntablist, and I played guitar.
This was sequenced using Digital Performer, and all sounds are from a Korg Trinity keyboard.
Here is an adaptation of the programme note from my website:
Industrial Park Stomp begins with an aggressive feel, as befits the title; think of a bunch of percussionists whacking things at an abandoned oil refinery or elsewhere in the industrial wasteland. The second section (with Balinese bells playing the theme) is more lyrical, and works its way eventually to a false ending, complete with the sound of a record-player needle stuck at the end of a record. The needle is hastily lifted off the “record” (this was all done with samples; no actual records were harmed), and the next section begins with a drum solo. Actually, there are two virtual “drummers” heard on separate speakers, who are soon joined by the saxophonist. This turns out to be a relatively lengthy transition section, and leads back to a return of the opening material, slightly varied. At the end, if you listen carefully, you should be able to hear birds, which have come perhaps to assess the damage done by all the aggressive dancing and pounding. 18 tracks were used to create all the percussion sounds in this piece.
This is the second of three pieces collectively called Urban Dance Music, for live sax and virtual (i.e., MIDI) ensemble, commissioned by a local ballet company. The first piece in the set, Late-Night Blues, was my first MacJams upload.
This version uses a MIDI sax, whereas when it is played live, a live sax player is used. I realize that a live sax sounds better, and if any alto sax players out there are good readers and want to do a collaboration, let me know. I also made a version of these three pieces that was performed in a concert last summer with a flutist, a live turntablist, and I played guitar.
This was sequenced using Digital Performer, and all sounds are from a Korg Trinity keyboard.
Here is an adaptation of the programme note from my website:
Industrial Park Stomp begins with an aggressive feel, as befits the title; think of a bunch of percussionists whacking things at an abandoned oil refinery or elsewhere in the industrial wasteland. The second section (with Balinese bells playing the theme) is more lyrical, and works its way eventually to a false ending, complete with the sound of a record-player needle stuck at the end of a record. The needle is hastily lifted off the “record” (this was all done with samples; no actual records were harmed), and the next section begins with a drum solo. Actually, there are two virtual “drummers” heard on separate speakers, who are soon joined by the saxophonist. This turns out to be a relatively lengthy transition section, and leads back to a return of the opening material, slightly varied. At the end, if you listen carefully, you should be able to hear birds, which have come perhaps to assess the damage done by all the aggressive dancing and pounding. 18 tracks were used to create all the percussion sounds in this piece.
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paul f. page
...come home to this?! Well. What an energetic, well-thought-out, magnificently-orchestrated dance concoction. This is so superb, Clark, on every single level I can think of. Knowing that it was music created for dance really helps my understanding of it. Must have been a visual delight. And if it wasn't, well, the music more than offers enough to stand on its own...Love the noisemakers just after the mid-section. Congratulations on the commission, your scoring, and the whole concept...and, of course, your digital recording. Full of power, precision, wonderful counterpoint, and a certain/definite feeling of exultation. Deserving of the highest praise!!! Very glad you posted this. I have learned a lot from listening to it.
Peace.
Paul