Memory & Imagination

Barry Cleveland | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 11, 2003
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Supersaturated Records
• ASIN: B0000ZQTHS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,772 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This is a 2-disc set.

Disc 1 presents the most enduring music from Cleveland’s Mythos and Voluntary Dreaming albums.

The foundation tracks for Mythos' 20-minute-long title piece were entirely improvised by Michael Masley (bowhammer cymbalom) and Cleveland (electric guitar with a tape-loop system). These tracks were then slowed down—lowering the pitch—and a second pass recorded. Because the guitar was sometimes played with an Erhu bow, an Ebow, and two Masley bowhammers, it is often difficult to discern who is playing what. Woodwind and light percussion overdubs by Kat Epple and Bob Stohl—and yet more guitar parts—completed the piece. "Aeon" is an entirely improvised keyboard piece with xylophone added, and "Abrasax" was sparked from experiments with a makeshift guitar gamelon.

Originally intended for release on Audion, Voluntary Dreaming reflected that label’s emphasis on synthesizers and samplers, and was more electronic-sounding than Mythos. It also featured Michael Pluznick’s layered ethnic percussion on several pieces.

Disc 2 contains previously unreleased music.

The title Memory & Imagination was originally going to be used for an album of compositions based on guitar and percussion loops that was recorded in 1992. Using a prototype of a Danish digital looping device called the Paradis Loop Delay. Cleveland recorded loops that were later transferred to a 16-track analog recorder and used as rhythmic or harmonic foundations. The loops and most of the overdubs were entirely improvised—hence the concept of (digital) memory and improvisational imagination. Six pieces were completed but never previously released.

The 24:24 piece, "Memory & Imagination," is based on continuously evolving delay lines rather than static loops. Other than the Dobro melody at the end, the sounds were all produced with electric guitar and light percussion instruments. "Echoes on Echoes" is a live improvisation recorded for the Echoes radio program. "Stones of Precious Water" and "Indigo Runes" were recorded in 1981. Both were created by first drastically manipulating and processing taped guitar tracks, and then playing over them.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Retrospective Tells Quite a Story, December 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Memory & Imagination (Audio CD)

Many of these pieces haven't been available for a number of years and the fidelity is better than ever. I'm pretty sure that the "Stones of Precious Water" tracks never appeared on CD before and they sound great.

The combination of blazing electric guitar, synthesizer, and lyricon on "Abrasax" is as arresting as ever. "Aeon" is a delicate piece of introspection; it's just about the pinacle of mid-1980s electronica. The pieces from the "Voluntary Dreaming" CD (and just about the whole album is here) are still strong enough for National Public Radio to continue using for program segues. The upbeat tracks have great hooks and the "mood pieces" possess an edginess. Sometimes surging, inquisitive, or harmonious energy grabs you by the lapels; sometimes it lurks in the shadows. Robert Powell's steel guitar -- beautiful waves of tone that weave in and out of the intricate rhythms -- is reminiscent of Jerry Garcia's playing, circa 1970.

The newer pieces mingle dark and serene imagery that challenge the listener. The title track contains more ideas than most musicians put onto entire albums. Although there's consistency amid the shfting themes, Cleveland never lets you get too comfortable.

There's just a whole lot to like about virtually every piece.