From A to Z

Tod Dockstader (Composer), Paul Dresher (Composer), Joseph Kasinskas (Composer), Joseph Lukasik (Composer), Pamela Z (Composer), Charles Amirkhanian (Composer), Philip Bimstein (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Tod Dockstader, Paul Dresher, Joseph Kasinskas, Joseph Lukasik, Pamela Z, et al.
• Audio CD (July 24, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Starkland
• ASIN: B000002GVD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,595 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From A to Z offers ten enticing selections of compelling, engaging electroacoustic music. It’s a specially priced compilation that’s an excellent introduction to the Starkland label. The diverse music ranges from Tod Dockstader’s powerful musique concrète to the digitally sampled bovine vocalizing in Phillip Kent Bimstein’s udderly charming portrait of a Utah farmer.

The CD opens with three excerpts from Starkland’s two Dockstader CDs (“Quatermass” and “Apocalypse”), both widely praised in over 25 highly positive reviews.

Bimstein’s piece (from his “Garland Hirschi’s Cows” Starkland CD) combines comments from both Utah farmer Garland Hirschi and his cows, in a delightfully mooving work that has triggered hundreds of calls to radio stations.

Paul Dresher’s Underground (from his “Casa Vecchia” Starkland CD) uses a custom-built multi-track tape loop system that starts with a few simple synthesizer sounds and creates a lovely, layered, languidly flowing composite.

Joseph Kasinskas creates refreshingly straightforward, often ritualistic music. The Rider, for marimba, gongs and digital echo, is part of a large theater work, Demeter’s Lament.

Techno whiz Joseph Lukasik syncs multiple synthesizers and samplers to create the richly atmospheric Utamaro’s Dreams.

The “funny, inventive and talented” (Village Voice) Pamela Z blends extended vocal techniques and delay units with riveting, and sometimes humorous, results. This CD has her hauntingly personal In Tymes of Olde and the dark, harp-accompanied Obsession.

Charles Amirkhanian’s Vers Les Anges (from his “Walking Tune” Starkland CD) merges sampled sounds, related to the extraordinary life of Nicholas Slonimsky, into a mysteriously evocative collage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inventive, January 10, 2000

By 

Allen Salyer "AlarmClockMagazine" (Troy, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From A to Z (Audio CD)

This compilation features 7 little-known, highly imaginative American composers. Phillip Kent Bimstein's "Garland Hirchi's Cows" combines comments from both the Utah farmer and his cows to create a wonderful, whimsical piece. Charles Amirkhanian uses sonic calliope, roulette wheel and chirping birds to form "Vers Les Anges." San Francisco performer Pamela Z works primarily with voice creating lush vocals textures. Using Tarzan howls, toucan squalks and MIDI controllers "In Tymes Of Old" she sings about the good old days. Paul Dresher layers loops and high-pitched sonics that cut through the dark clouds like sunbeams in "Underground." Tod Dockstader's electronic music reminds me of the "Fantastic Planet Soundtrack."

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable survey, March 20, 2002

By 

Anonymous reviewer (NY State United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From A to Z (Audio CD)

Agree with previous reviewer. I hesitate to give 5 stars, because I'm not expert in the electronic music field, but this CD is an eye-opener. Some of the composers (Kasinskas, Lukasik, Pamela Z and Bimstein) were new to me. Pamela Z really deserves more exposure: Meredith Monk-like extended vocals, electronics and a good sense of humor. I'll also put in a good word for Joseph Lukasik's rather ambient ballet music "Utamaro's Dream" (excerpt).