This CD reissues
Lovely Music
's debut release, originally issued on LP in 1977. Along with
Robert Ashley
's
Automatic Writing
, this is one of most engaging works he created in
avant-garde
opera
. With simple accompaniment from
"Blue" Gene Tyranny
on keyboards and an elusive
Kris
playing subtle tabla,
Asheley
's voice is as penetrating and haunting as ever, delivering in the most expressive deadpan voice this side of the recorded
William S. Burrows
. As a cultural commentator,
Ashley
is equally as important as the late writer; in this economical
he distills his unique approach to text and
minimalist
musical form, extending on the theme of his
Perfect Lives
television
.
Private Parts
is simply one of the most poetic compositions of American
art, and a vital document in the history of an artist whose mastery of aural-historic storytelling will leave the prepared listener speechless. A work only challenged in its exquisite realization by
's other sublime work
. Listeners with interests from verbal/text-sound recording, minimalist composition and contemporary opera, owe it to yourselves to hear this masterwork. ~ S.J. Harrison