EDMUND WELLES: Agrippa's 3 Books

Edmund Welles

Agrippa's 3 Books

© 2005 Zeroth Law (656605899220)

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An unprecedented occult exploration of deep, dense, pulsating low woodwind music from the world's only composing bass clarinet quartet, the sole proprietors of heavy chamber music.

notes

HEAVY CHAMBER MUSIC, MUZAK FOR CONSPIRACY THEORISTS.
EDMUND WELLES: THE BASS CLARINET QUARTET's debut CD, Agrippa's 3 Books, explores the expressive extremes of the four bass clarinets, inspired by occult philosophy heavy metal music.

Mixed and mastered by Grammy award-winning sound alchemist, Oz Fritz (Tom Waits, Bill Laswell, Primus), the sonorous timbre of this potent instrumentation takes woodwind chamber music into the realm of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Melt-Banana.

Agrippa's 3 Books, features the piece of the same name (commissioned by Chamber Music America), composed by founding member, Cornelius Boots, as well as a classic metal trilogy of cover tunes from Black Sabbath, Sepultura, and Spinal Tap.

This album comes in Deluxe packaging (designed by Theresa Wong) including a 24-page booklet detailing connections between the occult, sound, the bass clarinet and various influences on the composition and performance.

"There are patterns whose configuration mimes the harmony of the universe: a kind of ultra-sound, to establish contact with the subterranean currents."

the single-reed conspiracy:
SINCE 1998, EDMUND WELLES has been transmuting many musical styles into bass clarinet quartet form. The single-reed conspiracy has at its disposal the following devices culled from the world of heavy metal music: a thickness of tone, a density of texture, absolute rhythmic precision, and the extreme use of dynamic contrasts. The bass clarinet: a synergy of designs from all saxophones and clarinets, themselves the culmination of hundreds of years of single-reed instrument evolution. A four-and-a-half octave voice, multiplied into four equal parts and breathing together to create a dense, pulsing sound capable of expressing and reflecting the full range of human emotions.

Edmund Welles: the bass clarinet quartet is led by Cornelius Boots, who has been composing and arranging pieces for the quartet since 1996. Rounding out the quartet are Jeff Anderle, Jonathan Russell, and Aaron Novik. Visit www.edmundwelles.com for more music, details, and reviews.

reviews

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  • Great music to make you feel good inside. Sooothing. Eye-opening.
    author: New Image Media

    An incredible, Unique, Unusual Audio experience. If you are looking for something fresh, tangible and relaxing this is it. If you like music, and I mean really like, like get in bed and spoon with it, than you need to buy this CD and expose eveyone you know to it.

  • Different and very cool
    author: Ratchet

    If you enjoy "avante-garde" jazz as well as Spinal Tap and Emperor, this is the cd for you. Some of the quartet's original material brought to mind the arrangements of John Zorn's group Masada, while the sound of four bass quartets playing flawlessly over eachother is something I can't say I'd ever heard before.

  • Pure Musical Power
    author: Claude Clark

    The recordings are strong on melody, with no drums or wall-of-sound to obscure these great players. This CD is a musical treat with many flavors to enjoy. If you play music, listen and learn.

  • Best Bass Clarinet Quartet Album Ever
    author: Rob Ewing

    Very impressive recording. All aspects handled beautifully - composing, arranging, performing, recorded sound, packaging, liner notes...Highly recommended. Serious music, but with a sense of humor. Out there, but engaging.

  • Frightening virtuosity...
    author: senoritaoverdrive

    Deep, raunchy and studious, Agrippa's 3 Books had me from the beginning and held on to the end. Got this album while I was going through a Twin Peaks marathon and it was the perfect accompaniment to the ensuing mood. Check out their cover of Roots Bloody Roots!

  • all warm and fuzzy
    author: Ambrose Pottie

    Great stuff, nice mix of compositions/covers and great sound.

  • technically brilliant, musically tongue in cheek, overall badasses
    author: Nathan

    Great musicians, great spirit, great music in the end. I was pretty impressed at how well metal music translates to 4 honking bass clarinets. Open fifths and octaves on bass clarinets sound eerily simliar to the same power chords of metal bands of yore. The Agrippa's Books piece is great, some wonderful techinical moments, and Big Bottom just cracked me up. kudos.

  • author: CD Baby

    You might call it "clarinet rock." If the clarinet brings up painful, high school band memories, this album is an absolute must. And if it doesn't, still, this album is a must. Never have you heard the clarinet take on so much attitude, so much angst, so much personality. Mixing in styles and approaches from contemporary classical writing to jazz to just good old rock 'n roll licks, Edmund Welles's album, "Agrippa's 3 Books," wins the award for capturing the most imagination and making the most out of one instrument family. Just listen.

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