Album

First Thought Best Thought

Arthur Russell

2006 · Electronic, Jazz

Rare pressing on Gatefold

First Thought Best Thought by Arthur Russell

First Thought Best Thought is a Classical album by Arthur Russell, originally released in 2006. On Gatefold: 5 pressings tracked.

About

Initially intended to be performed in one 48-hour cycle, "Instrumentals" was in fact only performed briefly in excerpts as a work in progre. The legendary performances captured live in New York at The Kitchen and Franklin St. Arts Center include the cream of that eras downtown new music scene including Ernie Brook, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Garrett List, Andy Paley, Dave Van Tiegham, and Peter Zummo. Included here is the previously unreleased "Instrumentals" Vol. 1 along with "Instrumentals" Vol. 2 that has been out of print for over twenty year. Originally released in 1984, sections of "Instrumentals" Vol. 2 were incorrectly mastered at half speed, and have been corrected for this compilation. Reach One is one of Arthur's earliest compositions dating back to 1973. The hypnotic soundscape was written and performed for two Fender Rhodes piano. One of the holy grails in Arthur's discography, Tower Of Meaning is a beautiful and stunningly moving orchestral work. Conducted by the late Julius Eastman, Tower Of Meaning was originally released in a limited private edition of only 320 copie. Inspired by his work with friend and composer Arnold Dreyblatt, Sketch For The Face Of Helen was recorded with an electronic tone generator, keyboard and ambient recordings of a rumbling tugboat from the Hudson River. Credits Bass – Ernie Brooks (tracks: A1 to B1) Cello – Arthur Russell (tracks: A1 to B1) Clarinet – Jon Gibson (2) (tracks: A1 to B1) Conductor – Julius Eastman (tracks: D1 to E) Drums – Andy Paley (tracks: A1 to A10) Electric Guitar – Jon Sholle (tracks: A1 to B1) Flute – Jon Gibson (2) (tracks: A1 to B1), Rhys Chatham (tracks: A1 to A10) Keyboards – Peter Gordon (tracks: A1 to A10) Mastered By – Ray Janos Percussion – David Van Tieghem (tracks: A1 to B1) Producer – Arthur Russell Saxophone – Jon Gibson (2) (tracks: A1 to B1) Trombone – Garrett List (tracks: A1 to A10) .

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Tracklist

  1. 1"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 15:19
  2. 2"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 21:56
  3. 3"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 31:11
  4. 4"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 45:43
  5. 5"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 52:38
  6. 6"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 62:11
  7. 7"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 72:32
  8. 8"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 80:57
  9. 9"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 92:02
  10. 10"Instrumentals", Vol. 1, Pt. 100:30
  11. 11"Instrumentals", Vol. 2, Pt. 16:33
  12. 12"Instrumentals", Vol. 2, Pt. 29:57
  13. 13"Instrumentals", Vol. 2, Pt. 36:45
  14. 14"Instrumentals", Vol. 2, Pt. 45:18
  15. 15"Instrumentals", Vol. 2, Pt. 52:36
  16. 16Reach One16:30
  17. 2.1Tower of Meaning, Pt. 12:03
  18. 2.2Tower of Meaning, Pt. 26:01
  19. 2.3Tower of Meaning, Pt. 32:05
  20. 2.4Tower of Meaning, Pt. 42:49
  21. 2.5Tower of Meaning, Pt. 56:22
  22. 2.6Tower of Meaning, Pt. 63:37
  23. 2.7Fragments from Tower of Meaning21:36
  24. 2.8Sketch for the Face of Helen9:43

Sound DNA

  • Classical
  • Modern & Contemporary
  • sparse
  • ethereal
  • cerebral

Credits

The people behind it.

Performers

Rare pressing on Gatefold · 5 pressings tracked on Gatefold

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