Electro-Acoustic composer Richard Lainhart celebrates two decades worth of his recorded much with the release of this double CD, Ten Thousand Shades of Blue. Compositions date from the mid-'70s (Disc 1) through to the end of the '80s, showcasing the composer's evolving stylistic developments. "Bronze Cloud Disk" features tam-tam bowed with multiple overdubs and filtering, while "Two Mirrors Face One Another" features much the same technique as applied to six Japanese temple bells. "Cities of Light" features the composer's own multi-tracked voice using multi-phonic techniques à la Tibetan Buddhist monks.
Later works from his '80s period, like the title track and "Staring at the Moon," explore the relationships between real-time performance and computer music systems which utilize additive synthesis programs, allowing the composer greater control over the final sound details. And "Walking Slowly Backwards" is a live recording of the composer playing the vibraphone with a minimum use of electronic processing. It's a bit of a weak ending to the album, but it seems like a natural outcome of his transition from the bowed and multi-tracked work of the '70s to his more interactive period in the '80s.
While the overall scope of the sounds available here could be described as ambient, the music demands attentive listening, as opposed to the usual wallpaper effect that the term implies. Much like the works of the minimalist composers of the '70s (i.e.: Steve Reich) in terms of small shifting details over a long period of time, Lainhart explores similar terrain without the heavy emphasis on rhythmic repetition and counterpoint. Textual in nature, much of this work should appeal to fans of trance music with its long drones of minute fluctuations in texture and dynamics. Ten Thousand Shades of Blue will certainly lead one in to a deep beta state if listened to at full length. Keep still and pay attention, if you can.
Disc 1
1. Bronze Cloud Disk
2. Two Mirrors Face One Another
Disc 2
1. Cities of Light
2. Ten Thousand Shades of Blue
3. Staring at the Moon
4. Walking Slowly Backwards
1. Bronze Cloud Disk
2. Two Mirrors Face One Another
Disc 2
1. Cities of Light
2. Ten Thousand Shades of Blue
3. Staring at the Moon
4. Walking Slowly Backwards
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