Arthur Russell - First Thought Best Thought FLAC

Tracklist

Versions

Credits

• Bass – Ernie Brooks (tracks: A1 to B1)
• Cello [Electric] – Arthur Russell (tracks: A1 to B1)
• Clarinet – Jon Gibson (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 (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 (tracks: A1 to B1)
• Trombone – Garrett List (tracks: A1 to A10)
• Written-By – Arthur Russell

Notes

Highly limited release to 1,000 copies worldwide.

A1 to A10 recorded April 27, 1975 at the Kitchen.
B1 recorded June 23, 1977 at Franklin St. Art Center.
B2 to B3 & C1 to C2 recorded May 10, 1978 at the Kitchen.
C3 recorded May 7, 1975 at Experimental Intermedia Foundation.
D1 to D6 & E recorded February 1981.
F recorded sometime in the early 1980's.

Instrumentals Volume 1 previously unreleased.
Instrumentals Volume 2 originally released by Another Side of Les Disques Du Crepuscule 1984.
Reach One previously unreleased.
Tower Of Meaning previously released 1983 on Chatham Sq CLS 145.

Initially intended to be performed in one 48-hour cycle, "Instrumentals" was in fact only performed briefly in excerpts as a work in progress. 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 Brooks, 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 years. 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 pianos.

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 copies.

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.

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