Geoffrey Armes

Me old mate Mick · 8 hours ago

We played years in the Duplicates( get an earful ) before he moved to CH and me to NL

anyway, he mentions me

and I mention him, because if you follow links on the sidebar there

you’ll find even more interesting stuff to listen to.

Mike, being a top quality percussionist could play with anybody, ranging from The Duplicates to The London Symphony Orchestra…

(Music Matters 1996)

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Press Release, blah.. · 6 days ago

Over here, and here plus an updated AAJ listing as well.

There’s one for the film over here as well.

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London, June 4, 1987 · 6 days ago

It’s Camden parkway and you’re so defeated, but so optimistic, so in love with everything… there’s a spring in your step… walking towards your place that has a rooftop view across the railway towards the Zoo that wakes you in the morning…

Hearing this reminds you of that London. Played once a year, especially when cooking spicy food in a New York high rise, windows and doors open to the sun, park blossoming below.

oh the date given..?

Random I suppose, in that great list song (Girl V!!) that appears a third of the way into the disc, the one that everyone says ‘Oh it sounds like Madonna’ although everyone knows that it came first …

Anyway, it’s that feeling:

London Belongs To Me

which is a nicked title in the great tradition of Brit Lit Pop, so

meander like the Thames through

a most enjoyable London record.

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Dear All · 8 days ago

New Music here

Over the last year I’ve recorded a number of, well, ‘lost’ songs I wrote years ago, that although they’ve survived in my lexicon, have never been recorded or released.

They’re now assembled into a ‘CD’, or better still, a free download. As I wasn’t really sweating writing new material I was able to spend time on lavish arrangements and production , messing with orchestration, percussion, vocal arrangements, effects etc as well as guitars. Consequently some of the tunes have taken on what I hope is a ‘timeless’ world fusion vibe, while others still sound like they were written in the nineteen-eighties. All recorded here at home, but mastered in Woodstock by Tom Desisto. If you want to see what I used check here for a slightly outdated gear list (for example I don’t use Pro-Tools).
There’s also 14 pages of art; graphic layout by my friend and business partner Rob Dodson featuring sketches I made at the time the songs were first conceived.

The whole package is available as a zip file with art, or as separate song files and a pdf here

Please enjoy, stick it in your ipod or mp3 player, or burn a CD (gasp!), and let me know what you think,

PS I will be doing a short run of CDs, mainly for promotional purposes, and for sale to those who want higher quality sonics and hard copy art.

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Objective Music? · 11 days ago

Gurdjieff’s concept of ‘Objective Art’ — an art that would have the same effect regardless of the state of the listener… the horns of Jericho that blew the city walls down are an example. There could be a music that would freeze water. We have echos of that in architecture — who is not moved, even the atheist, if only for a moment, when walking into a large cathedral?

I measure the merit of art by its consciousness. A work of objective art ought to be a book; the only difference being that the artist transmits his ideas not directly through words or signs, but through certain feelings which he excites consciously and in an orderly way, knowing what he is doing and why he does it.

Objective music… can obtain not only definite psychological results but definite physical results. There can be such music as would freeze water. There can be such music as would kill a man instantaneously. The Biblical legend of the destruction of the walls of Jericho by music is precisely a legend of objective music. Plain music, no matter of what kind, will not destroy walls, but objective music indeed can do so. And not only can it destroy but it can also build up. IN THE LEGEND OF ORPHEUS THERE ARE HINTS OF OBJECTIVE MUSIC, for Orpheus used to impart knowledge by music. Snake charmers’ music in the East is an approach to objective music, of course very primitive. Very often it is simply one note which is long drawn out, rising and falling only very little; but in this single note “inner octaves” are going on all the time and melodies of “inner octaves” which are inaudible to the ears but felt by the emotional center. And the snake hears this music, or, more strictly speaking, he feels it, and he obeys it. The same music, only a little more complicated, and men would obey it.

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Israelis unleash Scream at protest
New weapon knocks crowds off feet
Sound blast triggers nausea, dizziness

MITCH POTTER
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU

JERUSALEM—The knees buckle, the brain aches, the stomach turns. And suddenly, nobody feels like protesting anymore.
Such is the impact of the Scream, the latest weapon in the Israeli army’s high-technology toolkit.
Launched Friday afternoon near the West Bank village of Bil’in, after another in the almost daily demonstrations against Israel’s controversial security barrier turned violent, Israel’s secret weapon lived up to its billing, by most accounts.
Witnesses describe a minute-long blast of sound emanating from a white Israeli military vehicle. Within seconds, protestors began falling to their knees, unable to maintain their balance.
An Israeli military source, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity, confirmed the existence of the Scream, or Tze’aka in Hebrew, in an interview yesterday.
“The intention is to disperse crowds with sound pulses that create nausea and dizziness,” the Israel Defence Force spokesperson told the Toronto Star.

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Upcoming teaching · 13 days ago

So here’s a playlist, for the music appreciation component of the course, plus some discussion about rhythm and texture. I doubt we’ll get through it all…

Section One is some harp/kora stuff, in various settings — abstract, traditional, eclectic world fusion

La Harpe, L’eau, Le Vent 1 / Harp, Water, Wind 6:05 Alan Stivell Au Delà Des Mots World
Allah l’aake (start) 2:45 Kolda/Brikama Musicians Jali Kunda – Die Griots Westafrikas und der übrigen Welt World
A United Earth I (With Youssou N’Dour) 5:33 Alan Stivell 1 Douar World
Chaviou Elwara : El Barm (Theme) 5:33 Dimi Mint Abba Music & Songs Of Mauritania / Musique & Chants de Mauritanie World

Massoua Mo 7:37 Eba Aka Jerome Sound D’ Afrique World
Madan 6:00 Salif Keita Moffou World
Mairi’s Wedding 5:55 Alan Stivell Brian Boru World
Let The Plinn 4:26 Alan Stivell Brian Boru World

Section Two some incredibly eclectic multifaceted fusions interspersed with traditional sounds that are the root of much else

Koeeoaddi There 4:45 Incredible String Band The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter Folk
Cross Road Blues 2:40 Robert Johnson The Complete Recordings [Disc 1] Blues
Allah 6:12 Youssou N’Dour Egypt World 1

Section Three — some artistic electronica antecedents, including a 5/4, faux Indian textures, and into the world of bass and dub,

Krishna Blue 8:12 David Sylvian Dead Bees On A Cake Alternative & Punk
Maarifa Street 7:09 Jon Hassell Maarifa Street: Magic Realism, Vol. 2 World
Chemistry 6:56 Jon Hassel & Brian Eno Fourth World Vol.1: Possible Musics Rock

Dread River 3:13 Burning Spear Marcus Garvey / Garvey’s Ghost Reggae
Approaching Silence 38:17 David Sylvian Approaching Silence Pop
The Carrier 4:20 Brian Eno & David Byrne My Life in the Bush of Ghosts Rock

Section Four is more difficult electronica and post modern stylings although the first is just delicious texture and irreverent genre clash

Il pleure (At the Turn of the Century) 8:03 Art of Noise The Seduction of Claude Debussy
She Is Not 0:46 David Sylvian Blemish Rock 1
Late Night Shopping 2:54 David Sylvian Blemish Rock

Section Five — more, plus some differing vocal work and bass

The Angel 4:24 Jah Wobble The Inspiration Of William Blake Electronica/Dance
Sené (Working The Land) 5:59 Afro Celt Sound System Anatomic World
Alsema Dub 5:48 Jah Wobble & Bill Laswell Radioaxiom: A Dub Transmission Electronica/Dance
I and I Survive 3:53 Burning Spear Marcus Garvey / Garvey’s Ghost Reggae

Section Six — differing roles for the bass guitar

Family 7:24 Matthew Garrison Matthew Garrison Jazz
Birdland 5:59 Weather Report The Essential Jaco Pastorius (Disc 1) Jazz

Section Seven — Brazil, and Animal stylings, plus Bahia

Rouxinol 3:17 Milton Nascimento Nascimento Jazz
Os Tambores De Minas 3:38 Milton Nascimento Nascimento Jazz
Into The Light. 4:54 Jah Wobble
Mu Electronica/Dance 1

Segue into Section eight: some devotional sounds.

Qalbi Yuhaddithuni 49:35 Sheikh Yasin Al-Tuhami Magic of the Sufi Inshad World
Tala o Al-Badru o Alaina 5:58 Fawzy Havez Sufi Soul: Echos du Paradis [Disc 2] World
Shakawtu (a Capella) 3:52 Musa Dieng Kala Sufi Soul: Echos du Paradis [Disc 2] World
Meditation 11:10 Sheikh Hamza Skakkûr & Ensemble Al – Kindhî Sufi Soul: Echos Du Paradis [Disc 1] World
Dastgah Of Shour 10:35 Khatereh Parvaneh Sufi Soul: Echos Du Paradis [Disc 1] World
Devonah Shaw 5:05 Davlatmand Sufi Soul: Echos Du Paradis [Disc 1] World

Gurdjieff’s concept of ‘Objective Art’ — an art that would have the same effect regardless of the state of the listener… the horns of Jericho that blew the city walls down are an example. There could be a music that would freeze water. We have echos of that in architecture — who is not moved, even the atheist, if only for a moment, when walking into a large cathedral?

“I measure the merit of art by its consciousness. A work of objective art ought to be a book; the only difference being that the artist transmits his ideas not directly through words or signs, but through certain feelings which he excites consciously and in an orderly way, knowing what he is doing and why he does it.”

And…

“In ancient times dance was a branch of real art, serving as intention for higher knowledge. The limits of the dancer were expanded through non-natural and non-habitual maneuvering of movement. In its practice, they obtained a new quality of attention and a new direction of the mind, all with a defined intention. Through strict patterns represented by the participants certain laws became visible and intelligible.”

And..

Objective music… can obtain not only definite psychological results but definite physical results. There can be such music as would freeze water. There can be such music as would kill a man instantaneously. The Biblical legend of the destruction of the walls of Jericho by music is precisely a legend of objective music. Plain music, no matter of what kind, will not destroy walls, but objective music indeed can do so. And not only can it destroy but it can also build up. IN THE LEGEND OF ORPHEUS THERE ARE HINTS OF OBJECTIVE MUSIC, for Orpheus used to impart knowledge by music. Snake charmers’ music in the East is an approach to objective music, of course very primitive. Very often it is simply one note which is long drawn out, rising and falling only very little; but in this single note “inner octaves” are going on all the time and melodies of “inner octaves” which are inaudible to the ears but felt by the emotional center. And the snake hears this music, or, more strictly speaking, he feels it, and he obeys it. The same music, only a little more complicated, and men would obey it.

And…

Just as is now done on paper, so, once, certain information about long past events was recorded in dances and transmitted from century to century to people of subsequent generations. And these dances are called sacred.

For Mr. Gurdjieff’s Wife 1:31 Gurdjieff – De Hartmann Music of Gurdjieff-de Hartmann CD3. Thomas de Hartmann (piano) Gospel & Religious
Kurd Melody for Two Flutes 2:02 Gurdjieff – De Hartmann Music of Gurdjieff-de Hartmann CD3. Thomas de Hartmann (piano) Gospel & Religious
Assyrian Women Mourners 3:24 Gurdjieff – De Hartmann Music of Gurdjieff-de Hartmann CD3. Thomas de Hartmann (piano) Gospel & Religious

Israelis unleash Scream at protest
New weapon knocks crowds off feet
Sound blast triggers nausea, dizziness

MITCH POTTER
MIDDLE EAST BUREAU

JERUSALEM—The knees buckle, the brain aches, the stomach turns. And suddenly, nobody feels like protesting anymore.
Such is the impact of the Scream, the latest weapon in the Israeli army’s high-technology toolkit.
Launched Friday afternoon near the West Bank village of Bil’in, after another in the almost daily demonstrations against Israel’s controversial security barrier turned violent, Israel’s secret weapon lived up to its billing, by most accounts.
Witnesses describe a minute-long blast of sound emanating from a white Israeli military vehicle. Within seconds, protestors began falling to their knees, unable to maintain their balance.
An Israeli military source, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity, confirmed the existence of the Scream, or Tze’aka in Hebrew, in an interview yesterday.
“The intention is to disperse crowds with sound pulses that create nausea and dizziness,” the Israel Defence Force spokesperson told the Toronto Star.

Section Nine — more percussion, varied vocal and reed stylings, plus field recordings as music

DJembe 5:05 Salif Keita L’Enfant Lion World
Donsolou 6:39 Salif Keita L’Enfant Lion World

Al Bahr Al Gharam Wasah (Love Is As Vast As A…) 9:59 Musicians Of The Nile Luxor To Isna World
Horse Steps 0:43 Musicians Of The Nile Luxor To Isna World
Al-Aqsur-Isna (From Luxor To Isna) 1:28 Musicians Of The Nile Luxor To Isna World

Full On 8:57 Jah Wobble & Evan Parker Passage to Hades Jazz
Spirits 10:33 Bruno Moury & Christophe Mad’dene Spirit Of The Wildman, Didgeridoo A Nd African Percussion Instruments World
Old Morpeth Rant / Morpeth Rant / Hesleyside Reel 3:20 Kathryn Tickell And Friends The Northumberland Collection World

Section Ten — female voices and orchestration

A Seltan Nat Maslaht (King Of The Broom) 5:46 Djur Djura Adventures In Afropea 2: The Best Of Djur Djura – Voice Of Silence World
Isobel 5:47 Björk Post Alternative & Punk
Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu 4:21 Hector Zazou Feat. Bjork Songs From The Cold Seas Jazz
Gli Ultimi Fuochi 3:20 アリス Charade World

And this example of cross-pollination from field recordings

Aerial Tal 1:01 Kate Bush Aerial: A Sky of Honey Alternative & Punk

Section Eleven outro exotica

Words With The Shaman Pt. 3 Awakening (Songs from the Tree Tops) 5:19 David Sylvian Brilliant Trees / Words With The Shaman
Ich Gehe Jetzt 3:33 Einstürzende Neubauten Perpetuum Mobile

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About The Film · 14 days ago

It was the explosion in online video that got us thinking about creating a film or ‘music video’ for Noor. It didn’t take long for us to realise that given the kind of collective experience that we have, it was inevitable that said work would incorporate contemporary dance. I originally approached Christine Dakin thinking that she’d steer me towards an appropriate choreographer, but she immediately offered to accept that role herself. We set to work selecting the dancers, some of whom had already expressed warm appreciation for the music and the concepts informing the project, others came in on the basis of their love for myself or Christine. All are extremely gifted both technically and expressively. The concern was that the ‘right’ people should join us. We discussed the meaning of Noor’s life, the pathway walked between inner work and work in the world, and the kind of inner resilience she needed to walk that which, seemingly, was ordained for her. They, Christine and the cast, created and rehearsed together through a hot summer. When not in a sweaty studio without air-conditioning they were either in a dank tunnel or on a broiling roof reliving via movement something of Noor’s experience. We visited, commented, went away, waited. Ready after ninety hours, we then filmed over two days with rented lights and a fair amount of graft. The results are now uploaded on this page.

A collaboration between Geoffrey Armes and Choreographer Christine Dakin. Filmed during the summer of 2007, this nine minute dance film was directed and edited by Robert Dodson. The cast features Nya Bowman, Helen Hansen, Brenda Nieto, Liz-Lotte Pitlo, Gabriela Prieto, and Rebecca Van Kessel.

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Spring · 18 days ago

into allergy season again, which makes the voice do different things… and there was this song see, leftover from the Anima 91 sessions, and it needed a vocal, so I done it innit.

Butch Jones always used to say,

never mix on the day you track anything, because you’ll get the levels wrong, either too hot or too soft as you’ll be over conscious

but these days track/mix/upload… boast… look chagrined… take down… yeah, I’ll go back and finish the edits later.. for now see/hear Some Good Sounds in the last section:

Works In Progress

a song called

Breakaway

A song all about Rosendale Road past Thurlow Park before Park Hall, and the silence that seemed to descend on a summer weeknight as the residents all lounged indoors in front of their lambent televisions. Me, walking to some destination somewhere, left into the estate perhaps, or straight ahead, to visit the American girls who lived above the Gypsies Youth Club. In front, high on Crystal Palace Hill, the television broadcast tower, flashing, irradiating the whole of South London with its soporific scent; I was the last boy walking his own path.

Or all about a bike race, escape the bunch at the next climb, because if you can get a little acceleration there before you hit the lanes you know you can stay away…

Mesmerised the silent houses
primp the streets
seven to eleven every working night
a hidden crisis
I pay the prices
I want to make a breakaway
have to make a breakaway
I spent my childhood on the sneaky streets of an empire
bedraggled gardens and lengthy shadows on the fences
I have to make a breakaway
There’s this television tower that transfixes the streets
with the thuggery of power
or talk about the aggro
before the next football game
fuck that
I have to make a breakaway
got to make a breakaway

Written NYC 1984

This is the first recording made with the new bass rig: Fender Fretless -> Phil Jones Briefcase -> Art TP11 -> Tascam 2488

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There’s a version of the Film rendered for your iphone now.

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Quotable? · 20 days ago

Ladies, you know we’ve been doing this for 30 years – and on a night like this it doesn’t seem a minute less.

Tom Jones, on stage in Vegas

and here, the life we all know and love..

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Kit · 22 days ago

Picked up this piece a few days ago, mostly in anticipation of live work I’ve got to do both in NYC and in Berlin. It’s got the bottom end for a bass guitar and the kicks and djembes etc in my handsonic, but given that Phil Jones brought a hifi background to instrument amplifier manufacture, it also faithfully reproduces (albeit in mono) the mid to high range percussion sounds, hard and clear. An added bonus for recording is that take a line direct into the mixer, and I’ve got a creamy smooth fat bass sound that doesn’t usually need further tweaks.

I’ve also been walking round with one of these for a couple of weeks, and now have all of my major recordings plus the film loaded — where of course it looks particularly sharp. Impressive, and definitely beats walking round with a pile of vinyl under my arm, let alone a box of K7s.

To finish, here’s a little thrust from clever clogs Middle European snob Kundera’s The Art Of The Novel that does bear thinking about:

A received idea: that the genius of rhythm is expressed through noisy emphatic regularity. False: the tedious rhythmic primitivism of rock: the heart’s beat is amplified so that man can never forget his march towards death.

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