Full playlist: wnyu.org
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CACTUS MUSIC is jams played on a cactus that has been furbished with a contact mic and amplified. Cacti of the globulous Denmoza or Geohintonia varieties are preferable, for the acoustic properties latent in their long spines.
Although the repertoire of original compositions for the cactus to date is humble, there are two worth noting in particular, both authored by modern composer and amateur mycologist John Cage. It is said that while on tour in Arizona with the Cunningham Dance Company in 1975, Cage was introduced to the cactus as instrument by a dancer named Charles Moulton, who for reasons unguessed, plucked the spines of a dried cactus melodically next to Cage's ear. Cage was thus moved to compose Child of Tree (1975) and Branches (1976) for an orchestra of amplified cacti and other plant materials.
The score to Child of Tree is merely a set of instructions concerning the selection of ten instruments comprised of plant materials, employing certain I-Ching chance operations. It is advised that at least one of the instruments be a pod from the Poinciana tree, native to Mexico. This pod produces a distinctive rattle. The soloist who endeavors to perform Child of Tree improvises, indicating time structure through her use of the instruments at hand.
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DENMOZA FEVER: Best-of-cactus-music collage f/ original vids from Youtube::
Denmoza fever Pt. I: Shooting A Cactus With A 12 Gauge
Denmoza Fever Pt. II: Die Musikalische Kaktee
Denmoza Fever Pt. III: Cactuscrackling Klangspiel
Denmoza Fever Pt. IV: Child Of Tree
Denmoza Fever Pt. V: John Cage Playing Amplified Cacti And Plant Materials With A Feather
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CACTUS MANIA
Neil Young "Guitar Solo, No. 1" Dead Man (Vapor)
Earth "Tibetan Quaaludes" Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions (Sub Pop)
Ramleh "Bite the Bolster" Hole in the Heart (Dirter)
Skullflower "Valley of Scorpions" Circulus Vitiosus Deus II - Valley of Scorpions (Turgid Animal)
Hototogisu "Origami Skulls" Under the Rose [LP] (Heavy Blossom)
Merzbow "Ultra Marine Blues" Pulse Demon (Release Entertainment)
Lee Hazelwood "Muchacho (Instr.)" The Complete MGM Recordings (Ace Records UK)
Lucky Dragons "Un Lagrima en la Discoteca" Nortenas (States Rights Records, Slender Means Society)
Growing "After Glow" Lateral (Social Registry)
Flying Burrito Bros "Wheels" The Guilded Palace of Sin (A& M Records)
Lee Hazelwood "My Baby Cried All Night Long" The Complete MGM Recordings (Ace Records UK)
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***Spesh thanxx to DJ Bad Eyes // Weatherface Collaborations Unltd.
See You Next Time ...
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