Nick Mason Solo Box Set

Some Nick Mason news for you today:

"Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has announced that he will be releasing a brand new box set collection of his solo albums, "Unattended Luggage", on August 31.

The limited-edition offering compiles the rocker's 1981 release, "Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports," 1985's "Profiles" and 1987's "White Of The Eye" soundtrack in both 3CD and 3LP vinyl packages for the first time in over 20 years".

Of most interest here I guess is "Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports" recorded in 1979 and released on Harvest in 1981. Among the musicians we find Robert Wyatt, Carla Bley, Michael Mantler and Gary Windo.

Gavin Esler In Conversation with Robert Wyatt

You remember Gavin Esler in Conversation with Robert Wyatt at University of Kent (6 April 2016)? No???

Well, here is a previous post on it, and it´s now also available on SoundCloud and on iTunes, including music by Soupsongs.

Nothing is more radical than the facts

In April I had a blog post about the Boyle family exhibition at Henie Onstad in Oslo: "Nothing is more radical than the facts" (April 20 – September 2), with works by Mark Boyle, Joan Hills, Sebastian Boyle, Georgia Boyle & Soft Machine.

I finally got to visit the exhibition some days ago, and it is highly recommended!

It was great to spend time in a room filled with Mark Boyle´s psychedelic light installation and the recording of Soft Machine´s concert at Henie Onstad in February 1971.

Clarinet & Piano: Selected Works Vol. 1

Look out for "Piano & Clarinet: Selected Works Vol. 1", the debut album from Group Listening (Stephen Black and Paul Jones) to be released early May 2018. It is a collection of ambient works for piano and clarinet (surprise!), and Robert Wyatt´s "Maryan" is in there.

More info on Bandcamp.

The Unknown Zone Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt, Brian Eno

Info rom Phil Manzanera´s YouTube:

"A few years ago when Robert Wyatt was recording ' Cukooland 'at my studio Eno popped round for dinner ,a chat,and an overdub or two and after a few bevies we had a jam.This track ,The Unknown Zone' grew out of that night's improvisations, as did my track '50 minutes later
Phil Manzanera

THE UNKNOWN ZONE
(Wyatt/Eno/Manzanera)

Phil manzanera: Guitars
Brian Eno: Chaos drums and synth bass
Robert Wyatt: Keyboards
Yaron Stavi: Double Bass

Engineered and mixed by Jamie Johnson at Gallery Studio London October 2006".

Download available.

Mary Halvorson selects the songs which inspired her new band Code Girl

Go here for Mary Halvorson´s Wire Playlist, and to read more than the lines I copied!

"Known for her experimental jazz guitar playing as both band leader and accompaniment, Boston born Mary Halvorson recently released her first record including vocals and lyrics. In light of this, as well as her cover feature in the The Wire 410, Halvorson has compiled a playlist of songs which helped lead her to the point of forming her own group, Code Girl. The group released their debut LP via New Haven label Firehouse12 in March 2018.

“Here is a playlist including several key influences for my newest project, Code Girl, which is my first leader project that features a singer” starts Halvorson. “All of the musicians on this list have a totally unique concept and approach to lyrics and song. I’m starting with Robert Wyatt because his influence probably runs deepest. He is a true individual and innovator and I’ve spent years with many of his albums on repeat listen. “Sea Song” was the first of his I ever heard, so it holds a special place for me."

The Music of the Cosmos

Just a mention of a new book today. I saw it on the net a couple of minutes ago, and know next to nothing about it.

But here are the facts:
Carole Bulewski: "The music of the cosmos" (KGHH Publishing 2018).

There are some videos on YouTube from a book launch right over here.
In one of them the author says the book is heavily influenced by the Canterbury music scene.
She also admits to being a big fan of Robert Wyatt, so what can possibly go wrong?