Laurie Anderson (1947-, vocals, electronics, violin, compositions) with Roma Baran (synthesizer), Rubin Kodheli (cello), live (“Let x=x,” “Violin Cello Improv,” “O Superman”), New York, published 5/20/21
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, outside Chicago (Glen Ellyn)
*****
reading table
The distant mountains are reflected in the eye of the dragonfly
—Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), translated from the Japanese by Sam Hamill
Kimmel/Ali/Harris (Jeff Kimmel, clarinet, electronics; Ishmael Ali, cello, guitar, electronics; Bill Harris, drums, synthesizer), live, Chicago (Constellation), last night
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
Summer night transforms to daybreak. I count fleas.
—Ryokan (1758-1831), translated from the Japanese by Kazuaki Tanahashi
Mogwai, live, Scotland (Glasgow), published 3/18/21
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Oak Park, Ill.
*****
reading table
Spring and All
by William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)
By the road to the contagious hospital
under the surge of the blue
mottled clouds driven from the
northeast—a cold wind. Beyond, the
waste of broad, muddy fields
brown with dried weeds, standing and fallen
patches of standing water
the scattering of tall trees
All along the road the reddish
purplish, forked, upstanding, twiggy
stuff of bushes and small trees
with dead, brown leaves under them
leafless vines—
Lifeless in appearance,
sluggish dazed spring approaches—
They enter the new world naked,
cold, uncertain of all
save that they enter. All about them
the cold, familiar wind—
Now the grass, tomorrow
the stiff curl of wildcarrot leaf
One by one objects are defined—
It quickens: clarity, outline of leaf
But now the stark dignity of
entrance—Still, the profound change
has come upon them: rooted, they
grip down and begin to awaken
Sevdaliza (with Anthony Amirkhan, drums; Leon den Engelsen, keyboards; Jonas Pap, cello; Mihai Puscoiu, violin), live (“Human,” “Dormant,” “All Rivers at Once,” “Gole Bi Goldoon”), Amsterdam, published 1/5/21
Mars Williams presents: An Ayler Xmas Vol. 4 (Night 1) (Mars Williams, tenor saxophone, toy instruments; Josh Berman, cornet; Jim Baker, piano, viola, ARP synthesizer; Krzysztof Pabian, bass; Brian Sandstrom, bass, guitar, trumpet; Steve Hunt, drums; Peter Maunu, violin), live (performance begins at 3:45), Chicago (Constellation), last night
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lagniappe
random sights
other day, Chicago
*****
reading table
Such a moon—
the thief
pauses to sing.
—Yosa Buson (1716-1784), translated from Japanese by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto