Alterations Fest @ Cafe Oto - 15-19 June

[Serial_Apologist]

This is an advance heads-up for what looks to be an important festival taking place next Month in N London's sunny Dalston, at least to some of which I shall do my best to make it:

https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/alterations-festival/

For those both old and young in heart enough to remember, Alterations was a post-Punk British Improv group that lasted from 1978 to 1986 that took many of the paradoxes and conundra implied and implicated in the practice to their logical conclusions. My own motto for the group's philosophy/modus operandi would probably be, the intended cannot be unintended, nor vice-versa, but I'd be open to correction on that one.

[Richard Barrett]

Post-punk? Well, just about, I suppose. But it was a brilliant and ground-breaking group that defined a whole strand of (principally British) free improvisation. I heard them first on the wireless in 1977* from which I recorded a cassette that I played endlessly, I think it did more than any other single recording to shape my thoughts on that way of making music and I still remember it quite well. This little festival looks well worth attending.


* 1978 is when their first album was released, not when they were formed

[Bryn]

Never mind that, it's Butcher/Lehn/Tilbury there tonight.

[Richard Barrett]

Never mind that, it's Butcher/Lehn/Tilbury there tonight.

That should be very good also of course.

[Serial_Apologist]

Never mind that, it's Butcher/Lehn/Tilbury there tonight.

I know, I know!. It just happens to coincide with Evan Parker and Alex Hawkins at the Vortex, which I'm booked for.

Choices, choices...

[teamsaint]

Never heard of them. they can't have been in the NME much, in those heady post -punk days.

But just given My Favourite Animals a spin, and it is absolutely fantastic on first play. ( which usually worries me, but we'll let it pass).

Any guidance as to where more of their music can be heard gratefully received.

[Beef Oven!]

Completely forgotten about this band. I thought they only did 2 albums, I’ve never heard of ‘My Favourite Animals’. Will give it a listen. I remember that 'Up Your Sleeve’ was very popular at uni. I always thought they were called the Alterations. Clearly not. Dalston is walking distance for me, but I will be on my summer holiday.

Update: Listening to ‘My Favourite Animals’ on Youtube. Is this an ‘Amandla’ rip-off, or is Miles the naughty one?

[DracoM]

Carter: Night Fantasies (Yöfantasioita). (Aleck Karis, a piano)
Just heard it on http://yle.fi/radio/yleklassinen/suora/
Terrific.

Just thinking: would R3 have the nerve to play it at this time of the evening? Or indeed at any time?

[Serial_Apologist]

Never heard of them.

Any guidance as to where more of their music can be heard gratefully received.

John Tilbury? Close associate of Cornelius Cardew's, member of AMM, one of the first free improvising groups anywhere when it started out in 1965 or 1966, along with MEV. John Butcher - probably best associated with John Stevens's Spontaneous Music Ensemble, that being another of those pioneering free improv groups; originally jazz grounded, since the 1980s he has pursued extended techniques into saxophone sound production within the context of improvised music, as initiated (in this country) by Evan Parker, some 20 years previously. Can someone else fill in on Thomas Lehn?

I was at an early performance by AMM. It was followed by a talk in which Cardew outlined the ideas underlying the group. In a question-and-answer session, someone asked about the name: why AMM? "Erm..." replied a smiling Cardew. Your truly pipped up, "Anti-Music Music?" "Good try", came the reply.

[Bryn]

John Tilbury? Close associate of Cornelius Cardew's, member of AMM, one of the first free improvising groups anywhere when it started out in 1965 or 1966, along with MEV. John Butcher - probably best associated with John Stevens's Spontaneous Music Ensemble, that being another of those pioneering free improv groups; originally jazz grounded, since the 1980s he has pursued extended techniques into saxophone sound production within the context of improvised music, as initiated (in this country) by Evan Parker, some 20 years previously. Can someone else fill in on Thomas Lehn?

I was at an early performance by AMM. It was followed by a talk in which Cardew outlined the ideas underlying the group. In a question-and-answer session, someone asked about the name: why AMM? "Erm..." replied a smiling Cardew. Your truly pipped up, "Anti-Music Music?" "Good try", came the reply.

I think teamsaint was referring to Alterations. Mind you, I am surprised he does not know Steve Beresford's work.

I doubt I will attend all sessions, but the large group on the Saturday looks enticing.

As to last night, I was not familiar with Thomas Lehn's work, but fascinated to note that he was playing a genuine vintage EMS Synthi AKS. Took me right back to when I had a VCS3.

[MrGongGong]

I think teamsaint was referring to Alterations. Mind you, I am surprised he does not know Steve Beresford's work.

I doubt I will attend all sessions, but the large group on the Saturday looks enticing.

As to last night, I was not familiar with Thomas Lehn's work, but fascinated to note that he was playing a genuine vintage EMS Synthi AKS. Took me right back to when I had a VCS3.

Robin Wood is making them again (VCS3's)
and I once had a VCS3 exam with Patrick Gowers

Some great stuff coming up
Peter Cusack has been doing some wonderful things like this

http://sounds-from-dangerous-places.org

[teamsaint]

Since this little chat about Alterations, some kind soul has posted some more of their music on Youtube, including a big chunk of the first album.

I can't find " Up Your Sleeve " anywhere, which I would be interested to hear.

[Serial_Apologist]

Since this little chat about Alterations, some kind soul has posted some more of their music on Youtube, including a big chunk of the first album.

I can't find " Up Your Sleeve " anywhere, which I would be interested to hear.

Thanks v much teamsaint, especially as this was the 1 of the 3 I've never heard. I happen to have "Up Your Sleeve", in its pink sleeve, if you're ever in this vicinity.

[teamsaint]

Thanks v much teamsaint, especially as this was the 1 of the 3 I've never heard. I happen to have "Up Your Sleeve", in its pink sleeve, if you're ever in this vicinity.

That’s very kind S-A.


Perhaps it can be heard online somewhere though.

[teamsaint]

Just having a look around, and there is some other music available on line.

Voila Enough. , Alterations Live ( 1980-83) are available on Apple Music.

Decent review of Voila Enough here.

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/voila-enough-alterations-atavistic-worldwide-review-by-jay-collins.php?width=768