Tell You Today
Arthur Russell is yet another dub pioneer who is no longer with us. Russell played cello, studied Indian music and wrote Minimalist compositions. He also made disco records when he could, mixing cello, hand drums, jazzy keyboards and wistful, ectoplasmic singing, then handing over the tapes to Walter Gibbons for dub warping. "Let's Go Swimming", "Go Bang! #5" and "Schoolbell/Treehouse" still push back the boundaries of dance, while the much coveted World Of Echo explores the meditative environment of dub space. -- David Toop
Tell You Today
Go Bang
Arthur Russell was an avant garde cellist who was also active in club music, after being introduced to it by Nicky Siano. His tracks have been (re)mixed by such luminaries as Larry Levan, Walter Gibbons, Nicky Siano and Francois Kevorkian.His best tracks are Loose Joints 'Is It All Over My Face', Dinosaur L 'Go Bang!' and Lola 'Wax The Van'. Buy any 12" you can find!
Dave Hill of Nuphonic records will release Arthur Russell material.
Arthur Russell was born and raised in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he later studied the cello and began to write his own music. In the early 1970's, he moved to California and studied Indian music at the Ali Akbar Khan School in San Francisco. He met Allen Ginsberg, with whom he began to work, accompanying him on the cello while Allen sang or read his poetry.
In the mid 1970's, Arthur Russell moved to New York. (......) He contributed to The Flying Hearts in studio work and, occasionally, in performance with David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garret List, Andy Paley, Leni Pickett and Peter Zummo. From 1975 to 1979 this ensemble, together with Glenn Iamaro, Bill Ruyle and Jon Sholle, performed and recorded the orchestral composition of Instrumentals (Crepescule, 1984)
In 1979, Arthur wrote and produced 'Kiss Me Again', under the name Dinosaur. It was the first disco single to be released by Sire Records, and the first of many of Arthur's' innovative dance tunes. This was followed by 'Is It All Over My Face' by Loose Joints, released in 1980. In 1982, Arthur Russell and William Socolov founded Sleeping Bag records and their first release was his 24-24 Music. The number 'Go Bang', which originated from this album, was re-mixed as a 12" single by Francois Kevorkian.
In 1983, the album Tower of Meaning (Chatham Square) was released. This compelling and meditative recording, conducted by Julius Eastman, represents just a fragment of a much larger composition, which includes voices along with its instrumentation.
At the same time, Arthur continued to release dance singles such as 'Tell You Today' (4th and Broadway, 1983) an upbeat dance groove featuring the vocals of Joyce Bowden. Additional dance tunes included Wax the Van (Jump Street, 1985) with voacals by Lola Blank, wife of notorious Bob, 'Treehouse/Schoolbell' (Sleeping Bag, 1986) and Let's Go Swimming (Upside/Rough Trade, 1986).
During the mid 1980's, Arthur Russell gave many performances, either accompanying himself on cello with a myriad of effects, or working with a small ensemble consisting of Mustafa Ahmed, Steven Hall, Elodie Lauten and Peter Zummo.
1986 saw the release of 'World of Echo' (Upside/Rough Trade, 1986), which incorporated many of his ideas for pop, dance and classical music for both solo and cello format. This critically acclaimed album was included in Melody Maker's "Top Thirty Releases of 1986."
Arthur also collaborated with a number of choreographers, including John Bernd, Diane Madden, Alison Salzinger and Stephanie Woodard.
When Arthur Russell died of AIDS on April 4, 1992, at the age of 40, the obituary for in the Village Voice wrote: "his songs were so personal that it seems as though he simply vanished into his music."
From: AnonymeInc@webtv.net (Mark Sullivan)
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 15:47:24 -0400 (EDT)
To: jahsonic@yahoo.com (jahsonic)
Subject: Re: missing Russells
I do a tiny bit of freelance writing and have been toying with the idea of doing something about Arthur Russell. I have no idea who I would try to sell it to, though. Tell You (Today) is really good, but is lighter fare than some of his other stuff, kind of bippity boppity, not as funky as All Over My Face, for instance. The female vocals are almost Betty Boopish. Still well worth the $12 www.vinylvendor.com has it at. Meanwhile, here's the info on the tracks you asked about: Necessaries -- I'll have to send you this info when I receive it, which could be a good 4-6 weeks, oh well. Dinosaur -- As well as the 12", I have the promo 7", SRE 1034, both sides 3:03 of the Jimmy Simpson mix on side a of 12" (in my mind the inferior version), one side mono, one stereo. The label does, however, credit the singer, "Myriam Valle." Dinosaur L -- SLX-O, Go Bang! #5, Produced by Arthur Russell & Will Socolov, Mixed by Francois K.; SLX-000, Clean On Your Bean #1, Produced by Arthur Russell & Peter Gordon, Rap by Andre and Abel, Mixed by Francois K. Loose Joints -- the new pressing of Is It All Over My Face is listed as WES 5002-A (90003) Female and B (90004) Male, "Digitally remastered Classic Series." It also lists a website which is under construction, www.westendrecords.com. Tell You (Today), 1983, my copy is a Promotional Copy Only Not For Sale, PRO 410 A, Tell You (Today) 7:00, Tell You (Today) 3:20, Both Tracks: Arthur Russell, PRO 401 B, Tell You (Today) 5:44 (Instrumental) (Arthur Russell), Produced by Killer Whale and Steve D'Aquisto, Mixed by Larry Levan, Eddie Garcia and Robert Moraty for VANLEEV TLX Music (ASCAP), 4th & B'Way/Island. The 7:00 version also appears on the compilation Boogie on Broadway: Best of Fourth and Broadway, Volume One. Lola -- Wax the Van, JS-1007, Side A: Kenny's club version, 5:33; Cherry's Club, 5:43; Side B: Radio Edit, 4:05; Jon's Dub, 7:11. Produced by Bob & Lola Blank for Blank Productions, Recorded at: Blank Tape Studios, Inc., Mastered by Herb "Pump" Powers at Frankford/Wayne Studios, Keyboards: Arthur Russell, Kenny Blank. Jon's Dub appears on Classic Balearic Mastercuts Volume 1 CD. Russell only contributed to one cut on Snake Charmer: Words: Arthur Russell, Music: Wobble, Evans, Marland, Kevorkian, produced by Francois Kevorkian. I'll send you the Todd Terry Project and Ginsberg-related info later, plus the specifics on Another Thought. Hope this helps, Mark
From: brucecarle@webtv.net
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 17:22:12 -0500 (EST)
To: jahsonic@yahoo.com
Subject: Arthur Russell information (Part 1)
Hello,
Here's some Arthur Russell items for your discography. I know Jerry
Harrison & the Casual Gods have a track on "Walk on Water" co-written
by
AR, but I don't have it, so I can't give you any details. Let me know
if
you've any questions. BC
=================
Album Title: "The Fruit of the Original Sin"
Song Title: "Sketch for 'Face of Helen'"
Performer: Arthur Russell
Composer: Arthur Russell
Time: 3:34
Label: Les Disques du Crépuscule
Catalogue Number: TWI 035
Year: 1981
Comments: Compilation originally released in 1981 as a double album,
the
CD version was reissued in September 1999.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Bad Boys of the Arctic"
Song Title: "Let's Go Swimming"
Performer: Gary Lucas
Composer: Arthur Russell
Time: 6:59
Label: Enemy Productions
Catalogue Number: EMY 146-2
Year: 1994
Comments: Lucas was guitarist for Captain Beeheart and the Magic Band.
In addition to several solo albums, he's performed on recordings by
Jeff
Buckley and Joan Osborne.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Soak"
Song Title: "It's Time to Go Home Now"
Performer: Mimi
Composer: Arthur Russell
Time: 5:31
Label: Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.
Catalogue Number: 9 46651-2
Year: 1998
Comments: Mimi Goese was the frontperson for the band Hugo Largo. This
track appears after a 6.5-minute-long gap of silence on the last track
(credited as track 10B). AR credited with "Echo and Feedback."
--------------------------
Song Titles: "I Really Want to Bomb You" / "Jesus Song"
Performer: Jill Kroesen
Composer: Jill Kroesen
Label: Lust/Unlust Music
Catalogue Number: JMB-747
Year: 1980
Comments: Arthur Russell plays cello. 7" single.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Stop Vicious Cycles"
Song Titles: "Fay Shism Blues"
Performer: Jill Kroesen
Composer: Jill Kroesen
Time: 9:20
Label: Lovely Music
Catalogue Number: VR 1501
Year: 1982
Comments: Arthur Russell plays cello on this track only. Vinyl album.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Tower of Meaning"
Performer: Arthur Russell
Label: Chatham Square
Catalogue Number: CLS 145
Year: 1983
Comments: Conducted by Julius Eastman. Individual tracks are untitled
and musicians are uncredited. Vinyl album.
--------------------------
Song Title: "I Need More"
Performer: Lola
Composer: L. Blank/R. [sic] Russell/J. Bratton
Time: Club Mix: 5:20
Radio Edit: 4:10
Kenny's Club Mix: 6:31
Attic Mix: 6:40
Label: Vinylmania
Catalogue Number: VMR 015
Comments: 12" single. Arthur Russell: Hammond organ, keyboards; Fred Zarr, keyboards; Jerry "Club" Bennett, rhythm programming; Lola & the Girls, backgrounds; Kenny, vibe.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Instrumentals" (1974--Vol. 2)
Song Titles: "Part I" (recorded April 27, 1975, at the Kitchen. Ernie
Brooks, bass; Rhys Chatham, flute; Jon Gibson, flute, clarinet, alto
and
soprano sax; Peter Gordon, keyboards; Garrett List, trombone; Andy
Paley, drums; Arthur Russell, electric cello; Dave Van Tieghem,
percussion). "Part II" (recorded June 23, 1977, at Franklin St. Art
Center. Ernie Brooks, bass; Jon Gibson, flute, soprano sax, clarinet;
Glen Lomoro, keyboards; Arthur Russell, electric cello; Bill Ruyle,
percussion; Larry Saltzman, electric guitar; Peter Zummo, trombone;
Dave
Van Tiehem, percussion). "Part III" (recorded May 10, 1978, at the
Kitchen).
Performer: Arthur Russell (see above)
Composer: Arthur Russell
Label: Another Side
Catalogue Number: SIDE 8401
Comments: Vinyl album.
--------------------------
Album Title: "Big Sky"Song Titles: "Back to You" (Tomney)
"Driving and Talking at the Same Time"(Brooks/Russell)
"Born Yesterday" (Tomney)
"My Baby's Explosive" (Tomney)
"Sahara" (Tomney) "Europe" (Tomney)
"Algebra" (Tomney)
"Detroit Tonight" (Brooks/Russell)
"State-of-the-Art" (Tomney)
"On the Run" (Tomney/Russell)
"Cuba Mortis" (Tomney)
Performer: Necessaries (Ernie Brooks, bass, vocals; Jesse Chamberlain,
drums, percussion; Arthur Russell, keyboards, guitar, vocals, cello; Ed
Tomney, vocals, guitar, synthesizer. With Peter Zummo, trombone on
"Sahara"; Gary Kenton, background vocals on "My Baby's Explosive"Label: Sire
Catalogue Number: SRK 3573 Year: 1981
Comments: Produced by Bob Blank. Vinyl album.
Here's what "Trouser Press Record Guide, vol. 4" says:
"These two albums [also "Event Horizon," 1982] are almost thesame;
the original release was withdrawn, given a partial overhaul, a new
title and a relaunch. Although the band was from New York, and included
ex-Modern Lover bassist Ernie Brooks, both LPs are UK-only. (Chris
Spedding was a member, but had split by the time of these recordings.)
"The Necessaries' high-power pop puts the best attributes of rock
(crazed, distored guitars, loud drums) to the service of melodious,
intelligent songwriting. Like the early Motors or Records, the
Necessaries start with catchy, solid tunes and then give 'em full
electric treatment. Rough but sensitive, 'Big Sky' / 'Event Horizon' is
an impressive outing from a criminally neglected band.
"Brooks went on to play with numerous bands around New York;
keyboardist Arthur Russell became a radically original new music
cellist; singer/guitarist Ed Tomney wound up in Rage to Live; drummer
Jesse Chamberlain (ex-Red Crayola) worked wtih Spedding and others."
(Ira Robbins) --------------------------
Album Title: "Experimenting with Household Chemicals"
Song Titles: "Fresh Batteries" (6:57)
"Includes Free Information" (17:33)
"Sung, Played, Heard" (13:45)
"Rocket Scientist" (9:45)
"In Three Movements" (9:54)
"Peaceful Transportation" (10:50)Performer: Peter Zummo
Composer: Peter ZummoLabel: Experimental Intermeia Foundation
Catalogue Number: XI 116Year: 1987 [1995]
Personnel: SOLO--Peter Zummo, trombone, voice; TRIO--Arthur Russell,
amplified cello, voice, keyboard bass; Bill Ruyle, mariba, voice;
QUARTET--Mustafa Ahed, percussion; QUINTET--Jon Gibson, soprano andalto
saxophones, flue; SEPTET--Joseph Kubera, electronic organ and
synthesizer; Dennis Masuzzo, contrabass.--------------------------
Album Title: "Holy Soul Jelly Roll (Poems and Songs, 1949-1993)"
Song Titles: Disc 3, track 11: "A Cradle Song" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal,
finger cymbals, harmonium; Jon Meyer, flute; Peter Hornbeck, violin;
Arthur Russell, cello)
Disc 3, track 12: "Infant Joy" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal, finger cymbals;
Jon Sholle, guitar; Peter Hornbeck, viola; Arthur Russell, cello)
Disc 3, track 13: "The Fly" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal, finger cymbals,
harmonium; Jon Meyer, flute; Jon Sholle, guitar; Peter Hornbeck,violin;
Arthur Russell, cello)
Disc 3, track 14: "Voice of the Bard" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal,harmonium;
Arthur Russell, cello)
Disc 3, track 15: "School Boy" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal, finger cymbals,
harmonium, Tibetan thighbone, trumpet; Jon Meyer, flute; Alan Senauke,
mandolin; Arthur Russell, cello)
Disc 3, track 16: "A Dream" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal, finger cymbals,
harmonium; Peter Orlovsky, vocal; Anne Waldman, vocal; Bob Dylan,
guitar, vocal; David Amram, French horn, recorder, piano; Perry
Robinson, clarinet; Jon Sholle, guitar; Happy Traum, guitar; Arthur
Russell, cello; Margua, drum, bells, toys)
[for the above: lyrics by William Blake, music by Allen Ginsberg]]
Disc 3, track 19: "Pacific High Studio Mantras (Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru
Padma Siddhi Hum)" (Old Tibetan Manta of Padmassambva) (Allen Ginsberg,
vocal, harmonium; Jon Meyer, flute; Jon Sholle, guitar; Alan Senauke,
mandolin; Peter Hornbeck, violin; Arthur Russell, cello; Rverend Adjari
& buddhist Chorus, chorus)
(for those titles below: music & lyrics by Allen Ginsberg)
Disc 4, track 3: "CIA Dope Calypso" (Allen Ginsberg, vocal, harmonium,
song sticks, finger cymbals; Stephen Taylor, recorder, conga; Jon
Sholle, guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, maracas, drums; David Mansfield,man
external links
Hi--just to let you know I was hanging out with Steve D'Acquisto last week at Quad Studios NYC where Steve was making digital transfers of 2 track live mix tapes of Love Dancing and Pop Your Funk--the highlight was finding a reel of Arthur's edits of Pop Your Funk--with about ten minutes of unadulterated genius editing and playing--this is being done for Nuphonic in anticipation of release soon--and an ongoing effort by Steve to make digital copies of the dozens of 2 track mix tapes that Tom Lee (Arthur's boyfriend) has stored in his East Village apartment (in the Poets' Building--where several poets including the late Allen Ginsberg and many musicians including Richard Hell have lived or still live there).
Yours