Considerable Sounds: If - Lindsay Anderson

By DC Music Editor Benjamin New

“IF”

Two bass players were engaged for a run of the renown French opera by Georges Bizet, “Carmen“. After a couple of weeks, they agreed each to each take an afternoon off in turn to go and watch the others matinee performance from the front of house. Joe duly took his break; back in the pit that evening, Moe asked how it was. "Great," says Joe. "You know that bit where the music goes `BOOM Boom Boom Boom'--well there are some guys uptop singing a terrific song about a Toreador at the same time."

Franco Pomponi as Escamillo

Are we myopic? Often times, yes. Our perceptions of music are based on our own personal experience of it. The more you know about an artist or a piece of music, the more dimensions you will likely perceive in your experience of that music.

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom.
If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.” ~Charlie Parker

Out Of The Horn…

Every once in a while it is my privilege and my pleasure to share some news about a great musical project, an artist you may not have heard yet, or the release of a new recording. In the past these articles have included pieces about independent artists (Independent’s Day part 1& Part 2), an article announcing the release of Angelique Kidju’s “Djin Djin”and a piece about Sue Wilkinson . Today it is indeed a great pleasure to bring a great project, a talent you may not be familiar with, and the release of a new CD to your attention. The absolutely remarkable Lindsay Anderson. Lindsay’s based in Chicago, so if your anywhere near the windy city, make sure to attend her Record Release Party on September 7, 2007 at Schubas Tavern.

The show begins at 10 p.m. “IF” is the title of the new CD, an apparent milestone in a career that has included co founding the critically acclaimed “L’atra” group. And lending her distinctive voice to Will Oldham, Edith Frost, Telefon Tel Aviv, Slicker, Pulseprogramming, and WW Lowman.



Supported by a stellar band of productive musicians, including Bill Lowman, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Jessica Billey, Darren Garvey , Jay Marino, and Pat Samson; this new release shines like a beacon in the night. What do I like so much about it?

A. The Songwriting!

Lindsay has penned some heartfelt intelligent pieces that brought to mind fragments of Peter Gabriel, Annie DiFranco, Laurie Anderson, Kate Bush, Lucinda Williams, and Patty Griffin. The songs I’ve heard are mesmerizing musically, sonically, and lyrically. With the finer qualities of folk music and a musically sophisticated palette, Lindsay paints an emotional and spiritual masterpiece with broad strokes. I love this CD.

B. The Musicianship!

The singing is gorgeous and rich. The keyboards are fresh and vibrant. The guitars are luxurious. Her harmonies are close and full. The rhythms are infectious. There is diversity and yet there is a commonality. I found the music touching and instantly like an old friend yet after numerous listenings, enough details revealed themselves to merit continued explorations.

C. The Production!

What is production? Well, ask any 2 producers and you will certainly get 2 different answers. But essentially production is a decision making process that should ultimately end up documenting the songs and the artist in the best possible light.

Production decisions on this CD are mature, informed and clean. A great combination.

This CD is self produced! Having spent a good deal of time myself on both sides of the booth, often times I can spot a self produced CD (and there are plenty of them today, in my opinion more so because it is cheaper to do as opposed to having an artistic vision or any real experience in the field). There are telltale signs. Over use of EQ, overuse of compression, tracks sitting oddly in a mix. You will find none of that here. This CD is superbly recorded and mastered. An excellent polished production from start to finish.



Visit Lindsay’s web site for more information Here.

Or listen to some of her music free Here.


Her brand new CD “IF” is available here at the Duly Consider Store.



There is also a Myspace page which is a good way to contact the artist or download the songs.

Lindsay Anderson on myspace.com

I doubt there is coincidence in singer Lindsay Anderson titling this CD “IF”. She shares her name with a brilliant, witty, entertaining, and socially conscious British film maker whose 1968 film “If” is a masterpiece. I’ve noticed on her previous works, other free associations with revolutionary artistic stances. Lou Reed’s Metal Machine music….“My week Beats Your Year” comes to mind. This is informed, intelligent beautiful pop music.

Just the type of art we here at Duly Consider have been begging for . I sincerely hope you will duly consider listening to and supporting this music. Downloads on her My Space page are merely a dollar. May your celebration of Labor Day include the labors of musicians!

Thanks for dropping by.
Ben

IF
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling



Ahh, only in New York. Here is another Version of the Toreador Song
on perhaps the world's longest instrument.

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