BARRY CLEVELAND

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by Barry Cleveland

TheLodgeFinal-sm-light

“The Lodge” was both a somewhat rustic dwelling in the Montclair Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area and a way of not doing things. Between 1990 and 1994 the house was the scene of remarkable gatherings attended by artists of diverse musical stripes, all of whom willingly adhered to two implicit principles: No matter who you imagined yourself to be you checked your ego at the door, and you refrained as best you could from playing things you had played previously. Solos were frowned upon unless clearly inspired and resorting to obvious clichés might be grounds for expulsion. Everyone honored The Muse and consequently magic was frequently afoot.

My intention is for this incarnation of The Lodge to embody that same spirit, eschewing egoism while courting inspiration and serendipity. Look for posts exploring creativity and creative processes in 2019. —BC


Michael Beinhorn

Seducing the Muse

Michael Beinhorn began his musical career as an original member of the visionary musical collective Material in 1979, performing live and playing synthesizer and other instruments on the band’s first four EPs and albums. Additionally, Beinhorn and Material bassist Bill Laswell were members of Brian Eno’s inner circle during that era and contributed to the opening track on his 1982 release Ambient 4: On Land.

[Read more…]

http://www.barrycleveland.com/2332-2/

Filed Under: The Lodge

September 8, 2016 by Barry Cleveland Leave a Comment

richard-pinhas-barry-cleveland-featuring-michael-manring-celso-alberti-mu-cover_art-richard_pinhas-barry_cleveland-muMu
Richard Pinhas & Barry Cleveland
With Michael Manring & Celso Alberti

Cuneiform Records (2016)

 

“Similes of a scenic tour into a Black Hole star with grooving pulses come to mind. Hence, the guitarists’ streaming and phase shifting notes and the rhythm section’s undulating cadences along with melodic overtones and ghostly apparitions are other sensations that prevail throughout the production … Think of space rock with a college education as the band paints a dexterous, intertwining sonic-scape from start to finish.” —Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

“Mu is an entirely improvised, yet extremely focused effort that explores the intersections between myriad genres and influences … Incredibly strong stuff.” —Anil Prasad, Innerviews

“This cinematic collection of tone poems … evokes strange and alluring terrains of atmospheric imagery. It’s the perfect sonic partner for those days when you just want to look out a window at something beautiful.” —Michael Molenda, Guitar Player

“Mu is fearlessly powerful, rich, and HUGE—the sounds of heavy metal jazz meeting electronic maximalism, guitars as freed by Jimi Hendrix in orchestrations rivaling Led Zeppelin’s, rock-solid drumming supporting it all. The effect is oceanic.” —Howard Mandel, Jazz Beyond Jazz

“Nothing short of a masterpiece, beginning to end.” —Peter Thelen, Exposé Online

DOWNLOAD Mu on iTunes
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Mu on Bandcamp
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Mu on Amazon
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Mu on Wayside Music

http://www.barrycleveland.com/mu/

Filed Under: Albums

by Barry Cleveland

 David Torn performing live. Photo: Scott Friedlander

David Torn

The Art of Sky Gazing

Guitarist, composer, and interdimensional sonic shape-shifter David Torn has pursued a singular musical vision for more than four decades. His outré approach to guitar playing and electronic manipulation had already begun to fully crystallize by 1982, when he made his first record for the ECM label as a member of the fusion quartet Everyman Band. Torn had been mentored by Leonard Bernstein, studied guitar with Pat Martino and John Abercrombie, and performed alongside Don Cherry while honing his artistic aesthetic.

[Read more…]

http://www.barrycleveland.com/1826-2/

Filed Under: The Lodge

by Barry Cleveland

Gary Husband, Ranjit Barot, John McLaughlin, and Etienne M’Bappe (left to right). Photo: John Bouchet.

Now Playing In The Lodge

Five Highly Recommended New Albums (with Audio)

mclaughlin

John McLaughlin, Black Light

John McLaughlin has released dozens of recordings over the course of his storied career—some of which significantly impacted the course of musical history. Now 73, the maestro continues to perform and record regularly and anyone who has seen him with his current band, the 4th Dimension, can testify to the enduring brilliance, suppleness, and agility of his playing (evidenced on last year’s live album The Boston Record).

[Read more…]

http://www.barrycleveland.com/1824-2/

Filed Under: The Lodge

September 29, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

hologramatron_coverHologramatron
Moonjune Records (2010)

An avant-rock 21st Century protest album featuring Robert Powell, Michael Manring, Celso Alberti, and Amy X Neuburg, with Harry Manx, Deborah Holland, Erdem Helvacioglu, Artist General, Rick Walker, and Gino Robair.

“There are a handful of albums in my life that hit me the way this album did. For me it sits in a small group of very special musical experiences: David Byrne and Brian Eno’s My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Bill Bruford’s Feels Good to Me, NIN’s Downward Spiral, and King Crimson’s Discipline.” —Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie, The Cure)

“A fantastic, essential rock album. Several of its ten mini-epics explore the precarious state humanity finds itself at the present moment, with deep insight, humor, and wit—not to mention some ferocious playing from an avant all-star ensemble.” —Anil Prasad, Innerviews

“An imaginative progressive rock-oriented release … The songs are rich in sonic texture, and with panoptic social political messages that require a close listen … a delightful milestone.” —Mark Redlefsen, All About Jazz 

DOWNLOAD Hologramatron on iTunes
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Hologramatron on Bandcamp
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Hologramatron on CD BABY

[Read more…]

http://www.barrycleveland.com/hologramatron/

Filed Under: Albums

September 29, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

Volcano
Supersaturated Records (2004)

An explosive mixture of African and Afro-Haitian rhythms and progressive, jazz, ambient, and world music elements, featuring Michael Manring, Michael Pluznick, Norbert Stachel, Michael Masley, and other outstanding artists.

“A series of rhythm-based pieces that draw on inspirations from a multitude of sources to create a sonic landscape that becomes an entity unto itself. It’s an album that leans towards Eastern harmonies and yet clearly comes from players with a Western background. And, in the end, it’s an appealingly multilayered aural experience that continues to reveal new things with every listen.” —John Kelman, All About Jazz

“Cleveland’s third album as a leader finds the renowned guitarist and composer exploring the nuances of rhythm. Drawing from a varied palette of traditions, timbres and tonalities, Volcano bridges the impressionist leanings of his previous releases with a more audacious, kinetic approach. Listeners will appreciate the disc’s pulsing rhythms, inter-weaving melodies, and layers of evocative atmospheres.” —Anil Prasad, Innerviews

DOWNLOAD Volcano on iTunes
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Volcano on Bandcamp
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Volcano on CD Baby

http://www.barrycleveland.com/volcano/

Filed Under: Albums

September 29, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

Memory & Imagination
Supersaturated Records (2003)

This double-CD compilation contains the best of Cleveland’s Mythos and Voluntary Dreaming albums, six guitar and percussion pieces from 1992, two ambient guitar pieces from 1981, and an entirely improvised solo guitar piece recorded live on the Echoes radio program. Featured artists include Michael Pluznick, Michael Masley, Robert Powell, Kat Epple, Bob Stohl, and Carl Weingarten.

“”Much of Cleveland’s music doesn’t sound like the work of your conventional guitarist at all, but rather a far-reaching compositional visionary who uses whatever instruments and processes necessary to achieve his ends.” —Peter Thelen, Expose’

“I was immediately struck by the prominence of percussion and world music influences on several of the tracks, elements that have apparently informed Cleveland’s work through the years. The effects and sound processing that made Volcano such an interesting and beautiful experience are present, though the earlier music is characterized by more mellow, floating journeys, with a powerful ambient soundscape element.” —Jerry Kranitz, Aural Innovations

DOWNLOAD Memory & Imagination on iTunes
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Memory & Imagination on Bandcamp
DOWNLOAD or PURCHASE Memory & Imagination on CD Baby

http://www.barrycleveland.com/memory-imagination/

Filed Under: Albums

September 29, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

CD cover of Voluntary Dreaming by Barry ClevelandVoluntary Dreaming
Scarlet Records (1990)

Originally slated for release on the Audion Recording Company, this disc has a more electronic feel than than Cleveland’s other albums. It features Michael Pluznick (acoustic and electronic percussion), Michael Masley (bowhammer cymbalom), Robert Powell (pedal-steel guitar), and Anastasia Johnson (soprano voice).

“The contrasting balance of electronics, the old European earthiness of the cymbalom, the familiar croon of pedal-steel guitar, and the global percussion mix gives Voluntary Dreaming a depth that one finds all too rarely. The song sequence holds the varying styles together and rewards the listener with a challenging, compelling listen.” —Richard Price, BAM

“Voluntary Dreaming is an intricate, multi-layered work full of subtleties and inventiveness, an imaginative blend of unusual instrumentation, delicate textures, bright rhythms, and plenty of inspiration.” —Lloyd Barde, AllMusic

All but one of the tracks on Voluntary Dreaming are included on the 2-CD compilation Memory & Imagination.

http://www.barrycleveland.com/voluntary-dreaming/

Filed Under: Albums

September 28, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

hologramatron_coverMythos
Audion Recording Company (1986)
Supersaturated Records (Remastered 2012)

One of the debut releases on Larry Fast’s Audion Recording Company, Mythos combines layers of guitar with Michael Masley’s otherworldly bowhammer cymbalom and Bob Stohl and Kat Epple’s woodwinds, synths, and light percussion.

One of The 25 Best New Age Compact Discs (alongside such other “new age” albums as Dark Side of the Moon, Autobahn, Dig It, and Thursday Afternoon). —Stereo Review 1987 Compact Disc Buyer’s Guide

“The five hypnotic songs on Mythos engender a dreamy tranquility, yet remain interesting enough to hold your attention. Obscure ethnic instruments ground the guitar/synthesizer songs with an ancient earthiness.” Performance: 8 Sound: 10  —CD Review

“Cleveland himself does everything but play the guitar straight; he uses Ebow, violin bows, Thumbo, and Bowhammers to elicit long droning chords from his instrument. Side two is a 19-minute Frippertronics loop, with flutes, bells, and cymbalom floating in and out. Very empyrean.”—Electronic Musician

DOWNLOAD Mythos on iTunes
DOWNLOAD Mythos on Bandcamp
DOWNLOAD Mythos on CD Baby

http://www.barrycleveland.com/mythos/

Filed Under: Albums

September 27, 2014 by Barry Cleveland

stones-cover-webbStones of Precious Water
Supersaturated Records (2014 Restored and remastered)
Originally recorded 1981-1983

An experimental ambient album representing Cleveland’s first forays into multi-track recording. Featuring Bob Stohl (flute, synths, Lyricon), Kat Epple (flute, synths, voice, bells), and Kathy House (voice).

DOWNLOAD Stones of Precious Water on Bandcamp

http://www.barrycleveland.com/stones-of-precious-water/

Filed Under: Albums

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