Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    So, Todd, will you let the rest of us enjoy some of these textures,
    or are you just going to wet or appetites and then tease us by keeping
    the tape yourself!
    
    Seriously, I would really like to hear this, if possible.  If you
    have reservations about sending the tape around lest you never see
    it again, I could make a copy of it and send back the original --
    if you trust me!
    
    Anyway, if you want to, my mail stop is  LTN1-2/B17
    
    	Ron

re: -.1

Ron, see note 596 (I think).  You might as well get it directly from Karl
and get a 2nd generation rather than deal with a 3rd generation...

Todd.

    I too requested a copy of Karl's "Unreleases".
    
    Having admired his work since hearing his submissions to the ill-
    fated "Commusic I" (his rendition of "Tocatta" was my favorite)
    and having purchased copies of "Still Life" for both myself and
    a friend, I eagerly awaited his new releases.
    
    Geez, I really hate to say this, but... I was a bit disappointed.
    
    Now, before I'm subjected to Nukes from Tucson, let me try to explain
    why...
    
    Karl is a damn good pianist. I've heard lots of noters perform and
    he's the best of the bunch, hands down, no contest. I'm an improv
    fan and his particular style of expanding on a theme suits my tastes
    just fine. The theme is never lost in Karl's pieces. (As opposed
    to some improvisational artists who like to thrill the listener
    by stretching a piece to the limits and snapping it back like a
    rubber band.)
    
    "Unreleases" doesn't suffer a bit from either lack of imagination
    or abuse. Immediately upon listening, I said to myself "Classic
    Moeller..." and laid back to listen. As the tape progressed, I
    found myself almost loosing interest though. Repeated listenings
    didn't change this.
    
    At the risk of adding fuel to a fire I'd just as soon see die out,
    I must confess something. The entity which I found disenchanting
    was (I know, heresy) MIDI.
    
    Throughout the majority of the tape Karl used his MKS-20 for piano.
    No problem there. I can't tell the difference. But, always tracking
    right along with his lead lines was the Kawai. Karl plays the piano,
    the Kawai dutifully tracks along behind. Karl stops, Kawai stops.
    
    I thought, "This sounds like a couple of synths on the same MIDI
    channel." Expecting some sort of counter-point between the 2, I
    continue to listen.
    
    Somewhat confused, I spoke with Karl and asked about the technique.
    As I recall the conversation, my guess was correct.
    
    That's the basis of my disappointment. Certainly not a pan of Karl's
    musical technique or creativity, but rather one of his use of the
    technology. I wanted to hear MOELLER, not Roland and Kawai. I like
    MOELLER. Really. (I also like Roland and Kawai, but in this particular
    instance I felt they obscured some really good music.)
    
    Not that this type of exploitation is inherently bad. The opening
    of 'The Black Cat Suite' uses this methodolgy well. A big fanfare.
    Yeah. Worked real well. But a fanfare is a method of setting something
    apart. When the same technique is over-used the differences become
    indistinct and everything gets blurred.
    
    Perfectly valid music, Karl. Well executed and certainly heartfelt.
    But next time, let the technology be the means, not the end.
    
    On the bright side!! I recieved Karl's submission to Commusic II
    and my faith was renewed. To the point, in fact, where I re-did
    the tape and put his "Woo-Woo Love" up first. (I wouldn't even
    put my own work on the same side!) You did it again, Karl. Scored
    the "Edd Cote's Favorite Submission - Pick to Click" award. You
    should all acquire a copy of Commusic II for this tune.
    
    You should all acquire a copy of "Unreleases" also. I'd hate to
    see some buffoon in a 3 piece suit saying possibly discouraging
    words be the last note. Mr. Moeller has lot's of good/interesting
    musical ideas. Listen to him. You'll be better for it.
    
    Edd
     

    
    
    Dear Karl
    
    Please could you improve me as a person by sending me a copy of
    your tape. How can we best arrange this? I would like to pass this
    tape around the Commusicians in Europe if that's Ok with you.
                                            
    				Paul.

    Paul, please see note 596 for complete how-to-get-it info. I'd be 
    pleased to spread this music around a bit more. Anyone wishing to
    copy their dub for someone else has my permission.
    
>Note 596.0              Almost-Free Arizona Holiday Music              
========================================================================
>The music was recorded direct-to-tape, no overdubs, no sequencing.
                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>The equipment used was a KX88 driving a Roland MKS-20 Digital piano
>rack module, and a KAWAI K3 synth, using two Alesis MIDIverbs and
>an Ibanez chorus/delay unit, mixed directly to tape.

    Surprise ! It's exactly what I said it would be ! The tape
    you hear is an edited version of the ones recorded whilst going thru 
    the patches on the KAWAI, letting the sounds suggest direction. It's 
    true, I'm primarily a pianist and that's how I think... pianistically. 
    
    Please remember, of all the pieces on this DOUBLE ALBUM - that's
    90 FULL minutes of music, only ** 3 ** were NOT improvised. You
    take your chances. I'm pleased and gratified that it has the hit
    ratio that it has... improvisation is the father of composition.
    I look at this as  a storehouse of ideas, many of which wouldn't 
    have come out without the added impetus of the KAWAI synth sounds. 
    I'd like to have polyphony going on, too, that's why I've already
    invested in a MAC with sequencer software and have an EMAX sampler
    on order.
    
    After listening to the tape a LOT, I made a revised version, trimming
    90 minutes down to less than 60. It works better, sounds tighter.
    Here's the new lineup :
    Side A :                      Side B :
    City Nights                   Koto Rock
    The Kiss                      Tickytacky
    Katzentanz                    Sunscape (formerly 'It's a Snap!')
                                  Walpurgisnacht
                                  Mr. Hopeful
                                  Blues Waltz
    
    Whaddya think, current listeners ? Should I shorten the tape for
    future listeners ? 

    karl_the_best_improviser_in_my_skin

The condensed version looks like a good idea, Karl.  Of course, whether
or not it's "better" all depends on the audience.  I think a copy
of both the 60 minute version and the 90 minute version is a win.  They
both have different targets (much like 3:45 hit singles vs. 10:00 extended
dance singles)...

Todd.

    Yesterday I received the tape directly from Karl. Couldn't wait
    till late in the night: my favourite time to listen and enjoy music.
    
    But get my room dark, got my pipe, sat comfortable and get the tape
    inside my stuff... Now I know I have been exchanging notes with
    a real pianist!!
    
    Top sound quality. Creative indeed the "Canon in 'D'" version, but
    what I loved the most it was "New Drool". Karl, you made me feel
    good. I loved it to the most, kindly floating, listening dreams
    in the distance, riding on a green dust, whispering in red, diminished
    thru mirrors, far from reality...
    
    And I pressed the STOP button on my deck; then I rewinded the tape
    and began listening again "New Drool" (just a deed, because I knew
    there was "More Drool" on side 2).
    
    I'm just a listener, a bit dreamer, you may say. Sometimes I live
    inside my iron castle and don't want to get away. So I need something
    that makes my life more colorfull. I was "drooled" yesterday, you
    see, because a black crystal angel came to me and invited me for
    a walk. The LEDs in my recorder were strangely different and the
    sounds out of the baffles were getting liquid, spacechoed, hellighted,
    snowaves around.
    
    I'm not a musician so, Karl, I beg you pardon because you will never
    get from me a "professional" opinion. I am only a listener who wants
    to dream and, believe me, yesterday I listened your tape... and
    I dreamt.
    
    May I ask you to tell me if you have more music to enligthen my
    mentalighted world? 
    
    Twilights sparkling in a cyclonized cosmosky I saw, and then the
    black angel dissapeared in a wonderful archoviewed seascape... after
    90 minutes standing under a cloudstorm of tangram ricocheting in
    my ears...

    
    ... but did you *like* it?
    
    Edd                       

    The tape have arrived here in France too, but my cassette deck is
    in for repair right now (happened just as I ordered COMMUSIC TAPE
    II by the way) so Karl I have only had the chance to listen to it
    on my Walkman and that dont give the right improssion I think. So far
    I am impressed anyway, I got much the same feeling as the colorful
    noter Ruben writes. I like this kind of music very much and I will
    come back with more when I get to listen to it on my HiFi.
    
    Thanks a lot Karl.
    
    Svein
    

    Answer to .8:
    
    Edd,
    
    Do you know anyone who hates a colorain? If you do: don't let him
    ever close to the red button. He will press it and we will all fly
    into pieces...
    
    Karl just sent me a one-way ticket to paradise. I'm sorry blind
    guys can't see the shinning sounds I see:
    
    Freefalling I love, 'cos grey shaded reality becomes a sparkling
    mirror in my eyes. "New Drool" I enjoyed to the most, 'cos fireworks
    produced in my brain.
    
    "But, did you like it?": Sure, I did!!

    Well, I didn't have NEARLY as much fun recording the music as Ruben
    has listening to it ! 
    
    I guess I'm embarrassed that I named the two long Space pieces 'New
    Drool' and 'More Drool'... shows my attitude toward 'Space' music
    in general, I suppose.
    
    I'm pleased that folks are enjoying the music.
    
    karl

    I'm new here to DEC, and all the talk about Karl's tape has me really
    interested. Is there a chance that I could also get a copy of your
    tape Karl? I am a keyboard player, and an improvisationalist myself.
    Sounds like you could be a good influence on me! So how about it?
    If I gather enough courage, I might be persuaded to share my own
    humble offerings. (I don't have much equipment, nor do I have much
    of a home studio.)
    
    Truly interested..
    
    Mke D.

    I'd like a copy also Karl.
    
    	db