Song and Call, by The Smudges

The Gigue is Up by The Smudges

Song and Call

by The Smudges

supported by

Rich D. Wonderful acoustic and electronic complexity brought together. My weakness for the experimental/ avant and moody deeper sound and feel of a cello is fulfilled, and the violin, Tibetan singing bowl and electronic/ electric sides and more create wonderful layers on top of the cello. This requires dedicated listening time.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Beautifully designed 6 panel CD Wallet with high quality sound

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1.	Music of Chants (in memory of John Cage) 02:30	info	buy track
2.	Julius Caesar Eyebrows 05:32	info	buy track
3.	The Gigue is Up 05:19 video	info	buy track
4.	Kasha's Lament 03:28		buy track
5.	Matter of Time 05:59		buy track
6.	Song and Call 09:24 video		buy track
7.	Blitva 03:33		buy track
8.	Palindrones 06:25		buy track
9.	Release 11:00		buy track

about

The Smudges have been playing together since 2008. However, it took a global pandemic and suspension of all live concerts for them to hunker down and document their work.

The album Song and Call is a Smudges sandwich of compositions by good friends Guy Klucevsek and Tom Flaherty on the crusty outside, and compositions by Jeff and duo improvs in the middle. All of this music can be performed live with the assistance of loops, samples and a vast array of computer hosted electronic effects, all activated by the violinist’s feet.

The piece Song and Call is inspired by the cover painting by good friend and neighbor Jeff Faust. The source material consists of bird songs and calls that have been slowed down up to 10 times normal speed, as well as bamboo wind chimes from the garden, and a Tibetan singing bowl. The birdsong samples are sliced and diced, and triggered by the electric violin. The piece is in four movements played attacca, and titled after the four birds whose songs are represented: Gray Fantail, Common Starling, American Robin and Eastern Winter Wren. Maggie can be heard whistling with the Wren in the last movement.

credits

released February 18, 2022

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about

The Smudges Los Angeles, California

Genre defying compositions, adventurous improvisations and electronically altered sounds; The Smudges are 'cellist Maggie Parkins and violinist Jeff Gauthier.
Their name is shrouded in mystery. Smudges on a window? Herbs that chase away evil spirits? The seamless melding of improvisation and varied musical styles that define these L.A. based musicians? The answer is emphatically YES! ... more

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