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A Page Of Madness
Aono Jikken
William Satake Blauvelt (Khaen, Odaiko, Uchiwa-odaiko set, Gong, Bell Wheel, Taiko Set, Waterphone, Metal Duct, Afuche, Hioshige, Xylimba, Rainstick, Wind chime, Tympani, Bamboo, Chinese Opera Cymbals, Sound Toys, Chappa Rinbo, Frame Drum, Voice) Yoko Murao (Khaen, Rattles, Castanets, Bottle Drum, Toy Drum, Voice, Ratchet, Atarigame, Wood Knocker, Tibetan Bowl), Susie Kozawa ( Khaen, Bell Wheel, Wood Knocker, Ratchet, 2X4 Wood Blocks, Sound Toys, Autoharp, Bass Baliphone, Bowed Cymbal, Kelp Trumpet, Voice.) Mike Shannon (Suruti Box, Harmonica, Bodhran, Rattles, Bells, Erhu, Kalimba, Beene, Zurna, Rhiata, Chin-chin, Chinese Opera gong, Voice, Dumbek, Dilruba, Kanjira, Bottillia, Bowed Bells,.) Esther Sugai ( Khaen, Uchiwa-Daiko Set, Harmonica, Fue, Flute, Kelp Oboe-sax, Voice, Kelp Clarinet, Rinbo, Kelp Trumpet)
Aono Jikken (pronounced
Ah-Oh-No Gee-Ken ), or Blue Field Experiment, is a sound/music/movement/multi-media ensemble based in Asian/American
aesthetics and a structured improvisational performing style. (from the liner notes).What
we have here is a soundtrack for Teinosuke Kinugasašs 1926 silent film 'A Page Of
Madness'. To tell the truth, though I would've liked to've seen the film, I enjoy this CD
on it's sonic merits alone. The instrumentation is unique, to say the least, and the music
conjures many moods, ominous, silly, peaceful, raucus. As with any film music, there are
often quite abrupt changes of style/sound/mood and this helps keep things interesting.
There is definitely a narrative feel to the whole, though it doesnšt come across as
contrived or forced , as does much modern film music. This could just as easily be a disc
of top-rate improvisors utilizing a huge assortment of sound-makers. Nor does it remind me
at all of attempts by people from different cultures to blend their various cultural
sounds. These people know what they're doing.
If you're ever in Seattle and catch wind of a showing of "A Page Of Madness" with a live score, I suggest you try to attend. This is one fascinating group. Oh yeah, the film sounds pretty swell too.
-jeph jerman
Gold Mountain Supply Company
William Satake Blauvelt
12043 17th Ave. N.E.
Seattle WA 98125
ph: 206 368 5645
e-mail: blauvelt@seattleu.edu