Pauline Oliveros — Accordion & voice

This album is by one of most respected figures in American  minimalism, original released in 1982  in a small pressing & has been out of  print for some time, now Important give it it’s first cd releasers. The album consists of two long earthy, spiritual and mediative drone piece  produced by of course accordion and Ms Oliveros voice.

These two pieces represent her first work as a soloist and came about when she was living in Oakframe house in a meadow just below Mount tremper Phoenicia in New York State. The  two tracks really do take in the vast wonder and spirit rising glory of greenery, huge skies and mountain scapes- the feeling of been total at one with ones self and nature, it takes one back to a time with out all the trappings of modern live. Horse sings from a cloud is the first 22 minute track, built around rich and penetrating accordion tones and chanted spiritual humming voice. She seems to deepen the expanse of sound with each new drone repartition, it just seems to suck you in further and further to the hypnotic and beautiful drone. Track two Rattlesnake Mountain  again runs near the 22 minute mark, this time just consistenting of Accordion throb, drone and vast blue skies note weaving, she unfolds roll upon rolls of repeated notes that seem rich with spring sun, the smell of pine and the eternal wonder of nature- if you shut your eyes you could almost be lying on the mossy slops of a huge mountain scape.

A rewarding and much needed reissue of these two lose your self in pieces. Package in a rather more sturdy than normal for Important double cardboard sleeve – with a written piece discussing Ms Oliveros work and of course the album it’s self.