PYGMY BEAT: In the beginning there was...

THANATOGENOUS by Pygmy Beat Augmented

2012-01-12T14:38:00.012+11:00

Happy New Year!
Joe, Gerry & Greg have combined again to make another piece of classic rock as Pygmy Beat Augmented.
I provided another song sketch with some words and left it to the three featured players to make something of it. The title also has high coincidence value as this song was my 1st venture using Reaper as the recording program.
With a lyrical theme originally inspired by Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One and later by Terry Pratchett's Discworld and a squillion guitars there was potential for something interesting to evlove. Gerry Steele was 1st in with a full track of excellent melodic lead work which was of such quality that an instrumental became a distinct possibility. Greg Loyacano then stepped up with a pounding drum track that lifted the song way beyond its dark Roland 505 rhythm roots. Joe Mizzi had to spend some time selecting lyrics that suited the backing. He chose a set that, in some ways ,matches the nomenclature for his new band: Angels Fall. He presented both lead and backing vocals to a melody he'd constructed.
I began to mix the project once all parts were in BUT, there's always a but, the mother board in my 2 year old DELL Inspiron 530 died mid way through. Luckily I had backed up to an external drive just a day or so beforehand.
I sent the saved project to Greg, (he's a whiz at Reaper), who finished mixing with all guitars blazing.
The resultant premaster was sent to Jan at finemastering.de who was pleased enough with the track to ask for the opportunity to mix it as well. What we now have are two different, and both excellent, mixes which were mastered by Jan.
There's a video as well, (of course), built from internet scrounged images and video clips.
The heading link will take you to that via Utub, (It has one of the mastered mixes randomly selected).
Here are links to high quality MP3s of each mastered mix:
Mix 1.
Mix 2.
Cheers
ray

D'AccorD's Newie: HELIKE

2011-10-19T13:51:00.006+11:00

The gentlemen from D'AccorD have their new album OUT NOW. Released under the Karisma Records imprint, HELIKE is a new piece that is filtered through the lense of a true 70's prog concept LP with 2 "side" long suites, a gatefold to keep you reading whilst listening, lyrics to map the journey and a band sound laced with guitars, flutes and mellotron.
The influences on the music are many, varied and worn on the sleeve of all band members BUT this is not a tribute album or a pastiche: it's a work that stands up on its own by virtue of the songs.
The concept is based around the legend of Helike and associated Greek myths & gods. DON'T be put off by that if you're not into ancient mythology - the story has significant currency through the Japan earthquake & subsequent floods as well as the Boxing Day Tsunami.
D'Accord's playing is excellent throughout as is the recording and mixing (done by Daniel from the band) whilst the mastering is by a former Pink Floyd engineer. I really enjoy listening to this album and the only thing I need that isn't provided when doing so is an LP sized cover to hold & read while I'm sitting in the sweet spot. The last album was released on vinyl so there is hope yet.
If you like PROG you'll love this album. If you don't like prog you'll probably like it after listening to this CD. It can be had from iToons, and various other online providers in CD format as well as digital download.
Click on the headline to get a squiz at & listen to the band!
Cheers
ray

Silent Waltz

2011-10-03T14:45:00.004+11:00

Recently I sent a remix of Silent Waltz to finemastering.de to have it "stem mastered" as an experiment. I hadn't had any of the Miriam & Me tracks mastered and wondered how they would translate.
The results were pretty successful. There's a bit of hiss at the very beginning which is a result of my recording chain at the time. I also asked Jan Ohlhorst, the M.E., if he could attempt to reduce the reverb that was printed to the vocal track. This was recorded at a time when I was a reverb junkie I'm afraid. Jan did a good job of that quite tall order.
The final result is a track that I'm very pleased with.
The vocals and melody are by Miriam Webb who also plays the nice 'cello lines. I did the rest; including the grumpy 'cello bits - the 'cello arrangement was an exercise in chording an arpeggio which Miriam, then my 'cello tutor, devised.
The link in the title will take you to a FLAC version and the link below this text is to a 320MP3.
320MP3
Cheers
ray

Haemophilliac Heroes Pygmy Beat Augmented

2011-08-26T15:56:00.005+10:00

This little project was started just as 2011 was beginning but has taken rather a long time as there were all sorts of problems, of my making, during the development.
Greg Loyacano provides the power house drumming, Joe Mizzi sings up a storm on both backing and main vocals while Gerry Steele plays some simply amazing licks in all the right places.
Once the song was recorded, (each of the above recorded at their studios and sent the parts via server download), and mixed to everyone's satisfaction it was sent to finemastering.de for the final touches provided by Mastering Engineer Jan Ohlhorst. Jan spent quite some time and energy on this one as I kept discovering mistakes I'd made in the mix. He patiently allowed me to address problems as he went about his business - which was to provide a terrific sound and sense of cohesiveness that is achieved through an M.E.'s secret alchemy.
I spent a little time pulling together images to make a simple visual representation of the song with a quick peek at the band members as well.
I hope you enjoy this - it certainly was fun recording with the three real heroes of the piece as they provided the excellent musicianship, support, ideas and musicality that make it work.
Cheers
ray & terry

The MASTER Mastered

2011-07-01T17:32:00.005+10:00

The recent Pygmy Beat Augmented experiment was so successful that I decided to take it to the logical conslusion and have the track mastered by a professional Mastering Engineer.
I did some listening, reading and questioning around and about places and people who know, knew and had recent experience with the process and selected FINEMASTERING and their stellar ME Jan Ohlhorst [info@finemastering.de] to have a crack at it.
Having heard the superb work done on recent tracks recorded by Gerry Steele of the Hamilton Steele Band I also decided to have the track "stem mastered". This means I break the song into audio sections which I give to Jan to treat and then recombine into the final song. The benefit of this process is that the ME has a greater degree of flexibility: a more surgical & less bloody path to deal with problems that are embedded in the mix, (mid mud, too much high end in a section etc). Jan consulted with me and sought my approval at stages through the process and presented a draft master for approval which is then replaced by a full red book wave file when all is done & agreed to.
The other reason for going for the stem process was to do justics to Gerry Steele's excellent solos, Greg Loyacano's superb drums and Joe Mizzi's fanmazing vocals.
The quality of the net result will be for you to decide on an idividiual basis but I can tell you that it brought a great big smile to my dial.
Click the heading to hear a streamer of the track from Soundclick. If you want better quality get in touch with me.
Cheers
ray & terry

ANGELS FALL - JOE MIZZI

2011-04-14T19:30:00.004+10:00

This is the 2nd album by Joe Mizzi that I've been lucky enough to get my hands on.
Angels Fall develops Age of Decay's modern metal with a range of themes as classically Heavy Metal as the title track's essay of the dynamic tidal flow between Good & Evil to the unlearned lessons of history we seem doomed to repeat which are addressed in Witchhunt. In between there are tales of succubi, tainted love and conflict.
Monster riffs, contagious melodies and soaring vocals combine over a rhythm section solid enough to take down masonry walls to make great songs.
Joe does the vast majority of the playing himself whilst drafting in Dave Whiting and Chris Frehse to spread a little extra magic with their superb lead offerings.
Jan Ohlhorst did a terrifc job mastering this album - I had the good fortune to hear some of the tracks in development and the premaster mixes were amazing. That Jan was able to take them a step further in the mastering process is a tribute to him and to the excellent quality of Joe's playing, recording and mixing.
This is an album you should own. Oh, I have to declare that I had a very, very small part to play in the album as I helped Joe with a couple of lyrical snippets. That the album survived my input is an even bigger reason for you to get a copy. There's a link in the title to take you to samples & digital sales.
Cheers
ray

RAMI: PEACE RIOT

2011-01-06T22:15:00.005+11:00

RAMI is, well that's actually quite correct. RAMI just IS! This is the third RAMI album I've bought. Yes, he's that good. I follow the man & buy his stuff when it becomes available.
This new album, PEACE RIOT, is a progression from POSSE but retains the funky rhythm edge to the rock that is so much a trade mark of the man & his music. Lyrically the narratives are smart, clever and have a sharp cynical edge. The album title should serve as a sampler for that.
RAMI have honed his vocal harmony skills & they are just one of the pleasures of this disc. Lead & rhythm guitars are hot, on the money and guaranteed to induce air guitar playing. The bass is solid, funky and has a growling tone to die for. Drums and percussion are a marvel. Again, funky but rockin' and beautifully defined. The keyboards? Well, there are none - & none are needed. The arrangements are uncluttered: there are spaces where the music breaths but no holes & no excuses for dropping in a synth line.
What makes the arrangements, playing and singing all the more remarkable is the simple fact that RAMI did it all himself. Oh, not JUST did it but did it all so well.
My fav. tracks? That's hard, but track one: Twisted State of Mind would have to be at the front of a tight pack and New World Disorder alongside it. There are 3 covers on this album: 2 from classic 60's bands who made rock what it could be and a strange 3rd choice that, despite my initial reservations upon reading the title, really amazed me.
An excellent album by an excellent songwriter, performer, engineer and producer.
Click on the title to go to RAMI's webpage where you can find three different ways of acquiring the album AND preview the tracks on CD baby.
Cheers
ray

THE MASTER

2010-12-29T19:45:00.012+11:00

Pygmy Beat+ have put together a song called The Master & a video to go with it. (Click on heading to view)
The lyrics tell an obscure story regarding a man and a bird.
I put together the song bed to which the + added their excellent contributions: Drums are by Greg Loyacano (see Gregor the Terror below), Lead Guitar Solos are by Gerry Steele and Joe Mizzi performed Lead & Backing Vocals as well as writing the melody. Terry is mid sabbatical so demured from this particular project. Hurry back Terry; there are irons in the fire.
The + recorded their parts in their own studios & sent the tracks to me via the 'net. I pulled the parts together in Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.3. Greg "mastered" the mix included in the video.
The vid. was cobbled together using images gathered from the 'net & edited together in Win Movie Maker.
The image in this post was lifted from a dry point etching plate in sepia and produced C1978 as part of a book of 20 prints (stolen in 1988).
The Master Copyright Cochrane/Mizzi/Cochrane
Cheers
ray & terry

Gregor the Terror

2010-10-06T22:20:00.008+11:00

Two things mark this album by Gregor the Terror as different: the sense of fun in each song and the social conscience behind it.

It's Punk of the Texas/U.S. variety.
The songs are fast, funny and fantastic.
The band? Well, it's a one man band: Greg Loyacano plays all guitars, bass, drums, (he is predominatly a drummer but don't hold that against him), and he does ALL the vocals. He does show some of his influences in his writing: there's an excellent pyschobilly tune in there which pleased me no end, and the music is flavoured with vintage Kiss and Ramones attitude.
The humour is in your face and ranges from punny, (as witnessed by the album cover), to really, really funny. I was searching for a metaphore or analogy for the music but the thing that kept coming to mind is the art of Ed Roth. If you know his stuff you'll know what to expect.
Oh, there's a parental guidance warning for this album as Gregor doesn't play P.C.
You were about to ask about the social conscience and how that could possibly fit into the album and musician I've described. Easy enough. All proceeds from the sale of the physical or download album are pledged to "The March of Dimes" a children's charity in the U.S. The heading will take you to the preview & download site. Comments will contain the address to buy a physical CD. At jus US$10 a CD + postage you can't go wrong & you can feel good about it too. I was feeling awful so I bought 5!! True, it cheered me up & blew my mind.
Cheers

ray

WITCH HUNT - Joe MIZZI

2010-07-29T21:55:00.009+10:00

Here's a little treat for 80's metal fans.
Joe Mizzi has posted a new song called Witch Hunt. He & I collaborated on the lyrics. The story is, for those who want to know but don't want to delve too deeply, of a recurring figure through history that peddles hate, prejudice and murder as well as searching out & setting up scapegoats. The scape goats in this timeframe are "witches".
Hence the refrain - "...burn the witches tonight."
Click onto the title line to get a listen to this really cool piece of NWOBHM style metal. Oh, yeah, I'm biased because of the lyrics but the music and singing are GOOOOD!
Cheers
ray

A MONOCULTURE COMEBACK

2010-05-05T17:51:00.008+10:00

I've long been a fan of monophonic recordings. It helps that I was around when they were still not uncommon. I've also gathered some of the reat mono representations available in my time/era. I mean the Phil Spector Back To Mono boxset, the Zombie's Oracle & Odysee, Pet Sounds etc.
It was an absolute treat to come across CAVETONE Records who still use valve & tape technology to record, cut & press mono vinyl.
I was so intrigued that I bought a few singles using PayPal & waited excitedly for their arrival from the U.S.
I was delighted to receive, in a little more than a week, the Garage Dance EP by Pat Boone's Farm, Wham Bam by the Wild Cat Daddies, One Night by the Blackbelts &, last but by no means least, Cavetone Records' MONOFESTO Vol.1: an excellent label sampler. All in paper insert sleeves, monochrome jackets & protective bags.
Sonically they are gorgeous heavy vinyl 45s that have the beat leaping out of their grooves.
I'm a nut for garage rock at the best of times but garage with chiming MIJ 12 strings and seriously good song writing put me in one eared nirvana. So much so that I'm going to sit down & write a song for a special mono recording of my own. I have the title so far "Listen Like Brian". If you ken the unsubtle humour you'll know it's a must do next project for either Pygmy Beat or a Drabwell/Cochrane reunion.
I couldn't find a link to let you hear samples of the excellent Cavetone cacophony but if you click of the headline you'll go straight to the Cavetone catalogue!
I think Robin Gibb must've been a monophile - he always seemed to cover one ear when singing!
Cheers
ray & terry

WAH WOW (But Is It Art?) Video

2010-04-05T11:07:00.016+10:00

Another in the slow but inexorable series of videos for Pygmy Beat songs. This one is a little dark & quite simple. The stolen images, (from a google image search), relate directly to the lyrics by Terry Berman.

WAH WOW (But is it Art?)

The impetus for this song came from a Pulitzer Prize photograph: you'll see it in the video. It's of a vulture waiting near a waif. The photographer took the shot but didn't intervene to aid the child - s/he left the scene. Perhaps s/he felt s/he was leaving nature to its course! The nature of that act took its course with her/him however. If you watch the video at full screen size you'll be able to divine the photographer's reported fate.

Click the title & it will take you to the video.

Cheers
ray & terry

REVOLUTION BLUES - the video

2010-01-02T10:56:00.005+11:00

This is one of those stories that's part attempted genocide, part civil war, part communist revolution, part border dispute, a lot of "secret" bombing by the US all mixed in with an unstable monarchy & third world values.
This video illustrates another Pygmy Beat song with clips & images scraped together from Utub & Goggle using WMMaker. I've managed to find the best possible settings, within my circumstances, for audio quality - that's only 224MP3 I'm afraid.
Revolution Blues was originally recorded to tape, then augmented somewhat, (percussion & cellos), using Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.3 & mixing advice from HomeRecording.com.
The expatriate Laotian Community is doing well whilst away from home if the sights & events of Cabramatta, NSW Australia are a reasonable example: sandwiches & karaoke notwithstanding.
Click the heading to view the vid in HQ.
Cheers
ray & terry

A Patch of Ground Video

2009-12-29T22:32:00.006+11:00

Is there no escape? Well, sorry, no!
To get through Boxing day we pulled together a little video for the Pygmy Beat song A Patch of Ground.
It's another in our series of songs, & now videos, about the many incidents or situations in South East Asia that seemed to slip very quietly through the filter of news gathering organisations downunder.
The audio is better quality than those that precede it as we've done some experimenting with bit rates etc.
Terry sings & plays flute, RAMI guests on drums and ray does the bass & guitar work. The original tracks were recorded some time around 1987 & RAMI's drum were added last year.
The video is compiled from YouTube clips & Google images - thanks to those who unwittingly contributed.
Click the heading to view the vid.
Cheers
ray & terry

Another Classic Journey Inside Your Skull

2009-11-24T19:44:00.005+11:00

Now, if you like a bit of 70's prog, and I do, you'll enjoy this new, original album by D'AccorD.
The spirit & sonics of those "journey through the mind" LPs of the early to mid 70's where a combo of Hammond, Stratocaster, Mellotron, soaring vocals, nimble drums and proggy bass, (you know - cool bass with that top end definition & mid scoop sound), grab a slightly altered mind and take it for a ride or, if you're like me, just grab a mind willing to take the time to explore.
Yep, that sort of album & I love listening to it.
If you'd like a sample click the heading & it'll take you to a vid of the band playing live (yep, not a bedroom band - a gigging, living entity).
D’AccorD has been Nominated by Progawards.it for Debut album of the year.
& you can buy it here really cheaply & with FREE delivery worldwide:
http://daccord-music.com/?p=30
Cheers
ray

Whisper 09 - the Video

2009-10-14T22:07:00.004+11:00

With the musical skills of Californian Rechelle/Lifelyrics & Expatriat Aussie/Louisiana denizen Eric Drabwell augmented by their repsective daughters' visual media skills, I've pulled together a quick video to illustrate the Drabwell & Cochrane song Whisper in its 2009 configuration.
This video is the debut for visual images of Rechelle & I, (well at least the 1st images of me to come within 15 years of my current visage), as we're both a tad shy.
Eric is captured playing the lead line as well as strumming his trusty 12 string and electric guitar.
Rechelle is seem as a still image in various states of embellishment.
Sadly you're stuck with 2 snippets of me as I am now - one of me hunched behind my 'cello & the other dwarfed by my Vantage bass.
Click on the heading to go directly to the Utub video.
Cheers
ray

AFTER the BURNING video

2009-09-28T22:18:00.005+10:00

A quick flick to accompany the Pygmy Beat song.
Gerry Steele played the superb solo & RAMI plays the skin tight kit.
I tried to post the lyrics but I seemed to be unable to do so without messing everything up.
Cheers
ray & terry
Click the heading to watch it silly!

CLOUDS - Little Purple Circles - REVISITED

2009-09-26T09:01:00.006+10:00

FINALLY, Little Purple Circle's latest album is available for general purchase.
Click the Heading to go directly to NOT LAME Records to get yours now.
Not convinced? Well...
Lady Policeman - a near perfect slice of Power Pop with lyrics that create a visual image in my head without me even trying. Chiming guitars, descending bass lines, superb drumming & a voice that draws me into the story: what more could I ask? "She was staking me out then, but I didn't know it" there you go!
A Measure of Salt - the lost 60's Kinks riff. The one that should have come after Tired of Waiting to bring the energy & dancing back. Nuff said!
The Real Story - Motown meets Elvis Costello with melody by UK Squeeze. "Forever wasn't always here..." with a bass drum sound that really, really propels things & that bass guitar - wow!
Momento - This is where the White Album was heading in it's more thoughtful moments - the Nilsson meets Beatle Paul melody carries the narrative through a musical journey. "Now you're gone, like leaves in the winter". Lovely.
The World IARTLive -I know when that rhodes like block chord starts up that this is an UP song. "If you live in the world then you don't need a reason". "The symptoms might change from one to another but the cure's exactly the same". The Rhodes solo is almost Steely Dan & the bass lines that follow is terrific & makes this little bassist very jealous.
The Thief - "It's never too late to try to steal away..." The arrangement of this reminds me a little of Baba Riley & those Who tracks that push the limits & used ostinatoes to take me away. A wonderful journey: "she's leaving the ashes & taking the rest..."
Green Magic - This is like the green line in that portrait by Matisse (La Raie verte) - it divided yet unified the face as this track does the album. A half way point/fulcrum that the preceding & following tracks will be compared to & contrasted against. On it's own terms it's also UNREAL!
That brings me 1/2 way through CLOUDS. You can hear samples at the link in the heading. You'll have to discover the 2nd half for yourself. Once started on the journey it won't be long until you feel those immortal words coming to your lips..."Ah, Dr. Rock is here to save me!"
Cheers
ray & terry

Siddhartha = Trip To Inner Self

2009-09-23T19:53:00.004+10:00

I listened to their album again last night - it's on high rotation with me & has been since I managed to aquire a copy a couple of months ago.
By turns proggy, trippy, psyched out, blissed out, delicate, ethnic & always amazing.
Click the heading to visit their myspace site & have a listen.
It really is worth the effort. The remastered album in superb but the streamed tracks on the site are extremely good as an intro. Try it, you'll enjoy!
Cheers
ray

WHISPER: a MAJOR Reworking

2009-09-23T19:42:00.005+10:00

I had some interesting feedback regarding the version of Whisper below. Interestingly people weren't all that happy with the reverb drenched main vocal. Me? I love it! It was obvious that my taste is a little different to some of the folk who commented so I decided to follow the recommendations given & experiment with a new vocal arrangement albiet with a new vocalist. I had a volunteer - Rechelle aka LifeLyrics and Eric was eager for the project to be put to bed so with Rechelle's patience & melodic variations we sorted out a new version complete with a remix of the backing track.
Click on the heading to hear the streamed version.
Please, let me know what you think.
Cheers
ray

ANGELS FALL - JOE MIZZI

2009-09-01T20:03:00.006+10:00

Modern Metal Wunderkind Joe Mizzi has produced a classic bit of 80's style metal in Angels Fall. Joe was foolish enough to use a few lines of mine as a verse to add to his epic chorus. The results: a fun, riff laden song shining through a dark narrative. Crunching guitars, soaring leads. a massive bottom end and vocals that run from a whisper to an hysterical scream make this song, for me, the metal of the moment. Decide for yourself.
Click the header to listen to Angels Fall.
Cheers
ray

Want To Hear A Secret? Then WHISPER!

2009-08-09T10:27:00.005+10:00

In the last weeks Eric Drabwell completed the 12 string acoustic guitar tracks for the reworked WHISPER. He used the same Ibanez Hummingbird that he played on the original recordings in '76!!! A vintage instrument with a gorgeous tone.
I submitted the rough to Homerecording.com's MP3 Mixing Clinic for comment & used most of the suggestions from there to tweak the mix. The results are terrific: the new guitar tracks shine as do the somewhat wet (reverb printed to tape) vocals by Miriam Webb.
Nothing like a little bit of psychfolk in the morning - or evening !
There're moves afoot to possibly replace the vocal or come up with an alternate version. Does this version work for you?
Click on the header for a listen to the new mix.
Cheers
ray

LITTLE PURPLE CIRCLES

2009-08-07T21:51:00.005+10:00

Have you heard or even heard of the new album from Little Purple Circles?
If you haven't your life has been diminished!
Yeah, CLOUD is that good.
The sold out eponymous 1st album now has a sibling: there's rivalry aplenty but each is a different creature from the same gene pool.
The LPC home page can be found at:
http://www.littlepurplecircles.com/
I'm rather impressed with the crumpled paper cloud too!
Click on the header to listen to a sample from the album.
Cheers
ray

Current Indulgences

2009-07-18T21:12:00.022+10:00

The last 10 albums I've listened to (this week):
Trip to Inner Self - Siddhartha - lost prog psych masterpiece
The Happy Prince - The La De Das - Concept from '69 - do I like it?
We Love Life - Pulp - BRILLIANT
Funhouse Remastered - The Stooges - real Weirdness - nuff said!
LOSS - Mull Historical Society - the best DIY LP?
Age of Decay - Joe Mizzi - The Metal Falcon lives!
Argus - Wishbone Ash - ancient prog but SOOO GOOD
Live Bootleg - Billy Bragg & The Red Stars - this is great.
Collectors Series - The Fall Excellent grumpy old men.
Box Set - Joy Division - total immersion recommended.
& Melbourne bands from the late 70's C/- Midoz
Currently Reading (as in concurrently & rereading too):
Steppenwolf - Herman Hesse Still great 30 years on.
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett Almost finished Discworld.
Fatal Revenant - Donaldson 10 years from 2nd-3rd Chronicles.
Will It Be Funny Tomorrow Billy? - Stephen Cummings one sitting.
Recent Occular Enjoyment:
Grand Designs, Time Team, Reed's Berlin DVD, Arctic Monkeys' Live DVD, The Residents' ICKY FLIX, Flame (SLADE), 1984 (from 1956) & series one of the Brit Life On Mars.
Cheers
ray
I'll get Terry to post a list soon.
P.S. there's a REAL treat if you click the title of this post.

A Vanity Project? Please pass the mirror.

2009-07-17T15:42:00.013+10:00

As the renaissance of Pygmy Beat was slowly developing Ray took a look in the mirror and decided that he'd best find something else to do lest the mirror crack. His partner, Kim, had bought him a 'cello some years before but he was unable find a tutor & then he found two. He took lessons long term with the lovely Miriam. Being lazy and shy of work Ray twisted 'cello lessons into recording sessions in which he & Miriam played & recorded pieces. This developed into an opportunity so Ray began to write the odd song that needed a 'celli arrangement. Miriam wrote these, tutored Ray in them & played parts herself. The songs needed a vocal & melody - now Ray isn't allowed to hum around the house he's so bad at tunes. Miriam possesses a lovely voice and an excellent melodic sense so the collaboration moved to song writing. A few tracks were recorded that came together on the E.P. More Than The Sum Of Its Parts.
These songs are: Sandpaper Castles 1811, Silent Waltz, Sandpaper Reggae & Whisper.
The last track is a rerecording of a song written by Eric Drabwell and Ray back in 1977. Click the heading for a sample.
Cheers
ray & terry

Where were we?

2009-07-16T16:03:00.011+10:00

So far Terry & Ray, as Pygmy Beat have recorded a bundle of songs that fit into two structures. With the help of Miriam Webb, RAMI & Gerry Steele the 1st set is complete.
For yonks we've intended to call this album
South East Asian Suite, basically because most of the songs have themes that are drawn from South East Asia & Oceania. Click the heading for a sample. Above is a draft of the cover (slightly blurred/pixilates sorry!).
The track list hasn't been sequenced but would probably contain these songs:
Softdance, Mercedes #1, A Patch of Ground, Full Circle
Revolution Blues, So Long Shuffle, Gimli’s Lament & Café Oceanic.
Cheers
terry & ray

And so it begins...

2009-07-15T23:23:00.004+10:00

Freshly & innocently we enter the bloggosphere.
"In blog no one can hear you scream" but you, our long suffering reader, may be subjected to a detailed account of how life's general unfairness caused such an outburst.
We'll try to cant, rant, chant & plant tiny seeds whilst steering you towards our music, some moving image interpretations & those of others. Click the heading for a sample.
Cheers
ray & terry