Paul Dresher - Dark Blue Circumstance (1993 compi, rec. 1983-92)

A collection of some key early works by Paul Dresher (b. 1951, Los Angeles).  It was actually that gorgeous cover image that first drew me to this one - photographer's website here - and the music is equally lovely.  The title piece is the odd one out here, and represents the side of Dresher that liked to experiment with electronics & tape loops.  It's a solo electric guitar piece developed between 1982-87, and offers Dresher's take on Frippertronics - not the most original idea, but the overlapping layers are well structured and sound absolutely beautiful as the piece builds.

Everything else on the album is scored for orchestral instruments, and in one case voices.  Firstly, Double Ikat (1988-90) takes its name from the South East Asian style of weaving, and started life as a dance commission.  The violin, piano and percussion dart around each other in the uptempo movement, then create a haunting atmosphere in the (mostly) slow movement.  The latter reminded me of Morton Feldman in places, although Dresher credits Lou Harrison, who I've still to get into, with the inspiration.

Channels Passing is another choreographical commission, for small ensemble, that will appeal to fans of late 70s Steve Reich.  Lastly, Night Songs (1979-81) for soprano, two tenors and six instruments is the longest work here at 28 minutes.  In four sections, it takes fragements of Native American/African/Polynesian verse and allows the singers to free-associate the words, effectively turning them into dream imagery as the instrumental backing alternately pulses and ripples along. On the evidence of this collection, I'll be on the lookout for more Dresher albums - highly recommended.

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