LINDSAY COOPER

The world of Prog music has suffered a recent and dear loss. Lindsay Cooper, is no longer in this emanation of life. Her pioneer work in the early , developing RIO/AG scene (Henry Cow, Comus, National Health, and the later and magnificent News from Babel, among others). Her continous explorations as a composer and performer with a completely and own aquired musical structure, that led her eventually to follow her own nature, beyond the borders of tags or genres, will remain in our collective memory and in this page. This "Music for Other Occasions", could turn out to be the best way to understand, her personal contributions to the now, very structured, RIO/AG language, which were many and varied. And also as a work which will come closer to the Prog world, than the more "classical" later works which are closer to the contemporary "Classical" music concept, (the same as Zappa's, it is like a normal course to be taken eventually by 'Classical Music" disciples, of course not by rule) Anyway!,... A twenty-one, rather short songs effort, it exemplifies the musical-structures, she developed, and the ones she was coming up with at that specific period (1985). But let me be not, misunderstood, 'Music for other Occasions", never loses that undercovered sense of humour (if needed), it is as subtle as good humour has to be. She as a performer, was more than accomplished, quiet daring indeed, but her dynamics (and the other musician's) never pervades the compositional structures, which is a very, very, thin line. This project, if you like, will be the perfect introduction, to a more mature and wise, contemporary music composer. Why? Because she never stopped searching, for her own way of expression. And that is a privelege to testify! ..........****4.5 close to excellence PA stars.

After Henry Cow dissolved, reed player Lindsay Cooper stayed busy with such projects as the Art Bears, but released her first album under her own name in 1980, and it's a delight. She had already proven herself a composer of very high stature on Henry Cow's swan song "Western Culture" album, composing the music for the entire second side of that record. Here, she applies that skill to a series of miniatures, composed as the soundtrack to "Rags", a documentary about women textile workers at the turn of the century.

Former Henry Cow-mates Chris Cutler (drums) and Fred Frith (guitar) provide low-key musical support, letting Cooper's overdubbed reeds (bassoon, sax, oboe), as well as her piano, provide the foundation for the songs. Sally Potter and Phil Minton provide the vocals for the songs with lyrics (about one third of the songs), and their voices are dramatic and distinctive. Minton in particular (who also plays trumpet here) sings in a deep voice with the authority of a cranky schoolmaster.

Of the instrumentals, the multi-part "Women's Wrongs" is especially fine, with a sad piano line lifted up by Frith's gentle but firm guitar sustain. "Film Music" likewise reflects the grim but determined resolve of the film's subject. The vocal pieces are generally more animated, often borrowing old folk melodies that one imagines could have been sung by labor strikers in the picket line -- "General Strike", in fact, takes it's lyric from such a song ("Hurrah my boys, and make no noise / Stand firm in all disaster / United be, and you will see / We'll conquer all the masters"). On the opening "The Exhibition of Fashions", Sally Potter performs a woozily seductive vocal that builds rather impressively during its short length (1:29), becoming a frenzied shriek by the end!

This may be "just a soundtrack", but I've found it one of the most enjoyable and re-playable ones I've heard. Great balance of vocal and instrumental pieces, and a well-sustained melancholy mood that still manages to be uplifting. With Frith and Cutler on board, it certainly bears more than a passing resemblance to Henry Cow's later material, but Cooper puts her own unique stamp on it. Excellent.

Even though this is for those that seek out quite unique, and to some strange, this album is a miracle to own if you love the quaint, slightly RIO, slightly theatre style. And a cast of the best at the genre.

Lindsay Cooper - does anyone know how her health is? - is so talented, both writing and performance. The music here is very "small and powerful" to my ears. The unique style brings out this very special feeling of; everyone is quite tightly playing their performance, yet it seems to be a playful, loosely put together affair. Perfectly executed, and oh my the Fred Frith work is just what you love about his style of electric guitar playing (think his work with Henry Cow.)

If you can find this CD, it is worth every penny, as it is a document of "Rags" and almost all of "The Golddiggers."

Of interest, if you have the LP vinyl copy of Rags, look at the women sewing? Notice the sewing machines? My, how they look like a future device (very similar in actual construct) - our beloved Mellotron.