PRICE:
$16.00
NOT IN STOCK
1-2 Weeks
ARTIST
TITLE
In Praise of Learning
FORMAT
CD

LABEL
CATALOG #
RER HC3 RER HC3
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
2/14/2005

"This is the third in our series of classic re-issues, following on from Leg End and Unrest. In Praise... was produced in 1975 by a new version of Henry Cow after they had merged with cult Euro-popsters Slapp Happy, and then split apart again. The process unleashed on their music the extraordinary voice of Dagmar Krause, as songs became a major component of the music for the first time. From the opening track 'War' -- a Moore/Blegvad composition covered by The Fall on the 1993 'Middle Class Revolt' album -- we are thrown into a black comedy, repeated laughter in odd time signatures, and a great Mongezi Feza trumpet solo. The centrepiece of the album, Tim Hodgkinson's 'Living In the Heart of the Beast', is justly famous; its an extraordinary 20 minute epic which manages to fuse Messiaen-like organ with vast fuzz guitar tunes, complex arrangements and revolutionary lyrics. This is the first time In Praise of Learning has been available on CD in the original mix, and it has been carefully re-mastered -- for many years only a poorly mastered remix was available. This album is essential for fans of Henry Cow, the Canterbury/Soft Machine school, and all those interested in challenging music."