Tag Archives: Terry Riley

Terry Riley – Happy Ending

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★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
Distinctive Terry Riley

side 1: solo keys
side 2: sax takes focus and organ raises

Thoughts
Two very different halves in explorations of minimalism. The keys in journey from the death of a friend is an engaging solo work of Terry riley though it doesn’t cover a lot of ground or offer much to revisit.

Happy ending, side 2, is a prime piece of spiritual jazz with a consistent sax line that’s contrasted against a set of keys and pianos. It changes shape successfully, conjuring up an array of emotions before building to joy when the piano kicks in at the end.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Terry-Riley-Happy-Ending/release/264527

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Terry Riley – Happy Ending

Description: Album Review of Terry Riley – Happy Ending


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
Spiritual organ and trumpet

Thoughts
A patient but effective piece of minimal spiritual jazz. Cherry’s trumpet playing is in top form with expansive but delicate solos (interesting in this context as I associate him with avant garde dissonance). Descending moonshine dervishes is the highlight as the two seem most in sync with Riley’s organ solos building into tasteful melodic lines that cherry tastefully solos over.

I heard this on the YouTube version which I think is incorrect. Sunrise of the planetary collective sees Riley playing solo on a more electric keyboard that provides an ominous tone. Koln improv falls somewhere in the middle with cherry returning but the keys continuing in their electric sound. Less spiritual, more jazz.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Terry-Riley-Don-Cherry-Karl-Berger-K%C3%B6ln-February-23-1975/release/8692739

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Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975

Description: Album Review of Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
Experimental 60s psychedelic pop jams

Thoughts
Highly recommended and fruitful collaboration between these two legends. I’d describe this as the Grateful Dead meets the VU at their most experimental.

Top-notch instrumentation and songwriting. While it has a jam vibe it never wanders too far into noodling territory.

I need to revisit this more, seems as if it would reward repeat listening.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/John-Cale-Terry-Riley-Church-Of-Anthrax/release/1363130

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John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax

Description: Album Review of John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax


Rating: 4 out of 5