STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’, by Charlemagne Palestine

STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’

by Charlemagne Palestine

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$7 USD or more

STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘”DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’ 26:20

about

In memory of the late polymath avant-garde artist Tony Conrad (1940-2016), longtime friend and co-conspirator Charlemagne Palestine returned to the site of their first encounter for a tribute performance on what would have been Conrad’s 77th birthday.

Charlemagne Palestine is a composer, performer and visual artist born in Brooklyn in 1947. Often labeled as one of the founders of minimalism alongside Glass, Niblock, Reich, Riley, and Young, he prefers to call himself a ‘maximalist’, eschewing the clinical stereotypes of the former term in favor of a full-blown erotics of possibility that in its ritualistic performance conjures a sense of sacredness without specificity.

But before the intoxicating overtones of the Strumming Music for which he is best known, before the stuffed animals and snifter of cognac that have become his trademark onstage, Palestine’s first solo performances were as carillonneur of the Saint Thomas Church at 53rd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. From 5:00 to 5:30, every day between 1963 and 1970, Palestine operated the 26-bell carillon, starting with the hymns he was expected to play before shifting into improvised “klanggdedangggebannggg” sessions that would form the basis for his incantatory repetitions to come. Palestine hammered the instrument’s keys with his fists and pounded its pedals with his feet, effectively playing the entire building while relishing the corporeal thrill of the ceremony. Soon known as the Quasimodo of midtown NYC, his performances became a sonic mainstay of the neighborhood, attracting a diverse group of fans including Tony Conrad who, then living in Times Square, one day introduced himself inside the church. The artists became fast friends and collaborators, with Palestine recording some of Conrad’s work on the carillon and contributing music to his film Coming Attractions.

On March 7th 2017, Palestine climbed the spiral stairs of the Saint Thomas Church’s bell tower once again. This cassette features a full recording of STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”’”DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’, preceded by a brief incantation delivered one month later at a Tony Conrad memorial.

credits

released February 8, 2018

Introduction recorded April 8, 2017 by Ben Manley at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center.

Carillon recorded March 7, 2017 by Adrian Rew outside Saint Thomas Church as part of Blank Forms' public programming.

Concept by Lawrence Kumpf.
Mastered by Robbie Lee.
Text and layout by Adrian Rew.

Special thanks to Julie Zhu and Saint Thomas Church.

license

about

Blank Forms Editions Brooklyn, New York

Blank Forms is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting emerging and underrepresented artists working in a range of time-based and interdisciplinary art practices, including experimental music, performance, dance, and sound art. Blank Forms provides artists with curatorial support, residencies, commissions, and publications to help document, disseminate, and advance their practices. ... more

blankforms.org

contact / help

Contact Blank Forms Editions

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’, you may also like:

For organ and brass
by Ellen Arkbro

supported by 8 fans who also own “STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’”

side a: a prestigious engineer dies, goes to heaven, and marvels at the construction of the golden gate side b: lazy summer evenings at sunset spent with friends chamber pot blues
go to album
Before Nostromo
by Stephan Mathieu

supported by 7 fans who also own “STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’”

Of the Alien prequels, this is the only one I return to. Paul W. Rankin
go to album
Les Filles de Illighadad
by Les Filles de Illighadad

supported by 6 fans who also own “STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’”

The song „Tende“ always makes me smile. You can really hear the energy. LSD
go to album
THEMA MABONENG
by Abacothozi

The South African band's reissued 1975 debut features addictive grooves shaped by American soul and R&B. Bandcamp Album of the Day Apr 15, 2024
go to album
Where I've Been, isn't Where I'm Going
by Shaboozey

Fresh off his appearance on “Cowboy Carter,” Shaboozey presents his killer alt-country debut, available here on limited wax. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 15, 2024
go to album
The Bea Gaddy Soup Kitchen
by Jay Royale

The excellent Baltimore rapper Jay Royale punches his way through icy, noir-ish production with take-no-prisoners bars. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 15, 2024
go to album
Unseen Worlds
by Laurie Spiegel

supported by 6 fans who also own “STTT THOMASSS ‘’’’”‘” DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’”

A sold world of echo and atmosphere. Andrew Neilson
go to album