English Kills, Brooklyn.
by Dave Mandl
ALVIN LUCIER’S MUSIC 109 is one of the oddest books about music I’ve ever come across. Lucier has been an acquaintance of or collaborator with nearly every American experimental composer of the past 50 years, a significant avant-garde figure in his own right, and, since 1970, a professor at Wesleyan University. His career coincides with an exciting, fervent period when received notions regarding the use of sound, or even what constitutes music, were being turned on their head. Given Lucier’s credentials and associations, this modest volume is the last thing I would have expected.
WFMU’s toy piano (and the cover of the CD I’m giving away during FMU’s fundraiser, which starts on Monday).
“I’m Bazooka Joe”
Dann: “It’s a Purim show. If you’re wearing a costume you get $5 off the admission.”
Me: “What? I don’t have a costume. Wait—I’ll just pull my scarf up over my face like this.”
Ticket Seller: “That’ll be $15.”
Me: “Why $15? Don’t I get $5 off?”
Ticket Seller: “You have to be wearing a costume.”
Me: “I am wearing one. Look.” [Points at scarf on face]
Ticket Seller: “What are you supposed to be?”
Me: “I’m Bazooka Joe.”
Ticket Seller: “I don’t know who that is.”
Me: “So $15?”
Ticket Seller: “Yup.”
