A Host, of Golden Daffodils

• Artist: Peter Cusack & Nicholas Collins
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1999 10
• Total Time: 49:50
• Type: Live
• Genre: Avant-Garde

Review

The mid-'90s saw a handful of avant-garde musicians experimenting with electronics. Along Evan Parker's electro-acoustic project and Peter Zummo's MIDI trombone, guitarist Peter Cusack had developed an interesting way of dialoguing with the electronics and real-time processing of Nicolas Collins. A Host, of Golden Daffodils documents two concerts held in Amsterdam and Berlin in June and November 1996. Cusack plays guitar and bouzouki, and manipulates some electronic devices, but this part of the performance is mostly assumed by Collins. Sounds are not treated beyond recognition, they are simply expanded, given an extra dimension or two. The best moments are found on "Stoyan," a striking piece, peaceful, almost bucolic. The guitarist hints at a melody that is wrapped in electronic textures. Although freely improvised, the piece gives the listener the clear impression that both players knew where they were going. Amidst all the dry headache-inducing electronic experiments put to CD at the turn of the century, "Stoyan" is a breath of fresh air. "Ichor" and "Mazlitt" were recorded at the Museum für Gegenwart (Berlin), a very reverberant hall. Here, sound quality drops a bit as the listener feels he is hearing the concert from the back of the hall. The second piece is more electronic and less engaging. On the third, Cusack picks up his guitar again, alternating between delicate melody sketches and violently strummed chords (reminiscent of Roger Smith). Neither top the album opener, the real reason why you want to add this CD to your collection. ~ François Couture, Rovi

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