Robert Ashley – Automatic Writing – LP

Lovely Music present a reissue of Robert Ashley‘s “Automatic Writing“, originally released as an LP by Lovely Music in 1979. Over the course of Robert Ashley‘s career his preoccupation with language and the voice took many forms. He became known in his librettos as a wonderful, funny, moving writer. But with “Automatic Writing” he examines language at a very “primitive” level — the human impulse make sounds to express his inner state, whether it be regret, embarrassment, fear, or happiness — even though there is no one else to listen. Talking to oneself.

Personnel: Voices – Robert Ashley and Mimi Johnson; Electronics and Polymoog – Robert Ashley; Words: Robert Ashley; Translation: Monsa Norberg; Silhouette: William Farley. The switching circuit was designed and built by Paul DeMarinis. Recorded, produced, and mixed by Robert Ashley at the Center for Contemporary Music, Mills College (Oakland), the American Cultural Center (Paris), and Mastertone Recording Studios (New York). This reissue was remastered and cut, from the original reel-to-reel tape, by Scott Hull, Masterdisk (New York). Manufactured at Record Technology Inc/RTI (California). 180 gram vinyl; Stoughton Old Style sleeve. Includes an insert with a transcription of the words, and the “Automatic Writing” notes Ashley wrote for Lovely’s 1996 CD (that included “Purposeful Lady Slow Afternoon” and “She Was A Visitor”).

Lovely Music

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