the of mirror eye

* Raymond Scott Quintette: Egyptian Barn Dance (2.5 mb) | The Penguin (2.5 mb) | Pretty Petticoat #3 (3.0 mb) | Powerhouse (3.0 mb)
From Microphone Madness : Basta Music : 30-9109-2

In addition to writing cartoon music and minimalist masterpieces for children (look here), Raymond Scott composed and recorded some amazing jazz music. Despite being a six-piece jazz group (seven, if you count the microphone), the Raymond Scott Quintette powered their way through some furiously paced jazz.

An argument could be made that the six-man “Quintette” was in fact the Raymond Scott Septet - if you count what Scott considered one of the most important “member” of the band: the microphone. In viewing photographs of Scott and his late-’30’s ensembles, it’s curious how many tableaus include the mic. Granted, most of these images were snapped in radio and recording studios, where mics are ubiquitous. But the prominences accorded to microphones in these pictures seems to indicate that Generalissimo Scott - who, just as he drilled his musical troops, doubtless barked orders during phot shoots - wanted to emphasize the mic as a “silent” partner in the band.

Another tool of Scott’s composition process was the transcription disc. Rehearsals were recorded and the discs were taken home for scrutiny. Scott employed recombinant DNA on these fledgling works, frafting together unrelated passages to create a larger, “compound” work. This explains why so many RSQ compositions contain seemingly unrelated passages and radical tempo shifts. “The fellows would be around the piano, and I’d say, ‘You play this, you play that, you play this,’ and then we’d record,” explained Scott. “Then I’d throw out half of it. I’d make another rehearsal recording, and I’d take that home and study it. Then I’d come back the next day and change it, or add a couple more parts.” The result: sound sculpture with a zigzag pulse. (from the liner notes)

Of course this music couldn’t happen without an able ensemble backing him up, which he most definitely had. They all, in a way, had a big part in the way that the music was composed. Mr. Scott would give them melodies and general feelings on the piano, which the ensemble would then interpret in their own, unique way. The music on this double disc set is a treasure trove on unreleased, rehearsals and radio performances. Lovingly curated, this release definitely brings to light the musical genius that is the Raymond Scott Quintette.

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