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Cell Songs

by Jo Truman

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about

"CELL SONGS" is a 52 min radiophonic work commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) consisting of 3 abstract soundscapes based on narratives and notions surrounding pre--colonial, colonial and contemporary post colonial Australian life. it imagines the sounds and pace of life before white colonisation, moving onto the Industrial Revolution and its consequences in Britain, the exportation of convict/slaves and the resulting impact on indigenous Australia and the environment and finally moving to the digital age. Each sequence begins with different methods of measuring time-water drops, an old mechanical clock, a digital clock. For this work I traveled to the Northern Territory of Australia where I interviewed the poet -elder "Big" Bill Neidji (who speaks of the Dreamtime and laments the destruction of the natural environment)and recorded environmental sounds unique to this area. Also featured in the work are studio recordings of the koori storyteller Pauline McLeod, the music and singing of Aboriginal artist and actor Gullpillil, narrated written accounts of convict sentences by Paul Carter, sung ballads by Phil Minton and stories and the music and improvisations of guitarist Fred Frith and myself, singing "the voice of the earth". Executive Producer: Andrew McLennan.

credits

released July 22, 1996
Jo Truman’s remarkable voice exceeds three octaves, from dark mezzo to high soprano, improvising flights of song, birdcalls and didjeridu cries, resonant with microtonal complexities and haunting overtones. The artist’s express focus is on “the voice and its ultimate potentials,” realised over some 30 years in live performance and an extensive catalogue of radio appearances and radiophonic works.

More from Jo on Bandcamp bandcamp.com/search?from=autocomplete&q=%22jo%20truman%22

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The Listening Room Sydney, Australia

The Listening Room was ABC Radio’s premier acoustic art program, broadcast each Monday on Classic FM at 9 pm from 1989 to 2003. The main presenter was Andrew McLennan.
Its producers worked with Australian and international composers, writers, performance artists, electronic media artists, environmental sound recordists and sound designers.
It won an array of national and international prizes.
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