Braxton: What Is He Saying?

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Here's the deal. I recently purchased Braxton's quartet recording titled GTM 2006. A 4-CD box set. GTM I believe stands for "Ghost Trance Music". I wish I'd brought the liner notes with me but I tried reading them to figure out where the cat's coming from and got lost in the first paragraph.

This is not a commentary upon the music. I've only listened to it once, all 4 disks in one setting while watching the Flyers bounce the Capitals all over the ice. There were nice moments, but I found portions that seemed to repetitive to me. But again, it calls for additional listening.

My problem with Braxton is this: the way he attempts to convey his ideas about music makes me think the emperor has no clothes. His music has often appealed to me on an intellectual level but almost never on an emotional level. So sometimes I left with the question, "Am I listening to this guy because I like him, or is it because he's an important artist and I'm supposed to?"

[Captain Hate]

Brax's words can often be awkward and he rarely fails to use many words when a much smaller number would suffice. That said he's generally a humble person and isn't putting on airs for the sake of being a gasbag artiste. I think he's a major artist and has a ton of integrity but by no means should you feel obliged to like everything he's done. I enjoy almost everything I have by him but he has also done some things that I'll never revisit.

[bigtiny]

If you can find a copy of 'Forces in Motion' then get it. It has interviews and insights into hanging with Braxton that at least give one a little more feel for his character. HE knows what he means, and he's serious...


bigtiny

[Vince Kargatis]

An ideal suggestion from bigtiny. FIM is my favorite music book ever, and an essential window into Braxton's musical universe. Listen along to the 1985 tour recordings (on Leo) while you read.

[Cem]

I'm reading FIM now and you guys are spot on. It actually helps in connecting with Brax the man. Maybe that's not necessary for some, but I enjoy it. I love the insight and some of the exchanges are priceless. Next up, New Musical Figurations: Anthony Braxton's Cultural Critique.

[bigtiny]

After performing on a recording of his work (which Braxton okay'd) I was fortunate to meet him. My favorite story from FIM is one where Braxton postulates the opening of a hamburger chain called 'Braxburgers'...

When I met him there was an introduction "Mr. Braxton this is bigtiny, bigtiny this is Mr. Braxton". Braxton said "Nice to meet you" to which I responded "Man, I'm STILL waiting to get my mouth around a Braxburger!" He fell out....

bigtiny

[7/4]

FIM is a great intro to Braxtons music. You can stumble through the interviews and liner notes later....

[John L]

When Braxton began talking seriously of his goal to write music to be played simultaneously by orchestras on different planets, it was hard to take at face value.

I don't understand much of what Braxton says, but he certainly has created an amazing body of music. Some of it has yet to register with me, but some of it I wouldn't be without.

I also found Forces in Motion to be a fascinating read. It didn't clear up everything for me, but it did enhance my enthusiasm for Braxton.

[lazarus]

I guess he have the very strange cosmic theories in common with two of his biggest influences Sun Ra and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
It´s lucky that he also have that in common with these two gentlemen that he makes great music so all is forgiven.
He also seems to have a sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.

I agree that Forces In Motion is a great read.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

I just got FIM in the mail. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Uli]

I am sure you will enjoy it, Darryl. Also what Laz & John sed. another interesting book by Locke is Blutopia which iirc gives you a perspective on Braxton creating his own universe, parallelling Sun Ra and Ellington.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

I've been going through my record collection and I'm surprised by how much Braxton I do have. Maybe I'm just having a hard time with this Ghost Trance Music? I believe this is what he's currently in to.

[Chuck Nessa]

Braxton indicates he is now finished with GTM and is moving forward.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Chuck,

What do you think of GMT?

[martini]

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

My problem with Braxton is this: the way he attempts to convey his ideas about music makes me think the emperor has no clothes.

As someone who owns and has read his Composition Notes and Tri-Axium Writings, I'm in the camp of those who would argue 100% that he definitely has "clothes" and then some. He likes to use compound nouns and terms that probably no one else uses but him (e.g., "affinity dynamics"), but he actually uses them consistently and in the same context. So after reading his prose for awhile, you understand exactly where he is coming from. I find that if I read his Comp. Notes while listening to the compositions about which I am reading, it all fits like a glove. But it may take a little time to get acclimated to his terminology.

BTW, you can order his books here

They are spendy, but the Composition Notes alone are a worthy investment, if you have a deep collection of his '70s/early '80s work. It is great fun to read along while listening.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Martini,

In my advancing middle age I've found I have a hard time concentrating (I blame my TV remote).

But I've reached the point where the language has to be terse, clear, and to the point or I get lost.

I've been fascinated by Braxton since the '60s when I heard his recordings with Corea (I bought them in a cut out bin by mistake).