Julius Eastman - Stay On It LP

Label: Week-End

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl.

In 1973, Stay On It turned the coordinates of avant-garde music on its head. It is minimal, but unashamedly groovy; it is open to improvisation, grants performers all the freedom they could need, but it isn't jazz and never slips into the non-committal. It is open to theatrical and performative elements, but also to poetic-lyrical ones.

Cut to 1981, Eastman releases The Holy Presence of Joan d'Arc. Where has the lightness gone? The relationship to pop music? The love for the musicians who have to develop the piece during its performance? It sounds like heavy metal: forceful, dark, urgent, sawing – and then plaintive, heartbreaking.

"Stay On It" recorded in concert at SUNY Buffalo on December 16, 1973. Clarinet - Amrom Chodos Percussion - Dennis Kahle, Jan Williams, Piano - Petr Kotik, Saxophone - Doug Gaston, Joseph Ford, Violin - Benjamin Hudson, Voice - Georgia Mitoff.

"The Holy Presence Of Joan D'Arc" recorded at Third Street Music Settlement, New York City, date unknown. Cello - Abby Newton, Barry Gold, Chase Morrison, Christine Gummere, David Sabee, Jodi Beder, Julie Green, Larry Rawdon, Maureen Hynes, Sarah Carter, Conductor - Julius Eastman, Engineer - Steve Cellum.