PICTURE OF BUNNY RABBIT, by Arthur Russell
In 1992, the Point Music label, founded by New York contemporary classical composer Philip Glass, launched with John Moran's opera about Charles Manson's murderous "family".
"In hindsight, probably a mistake," laughed Point's Rory Johnston, in Auckland two years later for Jaz Coleman's Us and Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd concert, subsequently recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for Point.
The label had also released Glass's Low Symphony, based on the music of David Bowie and Brian Eno, the Brazilian group Uakti playing handmade instruments, and Gavin Bryars' Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet with Tom Waits, a re-recording of a mesmerising work on Eno's Obscure label.
All small sellers, although, to be fair to the largely indifferent public, these artists were - in the deathless words of Spinal Tap manager Ian Faith, "selective about their audience".
Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
