Saturday, May 31, 2014

What is the Sun Ra song "Circe" from When Sun Comes Out about?

In Greek mythology, Circe (/ˈsɜrsiː/; Greek Κίρκη Kírkē pronounced [kírkɛ͜ɛ]) was a goddess of magic (or sometimes a nymph, witch, enchantress or sorceress). By most accounts, Circe was the daughter of Helios, the god of the sun, and Perse, an Oceanid. Her brothers were Aeetes, the keeper of the Golden Fleece, and Perses. Her sister was Pasiphaë, the wife of King Minos and mother of the Minotaur. Other accounts make her the daughter of Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft herself.

Circe was renowned for her vast knowledge of potions and herbs. Through the use of magical potions and a wand or a staff, she transformed her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals. Some say she was exiled to the solitary island of Aeaea by her subjects and her father for ending the life of her husband, the prince of Colchis. Later traditions tell of her leaving or even destroying the island and moving to Italy, where she was identified with Cape Circeo.


Sun Ra song "Circe" from When Sun Comes Out: Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus by John William Waterhouse
Sun Ra song "Circe" from When Sun Comes Out: Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus by John William Waterhouse

Monday, May 26, 2014

2014 Weld for Birmingham 4 Part Sun Ra Series by Burgin Mathews

2014 Weld for Birmingham 4 Part Sun Ra Series by Burgin Mathews
http://weldbham.com/blog/category/art-culture/sun-ra-series/ 

Burgin Mathews is the co-author, with Frank Adams, of "Doc: The Story of a Birmingham Jazz Man." He hosts The Lost Child roots radio hour on Birmingham Mountain Radio.

April 29, 2014
The Magic Citizen: Sun Ra in Birmingham 
Part one of four.
http://weldbham.com/blog/2014/04/29/the-magic-citizen-sun-ra-in-birmingham-2/ 

May 6, 2014
The Magic Citizen: Sonny rising 
Part two of four.
http://weldbham.com/blog/2014/05/06/the-magic-citizen-sonny-rising/ 

May 14, 2014
The Magic Citizen: First steps into outer space 
Part three of four.
http://weldbham.com/blog/2014/05/14/the-magic-citizen-first-steps-into-outer-space/ 

May 22, 2014
The Magic Citizen: The voyager returns 
Part four of four.
http://weldbham.com/blog/2014/05/22/the-magic-citizen-the-voyager-returns/

ADVERTISEMENT FOR SONNY BLOUNT AND HIS “SOLO-VAX” (SIC), ATLANTA DAILY WORLD, AUGUST 1, 1941
ADVERTISEMENT FOR SONNY BLOUNT AND HIS “SOLO-VAX” (SIC), ATLANTA DAILY WORLD, AUGUST 1, 1941

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Happy 90th Arrival Day to the Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Belford Allen!

Happy 90th Arrival Day Marshall Belford Allen!

Born May 25, 1924, Louisville, Kentucky, USA, Planet Earth

Thank you for all of the years of beautiful music.

Happy 90th Arrival Day to the Sun Ra Arkestra's Marshall Belford Allen!
Happy 90th Arrival Day Marshall Belford Allen!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Reflecting on Sun Ra's Centenary May 22, 2014

When I was a child I wanted to be three things when I grew up - an astronaut, an archeologist, and a musician. So, when I discovered Sun Ra, it couldn't have been more perfect.

Sun Ra was one of the greatest thinkers, artists, and musicians of all-time. He followed his inner voice and chose to fill the planet with beauty, love, and light against all odds. The debt of gratitude I owe him, and every single Arkestra member too numerous to mention, for the joy and knowledge they have shared with me is incalculable. Sun Ra, John Gilmore, and Marshall Allen changed the course of my life.

I offer sincere thanks and praises to the fellow travelers whose work I have gained so much enlightenment from: Richard Segan, Michael Anderson, Alton Abraham, Tillman Stahl, Hartmut Geerken, Robert Campbell, Chris Trent, John Szwed, John and Peter Hinds, Phil Schaap, Charles Blass, Trudy Morse, Joe Moudry, Stephen Antonelli, Danny Zelonky, Suso Navarette, Jerry Gordon, John Corbett, and Peter Dennett.

These words that Sun Ra recorded in 1956 have always resonated the deepest with me. "Dreams come true, they just have to - to prove they're so supreme. Mine came true, and yours will too - all you have to do is dream."

Christopher Beach Eddy
www.sunraarkive.blogspot.com
05/22/2014

Christopher Beach Eddy at the House of Ra for WKCR FM's Sun Ra Arrival Day Celebration on 05/22/2006. Photo by Charles Blass.
Christopher Beach Eddy at the House of Ra for WKCR FM's Sun Ra Arrival Day Celebration on 05/22/2006. Photo by Charles Blass.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Sun Ra Reel To Reel Recordings: "The Lost Reel Collection"

The first tapes from this batch of Sun Ra reel to reel recordings appeared on Ebay in 2006, and apparently originated from a record store in Philadelphia, PA. A selection of these tapes, known as the "The Lost Reel Collection," were released on CD by Transparency Records. Most famously, these tapes included one of the classes given by Sun Ra during his teaching residency at UC Berkeley in 1971. These reels have now been donated to Sun Ra's appointed archivist, Michael Anderson and his official Sun Ra Music Archive. It seems karmically correct that these tapes have been returned to where they came from, and that with The Sun Ra Music Archive's efforts, these recordings will be preserved, and hopefully released for all to hear in the future.

The reels in this batch consisted of these dates:
 19710504 UC Berkeley Lecture
19710610 Warehouse SF
19710000 Native Son
19720000 Spacemaster Concert Part 1
19720000 Spacemaster Concert Part 2
19720709 Seaport Museum
19720000 Intergalactic Research Tape
19730908 Paris Tape Two 19730918 Gibus
19741222 Consultant Lounge Part 1
19741222 Consultant Lounge Part 2
19741222 Rehearsal Part 1
19741222 Rehearsal Part 2
19760708 Paris

The story doesn't end there. Another small batch surfaced after this, and that story is to come...


Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710000 Native Son
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710000 Native Son

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710504 UC Berkeley Lecture
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710504 UC Berkeley Lecture

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710504 UC Berkeley Lecture
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710504 UC Berkeley Lecture

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710610 Warehouse SF
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19710610 Warehouse SF

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Intergalactic Research Tape
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Intergalactic Research Tape

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Spacemaster Concert
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Spacemaster Concert

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Spacemaster Concert
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720000 Spacemaster Concert

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720709 Seaport Museum
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19720709 Seaport Museum

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730908 Paris Tape Two
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730908 Paris Tape Two

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730908 Paris Tape Two
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730908 Paris Tape Two

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730918 Gibus
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19730918 Gibus

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19741222 Consultant Lounge

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19760708 Paris
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19760708 Paris

Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19760708 Paris
Sun Ra "The Lost Reel Collection": 19760708 Paris

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

2014 Sun Ra News from Art Yard's Peter Dennett


The Afro-futurists, Avant-gardist Band Leader, Composer, Poet and Philosopher Sun Ra who came from Saturn arrived on Planet Earth on 22nd May 1914. To celebrate his centenary of course many events will be taking place, from radio broadcasts from the followers of the Living Myth to releases and live performances, The Arkestra are on tour Travailing The Spaceways from Planet to Planet to mark this occasion, The Celestial Centenary Arkestra will take the stage again in London across Europe and America under the direction of Marshall Allen. The tour dates can be found here on the Sun Ra Arkestra website { http://www.sunraarkestra.com/1-main.html }

Art Yard will publish later this year the revised and expanded 2nd edition of Hartmut Geerken's wonderful Book Omniverse 'Hard Back' 300 pages aprox with many previously un-published photographs of Sun Ra's visit to Heliopolis, Cairo in 1971 and LP covers 'some hand drawn by Ra himself' to celebrate this years centenary of the Living Myth, its been 20 years since the 1st edition, with articles from Amiri Baraka, Robert Campbell, Chris Cutler, Salah Ragab, Hartmut Geerken and others, plus many more photographs taken by Val Wilmer on her visit to New York in 1966, Philadelphia and Germany in 1979. Sun Ra's discography is also being revised and updated by Chris Trent who compiled 'The Earthly Recordings of Sun Ra', so this will be much more then a 'coffee table' book , more of a reference art book and an important contribution to add to the list of publications about the work of Sun Ra from some of the people who were involved with The Living Myth over the years. Later on this year there will be more information about when the Omniverse book goes to press and where you can order it.

Art Yard has also been collaborating with the record company 'Strut' in order to celebrate the centenary of Sun Ra's arrival on Planet Earth and in March 2013, I visited Pharaoh's Den in Philadelphia 'The Sun Ra House' to film a series of interviews with Marshall and some of The Arkestra band members, the compilation release we put together 'In The Orbit of Ra' spans some 25 years of Sun Ra's work. This release features recollections and contributions from some of the core Arkestra line-up including Marshall Allen, Michael Ray, Knoel Scott and Danny Ray Thompson. For the music, the selection takes us through the huge variety and intricacy of the Arkestra’s work covering the ‘60s to early ‘80s, from the celestial blues of ‘Spontaneous Simplicity’ and ‘Plutonian Nights’ to the urgent jazz of ‘Rocket Number Nine Take Off For Planet Venus’ and ‘Dance Of The Cosmo Aliens’. The album features an exclusive previously unreleased track from the Art Yard archives, the acoustic ‘Trying To Put The Blame On Me’ recorded live in Rome in 1977. ‘In The Orbit Of Ra’ will be released on 2CD, 2LP and digital formats. Physical formats feature full interview with Marshall Allen. Initial quantities of the vinyl format will feature thick card sleeve, 180g vinyl.

Sun Ra created provocative philosophical constellations within his music and art to draw attention to black history and re-affirm the heritage of black culture, the captivating costumes and Egyptian references, the shadow worlds of his stage shows, The Nubians of Plutonia presentations with the 'New Forms' of music and possibilities unknown. 

The magic of his existential Angel Race paradox Mr. Mystery, 'The Shaman or Magic Talisman' lives on. 

Sun Ra's influence will continue to be felt in the forthcoming generations and for millennia to come, his interaction has been critical to the sub-cultures within the contemporary music scene and movements of electronic and avant-garde music's, his artistic contribution is eternal, Sun Ra's music is truly a link between this world and the next.

Peter Dennett 17th May 2014.

Sun Ra in the 1960s (appears to be a Val Wilmer shot).

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori

Happy Sun Day! It's the beginning of the week we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Sun Ra's arrival on the planet - May 22, 1914 - as well as Marshall Allen's birthday 10 years and 3 days later on May 25th, 1924.

Marshall will be turning 90 years old this year, and we offer our sincere appreciation to him for the better world he has created through his music. He'll be spending his 90th trip around the sun touring the planet, so don't miss the Arkestra out on the road in a city near you! For dates visit http://www.sunraarkestra.com/1-main.html.

We'll kick off the week by posting an article that Google returns zero results for until today, so enjoy this new entry in to cyberspace!

Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 1
Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 1

Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 2
Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 2

Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 3
Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 3

Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 4
Downbeat Magazine: “Sun Ra’s Space Odyssey” by Tam Fiori Page 4

Saturday, May 17, 2014

The 2014 Sun Ra Centennial Classics Series Remasters with Bonus Tracks, Extended Versions, and Stereo Mixes Available at iTunes!

The 2014 Sun Ra Centennial Classics Series Remastered and compiled by Michael D. Anderson for Sun Ra Music Archive

Thanks to Paul Griffiths [http://outerspaceways.info/forum/saturn/43599], we have just learned that 21 Sun Ra Arkestra albums have been remastered and released via iTunes with no announcement or fanfare. Many details are as yet unknown, but many of the releases (not all) contain bonus tracks, extended versions, and stereo versions for some songs previously only available as mono mixes.

Here's what we know as of now, thanks to Paul. The Nubians of Plutonia contains versions of Ankhanaton and Spontaneous Simplicity from acetates discovered by Robert L. Campbell on an acetate. Invisible Shield includes a 10 minute version of Island In the Sun. Monorails and Satellites Vol. 1 contains 6 unreleased solo piano pieces. Fate in a Pleasant Mood features a reverb drenched "single version" of Lights on a Satellite.

For the Sun Ra Arkestra's dedicated fans this is major news and the stuff dreams are made of. Stayed tuned for more details, and please share your feedback as you listen to these new releases!

The albums included in The 2014 Sun Ra Centennial Classics Series are:
  • Angels and Demons at Play
  • Astro Black
  • Atlantis
  • Bad and Beautiful
  • Cosmic Tones For Mental Therapy
  • Fate In a Pleasant Mood
  • Holiday For Soul Dance
  • Interstellar Low Ways
  • The Invisible Shield
  • Jazz In Silhouette
  • The Magic City
  • Monorails and Satellites Vol. 1
  • Nubians of Plutonia
  • Other Planes of There
  • Sound Sun Pleasure
  • Strange Strings
  • Supersonic Jazz
  • Universe In Blue
  • Visits Planet Earth
  • We Travel the Spaceways
  • When Sun Comes Out

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Burgin Mathews discovers "RARE PHOTO OF SONNY BLOUNT AND THE RIPPLE RHYTHM FOUR, BIRMINGHAM WORLD, OCTOBER 25, 1940."

Burgin Mathews is doing an incredible job for Weld for Birmingham's 4 part Sun Ra series [http://weldbham.com/blog/category/art-culture/sun-ra-series/]. 

As you might have noticed, when Part 2 was first posted he made tantalizing reference to an image that didn't actually appear with the article:

"Among early press appearances, one recently unearthed item is of particular interest: a photo of Sonny Blount that appeared in the Birmingham World in October of 1940. Republished here for the first time, it seems, in some 70 years, it’s a tantalizing photo for Sun Ra fans, offering a tiny window into the musician’s roots. The Ripple Rhythm Four, the caption reads, were “making a name for themselves in the radio world,” broadcasting Monday through Friday at 12:30 on station WSGN; immediately recognizable, the youthful Sonny Blount stands with the three other singers, two of them holding guitars, each dressed in matching white jackets and black pants."

Happily, I went back to check today, and the photo has magically appeared! Thank you very much for your work Burgin!

http://weldbham.com/blog/2014/05/06/the-magic-citizen-sonny-rising/ripple-rhythm/


"RARE PHOTO OF SONNY BLOUNT AND THE RIPPLE RHYTHM FOUR, BIRMINGHAM WORLD, OCTOBER 25, 1940." from Burgin Mathews's Weld for Birmingham's 4 part Sun Ra series.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Crystal Spears Reel to Reel 10 inch 15ips 2trk 1974 EQ copy QS encoded
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Crystal Spears Reel to Reel 10 inch 15ips 2trk 1974 EQ copy QS encoded

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Discipline 27-II 1/2 inch 10" Reel To Reel 01
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Discipline 27-II 1/2 inch 10" Reel To Reel 01

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Discipline 27-II 1/2 inch 10" Reel To Reel 02
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Discipline 27-II 1/2 inch 10" Reel To Reel 02

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Space Is The Place 1/2 inch 10" Reel to Reel 01
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Space Is The Place 1/2 inch 10" Reel to Reel 01

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay -  Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Space Is The Place 1/2 inch 10" Reel to Reel 02
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - 
Discrete Quad MASTER TAPE Space Is The Place 1/2 inch 10" Reel to Reel 02

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape ABC-IMPULSE Jazz In Silhouette 10inch 15ips 2trk 01
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape ABC-IMPULSE Jazz In Silhouette 10inch 15ips 2trk 01

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape ABC-IMPULSE Jazz In Silhouette 10inch 15ips 2trk 02
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape ABC-IMPULSE Jazz In Silhouette 10inch 15ips 2trk 02

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow 10inch 15ips 2trk 01
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow 10inch 15ips 2trk 01

Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow 10inch 15ips 2trk 02
Sun Ra Arkive: Sun Ra Reel To Reel Master Tapes from Ebay - Reel to Reel Tape Art Forms Of Dimensions Tomorrow 10inch 15ips 2trk 02

Saturday, May 10, 2014

"New Horizons: Early Sun Ra" Video




http://sunraarkive.blogspot.com/
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New Horizons by Sun Ra from the album "Jazz by Sun Ra" (a.k.a. "Sun Song"). Recorded at Universal Recording; Chicago, July 12, 1956.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_by_Sun_Ra