HENRY COW - Western Culture (1978-2015) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The group's fourth and final studio LP, Western Culture remained for a long time Henry Cow's hidden treasure. Two factors were instrumental to its occultation (and one more than the other): first, it was not released by Virgin like the other ones; second, it did not have the "sock" artwork common to its brothers. Obscurity aside, Western Culture remains one of the group's strongest efforts in the lines of composition, especially since the unit was literally torn apart at the time. Side one consists of a suite in three parts, "History & Prospects," written by Tim Hodgkinson. The opener, "Industry," stands as one of Henry Cow's finest achievements, the angular melody played on a cheap electric organ hitting you in the face so hard it makes an imprint in your brains. Side two features another suite, this one in four parts and by Lindsay Cooper. While Hodgkinson's music leans toward rock, energy, and deconstruction, her writing embraced more contemporary classical idioms. Filled with contrasting textures and delicate complicated melodies, these pieces showcased another aspect of the group's sound while foretelling her later works. Swiss pianist Irène Schweizer performed a cadenza of sorts in "Gretel's Tale." by François Couture
Tracklist:
History & Prospects
1 Industry 6:57
Guitar [Hawaiian], Written-By – Tim Hodgkinson
2 The Decay Of Cities 6:56
Guitar [Hawaiian], Written-By – Tim Hodgkinson
3 On The Raft 4:01
Piano, Written-By – Tim Hodgkinson
Soprano Saxophone – Fred Frith
Trumpet – Chris Cutler
Day By Day
4 Falling Away 7:39
Piano – Chris Cutler
Written-By – Lindsay Cooper
5 Gretel's Tale 3:58
Piano – Irene Schweizer
Written-By – Lindsay Cooper
6 Look Back 1:20
Written-By – Lindsay Cooper
7 Half The Sky 5:07
Bass – Georgie Born
Written-By – Lindsay Cooper, Tim Hodgkinson
Bonus Tracks
8 Silence 1:00
9 Viva Pa Ubu 4:28
10 Look Back 1:22
11 Slice 0:37
12 Half The Sky 5:05
13 Half The Sky 5:07
14 Viva Pa Ubu 2:18
15 The Herring People 2:07
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass – Fred Frith
Bassoon, Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Tape – Lindsay Cooper
Drums, Electronic Drums, Noises, Cover – Chris Cutler
Organ, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Tim Hodgkinson
Trombone, Violin – Annemarie Roelofs