This is one of those records that is definitely not for everyone, but for people
who like this kind of abstract improvisation, you will love it. In some ways, the
CD can be listened to as one long piece with periodic changes in tempo, timbre,
and lead instrument. Though, in some cases, individual tracks stand on their own.
In Giesringl's vocals I hear a number of influences from Aurora Josephson, to Cathy
Berberian, to Inuit throat singing. She has excellent control of her instrument, and
uses it in a wide range of ways over the course of the CD. As I listened to the record
as a whole, certain parts grabbed at me. I loved the abstract opening, which told
me what kind of music I was going to hear over the whole record. On "Staffellauf"
the four musicians work beautifully together. Clearly everyone is very familiar with
everyone else and knows where the improvisation is going.
"Oxford Street" also grabbed me. It starts subtlety but build with some persistent piano
and slashing violin loud voice and brushes on drums providing great contrast.
On "Alpenglow" the piano sounds prepared in a Cageish manner and Giesringl's voice
sounds almost operatic, highlighted nicely by Blunt's violin.
The final track has an added voice creating extra sounds supported beautifully by Klammer's
brushes.For people who like voice used as an instrument in various ways, both in a jazz and
in a classical manner, as well as a number of other forms, and for people who like very
abstract music, this is a record for you.
Bernie Koenig http://www.cadencejazzmagazine.com/membersonly/admin/assets/
cadencejan2013twopages.pdf
The Barcode Quartet's You're It is a meeting of musical minds from the Graz and London new
music scenes, Alison Blunt (violin) and Elisabeth Harnik (piano) representing the latter, Annette
Giesriegl (vocals) and Josef Klammer (drums) the former. Recorded live in Frohnleiten near Graz, the
foursome's interplay is intricately balanced, inherently exciting without overt melodrama, often
ending in sudden hushes. So imbricated are theimprovisations that it can be difficult to distinguish
individual instruments. Ranging in mood from quiet ‘chamber jazz' to extroverted power-rock
pulsing, tracks like "Oxford Street", "Alpenglow", "Driver", "Aaahdrenalin" and "Wondering" all
realize an immensely satisfying musical gestalt.
Tom Greenland January 2013 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
ENÖF = Englisch/österreichische Freundschaft. Genau genommen handelt sich es hier um musikalisch, menschliche Begegnung von ProtagonistInnen der bunten Improvisationszenen der beiden Städte London und Graz im Verhältnis 1:3. Die gemeinsame Basis ist die non-idiomatische, der Magie des Momentes frönende Kollektivimprovisation. An den Klanggerätschaften begegnen wir drei signifikanten MusikerInnen der Grazer Improkommune. Er, einer der Altvorderen und perkussive Zauberer der Gemeinde, sie beide die prägnantesten Kreativkräfte der letzten Jahre und einer bemerkenswerten Londoner Violinistin. In zehn Episoden erfinden die vier in Echtzeit ein irrlichtenes, fein verwobenes Geflecht, dessen Klangästhetik avancierter Improvisationsmusik, sich auf hohem Niveau entfaltet. Die kollektiven Explorationen, vollgesogen mit originären, reformistischen Klangqualitäten, kreisen um die kontemplativen Potentialitäten der Klangfindung. Was dosierte fiebrige Momente oder launiges Dahingrooven nicht ausschließt. Hervorstechend gibt sich auch die Souveränität und Natürlichkeit der Verständnisebene – demokratisch, respektvoll, inspirierend, und die dabei angewendete unangestrengte Konzentriertheit. Der Quartettcode: Mit vollster Energie und ganzem menschlichen Gewicht ein non-konformes Klanguniversum neu erforschen. Klanglicher Baustoff der Wirklichkeit - Ästhetik als Widerstand. (Hannes Schweiger)
TRANSLATION
ENÖF = German / Austrian friendship. Strictly speaking, it is here to musically human encounter of the protagonists of the colorful improvisational scenes of the two cities of London and Graz in the ratio 1:3. The common ground is the non-idiomatic, the magic of the moment frönende collective improvisation. The sound equipment we meet three significant musicians from Graz improv community. He, one of the forefathers and percussive Wizards of the community, they. Both the most distinguishing creative forces in recent years and a remarkable violinist London In ten episodes of the four-invent in real time irrlichtenes, finely woven mesh, the sound aesthetics of advanced improvisational music, unfolds at a high level. The collective exploration, soaked with original, reformist sound qualities revolve around the contemplative potentialities of sound determination. What dose feverish moments or capricious Thither Grooven not exclude. Most striking is also the sovereignty and naturalness of the level of understanding - democratic, respectful, inspiring, and it applied concentricity of effortless. The Quartet Code: exploring with the fullest energy and all my human weight a non-compliant sound universe anew. Sonic material reality - aesthetics as resistance. Hannes Schweiger
Annette Giesriegl è una vocalist di origine austriaca che nel corso della sua carriera ha esplorato ogni possibile declinazione della voce, compresi studi sui sovracuti e tecniche vocali utilizzate nella musica indiana. Attorno alla figura di questa spericolata improvvisatrice ruota il Barcode Quartet completato dalla violinista inglese Alison Blunt, studi accademici alle spalle musica sperimentale come filosofia di vita, dalla notevole pianista Elisabeth Harnik e dal batterista Josef Klammer, profondo conoscitore e studioso delle applicazioni elettroniche allo strumento.
Con quattro personalità del genere, riunite in concerto nel luglio 2011 in Austria, il risultato non poteva che essere perlomeno sorprendente.You're Itè improvvisazione radicale allo stato puro, esasperazione timbrica, corde di violino che vengono (mal)trattate per provocare straordinarie sonorità, il piano percosso non solo sui tasti ma anche nella sua pancia, la batteria improbabile metronomo dal timing impazzito. E quella voce, che ringhia, sussurra, si accende improvvisa, diventa incandescente, per virare successivamente verso tonalità impossibili, acide e gutturali, ataviche e futuriste.
Ma ci sono un'anima ed un cuore in questo vortice di suoni e di gesti disarticolati, in apparenza frammentati e frammentari, senza logica manifesta eppure così a proprio agio nella loro aleatorietà. Anima e cuore che, dapprima sotterranei, esplodono definitivamente nel conclusivo "Wondering," brano nel quale l'amata "India" irrompe grazie alla presenza dell'esraj (arpa indiana), e dove la voce di Griesriegl diventa ambrata come miele, con un retrogusto speziato che sa di incenso.
Vincenzo Roggero http://italia.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=8127
Transation
Annette Giesriegl is a vocalist of Austrian origin which in the course of her career has explored every possible variation of the item, including studies on sovracuti and vocal techniques used in Indian music. Around the figure of this reckless improviser wheel Barcode Quartet completed by the English violinist Alison Blunt, academic studies behind experimental music as a philosophy of life, the great pianist Elisabeth Harnik and drummer Josef Klammer, an expert and scholar of electronics applications to the instrument.
With four such personalities gathered in concert in July 2011 in Austria, the result could be that at least surprising. ‘You'r it' is pure radical improvisation, exasperated tone, violin strings that are (mis) treated to cause extraordinary sound, the plane struck not only keys but also in its belly, the battery unlikely metronome on the timing crazy.And that voice that growls, whispers, sudden turns, to glow, to then turn to shades impossible, acidy and guttural, ancestral and futuristic.
But there is a soul and a heart in this whirlwind of sounds and gestures disjointed, seemingly fragmented and piecemeal, without logic manifests yet so comfortable in their randomness.Heart and soul that first underground, finally exploding in the final "Wondering," in which the beloved song "India" burst due to the presence dell'esraj (Indian harp), and where the voice of Griesriegl turns amber honey, with a spicy aftertaste that smells of incense.
BARCODE QUARTET [ALISON BLUNT/ANNETTE GIESRIEGL/ELISABETH
HARNIK/JOSEF KLAMMER] - You're It (Slam 288; UK) Barcode Quartet is
of Alison Blunt on violin, Elisabeth Harnik on piano, Annette
Giesriegl on voice and Josef Klammer on drums & electronics. This
quartet features two Brits (Alison & Elisabeth) and two musicians
from Austria (Annette & Josef) and was recorded live in Austria in
July of 2011. We know of Ms. Blunt from discs on the Emanem and PSI
labels that she is on while Mr. Klammer has recorded with Martin
Philadelphy. International free improv has a way of reaching across
borders so that musicians who can't understand the same vocal or
written language can still communicate ideas via music. It would no
doubt be nearly impossible to figure where exactly where any of these
musicians came from by listening to what they do here. Not that it
really matters. What does matter is the end results which are
spirited, creative and focused into a group sound. For those of you
who have a problem with improvised vocals (I don't), Ms. Giesriegl is
integral to the quartet's sound, blends strongly and never takes
over. Ms. Blunt plays acoustic violin and like Szilard Mezei is a
gifted improviser who consistently adds sparks and flourishes to
quartet. There are some sections on this disc where the quartet
really take off and soar, swirling around one another to an ecstatic
conclusion. Truly strong medicine for the tough times present and
ahead. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
TRANSLATION
The live recording at the festival Kunsthaltestelle Streckhammerhaus in
Austria, sees the work an Austro-English quartet that makes
total radical improvisation its flag. Despite
the apparent osticità the proposal that the music has a warm and
vibrant, as the experience of musicians in this area.
all come from experiences of contemporary music, not
necessarily die but know the art of jazz
improvisation and of 'interaction.
The pianist ElisabethHarnik launches sounds taken from her
instrument and immediately the voice of Annette
Giesriegl and violin of AlisonBlunt find a point of agreement, a close dialogue with
those notes, both outside of what is the orthodoxy of their
instruments.And the drummer Josef Klammer, including
the electronic effects, adds his part in the bedlam of sounds, at
times subtle and inviting, like the long dialogue between voice and violin Fractured.
There are polifonismi of Oxford Street, in short, no shortage ofsurprisesat every turn,
the result of shared ideas with precise traces to perform them.Each song comes as
no surprise that only the vanguard can give.Sometimes broken, exciting, radical, passionate.
But moreadvanced, able to move the listener, to cause him any doubtsabout his musical
certainties.On the last songWonderingthereDenovaire,a musician who has studied in India,
the tools of that tradition,adds a touch of exotic esraj to the already exciting collage of sounds of thequartet.
ORIGINAL ITALIAN
Il live, registrato al festival Kunsthaltestelle Streckhammerhaus in
Austria, vede all´opera un quartetto austro-inglese che fa
dell´improvvisazione totale radicale la sua bandiera. Nonostante
l´apparente osticità della proposta la musica ha un che di caloroso e
vibrante, dato dall´esperienza dei musicisti in questo settore.
Provengono tutti da esperienze di musica contemporanea, non
necessariamente di matrice jazzistica ma conoscono l´arte
dell´improvvisazione e dell´interazione.
La pianistaElisabeth Harniklancia dei suoni presi dall´interno del suo
strumento e subito la voce diAnnette Giesriegled il violino diAlison
Blunttrovano un punto di accordo, un dialogo serrato con
quelle note, entrambe al di fuori di quella che è l´ortodossia dei loro
strumenti. Ed il batteristaJosef Klammer, anche
agli effetti elettonici, aggiunge la sua parte alla bolgia di suoni, a
volte sottili ed invitanti, come il lungo dialogo tra voce e violino di
Fractured.
Ci sono i polifonismi diOxford Street, insomma non mancano le
sorprese ad ogni passo, frutto di idee comuni con precise tracce per svolgerle.
Ad ogni brano arriva quella sorpresa che solo l´avanguardia sa dare.
A volte scomposta, emozionante, radicale, appassionata. Ma sempre
avanguardia, in grado di smuovere l´ascoltatore, di creargli dei dubbi
sulle sue certezze musicali.
Sull´ultimo branoWonderingc´èDenovaire,
musicista che ha studiato in India gli strumenti di quella tradizione,
ad aggiungere un tocco di esotico con il suo esraj al già stimolante collage di suoni del
quartetto.
Vittorio lo Conte http://www.musiczoom.it/?p=7394
BARCODE QUARTET / You're It (SLAM Productions)
Improvisation libre avec Alison Blunt (violon), Elisabeth Harnik (piano), Annette Giesriegl (voix) et Josef Klammer (batterie, électroniques). Un quatuor à trois femmes, c'est rare en impro! EtYou're Itest un fort joli disque. Enregistrement en concert. Des pièces courtes qui combinent le caractère abstrait de l'improvisation libre britannique et une légère tendance jazz aux racines suisso-autrichiennes (dans "Wondering", en particulier). Les interactions entre violon et piano sont particulièrement intéressantes.
Free improvisation with Alison Blunt (violin), Elisabeth Harnik (piano), Annette Giesriegl (voice) and Josef Klammer (drums, electronics). That's a quartet with three women, a rarity in free improvisation. And You're Itis a very fine disc. A live recording. Short pieces that blend the abstract nature of Biritish free improvisation and a certain Swiss/Austrian jazz feel (especially in "Wondering"). The interactions between violin and piano are particularly interesting.
François Couture
http://blog.monsieurdelire.com/2012/05/2012-05-04-erblonberg-holm-barcode.html