Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat)
Uttered nonsense, (The Owl and the Pussycat), consists eight works of Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster.
Tony Gould piano
Bob McIvor trombone
John McCarthy clarinet
Tom Sparkes clarinet and cor-anglais
Mal Cunningham recorders, bass-flute and piccolo
Paul Furniss alto-saxophone and clarinet
Graeme Lyall tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet
Roy Ainsworth baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
Greg Lyon electric bass
Chris Qua tree-bass
Doug Gallagher drums
Ian Bloxsom percussion
Jim Kelly electric guitar
Terry Walker sitar
Martin Benge bass clarinet
Bob Barnard cornet
Ivan Smith vocals
"Anyone lucky enough to have made music with John Sangster will likely refer to him as a creative genius. He certainly was that in my view and much more. His compositions, his humour and general attitude towards life were inspirational. This collection demonstrates all these qualities to be sure. It is a collectors item and one which will give great listening pleasure for a very long time." Tony Gould
Uttered nonsense (the Owl and the Pussycat), consists eight works of Mr Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster.
These eight word-pieces embedded within fourteen more instrumental excursions which take their titles and their inspiration from the Nonsense Books of Edward Lear (the first published in 1846). The original double LP, was published in 1980 by Rainforest Records Australia (RF LP001). Closing the LP notes, John Sangster (1928-1995) wrote what he probably considered some sort of manifesto for Nonsense music:
"From the enjoyment of and love for [Edward Lear's] works comes the Uttered Nonsense. Nonsense-Music. Goodness knows there's not much of it about. Things being what they are nowadays. Nonsense-Music I guess should be at the same time provocative, silly, amusing, curious, thought-provoking, complex and direct, full of quotes and mis-quotes, puns, malapropism, musical spoonerisms, tight-ropes negotiated and bear-traps set up and then avoided, satisfying, adroit, nimble, fanciful, and above all entertaining and jolly."
Press quotes
“Sangster's only double album outside of his 'Lord of the Rings' series, and a rather more ambitious effort. In the words of the album's cover: Eight works of Mr. Edward Lear, spoken with the utmost gravity by Mr. Ivan Smith, and set to music of the most nonsensical nature by John Sangster. That's what I mean when I saw ambitious! The music has Sangster's signature sparseness, reminiscent of his 'Lord of the Rings' albums, even 'Ahead of Hair', but with a much more Modern sound. Doug Gallagher's on drums and Tony Gould plays piano, and there's a long list of more notable jazz musicians on the inside cover. I really dig the funky vibes and sitar interplay on 'The Akond of Swat'. There's also a great breezy funk vibe on 'Incidents in the Life of Uncle Arly', before the poetry interrupts the mood. That's not always the case though. A great listen throughout.”
— DJ Kinetic,
“As the master jester Nabokov wrote, everything good in life – love, nature, the arts – is play. John Sangster was an innocent in that best sense, and this music is play in the best sense. Sangster’s instrument of choice is the vibraphone, an instrument based on the xylophone of which the toy version is often the first instrument of childhood. But on these documents, Sangster’s composition, arrangement and conducting skills assume prominence. I’m a nostalgic fan of Lear as my best man read his The Owl and The Pussycat at my wedding. There is a considerable range of sounds in the programme of 22 compositions, including trios, quartets, overdubbing, and natural sounds. The music called “jazz” had been seriously marginalised and it is testament to Sangster’s musical vision that he never succumbed to the zeitgeist and focussed on his own highly individual and playful and entertaining art.”
Read full review— Ian Muldoon, Music Trust e-zine Loud Mouths
“On these CDs both he and John Sangster and his players seem to have made connections for everybody. Uttered Nonsense is a collector's item.”
Read full review— Margaret McNamara, 4MBS website
Artist
John Sangster
John Sangster was one of the most talented Australian jazz musicians of all time, a technician and creator who embraced and understood more styles of music than any other.
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Propter's Nicodemus Pills John Sangster 3:17
- The Owl and the Pussy-cat John Sangster Edward Lear 5:04
- The Akond of Swat John Sangster 2:56
- The Pobble Who Has No Toes John Sangster Edward Lear 5:34
- The Yonghy Bonghy Bo John Sangster 5:27
- The Heraldic Blazon of Foss the Cat John Sangster Edward Lear 3:44
- The Runcible Hat John Sangster 5:32
- The Jumblies John Sangster Edward Lear 5:20
- The Beautiful Pea Green Boat John Sangster 3:26
- Gosky Patties John Sangster Edward Lear 5:38
- Mr and Mrs Discobbolos John Sangster 3:50
Disc 2
- Incidents In the life oy My Uncle Arly John Sangster Edward Lear 4:38
- Phits of Coffin John Sangster 2:20
- The Cummerbund John Sangster Edward Lear 7:28
- The Pmblomphous Dolomphois Ptilinorhynchus John Sangster 2:40
- The Diaphanous Doorscraper John Sangster 4:44
- Mary Squeen of Cots John Sangster 3:34
- The Otion Blue John Sangster 6:26
- The Dong with a luminous nose John Sangster Edward Lear 6:42
- Learizing John Sangster 3:23
- The Quangle Wangle's Hat John Sangster Edward Lear 2:40
- The Co-Operative Cauliflower John Sangster 4:11
Performers
- John Sangster · vibraphone, marimba, glockenspiel, swannee-whistle, piano, celeste, percussion
- Ivan Smith · disc 1 tracks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10; disc 2 tracks 1, 3, 8 and 10
- Tony Gould
- Bob McIvor
- John McCarthy
- Tom Sparkes · clarinet and cor-anglais
- Mal Cunningham · recorders, bass-flute and piccolo
- Paul Furniss · alto-saxophone and clarinet
- Graeme Lyall · tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet
- Roy Ainsworth · baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
- Greg Lyon · electric bass
- Chris Qua · tree-bass
- Doug Gallagher
- Ian Bloxsom
- Jim Kelly
- Terry Walker · sitar
- Martin Benge · bass clarinet
- Bob Barnard · cornet
Composer
Contributors
Cover artwork
Gwyn Perkins
Where to listen
Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat) is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Uttered Nonsense (The Owl and the Pussycat) is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3321
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 98 minutes 34 seconds
- Producer
- John Sangster
- Venue
- EMI Studios Sydney
- Thanks to
- Tony Gould
- Credit
- Gwyn Perkins
- Release date
- 2008
- Musical work
copyright - © 1980 John Sangster Music
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2008 Move Records
- Categories
- Australian, Jazz
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574332124
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