Fire! Orchestra's Exit and Centipede's Septober Energy

[Pierre]

I am a long time fan of Centipede's Septober Energy...
and it's the first time I listen to something that has some
similarity to it... like an intimate version
(only 28 musicians) of Centipede... with the same
craziness. Another comparison would be the Sun Ra
albums on which Catherine Ribeiro is the singer. ;-)

Your mileage may vary.

"Chaos always wins because it is better organized."





And of you've never heard Centipede's Septober Energy well... it's a double album from 1971 with all these players... those were the days...

Violins[edit]

• Wendy Treacher
• John Trussler
• Roddy Skeping
• Wilf Gibson (lead)
• Carol Slater
• Louise Jopling
• Garth Morton
• Channa Salononson
• Steve Rowlandson
• Mica Gomberti
• Colin Kitching
• Philip Saudek
• Esther Burgi

Cellos[edit]

• Michael Hurwitz
• Timothy Kramer
• Suki Towb
• John Rees-Jones
• Katherine Thulborn
• Catherine Finnis

Trumpets[edit]

• Peter Parkes
• Mick Collins
• Ian Carr (doubling flugelhorn)
• Mongezi Feza (pocket cornet)
• Mark Charig (cornet)

Altos[edit]

• Elton Dean (doubling saxello)
• Jan Steel (doubling flute)
• Ian McDonald
• Dudu Pukwana

Tenors[edit]

• Larry Stabbins
• Gary Windo
• Brian Smith
• Alan Skidmore

Baritones[edit]

• Dave White (doubling clarinet)
• Karl Jenkins (doubling oboe)
• John Williams (bass saxophone, doubling soprano)

Trombones[edit]

• Nick Evans
• Dave Amis
• Dave Perrottet
• Paul Rutherford

Drums[edit]

• John Marshall (and all percussion)
• Tony Fennell
• Robert Wyatt

Vocalists[edit]

• Maggie Nicols
• Julie Tippetts
• Mike Patto
• Zoot Money
• Boz Burrell

Basses[edit]

• Roy Babbington (doubling bass guitar)
• Jill Lyons
• Harry Miller
• Jeff Clyne
• Dave Markee
• Brian Belshaw

Guitars[edit]

• Brian Godding

Piano[edit]

• Keith Tippett - musical director

Technical credits[edit]

• Robert Fripp - producer
• Mike Thompson - engineer
• Dick Whitehead - album design (US release)
• Martin Adelman - cover photograph (US release)

Band members not on the recording: Robert Fripp (guitar) and Paul Nieman (trombone)

[Pierre]

Here is Septober Energy...

[Poisoned Youth]

Hey Pierre, that Fire! Orchestra album is addicting, though I'm not a fan of avant-garde vocals all that much and find that a detraction on the otherwise most excellent "side 2".

I never thought about comparisons to Centipede, though it's not far off!

[flytomars]

Hi Pierre, what do you think about Keith Tippets Ark?

[Pierre]

Hi Pierre, what do you think about Keith Tippets Ark?

I only have a vague souvenir... will check Frames this evening. Thanks for the suggestion.

[syncopatico]

A record that reminded me of Septober Energy is Tony Coe's Zeitgeist. Can't find any bits of it on youtube though: too obscure?

http://www.discogs.com/Tony-Coe-Zeit...elease/2377597

[flytomars]

Just now had time to listen to the Fire Orchestra, great stuff!
It actually remided me a bit of Carla Bley / Mike Mantler stuff, Escalator over the hill comes to mind (mabe its those vocals that stretch the notes, I have no idea as I am no musician).

[jkelman]

I reviewed this when it came out. It's terrific stuff - all the more so because it was not just a huge ensemble free-for-all; instead, it's got more structure than Fire! trio on its own, and even some moments of real beauty amidst the occasionally ear-shattering extremes! A personal fave for this year.

[rcarlberg]

I always thought Jasun Martz's "The Pillory" was very similar to "Septober Energy." Sorry, can't find a clip on YouTube.

[TCC]

Hi Pierre!.
Excellent call!!

"Centipede" ... interesting combo/record !!.

Regards!.

[Harbottle]

I got this because I saw that Dan Berglund (E.S.T, Tonbruket!) played on it, and it sounded intruiging. I actually listened to it today at work. It's a complex thing, but hugely enjoyable. I tried doing some improvised C++ but it wouldn't compile.

[Mr.Krautman]

Thank you Pierre for the Fire! Orchestra link. This is not everyday's mainstream prog but very interesting nevertheless. My 2nd listen to the whole thing and I'm already addicted. Of course I like Centipede's Septober Energy too but this one has some lighter moments (except for the pt.2 ending which is, well... noisy).
Maybe it's only me but I can even hear some CAN influences in the repetitive sections in pt.2
This is the kind of album where you can find something new each time you listen to it. Recommended to all adventurous proggers (but not only).