| |
home > music
>
 ALAN
MOORE AND TIM PERKINS
Snakes and Ladders
2003
CD
RE:PCD05
This is the third release from the collaboration of author Alan
Moore and musician Tim Perkins. As with
the previous releases, it's on Steven Severin's label RE:. The content
was originally performed at Holborn's Conway Hall in London as part
of a day-long 'Symposium of Real Magick', put on by the Oxford Golden
Dawn Society in 1999. As before, Alan Moore narrates to the background
of Tim's music, which on this occasion is more subtle and ambient.
Alan discusses the birth of creation and DNA and mixes this in with
the history of Red Lion Square, which is where the Conway Hall is
located. It begins with 'The Gate Of Tears' in which a short bolt
of electronics leads in Alan Moore to begin his weird tales. He
begins talking about the event that took place in Conway Hall at
which this was first performed, then goes on to discuss the forming
of the universe, and then goes into the history of Red Lion Square,
drafting in historical figures such as Oliver Cromwell and William
Morris. 'Stars and Garters' delves more into the history of existence
and creation of the universe. This is where he introduces the snake
and compares it to DNA. Tim's music accompanies this, thumping like
a heart beat. 'Baghdad' brings us back to Red Lion Square and into
the mind of author Arthur Machen as he compares it to Baghdad in
his mind of fantasy. 'Art' sees Alan discuss the development of
the human mind and imagination and inventiveness of interpreting
that into art. The music rises menacingly up and down to accompany
these words. Finally 'Syon' which starts with mystic chimes of Tim
Perkins' magical sounds and Alan talks about Syon, another magical
interpretation of the history of London. Moore here compares the
London life to snakes and ladders. Amongst the artwork here is a
spectacular snakes and ladders board in which some of the images
Moore discuses are included. I'm almost tempted to find a dice and
have a game. Although the subject matter of Moore's tales seem a
little complicated, he succeeds in drawing the listener in and making
complete sense in all his words even though he never aims to compromise
or simplify them.
JOHN MARSHALL - 23 February 2002
|
|
