Amo Bishop Roden wrote:pianoforte wrote:bearhead wrote:
Ooh, what is this?
I know, I was wondering about that!
They're a set of field recordings from the 1970's, but not the sort of Bed Bath & Beyond 'Relaxing Thunderstorm' variety. There's something very Eno about them. Some are nature sounds, some are chanting/singing, some are synth tones, or bells, etc. The fidelity of the recordings are quite incredible for their age, and the packaging is superb. Many of the gatefolds contain a plethora of information on the recording processes, including the equipment and methods used, and mission statements for each recording (ie. to ease stress, aid meditation, enhance lovemaking, reach weird psychospiritual states, arrest time, etc.) I'm really quite excited about finding such a large portion of the set (8 out of 11 discs.)
A couple of my favorites from the gatefold:
Q: What are environments, anyway?
A: Environments are not like any other phonograph discs ever released before. In essence, they are psychological sound, designed to help people do things, rather than provide them with aural entertainment. Since they are sounds, rather than music, a person can enjoy hearing them for very long periods of time, as the sounds have subtle structures which are difficult to subconciously memorize. Unlike playing a song over and over again, an Environments disc becomes more effective the more it is repeated.
Q:Are Environments "head music"?
A:Yes and no. Environments are psychologially-based sound, and this would put the series in the category of "head music," but unfortunately, "head music" today is synonymous with "trip music" and "drug music," which infers that a person can best appreciate the sound when he is "high" or "tripping," which usually isn't the case. Many of the reply cards packed with the first album were returned to us with the notation that the ocean sound was the best "natural high" the person had heard.
Sound can be a powerful tool, if a person can learn to use it, instead of subjecting himself to it in a passive manner.*
If anybody is interested I can scan the sleeves and info, maybe even upload the recordings if you'd like them. Just let me know.
*Emphasis mine; I love this[/quote]
These look awesome, and I imagine they sound awesome too! If you get chance (and certainly don't put yourself out on this), I'd love to get hold of any uploads you may or may not put up

.