Browse by Label: ROOF MUSIC (GERMANY)

Artist:	MOONDOG
Title:	The German Years 1977-1999
Label:	ROOF MUSIC (GERMANY)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$20.00
Catalog #:	RD 2433221CD

Originally released by Roof Music in 2004, this is a 2CD compilation of recordings from the last 20 years of visionary composer Louis Thomas Hardin's (aka Moondog) life, when he lived in Germany and composed, arguably, perhaps the most vibrant and eclectic music in his whole canon. CD1 is comprised of studio recordings from 1977-1999 -- songs for pipe organ, chamber ensemble, piano and voice, string quartet, saxophone, etc., and CD2 is an exceptional recording of his last live performance from Arles, France, recorded a month before his death. Featuring pianist Dominique Ponty, who plays 34 of his pieces for piano. Includes a 44-page booklet of photos, notes, essays, interviews, lyrics, and more, housed in a deluxe hard cardboard package.

Artist:	MOONDOG
Title:	Remixed No. 1
Label:	ROOF MUSIC (GERMANY)
Format:	CD
Price:	$11.00
Catalog #:	RD 2445220CD

Originally released in 2004 on Roof Records, Remixed No. 1 features three reworkings of classic tracks by visionary composer/poet Moondog (Louis Thomas Hardin). The first track is a full-on funk/groove reinterpretation of "Dog Trot" by Christian Becker, the second track as envisioned by Mr. Scruff, "Get A Move On," uses the instantly-recognizable, circular cycle of strings and sax of "Bird's Lament" to shore up a straight dance beat, and the last track by Afrobob, "The Return Of The Reimemonster" features gruff, heavy rapping by Ferris MC to the faint accompaniment of the reeds and strings theme of "Minisym I."

Artist:	MOONDOG
Title:	Rare Material
Label:	ROOF MUSIC (GERMANY)
Format:	2CD
Price:	$20.00
Catalog #:	RD 2633272CD

Released in 2006, this double CD collection compiles an expansive body of songs from throughout Moondog's vast and eclectic body of work. For almost 50 years, Moondog (Louis Thomas Hardin, 1916-1999) impressed and influenced artists such as Benny Goodman, Leonard Bernstein, The Beatles, Charlie Parker, Igor Stravinsky, Frank Zappa, and others. Fascinated by the canon form as well as composing principles of tonality and counterpoint, Moondog's music always existed between the classical and the jazz world without ever belonging to any of them. He has composed over 80 symphonies, numerous chamber works, over 300 madrigals, as well as scores for brass bands, string orchestras, and organ pieces. While most of the material Moondog recorded is documented in great detail, there are also many recordings that, despite their artistic importance, were only available for a very short period of time. Rare Material is a collection of that material and reveals a remarkable musical spectrum. It extends from rather minimalist works of the early '50s, to arrangements for string quartet of the '80s, to opulent orchestrated big-band productions of the '90s. Reissued here on CD for the very first time are four tracks from Bracelli, released on Kakaphone in 1986, and two tracks from Instrumental Music, released on Musical Heritage Society in 1978. This collection comes with a detailed 24-page booklet that includes notes from Moondog about each of the tracks, excerpts from his biographical poetic impressions, and a chronology of his life. This is a lovingly compiled selection of music that provides an expansive, widescreen portrait of one of America's most compelling and unique composers.

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