big science

Avante-garde multi-mediatrix Laurie Anderson had a surprise hit with the deadpan cultural ruminations of her anxious and articulate debut album. 'Big Science' channels her performance art into a sophisticated sonic landscape utilizing synthesized spoken vocals, vocoder, farfisa organ, percussion, sticks, violins, electronics, keyboards, handclaps, whistling, and marimba. She produced the album at the Hit Factory with Roma Baran who adds farfisa bass, glass harmonica, casiotone, and accordion to the mix. Perry Hoberman played flute, sax, and piccolo; Bill Obrecht played alto sax; Peter Gordon played clarinet, tenor sax; David Van Tieghem played drums, rototoms, timpani, marimba, and percussion. The songs address fears of technology and are very conversational in tone. Anderson says: "I listen to people's conversation and do remember catch-phrase type things, but somebody might have worked four years perfecting their one good line, like the sort of thing you get at New York cocktail parties. Really I remember moods of conversation more."







http://www.laurieanderson.com/

'From the Air'

"Uh-this is your Captain again.

You know, I've got a funny feeling I've seen this all

before.

Why? Cause I'm a caveman.

Why? Cause I've got eyes in the back of my head.

Why? It's the heat. Standby.

This is the time. And this is the record of the time.

This is the time. And this is the record of the time.

Put your hands over your eyes. Jump out of the plane.

There is no pilot. You are not alone. Standby."

'Big Science'

"Ooo coo coo. Golden cities. Golden towns.

Golden cities. Golden towns.

And long cars in long lines and great big signs

and they all say: Hallelujah. Yodellayheehoo.

Every man for himself. Ooo coo coo.

Golden cities. Golden towns. Thanks for the ride.

Big Science. Hallelujah.. Yodellayheehoo."

'Born, Never Asked'

"It was a large room. Full of people. All kinds.

And they had all arrived at the same buidling

at more or less the same time.

And they were all free. And they were all

asking themselves the same question:

What is behind that curtain?

You were born. And so you're free. So happy birthday."

The eight-minute 'O Superman (For Massenet)' went to number two in the UK.

"O Superman. O judge. O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.

O Superman. O judge. O Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.

Hi. I'm not home right now. But if you want to leave a

message, just start talking at the sound of the tone.

Hello? This is your Mother. Are you there? Are you

coming home?

Hello? Is anybody home? Well, you don't know me,

but I know you.

And I've got a message to give to you.

Here come the planes.

So you better get ready. Ready to go. You can come

as you are, but pay as you go. Pay as you go.

And I said: OK. Who is this really? And the voice said:

This is the hand, the hand that takes. This is the

hand, the hand that takes.

This is the hand, the hand that takes.

Here come the planes.

They're American planes. Made in America.

Smoking or non-smoking?

And the voice said: Neither snow nor rain nor gloom

of night shall stay these couriers from the swift

completion of their appointed rounds.

'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice.

And when justice is gone, there's always force.

And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!

So hold me, Mom, in your long arms. So hold me,

Mom, in your long arms.

In your automatic arms. Your electronic arms.

In your arms.

So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.

Your petrochemical arms. Your military arms.

In your electronic arms."

'Big Science'
full album:



All tracks by Laurie Anderson.

"From the Air" – 4:29
"Big Science" – 6:25
"Sweaters" – 2:18
"Walking & Falling" – 2:10
"Born, Never Asked" – 4:56
"O Superman (for Massenet)" – 8:21
"Example #22" – 2:59
"Let X=X/It Tango" – 6:51