Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)

Subject: Robbie Basho - Twilight Peaks
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 01 Mar 18 - 02:06 PM

I notice the descriptions of the CD reissue of the Basho TWILIGHT PEAKS album say remastered from DEMO tapes.

Does this mean that the original chrome cassette tape release is a different recording from the CD (i.e. studio) ??? OR was the somewhat obscure tape [released by THE ART OF RELAXATION (Vital Body Marketing Co., Manhasset NY)] issued from the same demo recordings as were used for the CD ??

Anyone know how to contact GLENN JONES (Varrick Records, Cul de Sac)
who did the remaster ??

Thanks! Thomas.

Subject: RE: Robbie Basho - Twilight Peaks
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 14 Dec 19 - 08:49 PM

no response to the TWILIGHT PEAKS query.
Are any list members appreciative of Basho's work ??
Anyone know of him, but do not like his work or less than that
of Fahey, Kottke, etc....

If anyone does know his work, you comments are welcome.

JUST released - a DVD/BD document about Basho:
Voice of the eagle-The Enigma of Robbie Basho - Liam Barker

This package contains the film, trailer, and extended interviews
of Country Joe McDonald, Pete Townshend. DVD and BD (Blu-ray) discs.

A third disc, DVD format, contains extended interviews with the many people who contributed to the documentary, as well as a half dozen people not included in the film.

All discs are Region/Zone free.

The film is an impressionistic pastiche of short bits of the many
interviews. Quite a lot about Basho's connection to Meher Baba
and SUFI thought, as well as biographical information, and some
discussion of the music. Some more interesting observations on the music are in the bonus extended interviews (IMO).

Did anyone see this film when it was in theatrical release ??

Thomas.

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 16 Dec 19 - 11:02 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVLElTzEgOQ

Here's 'Twilight Peaks' on YouTube for anyone who may wish to hear his work. WOW could well be an understatement.

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: gillymor
Date: 17 Dec 19 - 09:59 AM

I got a couple of Basho's early Takoma LP's on the recommendation of Fahey (the label's co-owner, btw) and didn't really get into him until I started to get a feel for Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan music later on though I always marveled at his ability to make one of the voices of his 12 string sound somewhat like a sarod or a sitar or one of those sub-continent stringed instruments while simultaneously playing the accompaniment.

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 30 Mar 20 - 11:09 PM

From REAL GONE MUSIC (UK):

"ROBBIE BASHO: Songs of the Great Mystery—The Lost Vanguard Sessions (CD & Limited 2-LP Clear Vinyl Edition)

        Robbie Basho was one of the big three American acoustic guitar innovators, John Fahey and Leo Kottke being the other two. Basho was actually a college friend of John Fahey, and his early recordings (like Kottke’s) were for Fahey’s Takoma label. Following Fahey ‘s move to Vanguard, Basho followed suit, and released Voice of the Eagle and Zarthus for the label in 1972 and 1974, respectively. Flash forward to 2009: Vanguard contacted guitarist (and long-time Basho champion) Glenn Jones with the intriguing news that an unreleased Robbie Basho album session had recently been found, on a tape that, alas, lacked any real documentation. It was only 12 years later, when Jones, in the process of researching the liner notes for this release, discovered the truth: that not just the mysterious tape but both Voice of the Eagle and Zarthus were the result of one marathon session in 1971 or 1972 recorded in New York City by Vanguard staff engineer Jeffrey Zaraya. Songs of the Great Mystery—The Lost Vanguard Sessions, then, takes its place as the third of the triumvirat of albums Basho recorded for the label, and it is their equal in every way, exploring, in particular, some of the same Native American themes found on Voice of the Eagle. Some of the tunes showed up on later albums in much different forms, but for Basho fans, the originals will probably steal the show, particularly “Song of the Great Mystery,” which, unlike some of the songs here that showcase his singing and piano-playing, brings to the fore his amazing six-string guitar technique and touch. Vanguard briefly put these sessions up digitally when they were located, but Real Gone Music’s release represents the first time they have come out in any physical form (and the alternate take of “A Day in the Life of Lemuria,” also discovered by Jones, has never been heard anywhere). Featuring track-by-track annotation, rare photos (including Basho’s own handwritten notes found in the tape box), and remastering by Mike Milchner of SonicVision, Songs of the Great Mystery—The Lost Vanguard Sessions is a timely release and a deeply spiritual, uplifting one, too…a great album to listen to while you’re cooped up! Available on CD or on a double-LP set pressed in clear vinyl limited to 1000 copies and housed inside a gatefold jacket. "

1. A Day in the Life of Lemuria
2. Night Way
3. The Butterfly of Wonder
4. Laughing Thunder, Crawling Thunder
5. Thunder Sun
6. Kateri Tekakwitha
7. Thunder Love
8. Song of the Great Mystery
9. Death Song
10. A Day in the Life of Lemuria (Alternate Take)

more info at REAL GONE website,
also available from other sellers
https://shop.realgonemusic.com/search?q=Robbie+Basho


Thomas

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 08:54 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVLElTzEgOQ&list=RDUVLElTzEgOQ&index=1

That link is to the complete album 'Twilight Peaks' by R.Basho.

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Mar 20 - 09:25 PM

"A Day in the Life of Lemuria"? < ahref=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemuria_(continent)>Wikipedia says that Lemuria "is a hypothetical lost land located in either the Indian or the Pacific Ocean, as postulated by a now-discredited 19th-century scientific theory." Off and on over the last 40 years, I have heard of Lemurians living near Mount Shasta in California. I tend not to believe in such things, but it's interesting folklore.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 09 Sep 20 - 09:06 PM

ANNOUNCEMENT from Tompkins Square - fyi best Thomas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robbie Basho - Selections from Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes - Vinyl LP Exclusively Available at Independent Record Stores for Record Store Day (Drop #2), September 26th

Robbie Basho (1940-1986) is widely regarded as one of the progenitors of what's commonly known today as American Primitive guitar. Growing up in Maryland alongside neo-traditional guitar explorers John Fahey and Max Ochs, Basho's path would take a decidedly different turn, bringing Hindi, Indian, Japanese and Native American musical traditions into his work. His albums for Takoma and Vanguard have left an indelible trail of influence across generations of musicians, from William Ackerman and Pete Townshend to Ben Chasny and William Tyler.

Liam Barker first became aware of Basho having purchased Tompkins Square's reissue of Venus in Cancer, released in 2006. This led him on an incredible fact-finding expedition, unraveling the many layers of mystery surrounding Basho's life and death, all deftly compiled and depicted in his documentary film, Voice of the Eagle : The Enigma of Robbie Basho.

During the research process, Barker came across a large cache of unheard Basho tapes recorded throughout his career, ranging roughly from 1965-1985. By arrangement with Basho's Estate and the original custodians of the tapes, Tompkins Square is set to release Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes, a 5CD set of previously unreleased material, on December 4th, 2020. The set includes notes by Barker, Henry Kaiser, Steffen Basho-Junghans, Glenn Jones and Richard Osborn, as well as many unseen photographs.

Selections from Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes vinyl LP will be exclusively available at independent record stores worldwide on September 26th. The best way to obtain a copy is to ask your favorite record store in advance if they plan to carry the set.   

TSQ 5722 - Robbie Basho / Selections from Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes - vinyl LP

Tompkins Square is distributed by INgrooves/Universal and Revolver in NA, Cargo UK for Europe

tompkinssquare.com

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 20 Oct 20 - 10:21 PM

FYI
best wishes, Thomas.


Tompkins Square is set to release Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes, a 5CD set of previously unreleased material, on
December 4th, 2020.
The set includes notes by Barker, Henry Kaiser, Steffen Basho-Junghans, Glenn Jones and Richard Osborn, as well as many unseen photographs. The box set package featuring gold foil inlay, poster and extensive booklet, was designed by Barbara Bersche, known for her work on the 2009 Grammy-nominated Alan Lomax in Haiti box, as well as the new Dust-To-Digital Harry Smith B-Sides box.

TSQ 5715 - Robbie Basho / Song of the Avatars : The Lost Master Tapes - 5CD set

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 07 Oct 24 - 09:30 PM

from Tompkins Square, scheduled circa Dec. 2024

TSQ4111 5CD Box Set / Ltd 1000
Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan:
The Lost Live Recordings by Robbie Basho

1.Chung Mei - The Chinese Orchid
2.Some Summer Day
3.Sligo River Blues
4.Autumn Nocturne
5.In the Meadows
6.Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan
7.The Falconer's Arm
8.Himalayan Highlands 08:48
9.The Golden Shamrock
10.Bear Medicine
11.Charles Ives Paints North America
12.Portrait of Fahey as a Young Dragon
13.Song of God
14.Kowaka D'Amour
15.Pasha
16.Cathedrals et Fleur de Lis
17.Cantos California
18.Green River Suite
19.California Raga
20.Silver Curls
21.The Lady She is a Waiting
22.Chaconne Fandango
23.Song of the Stallion
24.A North American Raga (The Plumstar)
25.Eagle Sails the Blue Diamond Waters
26.Kateri Tekakwitha
27.Orphan's Lament
28.A Song of Kings
29.Moon Milk
30.Wonder Song

It has been said that Robbie Basho's art was strongest in concert. To what extent the experience can be reconstituted is uncertain. Whatever the case, Snow Beneath the Belly of a White Swan is the mother lode of Basho live recordings. On these five discs we are treated to some remarkable pieces that have never been published, as well as surprising renditions of old favourites.

Compiled from Basho’s sprawling personal collection of master tapes (discovered during the production of Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho), and potentially encompassing his entire career, this edition represents a live companion to the studio set, Song of the Avatars: The Lost Master Tapes (Tompkins Square, 2020).

While the tapes have (in the main) survived incredibly well over the decades (against the odds), please note that some previously unpublished tracks with subpar to poor fidelity have been included.

- Liam Barker


https://www.tompkinssquare.com/


Thomas.

Subject: RE: Info: Robbie Basho (1940-1986)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 09 Oct 24 - 08:20 PM

the nearly unknown cassette BOUQUET (1983) is now on CD:

LOST LAGOON RECORDS LLR001CD    2022 CD also LP
Almost 40 years since its original release on cassette, Robbie Basho's 13th album is now available for the first time on CD. Remastered from the original master recording (discovered during the production of "Voice of the Eagle: The Enigma of Robbie Basho"), it has never sounded better. The 24-page booklet includes rare photos, images from Basho's illustrated songbook and notes from the original lyric sheet, as well as texts from Glenn Jones, Henry Kaiser and others. Bonus tracks include an epic 13-minute solo version of "Land of Our Fathers". Released with the full approval of Basho's estate.

TRACKLIST:
1. The Golden Medallion
2. Khalil Gibran
3. The White Swallow
4. The Polish Rider
5. El Cid
6. Lightning Thunder
7. Land of Our Fathers (Hopi Hymn)
8. Tears of Teresa
9. Blues from Lebanon
10. The Song of Leila
11. The White Princess
12. The White Swallow [Alternate Version]
13. Omar Khayaam Country
14. Land of Our Fathers (The First Christmas of Creation)

Lost Lagoon Records

digital at lostlagoonrecords.bandcamp.com

Does anyone have the cassette ?? when and where did
you obtain it ?? It was sold at concerts and supposedly
a few stores - I'd like to know more about that.....
Thanks.

Thomas.