This recording was made using the ‘Melodium,’ an instrument that existed for only a few months in 1981. In the recording it is played alone (single pass), with reverb/delay and harmonic distortion, the latter engaged and disengaged by a foot pedal during play.
I have a memory that while playing I was monitoring the sound via external speakers, rather than in headphones. Beyond that I’m tempted to say: “This piece is its own description.” More than tempted. (See the Technical Comments below for more detail about the instrument.)
Recorded: 1981 in Ottawa. (This is the only recording I know of made with this instrument).
Technical Comments: The Melodium was a semi-acoustic arch-top guitar like the one in the photo, modified to be a type of analude, although one played while standing: the Melodium was supported on a shoulder-strap in the usual guitar fashion. It had no moveable nut, so it was limited to one key. The color-coded just scale was taped along the side, and a commercial steel slide was worn over the ring or middle finger of the left hand and glided along the strings.
The string setup was devised so as to have three different octaves of simultaneously sliding difference tones available (which are used extensively in this recording). This was made possible by having six open ‘D’ strings as follows: 1: Di, 2: Dii, 3: Diii, 4: Di, 5: Dii, 6: Diii; where i, ii, iii represent octaves of each other. So the first three strings and the next three were identical, with the same three octaves in each set.
When the guitar was strummed (with finger or pick of the right hand), the left hand’s steel slide could glide along the first three strings while the second three were strummed open. This enabled sliding difference tones between strings 1 and 4, 2 and 5, and 3 and 6 to be created simultaneously; one in each of three different octaves. Or the four strings 1-4 could be slid; or strings 1-5 or 1-6; so different amounts of sliding difference tones could be provided: in three octaves; or two; or one; or in no octaves.
An exceptional album, with cuts ranging from very good to superb. JP's lyrics and delivery are unique and interesting, and the other musicians all excellent. A mature album by a true live performer. Steven Rowat
You wonder why your relationships fail? You hate your father? Perhaps you would let someone with searingly tragic honesty reveal to you some of the ways those two things can be related? If so.... Steven Rowat
Global changes are displacing bodies and minds (think: Orlov's "Reinventing Collapse".) T.D. expresses both levels well, and he does so through music that is honest, enjoyable, and memorable. Steven Rowat
Hushed folk-based songs build from feathery acoustic guitar figures and draped with layers of keys and pedal steel. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 14, 2023
A gorgeous journey through a kaleidoscopic array of sonic approaches melted together that feels old and new at the same time. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2024