Arthur Russell
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Arthur Russell (May 21 1951 - April 4, 1992) was a prodigious talent. Classically trained on cello while growing up in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Arthur studied with Ali Akbar Khan in San Francisco in the early 1970’s.
During this period he also collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, accompanying him on cello while Ginsberg read or sang. Russell also spent time in a Buddhist commune in California; he left when they decided to collectivize his cello.
By the mid-1970’s Russell relocated to New York City, where he studied at The Manhattan School of Music. He formed a band from 1975-1979, The Flying Hearts, recorded by John Hammond and featuring David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garret List, Frank Pagano, Andy Paley, Leni Pickett, and Peter Zummo.
In the late 1970s Russell became enamored with the disco scene in New York. At the time it represented a liberation force, particularly for the gay scene, just a few years after the Stonewall riots. (For more see “Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco” by Peter Shapiro).
‘Kiss Me Again’ was Russell’s first dance track. Released under the name Dinosaur L by Sirerecords, it was to be the first of many innovative dancefloor tracks released under different names and with different collaborators, such as ‘Is It All Over My Face’ by Loose Joints, released in 1980. In 1982, Arthur Russell and William Socolov founded Sleeping Bag records and their first release was his 24-24 Music. This featured ‘Go Bang’ which was re-mixed as a 12” single by Francois Kevorkian.
During this period he also collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, accompanying him on cello while Ginsberg read or sang. Russell also spent time in a Buddhist commune in California; he left when they decided to collectivize his cello.
By the mid-1970’s Russell relocated to New York City, where he studied at The Manhattan School of Music. He formed a band from 1975-1979, The Flying Hearts, recorded by John Hammond and featuring David Byrne, Rhys Chatham, Jon Gibson, Peter Gordon, Jerry Harrison, Garret List, Frank Pagano, Andy Paley, Leni Pickett, and Peter Zummo.
In the late 1970s Russell became enamored with the disco scene in New York. At the time it represented a liberation force, particularly for the gay scene, just a few years after the Stonewall riots. (For more see “Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco” by Peter Shapiro).
‘Kiss Me Again’ was Russell’s first dance track. Released under the name Dinosaur L by Sirerecords, it was to be the first of many innovative dancefloor tracks released under different names and with different collaborators, such as ‘Is It All Over My Face’ by Loose Joints, released in 1980. In 1982, Arthur Russell and William Socolov founded Sleeping Bag records and their first release was his 24-24 Music. This featured ‘Go Bang’ which was re-mixed as a 12” single by Francois Kevorkian.
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World of Echo
Arthur Russell
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Calling Out of Context
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Another Thought
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The world of Arthur russell
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Shoutbox
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TheMcEneaney wrote:
So we were listening to "Platform on the Ocean" and my friend asked if it was Radiohead. I was all, "pssh, get real."
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novels wrote:
I'll probably name my child after him someday
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robbyb0t wrote:
funny how the only similar artists that are even remotely close to Russell are his own aliases
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optimistic_tour wrote:
heh Julian Lynch I can see, but at least Hype Williams is boundary pushing too
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bloodmaw wrote:
v i LOL'd at that too
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oaquard wrote:
Hype Williams is a similar artist?
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optimistic_tour wrote:
first thought best thought oh my god
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gregoryoftours wrote:
love is overtaking me is a really lovely collection
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Kathokt wrote:
❤
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NicDowse wrote:
I remember Mickey Mouse. And Arthur Russell. I was working for a while on an event in Disneyland Paris. Between shifts Mickey would be slouched, backstage, in the seat of a forklift. He kept his suit on but took the bulky headpiece off, chain-smoking 'Gauloises' cigarettes. The mask, in that hot French summer, irritated his skin - he had an angry case of acne. Which explains, to this day, why Mickey Mouse always reminds me of Arthur Russell.
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RussellChap wrote:
C'mon Lets Go Swimming wid surfin' puppies Woo hoo!
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RussellChap wrote:
Wonky, warm & wonderful.
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dramatist wrote:
"Love Is Overtaking Me" and "A Sudden Chill" are two of my favorite songs.
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gobblox1 wrote:
Being It.
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RussellChap wrote:
Wonky & warm.
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BoothsBullet wrote:
ar's music is so incredible. if you like his music, you may also enjoy mine seeing as he's probably my biggest influence on my new record: http://willbrant.com
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mitsario wrote:
that's us/wild combination....what a song <3
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gobblox1 wrote:
I want to hear those tapes.
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Steris wrote:
king of the beach
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NicDowse wrote:
Am really glad he left behind more tapes than he could have ever released in his lifetime. But I wish he was still here to see how much he's loved.
Videos
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i could't say it to your face
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A Little Lost
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Soon to be innocent fun
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see through love
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Recent Activity
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o0I88I0o and IndoorOpens added Arthur Russell to their libraries. yesterday morning
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DUBAIBAND tagged Arthur Russell with experimental, disco and avant-garde. Thursday afternoon
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DUBAIBAND, lrnwrsly, THee-BeAtNiK and 2 other people added Arthur Russell to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
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witchchuj updated the Polish wiki page for Arthur Russell. (diff) Monday afternoon
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Radjo_o_ja updated the Polish wiki page for Arthur Russell. (diff) Monday afternoon
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john_brainlove wrote about Arthur Russell in Brainlove Radio Show with David Thomas Broughton interview. Monday morning
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lauraparke, Haesjitaesji, torikara and 3 other people added Arthur Russell to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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ernstdj tagged Arthur Russell with no wave, new wave, cello and 3 other tags. last week
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KrissQuarme wrote about Sigur Rós – ( ) in Cd'ar. last week
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bergsea added Arthur Russell to bergsea’s library. last week
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Arthur Russell
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