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Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States (1947 – present)
Laurie Anderson is an American experimental performance artist, visual artist and musician. Regardless of the medium, a common characteristic of all her work seems to be the act of storytelling.
Laura Phillips Anderson was born June 5, 1947, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States. She attended Mills College in California, and eventually graduated from Barnard College magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, studying art history. In 1972, she obtained an MFA in sculpture from Columbia University.
She performed in New York through the 1970s. Two early pieces, “New York Social Life” and “Time To Go,” were included in the 1977 compilation New Music for Electronic and Recorded Media, along with works by Pauline Oliveros and others.
She became more widely known in 1982 with the single “O Superman,” originally released in a limited quantity by One Ten Records; a sudden influx of orders from the U.K. (prompted by British DJ John Peel playing the record) led to Anderson signing with the Warner Brothers label, which re-released the single. “O Superman” reached number two on the national pop charts in Britain.
“O Superman” was part of a larger stage work entitled United States and was included on her following album, Big Science. Her more recent stage work includes a multimedia presentation inspired by Moby Dick. She starred in and directed the 1986 concert film, Home of the Brave, and also composed the soundtracks for the Spalding Gray films Swimming to Cambodia and Monster in a Box. All of Anderson’s albums from the 1980s sold very well despite being labeled “avant garde”.
Laura Phillips Anderson was born June 5, 1947, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States. She attended Mills College in California, and eventually graduated from Barnard College magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, studying art history. In 1972, she obtained an MFA in sculpture from Columbia University.
She performed in New York through the 1970s. Two early pieces, “
New York Social Life” and “Time To Go,” were included in the 1977 compilation New Music for Electronic and Recorded Media, along with works by Pauline Oliveros and others.She became more widely known in 1982 with the single “O Superman,” originally released in a limited quantity by One Ten Records; a sudden influx of orders from the U.K. (prompted by British DJ John Peel playing the record) led to Anderson signing with the Warner Brothers label, which re-released the single. “O Superman” reached number two on the national pop charts in Britain.
“O Superman” was part of a larger stage work entitled United States and was included on her following album, Big Science. Her more recent stage work includes a multimedia presentation inspired by Moby Dick. She starred in and directed the 1986 concert film, Home of the Brave, and also composed the soundtracks for the Spalding Gray films Swimming to Cambodia and Monster in a Box. All of Anderson’s albums from the 1980s sold very well despite being labeled “avant garde”.
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Big Science
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Mister Heartbreak
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Strange Angels
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Bright Red - Tightrope
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Shoutbox
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Ohokthen wrote:
Obsessed over Big Science in 2010, after discovering her through an Album Cover Art book :D Now in the present I've obsessed over Home Of The Brave, a great album that's a whole lot of insightful fun! Homeland comes third, then I haven't given the rest of her albums enough of a listen, time to get to it I guess. A truly fantastic artist, she is certainly under-appreciated.
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Batabid wrote:
I've owned "Big Science" for a like three years now, and I adore it. today I finally listened to "Mister Heartbreak" for the first time. I just have no words. A true masterpiece.
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clockworkwombat wrote:
nah, i'd go with Big Science over Bright Red. it's the perfect beginning, Bright Red is genius but also really disturbing at times (not that Big Science isn't but the whole atmosphere of Bright Red is considerably gloomier). or The Ugly One with the Jewels is great for getting a feel for her. but, i mean, what started me off was the little O Superman/Walk the Dog single, still stunning
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rainy-dog wrote:
"As an Atheist, Transitory Life kind of rattled me a bit." oh, get a grip.
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gioprimus wrote:
I think Bright Red is the best starting point for anyone interested in Laurie Anderson. Big Science is great as well, but a few tracks there might sound too weird for those who don't know Laurie yet. Bright Red is probably her warmest, and best produced, album.
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jmanzo2009 wrote:
As an Atheist, Transitory Life kind of rattled me a bit.
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Crustclock wrote:
That said, Spiritualized fans who hear their cover of "Born, Never Asked" often say they didn't think it was a cover.
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Crustclock wrote:
I think she was pretty of her time, not meaning she's dated or anything. Very corporate-sounding (in an atmospheric sense) and of the NY Post Pop-Art sensibility.
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Oralfabeta wrote:
pierdolona dobra jest [3]
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Buggy08 wrote:
In 1981 she was 30 years ahead of her time. It's 2011 and she still is.
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CookieKentuki wrote:
)***
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SeanSkyline wrote:
I always wanted to by Homeland but never had enough money for it whenever I found it,I bought it for $9 at a Borders clearance sale and I have to say money more than well spent!
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rainy-dog wrote:
bright red or the ugly one with the jewels worked best for me.
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ffxi_frohike wrote:
Big Science. Or grab the Talk Normal anthology.
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Kamikaze_Heart wrote:
If I wanted to get into her music, which album would be good to start with?
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rainy-dog wrote:
there never has been, and probably never will be a better storyteller than laurie anderson.
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android1985 wrote:
always brilliant. Always a true "artist".
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bonekhan wrote:
Can't believe I've never heard Big Science until now
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salzgurken wrote:
pierdolona dobra jest [2]
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kiniucha wrote:
great music ;)
Videos
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Events
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Feb
13
The 22nd Annual Benefit Concert for Tibet House US
Carnegie Hall, New York NY, United States
9 going
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Mar
25
Laurie Anderson
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, United Kingdom
3 going
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Apr
21
Laurie Anderson UK Premiere Another Day in America
Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom
1 going
News
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MOT on Tattoo.tv
30 Jun 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/mottheshop -
22 Feb 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/mottheshop -
22 Feb 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/mottheshop
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Siegmarberndt and rogerschaerer added Laurie Anderson to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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Lord-Sagoth tagged Laurie Anderson with diy, female vocal, electronic and 2 other tags. 6 hours ago
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danylo_kubai, Soteim, Lucitron and 1 other person added Laurie Anderson to their libraries. 6 hours ago
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kitkat0209 added Laurie Anderson to the lineup of Laurie Anderson UK Premiere Another Day in America at Sheffield City Hall. yesterday afternoon
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RoyalChetness, annibazeta, Catcloud and 7 other people added Laurie Anderson to their libraries. yesterday morning
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Eat-Me-Drink-Me tagged Laurie Anderson with ‘avant-garde’. Sunday afternoon
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Eat-Me-Drink-Me, CdP1962, KSaaaaR and 12 other people added Laurie Anderson to their libraries. Sunday afternoon
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sPETEcore added Laurie Anderson to the lineup of Donaufestival 2012 at Messegelände. last week
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drasi07, lamyo, mcnuggetjesus and 4 other people added Laurie Anderson to their libraries. last week
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Frank_Cool tagged Laurie Anderson with avant-garde and experimental. last month
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