NO ANSWER

     WATT/2


     words by Samuel Beckett
     (from 'How It Is')



     Jack Bruce  (voices, bass)
     Carla Bley (piano, clavinet, organs)
     Don Cherry  (trumpet)

     recorded
     February, July, November 1973

     New York, London

TITLES

Number Six (Parts One/Two/Three/Four)
Number Twelve (Parts One/Two/Three/Four)

FROM THE TEXTS


   hard to believe too yes that I have a voice
   yes in me yes when the panting stops yes
   not at other times no and that I murmur yes
   I yes in the dark yes in the mud yes for
   nothing yes I yes but it must be believed yes

   and the mud yes the dark yes the mud and
   the dark are true yes nothing to regret there no    ...................

   so things may change no answer end no    answer I may choke no answer sink no
   answer sully the mud no more no answer
   the dark no answer trouble the peace no
   more no answer the silence no answer die
   no answer DIE screams I MAY DIE screams
   I SHALL DIE screams good

 

(from How It Is by Samuel Beckett, translated from the French by the author,
Copyright © 1964 by Grove Press, Inc., re-printed by permission)
COMMENT

Jack Bruce at his most, Don Cherry undiluted, Carla Bley in many layers, WATT's second record is the darker side of the deepest end. Mantler's first association with Samuel Beckett's words.

REVIEWS

Instrumentation is sparse and sombre, occasionally heavy on Bley's organ drone. Cherry's presence is comparatively brief, but he's his usual compelling, challenging self, the most distinctive trumpet voice around. Bley and Bruce carry the weight with virtuoso performances. ... This is music of great strength, created by a master composer who needs to be heard. Mantler's music demands the support of open, intelligent ears everywhere.
- DOWN BEAT

A Beckett-like "Endgame" atmosphere, a feeling of hopelessness, pervades the work ... a very demanding, exceptionally intelligent production .... 
- FONO FORUM

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