MOTM

>> I think it's pretty interesting to watch someone modify a large
> complicated modular synth in realtime to generate new and interesting
> sounds.<
>
> But that's not performing; that's twiddling.

I think your definition of performing involves instruments that play 
notes. This probably excludes things like turntablists, trigger 
samplers, faders, and knob twiddlers. No offense ment here, but I think 
that's a rather limited view of what constitutes a performance. Knob 
twiddling and turntablism are about "a sound" and the qualitative value 
of a sound. Not notes. This is something that seems to be hard for 
people to wrap their heads around, especially the older generation that 
didn't grow up with it. To get a real appreciation for this I suggest 
trying it. It's a lot harder than it looks....

> I honestly don't mean any disrespect to RR--I just don't get it. Can
> you imagine somebody actually *writing* and performing 80 minutes of
> music?

Yes, I can. 80 minutes, if you've ever performed live, is a flash in 
the pan. You set up a basic structure that binds the set together, and 
then you improvise to the crowd and the moment. It's intoxicating.

> It would be a monumental task--like Bach's B Minor Mass or
> something. Why would people travel long distances to hear a sequencer
> go chugga-chugga-thump-thump with a twiddle here and there?

I don't think you will find the answer to that in a news group. If you 
truly are interested I suggest finding some electronic acts and see 
them play live. i highly recommend the Orb, Dub Tribe, Simon Posford 
(in various forms), and the Chemical Brothers. They're all knobs 
twiddlers (and some keyboardists) but they can bring the house down.

> I love the recording quality of "Bestiary" (it is so clean you can
> eat off of it) but where's the structure?  I just hear a lot of
> amorphous sound effects and droning--and that quickly grows tiresome.

The structure is in the sounds. If you're looking for arp lines, highly 
rhythmic structure and chords then this music is probably not for you, 
there is plenty to cover that realm. If you can let go of of the 
traditional western music structure for a moment and instead think 
"music as qualitative sound" you might find whole new realms to 
explore. I like bestiary for the same reason I like "Lifeforms" by 
Future Sound of London. Because it creates another "world" of sound. I 
like hearing new stuff.

> johnm (not making trouble--genuinely confused)

I will forever be fascinated by the short comings of communication via 
email. So much is lost with out the vocal and facial expressions.

If you truly are interested in finding out, go exploring. Trying a 
concert you wouldn't normally like/enjoy/go to and try to get in the 
audiences head. I went to a Suicidal Tendencies concert once.... it 
was.... interesting.

^_^

--mikes