Pocket Orchestra ‎– Phoenix (2011, 2CD, Usa) + Knēbnagäuje Repost!

CD 1 - Studio
The Pocket Orchestra Tape 1983
1. Imam Bialdi (6:24)
2. R. V. (7:04)
3. Regiments (14:59)
4. Letters (13:53)
The Knēbnagäujie Tape 1978-1979
5. Blueing (7:10)
6. White Organ Meats (7:03)
7. Grandma Coming Down The Hall With A Hatchet (5:32)
8. Bagon (16:52)

CD 2 - Live
1. Annex (5:56)
2. Bagon/Wandering Aimlessly (14:48)
3. Blirt (4:05)
4. Blueing (12:01)
5. Letters (19:12)
6. Parade (5:23)
7. Regiments (Parts 1, 2 and 3) (11:32)
8. Corn Fed (5:37)
9. Sound Check Bonus (0:43)

Musicians
Craig Bork / keyboards
Joe Halajan / clarinets, saxes, incidental vocals
Bill Johnston / cello
Tim Lyons / bass
Tim Parr / guitars
Bob Stearman / drums
Craig Fry / flute (CD 1, track 7)
Warren Ashford / tablas (CD 1, track 7)
Jack Chandler / saxes (CD 2, tracks 5 and 6)

Released on altrOck (ALT023)

CD 1 is a remastered reissue of Knebnagäuje. CD 2 is a compilation of previously unreleased live recordings. Both discs mastered by Udi Koomran.

This is a reissue of the album Knebnagauje, which was the first-ever release of any material by this unknown and lost avant-garde progressive rock band of the late 1970s into the mid 80s. Finally, 25 years after their dissolution, there was a very limited (500 copies) edition made by the MIO label as their last release, just as the label was shutting down. Many folks had a chance to buy this, but many more were shut out and missed a chance to own this great muscial document. Until now. The line up of the band consisted on Tim Parr-guitars, Craig Bork-piano, keyboards, Joe Halajan-saxes, clarinets, Bill Johnston-cello, Tim Lyons-bass and Bob Stearman-drums. Pocket Orchestra started off in Phoenix, AZ, where they were pals with the guys in Cartoon (which, btw, is how I knew of them, as Scott Braziel gave me a cassette of some of their work when I met him in 1992 or so and we made several attempts in the late 90s to issue this material, but I was dealing with the wrong ex-members of the group and it didn't work out!). Moving to Olympia, WA circa 1979, they used the name Knebnagauje and recorded half of the music found on this album. Later moving to San Francisco in 1982 to be with their old pals Cartoon once more, they changed their name to Pocket Orchestra, and recording the other half of this CD. They dissolved in 1983, without having ever released anything and this release, made from the old master tapes which sound surprisingly good and vibrant, is the first time that anyone outside of the band's immediate circle of friends and fans can hear them. The label compares them to Samla and while I hear that I also hear just as much of a sound sort of bordering on a busier take on early Henry Cow, especially Legend. Sometimes a tad too busy, but it's hard to be critical of something that is this well done and accomplished which never reached anyone, so this still comes very highly recommended. This includes a Udi Koomran remastered version of the original Knebnagauje abum release and includes a previously unreleased and unheard disc of live material in 'good bootleg' quality. There's a lot of unheard material or expansion of material from the studio tracks here, but honestly, there's nothing here on the live disc that I personally found nearly as compelling as the original studio tracks. If you didn't move fast enough when the original CD version was available and you don't already own this, then this release is a absolute must-have, but honestly, if you already have this in its previous form, I honestly don't think you need to 'upgrade'. (waysidemusic)

Pocket Orchestra ‎– Knēbnagäuje (2005, CD, Usa)

Tracklist:
1. Imam Bialdi (6:25)
2. R. V. (7:02)
3. Regiments (14:55)
4. Letters (13:53)
5. Blueing (7:10)
6. White Organ Meats (7:03)
7. Grandma Coming Down The Hall With A Hatchet (5:33)
8. Bagon (16:48)

Musicians:
Bass – Tim Lyons
Cello – Bill Johnston
Clarinet, Saxophone, Vocals – Joe Halajan
Drums – Bob Stearman
Flute – Craig Fry (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Tim Parr
Keyboards – Craig Bork
Saxophone – Jack Chandler (tracks: 2-5, 2-6)
Tabla – Warren Ashford (tracks: 1-7)

Releases information
CD release of two unreleased demo tapes by MIO records.
The biggest surprise is the wonderful weired music which is difficult to describe. Imagine very talented and fun spirited musicians mix in their own way something that sounds like Henry Cow, Univers Zero, National Health, Matching Mole, Von Zamla, Soft Machine, musique concrete, a big portion of madness and unpredictability and in smaller doses Zappa, Gentle Giant. This complex madness with a method is in my eyes and ears an extravagant and beautiful planet everybody should discover in the widths of the avant-prog universe.

Formed in the late seventies in Phoenix, Arizona, this long-lost RIO band originally went under the name Knebnagäuje (and indeed released their first demo tape as such) and unfortunately never managed to garner much in the way of attention at the time. Little did the world know what they were missing; namely some of the most intense, creative, densely composed RIO ever made.They released two demo tapes, one near the start of their career (Knebnagäuje, 1979) and the other towards the end (Pocket Orchestra, 1984). This end, incidentally, was sadly brought about by the group’s lead guitarist and originator, Tim Parr, suffering an early death that same year. Had this not occurred, it is quite possible that Pocket Orchestra would have become much better-known and respected within the RIO community.Pocket Orchestra clearly played RIO for the love of RIO, and they used every trick in the book to maximum effect – complex time signatures and jerky rhythms, expanded instrumentation that included clarinet, saxophone and cello, playful humour, discordant harmonies coupled with surprisingly catchy melodies and hooks. Their sound was one that will hold instant appeal for any self-respecting RIO fan and will instantly repel just about everyone else. If I had to name names I suppose their closest stylistic cousins would be the SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA family tree (Pocket Orchestra’s hard-edged qualities make them more akin to the Zamla era albums than the earlier, lighter Samla ones, though). Other influences include HENRY COW and UNIVERS ZERO. All the usual suspects, really. However, I must stress, Pocket Orchestra has a sound utterly distinct from all these influences.The two tapes the band managed to record during their active years were compiled in 2005 onto one CD (with amazingly high sound quality too!) by MIO records, coupled with heartfelt liner notes from the band’s friend and fellow RIO musician Scott Brazieal of Cartoon. It serves as a fitting testament to the band’s exemplary skill, creativity and sheer gusto. (Progarchives.com)