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London Electric Guitar Orchestra: Sticks and Stones

By John Eyles
March 21, 2006
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London Electric Guitar Orchestra: Sticks and Stones

This EP has a running time of just under twenty minutes and consists of one extended piece (indexed in three separate tracks). Recorded in 2001, the piece is almost the distilled essence of the London Electric Guitar Orchestra. In this expanded eleven-member version of the group, its guiding principles remain solid; as ever, the music is more about sound and experimentation than melody and virtuosity.

The album title refers to two contrasting sounds: a stick = attack, a stone = decay or drone. The piece is scored to indicate differing physical preparations that the guitarists must make, including using knitting needles, fans and sticks; there are also improvised sections. It is both instructive and amusing to view the score —even more so to try and follow it while the music is playing.

As always, LEGO is more than capable of bringing a (wry) smile to the listener's face. Here, that is most likely to appear in the last third of the piece when there is a prolonged exchange of swirling tones and chords, some of which are definitely on the cheesy side.

No one else attempts to do what LEGO does. It is good to have the group back.

Track Listing

Personnel

London Electric Guitar Orchestra

Darryl Hunt; Ivor Kallin; Christopher Evans; Nigel Teers; Simon Williama; Perry; Viv Dogan Cunningham; Michael Rogers; Jon Lever; Jem Finer; John Bisset.

Album information

Title: Sticks and Stones | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: 2:13

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