Monday, February 6, 2012

Boxhead Ensemble - Dutch Harbor: Where the Sea Breaks its Back (Atavistic, 1997)


Boxhead Ensemble was originally begun as a collective supporting the score for the documentary "Dutch Harbor: Where the Sea Breaks its Back".

"Dutch Harbor is one of the largest fishing ports in the United States, located on the small remote island of Unalaska, part of the Aleutian Island chain. Trawlers each day head to sea to fish in the oceans off the Pacific Northwest or up into the Bering Sea some 300 miles away. This documentary is the story of the small town where Dutch Harbor is located and the men and women who call Unalaska and the sea their home. This 80-minute film, shot in black-and-white, shows a village in transition, from a remote place on the earth to one of the most active international commercial-fishing communities. Stunning photography and an equally captivating soundtrack brings together the story of these people who live on the western shores of Alaska." ~ Forrest Spencer, Rovi

Its one of the most moving films ever made. Naturally, it wasn't well received in the states but was adored in Europe. That accepting market caused the musicians to travel there to perform further live improvised film screenings. The best moments of that tour are presented on The Last Place to Go.

Line-up includes:

Mick Turner
Jim White
Will Oldham
Edith Frost
Fred Lonberg-Holm
Ken Vandermark
Michael Krassner
Charles Kim
Julie Pomerleau

Impressive, huh? The bulk of Chicago's avant garde scene alongside two of The Dirty Three. Not too shabby.

I've never heard better relaxing yet somber improvisational music.

Get it Here

2 comments:

  1. Would you be so kind as to repost this please?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I posted a new link. Thanks for your interest.

    ReplyDelete

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