Inside No. 9, Episode #17: Keiji Haino, Jim O’Rourke and Oren Ambarchi. This Vertical, Opened Rift Of Enlightenment If You Let Yourself Get Sucked Inside.
I have a great love for these three musicians. I have spent a lot of time and money listening, watching live and collecting. These are nine parts from nine records. In lieu of Fushitsusha and Les Rallizes Denudes – this trio are making the best noise rock and improvised power music. This collection spans the last decade, right up until their most recent release last year. Ten years of pure freakout wonder. As with most Keiji Haino related projects, he leads the way – forging his own unique soundscapes. It takes prolific musicians O’Rourke and Ambarchi to keep up with his ever-changing and dramatic turns. Live music has never sounded so good and all of these are ripped from vinyl courtesy of Black Truffle – THE greatest label.
This is at times brutal music; relentless and thrusting. At others it’s delicate; moments of silence and minimalism as Haino’s voice ushers forth in tumultuous spurts of information. Each piece is grand and gives the trio the chance to explore the moment. It’s live and electric and captures such wild energy that is rare in recorded music. I’d love to see reissues of all of these as some are pretty tough to get hold of unless you’re willing to part with a lot of cash. You can grab many digitally from Black Truffle.
Haino is 70, a year older than my dad, and like my dad, he’s still going strong and hard. Shout out to Frank. He’s still touring and has played live 1000s of times over the last 40 years (Haino not my dad).
I’d also recommend checking out ‘Nazoranai’ (Keiji Haino / Oren Ambarchi / Stephen O’Malley). They have three releases which are incredible – and you have to hear the Keiji Haino/Pan Sonic live CD “Shall I Download A Blackhole And Offer It To You” Live In Berlin 15.11.2007.
I would summarize their music as a gift. Here’s what ChatGPT had to say about Keiji Haino as a Haiku:
Experimental,
Keiji Haino’s guitar sings,
A new sound is born.
KHJOOA ON
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Let’s Make It A Bit Thicker And Drink It As “Never Give Up”
ここに 与えられた この身体 全部 使い切てやる という者の お茶の 時間
2015
KHJOOA TWO
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
That “?” Squatting Proudly At The Edge Of Surface Tension Is It Perhaps A Mystery…?
君は気がついたかな 「すみません」 という響きがとても美しいことに それ以上悪くしないように
2016
KHJOOA THREE
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Once Again I Hear The Beautiful Vertigo… Luring Us To “Do Something, Somehow” (with Charlemagne Palestine and Eiko Ishibashi)
まだ 温かい内の この今に 全ての謎を 注ぎ込んでしまおう
2013
KHJOOA FOUR
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Introduction
一辺が5秒の深さ 横に並ぶ水玉模様 上下に移動する点滅
2021
KHJOOA FIVE
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Acute Sensitivity Is Not Simply A “Madness” An Acute Sensitivity To The Resonance Of “I Love You” Teaches Us Just A Little Something It’s Not That We Can’t Do Something It’s Just That We Haven’t Done It Yet…
Imikuzushi
2012
KHJOOA SIX
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
I Always Walk Around With A “Tranquil Void” In My Pocket One That I May Pull Out At Any Given Moment
In The Past Only Geniuses Were Capable Of Staging The Perfect Crime (Also Known As A Revolution) Today Anybody Can Accomplish Their Aims With The Push Of The Button
2019
KHJOOA SEVEN
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Only Wanting To Melt Beautifully Away Is It A Lack Of Contentment That Stirs Affection For Those Things Said To Be As Of Yet Unseen
ただ美しく溶けてしまいたいのに まだまだ満ち足りていないから まだ見えてないはずの ものの ほうが愛おしく 思えてしまう
2014
KHJOOA EIGHT
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
Overtightened The Screw Of The Password To Mystery Drowns In An Infinite Number
選ばされてしまう はめになる」 このことが もう閉じることが無かったはずの謙虚さに 「もういいかい」と 自らに問いかけ続けさせる
2022
KHJOOA NINE
Keiji Haino Jim O’Rourke Oren Ambarchi
This Vertical, Opened Rift Of Enlightenment If You Let Yourself Get Sucked Inside, You May Find Me There Part 2
This Dazzling, Genuine “Difference” Now Where Shall It Go?
2017
Inside No. 9 is an attempt to share unique narratives through the mixing of 9 songs. Every episode will showcase a new theme, opening up new tributaries of discovery. Inside No. 9 is presented by Peter Taylor, a former features writer for Foxy Digitalis from back in the late 2000s. Peter is a visual artist and musician and has been creating music as MAbH since 2008.
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