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While Andy Hawkins, guitarist and founder of the pioneering instrumental trio Blind Idiot God (BIG), was studying film composition at Berklee College of Music back in 1985, he recorded an audition tape for the Berklee avant garde ensemble. That tape featured solo, high volume improvisations on a vibrato equipped electric guitar, pushing the extreme pitch range of the instrument. The vibrato is normally used for subtle effects in conventional tonal music. And while guitar pioneers such as Jimi Hendrix and Terry Kath pushed the range of the vibrato in a band context, there had not been an entire musical project based on exploring the possibilities of a vibrato equipped electric guitar.
After dropping out of Berklee in 1986 and moving to New York City to begin recording the first Blind Idiot God full-length for SST Records, Hawkins began spending more time in front of his guitar amp which had been modified for increased volume and fidelity. This allowed for greater clarity and impact while pushing the extremes of the pitch range with the vibrato. The first properly recorded version of this new sound was the solo guitar ending of “Drowning” as featured on the second BIG LP Undertow (1989). Recorded in BC Studios’ famous high ceiling, wood and brick drum room, this extended range feedback solo demonstrated the microtonal harmonic possibilities of a vibrato equipped guitar in concert with high gain, high fidelity amplification.
CONDITION: NEW
TRACK LISTING
1 Oblivion Of The Deep 18:53
2 The Argonaut's Reckoning 18:42
3 Voices Of The Drowned 10:12
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