Rhys Chatham - Guitar Trio Is My Life (2008)

The New York-born composer Rhys Chatham began as a classically-trained prodigy, but by 1975, Chatham was fusing the overtone-drenched minimalism of John Cale and Tony Conrad with the elemental fury of the Ramones. It was an inspired amalgamation — the textural intricacies of the avant-garde colliding with the visceral punch of electric guitar-slinging punk rock — and with it Chatham created a new type of urban music. Raucous and ecstatic, this sound energized the downtown New York scene throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, prefigured the No Wave movement and cast a huge influence over the subsequent work of Chatham’s many protégés, including Glenn Branca and future members of Sonic Youth.

Utilizing multiple electric guitars and a single chord, 1977's "Guitar Trio" is composer Rhys Chatham's signature work, and an euphoric, minimal-punk classic. It's an inspired amalgamation that had a meteoric impact, placing Chatham at the forefront of the burgeoning No Wave scene.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this release, Chatham mustered an all-star guitar army for the 3xCD set, featuring members of Sonic Youth, Swans, Tortoise, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hüsker Dü, Modern Lovers, Die Kreuzen, U.S. Maple, Lichens, USA Is A Monster (amongst others) and played gigs in 13 different cities. For a detailed list of dates, collaborators, diaries and photos have a look at the links here.

These are the results:

Rhys Chatham - Guitar Trio Is My Life CD1 (192Kbps)
Rhys Chatham - Guitar Trio Is My Life CD2 (192Kbps)
Rhys Chatham - Guitar Trio Is My Life CD3 (192Kbps)

Enjoy !