Dolmen Music

Meredith Monk is a talented artist whose multi-faceted career covers the worlds of music, film and dance. DOLMEN MUSIC is Monk' exploration of the endless possibilities for the human voice. Here, she shatters musical boundaries in a series of compositions that utilize the solo voice, or in some instances, multiple voices.
The first portion of the recording features music that was written in the 1970s and features Monk's vocals weaving in and out of an ensemble that includes piano, violin and percussion. One of these early compositions, 'Gotham Lullaby,' is filled with hypnotic vocal special effects that provide eerie counterpoint to the instrumentalists. Monk repeats the formula in 'Travelling,' where her vocals take on a keening quality reminiscent of Native American tonalities. The large scale 'Dolmen Music,' written in 1979, takes up the balance of the recording. This haunting work features multiple voices that intertwine as cello and percussion punctuate their song. Monk's music is playful and sometimes quixotic, but never boring. This recording is an excellent introduction to her art
REVIEWS:
Q - "The archetypal Meredith Monk album...which no devotee of new funny noises should be without."