Charlamagne Palestine is an enigma to say the least. Born in 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, he cut his teeth as a sacred singer of Jewish music, a bell ringer for the Episcopal Church, and accompanist to figures as disparate Kenneth Anger, Tiny Tim, and Allen Ginsberg. He is considered to be a founding member of the New York School of Minimalism alongside La Monte Young, Steve Reich, and others; he always found a way to eschew the more conventional means of composition of his contemporaries. His longform—often multimedia and ritual-like—performances utilize repetitive patterns, stuffed animals, cognac, chants, and bright colors. Equal parts visual artist, musician, and performance artist, his playful and deeply emotional performances are something to behold.
Music: Strumming Music composed and performed by Charlemagne Palestine (Felmay); Three Perfect Fifths, A Major Second Apart, Reinforced Twice composed and performed by Charlemagne Palestine (Staalpallt Records); Fifths In The Rhythm Three Against Two For Bösendorfer Piano: Part 2 composed and performed by Charlemagne Palestine (Staalpallt Records); STTTTHOMASSS ‘’’’’’‘’’DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr TONYYY’’’’’’’’ composed and performed by Charlemagne Palestine (Blank Forms Editions); The Lower Depths composed and performed by Charlemagne Palestine (Barooni)
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This episode of the Other Minds Podcast was hosted and edited by Liam Herb and produced by Joseph Bohigian. Outro music is “Kings: Atahualpa” by Brian Baumbusch (Other Minds Records).