DOUGLAS BREGGER Crystal Arcade LP Avant/Weird/Psych SEALED

$

23

This is a strange one. If you’re into experimental sounds and general weirdness, this is for you! The album is by Douglas Bregger and it’s called Crystal Arcade. He recorded this album between 1984-88, apparently in his basement, with a four-track cassette deck. He uses the Realistic Moog (the model that one actually used to be able to buy at Radio Shack, many years ago) and a Casio CZ 101. Douglas also sings and plays flute and melodica. He likes sound effects and uses them throughout the record. He gets help from Jack Hurwitz, who provides effects on a couple of tracks, psychotic and otherwise.

Bregger also seems to enjoy “found sounds” and uses odd narration snippets from sources such as old 78s. He makes use of old commercials, and even makes up a couple of his own, one of which, “The Drunk Driver’s Law Clinic,” is a pretty hilarious parody. Much of his material seems to be inspired by dreams he had over the years. A lot of the recording has a distinct psychedelic feel to it, thanks to things like the use of echo and backwards recording. One out-there piece has Bregger narrating the bizarre story taken from the back cover of the Genesis Genesis Live LP (from 1973), with various electronics (the Moog, an auto-rhythm, etc.) accompanying. For no apparent reason at all, Bregger also includes what has to be the spaciest, weirdest version I’ve ever heard of “Silent Night,” all done on synthesizer.
Bregger lists his primary influences as: Amon Düül II, Carla Bley, Kate Bush, Laurie Andreson, Faust, Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, Klaus Schultz, Tangerine Dream, (pre-1980), Sun Ra, Ken Nordine, George Russell, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Morton Subotnick, Alvin Lucier, Zoviet France, The Hafler Trio, The Incredible Stringband, Exuma, King Crimson, Heldon, John Lennon/Yoko Ono, John Cage, Poogy, Ivor Cutler, Alan Stivel, sound effects records, sound sculptures/mechanical music instruments, Keith Jarrett, Mnemonists, Henry Cow and all its offshoots, and British folk.    This LP is privately pressed (in the U.S. on Only Records in 1988), and all very nicely lo-fi, as you may have already guessed. Only 500 copies were made and this one is STILL SEALED. All of this adds up to a true rarity and collectible.

 

Payment and Shipping Information

 

In the U.S., shipping/handling is $4.98 for one LP sent by Media Mail (but if this listing is for more than one LP, click on the Shipping and Payments tab above for the correct price).  Package insured upon request.  Yes, I do combine shipping so if you bid on and win more than one item, you WILL save on postage!  I do not gouge on postage and packaging costs.  I send your records to you carefully packaged in a strong, OVERSIZED LP mailer (to avoid damage to the LP cover) with sturdy cardboard squares (to protect the record and the cover), but I make sure to only charge the amount needed to cover my actual costs.  If you have any questions about this item, feel free to contact me. 

 

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