Pianos, Toys, Music and Noise: Conversations with Steve Beresford

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Steve Beresford's polymathic activities have formed a prism for the UK improv scene since the 1970s. He is internationally known as a free improviser on piano, toy piano and electronics, composer for film and TV, and raconteur and Dadaist visionary. His rsum is filled with collaborations with hundreds of musicians and other artists, including such leading improvisers as Derek Bailey, Evan Parker and John Zorn, and he has given performances of works by John Cage and Christian Marclay. In this book, Beresford is heard in his own words through first-hand interviews with the author. Beresford provides compelling insight into an extensive range of topics, displaying the broad cultural context in which music is embedded. The volume combines chronological and thematic chapters, with topics covering improvisation and composition in jazz and free music; the connections between art, entertainment and popular culture; the audience for free improvisation; writing music for films; recording improvised music in the studio; and teaching improvisation. It places Beresford in the context of improvised and related musics jazz, free jazz, free improvisation in which there is growing interest. The linear narrative is broken up by 'interventions' or short pieces by collaborators and commentators.

Reviews

Steve Beresford is one of the worlds great originals. Songwriter, improviser, composer, producer, teacher, lecturer, multi-instrumentalist, pop sideman and elegant hell-raiser, he has crossed, straddled, championed and smashed countless genres, exerting a huge impact on several generations of musicians in the UK and abroad. Filled with wit, humour and insight, these remarkable conversations touch upon a wide variety of Steves thoughts and philosophy, and provide an essential addition to music scholarship in the 21st century. * John Zorn, composer *
There is a lot of noise interfering with the signal of improvised music, the milieu in which Steve Beresford has spent his entire working life as a musician lots of theories competing for our attention as to what its all about. But as the conversations in this remarkable book make clear, when you get round down to it, to improvise is to play. And so what we have here is the fascinating and idiosyncratic chronicle of the life and times of a musician who liked to play. Around. A lot. And not just in so-called experimental music circles either, but in multiple other milieus, from reggae and post-punk to theatre and commercial music. Throughout, the desire, the ability, to improvise has remained the imperative. It is the one thing which has enabled this singular musician to play in any given situation, make it count, and not lose his soul in the process. * Tony Herrington, publisher, The Wire *
I used to be in awe and slightly terrified of Steve's acerbic wit and aesthetic nimbleness of thought into action. Now I always look forward to playing under his baton in the London Improvisers Orchestra: he just looks so happy. This book leads us through his musical life to date in a series of chats with Andy Hamilton where he has been avidly delving into the spiderwebbed corners of lesser known musical facts, thoughts and anecdotes. * Sylvia Hallett, musician *
A profoundly stimulating read a kind of 21st-century Boswells Life of Johnson...a book which continually entertains, educates, reflects, informs and chronicles cultural history. ... Hamilton has found a witty, always surprising and digestible way of describing a life and its cultural era. -- Chris Searle * Morning Star *
Apart from being a major figure in the evolution of the British improvised music scene, Steve Beresford is extremely funny. He also possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of and experience in many different genres of music. Little wonder then that this is a very amusing and informative book. I was fascinated by Steves recounting of his adventures with luminaries such as Ivor Cutler and Derek Bailey. I was also struck by his modesty, his inclusive philosophy and the respect he has for the craft of music making. Theres a relaxed informality here: Andy gives the conversations freedom to wander from Bernard Herrmann to the greengrocers apostrophe; from AMM to the superiority of the American milk carton and we are all the wiser for it. Throughout hovers a feeling of respect and friendship between the two and Im reminded of how important it is for humans to be able to meet up, talk, and play music together. * Chris Abrahams, The Necks *
Eschewing super-seriousness, whether about Cage-like prepared keyboards or toy pianos Beresford is a one-off, very British, musician. -- Benjamin Ivry * International Piano *
Steve Beresford is a wonderfully imaginative and versatile improviser, composer and all-round musician. He has outstanding talent and skill that he has effortlessly employed in the myriad of musical situations in which he has found himself over the last few decades. He also has a wonderful way with words and his knowledge, about music in particular, reaches deep into unexplored corners. Along with the voices documented in this book, Andy Hamilton eloquently illuminates Steves life and work, and brings to light profound thought, glorious absurdity and some of the most original music in recent times. A fabulous treat for all those who care to read and care to listen. * Robert Worby, BBC Radio 3 *
Finally a book about Steve Beresford. An encyclopedia of what sits in Steves brain a rich and generous kaleidoscope of music and life experiences and influences; a practical manual that can be passed on as a guide to be returned to and delved into again and again. Beresford through conversation with Hamilton reveals his universe of vital people. Essential reading for anyone interested in the possibility of a life as an alternative musician and a gentle mentor. * Angharad Davies, improviser and composer *
Pianos, Toys, Music and Noise is a fascinating volume. At its best, it feels as if you are in the room with these two protagonists, sharing in knowledge and information that you simply could not have found anywhere else. Highly recommended. * Popular Music *
One of the great pleasures of reading Pianos, Toys, Music and Noise is discovering obscure bits of Steve Beresfords discography. * Calum Storrie, artist, designer, and author of The Delirious Museum *
Reading and re-reading a superb book: Pianos, Toys, Music and Noise: Conversations with Steve Beresford by Andy Hamilton. I recommend it highly for several reasons. It's a dense book filled with information, so it is an excellent resource and reference book, yet thanks to the way Andy Hamilton organised and structured the extensive material it is also a very readable book. Chapters of various conversations followed by short pieces on major players in Steve Beresford's musical life and also short descriptions/statements about them are included and vice versa what they have to say about Steve. It is a multi-faceted book which reflects Steve and hs life in music. With a section of photos I much enjoyed. It is definitive to my mind. And I can recommend it wholeheartedly. * Pamela Robertson-Pearce, filmmaker/artist *

Author Bio

Andy Hamilton teaches philosophy, and also aesthetics of jazz, at Durham University, UK. He is the author of Aesthetics and Music (2007) and Lee Konitz: Conversations on the Improviser's Art (2007). With Peter Cheyne and Max Paddison, he is co-editor of The Philosophy of Rhythm (2019). He also contributes to The Wire, Jazz Journal and International Piano.