Read on Twitter
The remarkable English improvising bassist, composer, and bandleader Simon H. Fell passed away today at age 61. In his memory, @erstrecs has made available for free streaming the first-ever Erstwhile Records release, 'Extracts' by VHF, issued in 1999. https://erstwhilerecords.bandcamp.com/album/extracts
Here's one of Fell's most extraordinary late creations: Virtual Company, in which Fell and his collaborative group IST improvised with randomized samples of Derek Bailey and Will Gaines, with whom the IST players had worked extensively. Uncanny. https://confrontrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/virtual-company
For contrast, here's 'Kilnker,' credited to Company: a live session by Bailey, Fell, Gaines, and Mark Wastell. https://confrontrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/klinker
IST, the trio of Fell, Wastell, and harpist Rhodri Davies, made a series of strong recordings… here's an especially fiery one recorded in NYC, which features John Zorn as a guest. https://confrontrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/new-york-featuring-john-zorn
Fell and Bailey played a memorable concert at Wastell's English retail shop, Sound 323, originally issued in partial form on a 3" CD, and then subsequently at glorious full length. https://confrontrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-complete-august-15th-2001
Fell's trio with saxophonist Alan Wilkinson and drummer Paul Hession is among the quintessential European free improvisation combos, with recordings available via Fell's own label, Bruce's Fingers, and elsewhere. https://brucesfingers.bandcamp.com/album/foom-foom
Any discussion of Fell's work and legacy is incomplete without acknowledging his work as a composer of dense, invigorating post-serialist works for large improvising ensembles. 'Positions & Descriptions' juxtaposed leading US & UK artists. https://brucesfingers.bandcamp.com/album/positions-descriptions
You could spend weeks exploring the Bruce's Fingers @Bandcamp page, which includes releases on that label as well as projects Fell recorded for Incus, Confront, Another Timbre, and other labels. Eminently worth exploring for a sense of Fell's range. #RIP https://brucesfingers.bandcamp.com/
P.S. To the best of my recollection, I saw Fell perform only once, in a Company weekend mounted by Bailey at Tonic. The first night elicited possibly the most preposterous thing I've ever written: a review in which I attempted to mimic Dave Eggers. https://www.nightafternight.com/night_after_night/2006/09/i_dont_know_thi.html
-30-
