Torn Asunder

Sorry for even more solipsistic stompbox stuff, but I couldn’t resist. David Torn, one of the players I admire most on earth, just posted an unsolicited demo of my Filth Fuzz on Soundcloud. I love his post-apocalyptic soundscape.

For the uninitiated, David is one of those rare players who deploys staggering technical skill in a bold, unique style utterly unpolluted by cheesy guitar heroics. He’s recorded with Bowie, Tori Amos, John Legend, Madonna, and k.d. lang and created many brilliant solo albums. Last year’s Only Sky is particularly magnificent. It makes a great introduction to this singular guitarist/composer.

Thanks, David!

Comments

9 responses to “Torn Asunder”

  1. Jjamie Ray Avatar
    Jjamie Ray

    Link Wray rescores The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Here comes the somnambulist . . .

    1. joe Avatar

      Best compliment EVER. Thanks.

  2. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    I jumped into my car after I read this. Grabbed a random CD in the dark from my car door pocket.

    “Hmm, what exactly is this?”

    It turned out to be the late Mick Karn’s The Tooth Mother, that someone had loaned me.

    Some great David Torn sounds!

    1. earwaxpaper Avatar
      earwaxpaper

      Check out Polytown for more Torn/Karn tastiness!!

  3. Shizmab Abaye Avatar
    Shizmab Abaye

    Now THAT is a manly fuzz! Really organic sounding and after just 30 seconds I was totally gripped by the sound as it veered further and further towards some sort of nuclear volcanic super nova!

    It’s great to be able to participate in someone else’s creative process by giving them a tool.

    Congrats!

  4. Hans-Hinrich Thedens Avatar

    How does he get the wonderful glassy tones at the end? Just by turning down the guitar?

    1. Joe Avatar
      Joe

      I’m not sure if this is the sound you mean, but … the guitars David uses these days have built-in contact microphones, and he mixes the mic signal with the one from his conventional pickups. I think that’s the origin of the clean sounds heard alongside the distortion.

  5. Hans-Hinrich Thedens Avatar

    Ah, I see! The old Zappa trick. I have some of those lying around…..

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