Arcana

Book excerpt: Experimental music has been called "difficult," perhaps more in relation to the open-mindedness needed to let it settle between your ears than the break from traditional technique required to play it. But does that explain the scarcity of critical writing about this music form relative to visual arts -- film, photography, sculpture, painting -- that also use experimentation as a main creative force? Arcana: Musicians on Music is an answer to that call. Delving into recent development in avantgarde music, this long overdue anthology looks at the current generation of experimental players and composers. Collecting writings, working notes, scores, interviews, and manifestos, editor John Zarn gets deep under the surface of experimental music, and looks at the creative methods and philosophies of some of the most innovative experimental musicians. Among the 29 contributors are: Mark Dresser, John Oswald, Marilyn Crispell, Bill Frisell, Ikue Mari, Larry Ochs, Elliott Sharp, Anthony Coleman, Fred Frith,David Roseboom, George Lewis, Guy Klucevsek, Peter Garland, Z'ev, and Gerry Hemmingway. Containing discographies and bios on the musicians presented, this book is an excellent resource for fans and critics as well as a good introduction for the curious.