Laurie Anderson - Born, Never Asked / It's Cold Outside (1978/1981)

Shortly before beginning work on what would become her magnum opus 'United States Parts I-IV', Laurie Anderson began receiving commissions for new music from several American orchestras. Unfortunately, she had no previous experience writing for orchestras, having preferring to work with small ensembles and electronics in her performance art. The result was an uncomfortable mix of prerecorded tape, electronic instrumentation, and unorthodox orchestral writing. Anderson later came to regard these works as 'failures' but they represent an important step in the creative production of a number of her most important compositions including 'O Superman', 'Let X=X', and 'Big Science.'
Born, Never Asked (1978-79; performed May 17th 1980 by the Oakland Youth Orchestra, cond. Robert Hughes)
I (contains elements of 'O Superman' and 'Talkshow'): 0:00
II (contains elements of 'Let X=X'): 17:32
III (contains elements of 'Born, Never Asked'): 32:32
It's Cold Outside (1981; performed February 1982 by the WDR Rundfunkorchester Köln, cond. Dennis Russell Davies; contains elements of 'Big Science' and 'Dr. Miller'): 40:05

[@ajhoncantara]

Absolutely fascinating to hear how this developed into United States I-IV, which then developed into Big Science. What surprised me the most is the use of a string section and other voices telling the stories. Even Bergamot make s few brief appearances. Thank you. I’ve been an Anderson follower since Big Science and am going to see her live in two weeks! It’ll be my 5th live show.

[@dmn23]

Everyone's using the word fascinating but it absolutely is. It's a gift to have this glimpse into the work that would evolve into United States I-IV, thanks for posting.

[@gintaremaksimovaite2955]

I love Laurie Anderson creation works. I love America, I love American music - Pop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Electronic dance music, Classics. I love American culture ❤️

[@808timelord4]

what a story teller.! path-breaking for the Art of Noise, Andrew Poppy... and Techno Music

[@nw2s]

At 5:00 it's also reminiscent of the tape manipulation/tape bow on Home of the Brave "Listen to... my.. heaaaaart beat."

[@patrotten1284]

I've never heard this recording 🤯 1980!!! Laurie Anderson... Since Big Science I follow her art. I saw three shows, 1990, Buenos Aires, Strange Angels 2007.Madrid with Lou Reed. Last time, 2015,Buenos Aires. Still waiting for her 🔥🔥🔥

[@markmower6507]

She Was Way Ahead of Her Time Way Back Then. And To This Day She Still Is!!!

[@wizardhats]

This is fucking incredible. I'm completely blown away.

[@HeirOfNothingInParticular]

It's fasinating!! Should be the soundtrack for a horror or thriller film!

[@TheQualium]

Really interesting to hear the roots of what would become well-known works. Reminders that these were not works received fully-formed like some sort of Platonic ideals. Cut! Print! That’s a wrap! No, they were ideas that underwent permutations, mutations & developments. And I personally find it sooooo gratifying to be exposed to artistic “mistakes.” Laurie could have thrown in the towel and said screw it, maybe this is crap and I should be a dog groomer. But she didn’t. So maybe my little ideas & musical noodlings aren’t the end of the story either.

[@samiralee3612]

Love the rawness of this recording! Thank you!

[@deliapeter]

This is excellent, I've never heard this before.

[@tapecase]

Thank you - this is a thrilling document!!!

[@Turrell_]

This is incredible, thanks so much for sharing!

[@dillongstaff5625]

I am still waiting for the release of her collaborative album she did with Yoko Ono.

[@JackBuckbyOfficial]

Are you joking, or did they really do that? I would love to hear that.

[@TheHoneypot27]

thank you for posting this. it's fascinating, and leaves me thinking perhaps it would've been more interesting if ms anderson had pursued a classical career.

[@soundscenesdcmusicmedia2709]

at 4:08 is that the mag tape bow violin? First thing that astounded me about her... still

[@hansjansen6283]

Once visited a concert iwas too late and when i Enterd the hall she walked Towards me and sang Walking is always falling By each step ypu fall and Slightly get up and go on I was overwelmed In thiis experience but Felt dee0ly coñnectted With laurie Later we met and had A good conversation She is a great artist

[@marplusmar]

@MinimalEffort Thank you for the upload! I have never heard this before, is the recording available anywhere to buy?

[@diosivor]

where does this version of It's Cold Outside come from, where was it published? I could only find one that says "performed by American Composers Orchestra conducted by Dennis Russell Davies, Alice Tully Hall, NYC, November 1981, available online via New Music USA"

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

Evil brought me here...@32:32

[@brettinoloverromantico4095]

Is that Laurie Anderson rocking 1200's and cutting it up ? Turntablism (@ 4:09)

[@balthazartyshow1765]

Mon father pôpaw me la fait découvrir en ~ 1980 en créant un esspêtakl' avec lui pour ma'tite soeur en maternelle , .. , je l 'ai écouté ensuite avec ma chéwouiie ,,, tiens d'ailleurs sans y penser , 🌟 🌸 🤪 🙃 🦊 🦠 😘 ☀️

[@rubyflow6636]

very heavy hypnosis music, feels not so good