Opie Music Productions Products:
Well here's a confession...I had planned to release
more items, but just didn't have the time or energy. There
may be some other limited edition recordings that will start to turn up,
so please
do
check in from time to time.
OMP 001-Ben Opie: A Book of Songs
The first OMP product is actually a book of scores. Included are 27 compositions
written for Water Shed 5tet, Coal Train, the John Purse Quartet, and others.
Some pieces could be straight from a fake book, others are full multi-part
scores.
If you’ve
ever wanted to get inside Ben’s head to see some of those musical ideas,
here’s your best opportunity. Limited edition of 50 signed and numbered
copies. $10
OMP 002-Water Shed 5tet:
Live
at Mr. Small’s CDR
This is what you might expect from this band live: some catchy tunes,
some open improvising, energy, heat, sloppiness, precision, fun.
Everything on the
disc is previously unrecorded by us, and includes a cover of Sonny
Clark’s “Voodoo.” In
an edition of 200 copies, each package is hand-created and unique. Don’t
miss out on this one! $12.
OMP003- Ben Opie: Urban Aquarium soundtrack
I’ve decided to withdraw this disc. Excerpts will more than likely appear
in the future. Sorry...
T SHIRT! I don’t have OPEK recordings made yet, but at least you
can wave the banner of our band by buying a shirt. The design is by Troy Cramer
of Ritual Space Travel Agency. Currently available in adult M, L, or XL, white
shirt with a blue design, viewable
here. $8.
Also available:
Water
Shed 5tet: Blue
Plate Tectonics CD
(Rastascan
Records): While the best recorded
performances were yet to come, some of my favorite compositions are on
this disc. Highlights include “Braque”, “The Sun Setting
in the East”, “blues”, and two Sun Ra covers: “The
Perfect Man” and “Looking
Outward”. I have copies to sell ($12), but you ought to check out
Rastascan’s
very hip catalog of recordings, including great discs by Evan Parker, Anthony
Braxton, Splatter Trio, Ron Anderson (a personal favorite), ROVA, and many
others.
Water Shed 5tet: Circuit Breaker CD (Tautology Records): WS5’s strongest release? Well, you ought to hear them all and decide for yourself. CB features an increased amount of improvisation, in addition to the compositions. Speaking of compositions, two previously unrecorded works by Anthony Braxton are included on the disc. Produced by Myles Boisen. $12.
Listen: Passage
Home/Jimbo (mp3)
Coal Train: Coal Train’s Pain Killing
Mystery Salve
Coal Train presents a kaliedoscopic view of Americana..a
folk song or two, songs in the tradition, country swing, ragtime, Ellingtonia,
it’s all in here someplace. Ben Hartlage: voice and guitar, David Long:
mandolin, John MacFarlane: violin, Ben Opie: clarinet, Nathan Peck: bass, with
guest appearances that include Jen Zieserel on vocals, Paul Consentino on stride
piano, and Ben Hartlage’s Grandma. $12.
Crawlin' Low Band: Tales
of a Tub
Surreal
country? Psychedelic urban hillbilly? Who knows? This features
Ben Opie's "amazing" (read: minimal) Theremin playing. But
don’t
miss the amazing vocal stylings of guest artist Horsey...$12.
Listen: Lullaby for an Ailing Musician mp3
Prices marked are postpaid, US.
Check or money order (made out to Ben Opie), or cash are acceptable (sorry,
can’t take
credit cards). Email to reserve copies. Order several things and you'll get
a discount.
-Ben Opie
PO Box 81771
Pittsburgh PA 15217
opek.music@verizon.net
Circuit Breaker and Blue Plate Tectonics (and other Rastascan products) should be available through Cadence Magazine/North Country Distribution. Duck Bill Hammer, the first Water Shed CD, may also be available through them. I have no copies of that one, but Manny Theiner should.