The Art of Copernicus in Five Acts
“Only the discovery of the never indivisible changing subatomic particle can bring us an absolute authority. God could actually be the smallest
nondivisable subatomic particle. This particle possesses infinite self-energy and it exists since it never changes, if such a phenomenon is possible.
This particle has always existed throughout the entire Universe. It is the basic particle of which everything in the Universe is composed. Without that
particle, we are condemned to chaotic relativity (we would be condemned to chaotic relativity, because in a world of constant change with particles
moving at the speed of light, there would be nothing on which to hold or build. Nothing could exist).”
Copernicus:
The main interest of all of Copernicus' albums is the documentation of the evolution that his thinking has
undergone over a period of thirty years. There are earlier pieces that Copernicus would not even do today
because of the evolution of his mind and the focus of his intentions.
toroddfuglesteg:
THE MAIN INTEREST FOR ME AND HOPEFULLY FOR OTHERS IS NOT ONLY THE CONTENT OF WHAT
COPERNICUS SAYS BUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW AN AGGRESSIVE MIND CONFRONTING THE QUANTUM
WORLD AS IT EVOLVES FROM THE MENTALITY OF THE 1950'S AMERICAN DISNEY WORLD.
Copernicus:
With each release listened to in chronological succession, we can see this evolving struggle to understand and put the
human puzzle together as it reaches out to be joined to a hoped for absolute reality.
Progrography
Harrowing journeys of beat poetry and psychedelic/jazz improvisation into the irreducible atomic.
Copernicus stands at the cosmic podium, the bellows of nihilism heaving in his chest, and for sixty
some-odd minutes everything we thought we knew about the universe is incinerated. Recommended to sonic
adventurers who enjoyed sailing with Captain Beefheart and The Red Krayola.
ProgRock - Poland - Interview
W moim mieście o Kopernika nie aż tak trudno. No, przynajmniej o jego sobowtóra. Co rusz kręci się
tu jakiś program edukacyjny, albo rocznicowy „ku czci” i wtedy rolę wielkiego astronoma z
reguły gra aktor Marian Czarkowski. Jak się jednak okazuje – jest i drugi Kopernik, także
zainteresowany fizyką, choć raczej zorientowaną na cząstki elementarne. Tyle, że
stacjonujący w Nowym Jorku Joseph „Copernicus” Smalkowski łączy naukowy ferment z poezją
i niebanalną oprawa muzyczną. Nie, żebym popierał wszystkie tezy Copernicusa, jest on jednak
postacią na tyle barwną i nietuzinkową, że nie mogłem powstrzymać się przed
zadaniem mu kilku pytań. Zwłaszcza, że niedawno ukazało się jego DVD z Pragi dokumentujące
moment prawdziwie przełomowy – koncert z czasu ostatnich przedśmiertnych parkosyzmów demokracji ludowej.
The attack on the audience - an interview with Copernicus
In my city of Copernicus's not so hard. Well, at least with his double. Again and again spins an educational program here, or anniversary, "in honor" and then the role of the great astronomer, actor usually plays Marian Czarkowski. As it turns out - and the second Copernicus is also interested in physics, but rather geared to elementary particles. It's just that based in New York, Joseph "Copernicus" Smalkowski combines scientific ferment of poetry and original musical setting. Not that I supported all the theses of Copernicus, but it is enough to form a colorful and unusual that I could not refrain from task to him a few questions. Especially since it was released recently in Prague DVD documenting a breakthrough moment - until the last concert of mortal parkosyzmów people's democracy.
Why did you choose such a nickname? Pytam nie tylko jako dziennikarz, ale także Polak. I ask not only as a journalist, but also a Pole. Poza tym mieszkam w Olsztynie – mieście, w który Mikołaj Kopernik przez kilka lat pełnił funkcję kanonika. Besides, I live in Olsztyn - the city, in which Nicolaus Copernicus for several years he served as canon. Wydajesz się postrzegasz go głównie jako szykanowanego naukowca-rewolucjonistę. You seem to perceive it mainly as szykanowanego scientist-revolutionary. Tymczasem był on także katolickim duchownym. Meanwhile, he was also a Catholic priest.
First, Copernicus was a priest, but also a mathematician. Mathematics itself is a religion for himself, no doubt may fail in the regions, where the human mind can not even comprehend. Until today, mathematics is the main key that opened for us the subatomic world. Today's physicists make discoveries first with mathematics, strip based on the assumptions and derive mathematical proof theory. Copernicus is first interested in the truth. The revolution was not part of his plan. His discovery was groundbreaking, but he was not a revolutionary, given the fact that for many years did not publish his work, almost until the moment when he was already on his deathbed. Giovanni Bruno (unless, however, Giordano - editor. PT) was in Rome, burned at the stake for preaching the ideas of Copernicus. Galileo was imprisoned. It was only in 1994 by Pope Pole Roman Catholic Church recognized the importance of the discoveries of Copernicus. First, Copernicus was not a subversive. This seeker of truth, like the second Copernicus.
Copernicus assumed the name about 35 years ago, for two reasons. First, my idea of Nothing Nothing seemed to be as groundbreaking as the Copernican heliocentrism. First, Copernicus, he faced the donor to the whole vision of the universe by man only through the perception of rejection by the human senses. Showed that the old vision as an illusion. Reality is a subatomic world, and in the subatomic world, there can be nothing immutable, nothing could cover only the human senses. So if we assume that the existence of an object is staying within a specified period of time exactly the same - it is impossible that there was anything. But since they do not exist, then logically never die. So there is no past, present and future. So if you care about the truth, the absence should be the basis for your thoughts. Moreover, the choice was a pseudonym Copernicus ethnic reasons - my two grandfathers and one grandmother emigrated from Poland in 1907. If I was Italian in origin, I would call a Galileo. I have Polish roots, but as I said in the song White From Black from the album Victim Of The Sky, all mankind evolved from the people in Africa and once they were all black. I recorded this song in 1984. Imagine that the last scientists prove through DNA testing that Africa was the cradle of humanity.
Concerts Copernicus is more happening than regular rock show. Why did you decide to combine spoken word with music? Does the word has a sponge with a stronger message? He was, after a period when been performing on stage alone, without accompanying musicians.
In the 70s, and perhaps earlier, he performed with improvised poetry in poetic circles and cafes of New York. This was done on a stream of consciousness. I loved it, because after every performance I discovered something new. I chose the topic just before, or even did not have the spirit and just went with the flow checking where your mind takes me.
I used one of those poetic associations met saxophonist acting as Melody Peach. I came up with a joint performance. We played together a song that was awarded the hot applause. From this point Copernicus has always played with musicians. I played a few great gigs with Melody Peach.
One evening in one of the clubs in Manhattan, I heard Pierce Turner and Larry Kirwan.They played under the name Turner and Kirwan of Wexford. When I finished playing I put them in a drink and asked if we could occur together, for the moment, at the same stage.They agreed to. We went out and recited with their improvised music. The audience was delighted. From this point Copernicus earned the band. With drummer, Tom Hamlin, we started playing in clubs in Manhattan. Never did the auditions.We drank only a cup of coffee before the concert, and subjected them to topics they wanted to raise - we played hot. They were wonderful performances, very successful.
So Copernicus concerts were happenings because they were associated with attempts, with the ejection of himself learned music. With this approach, attempts would be heresy. All I did was fresh and improvised. We became very good improvisers. Improvisation is like a muscle, the more you train it, the better you get. Amazing that the music gave me the energy you feel I may not be performing solo. Even today, when recording with accompanists, music takes me into areas in which they did not intend to go. Of course, such magical moments occur only when played with great musicians, who not only lead you in, but also can give you a guide. This mutual give and take. We all have somewhere in the brains of recorded information, the existence of which we have no idea. This is the reward for being an artist - to discover yourself through the expression, the only real reward for playing pieces. The size and behavior of the audience is absolutely no impact on this process. Sometimes I played a great concert for a very quiet audience. Unfortunately, too often vocal tone in music. I remember a concert in New York, in which I put my whole heart. After the show I asked people what they think about my transmission. They replied that they were little able to understand, because I drowned accompaniment.
What inspires you more - science or poetry? Scientific issues play a major role of your texts.
If we did not have the science, which is primarily a method of obtaining evidence for the theories of logic, it may still wierzylibyśmy that the Sun is God, and Jesus was born of a virgin and rose from the dead, or in any other mythic fantasies of the ignorant illiterate living in front of us, whose views depended on it, exactly which army conquers their lands (in this passage about Jesus, some still believe - editor. niereformowalnie parochial PT). Science is a message, and poetry is a tool of expression, although the poems do not describe my work as poetry. It is a poetic expression, but not poetry. Poetry is much harder and much more disciplined than the texts Copernicus.
You say that nothing exists. Do you think all levels of reality beyond the subatomic are more or less fake?
Reality does not have levels. There is only one reality - the absolute, unchanging clarify any questions. This is what you called "levels of reality" is just an illusion that has nothing to do with the facts. Illusions are false and dangerous, because it counteracts harmonizing them to a captive mind with the Absolute Reality. The farther you are from this harmony the more you suffer. And the greater is your suffering even more miserable for all living beings around them. When the myth becomes a reality - we have a problem. You could say that the main theme of the works of Copernicus is to free the human mind from the bondage of myth. In my book I walk Immediate Eternity considerations of still undiscovered subatomic particle, which I call the MAH. This fragment never changes his state, and therefore, according to my theory of existence - it just exists. Remains the same at any time interval. If this particle would be in constant motion - would change their state, which would not exist. (I realized recently that my theory MAH may be the same as postulated by modern physics, string theory, but in 1997, when my book was created, yet this theory is not known.)
Since the beginning of Copernicus activity interacts with Larry Kirwan and Pierce Turner. How big is their contribution to the musical background of your improvisation, and how many ideas out of you? Does Pierce's collaboration with Philip Glass have an impact on the sound Copernicus?
Pierce has performed and recorded with Copernicus for many years before knowing Glass. When I first came across the Pierce and Larry, played Irish music interesting. I loved what they did, hang out in bars and wrote his poetry when he performed. Then day by day they decided they wanted to "knock out" and have changed into a shitty rock and roll band, which I hated. This transformation was their unnatural and radical. But I knew that when they play in the Copernicus can not afford to any music I dreamed. Everything was improvised. I was wild, and they had to respond similarly, at times even be dziksi than me. They gave me and took me. Signed to CBS - this way they succeeded. Copernicus was their chance of being real artists. Free. Larry called musical mother (because he wore a blue skirt on stage), and Pierce was the father. Even today in our group is called to the mat and Tatkiem, and I'm a son. Philip Glass was always distant from us. He wrote his music, he played his music and was not interested in the work of Copernicus.
In your early albums, there were more melodic songs like I Will not Hurt You and Wanderer. The most recent - not anymore. Przejadły nice melodies you?
On the contrary. In 2010 I was in Ecuador and talked with several people about music. One of my interviewees said that the music must have melody. I never thought so. I got into the old man with a fierce quarrel, felt sorry for him with his vision of nineteenth-century music. But then this view somewhat rearranged my head. I noticed that during the recording sessions in the studios Water Music Some musicians spontaneously thrown into this chaos melodies and the melodies that I liked. They had the power to unite harmidru, who reigned around them. I decided to ask Pierce (as yet did not), that at the next session, each musician brought with him four or five tunes to use their own discretion. I like the tune, I need to melodic writing. The next session will prepare ten of their own. Today, I agree with the old man from Ecuador - the melody is important and I hope that in future it with me more, especially in parts created by me personally.
After the albums recorded in the 80s plate No. Borderline brought a change in direction. Compared with aggression or Nothing Exists Deeper was very calm. Why then changed your style?
Pierce Turner Copernicus once described music as "an assault on the audience." If you mean, some zgodzilibyście together. However, the plans were never like the album has a sound or in which direction will evolve. I just recorded them. We went into the studio with fifteen or more musicians, and for five hours non-stop recorded, without any break, creating up to fifty verbal-musical works in one go. Some of the best pieces of Copernicus formed in five minutes. We did it just like that. If you and the music and lyrics were good - it went into the mix. Formula for the album was the result of individual tracks. I'll be honest. According to me there was not one bad song. All were excellent, just some were znakomitsze than others. Rejected pieces are waiting to see the light of day recorded on two-inch analog tape. Hundreds of songs! I'd like to go back, but will not have time. Train with the inscription "Copernicus" scorches forward with new songs, with the expectation of what is new and gratitude to the universe that we are the novelties przypatrywać, think about them and express our thoughts in the arts.
A few years spent in Ecuador, together with the local form awangardystami. What have you learned from them?
They were not avant-garde and conventional great musicians who earned a living playing. Asking me to change them. When we recorded together, and their backing was not enough power for me the courage to play harder and were less withdrawn. They picked up on. I loved them all. We played together 25 concerts throughout Ecuador, and we recorded two albums: Immediate and Immediate Eternity Eternity II in four different languages: Spanish, French, English and German. What I learned from them? That all good, honest musician can play whatever he wants. It can be both a musician and avant-garde mainstream, depending on the project.
Diptych Immediate Eternity forming a whole with a book under the same title. What is its content?
I worked on a book Immediate Eternity (which, by the way, is available in digital form on CDBaby and Amazon, and traditional - on my website), I met a few musicians in Ecuador. We played together live in the house of a rich man. I asked the pianist to Newton Velasquez formed a group, we can make recordings. I had so much new material in the book ... He agreed, was a drummer, Juan Carlos Zuniga, bassist and guitarist Freddy Ausa Aragundi Cesar. The recording session in Guayagil was magical, despite the wretched conditions in the studio (recorded on VHS tape). Effects remixed in Ecuador and New York. The first effect was the English version of the Immediate Eternity. Musicians wanted me also recorded the words in Spanish, so I added vocals to the music of Spanish (or maybe we did a whole again, I do not remember) and founded La eternidad inmediata. We went to dwudziestopięciokoncertową tour in Ecuador. At the end of the band wanted to record again, so located it in a better, newly created, and again we had a studio session. This time, originally sung in Spanish (not previously translated into English words). Then day after day, walked into the studio and dogrywałem word of English and the newly created French and German versions. That was the Immediate Eternity II. The musicians chose the second part, but for me the original is mother - spontaneous mother, who carries in himself all of our contemporary feelings and inspiration. The rest, however, argues that the "talon" music is better. Anyway, thanks to Project Copernicus suddenly became a multilingual artist. I speak French and Spanish, studied German and played many concerts in Germany, in Guayaquil I had a friend who translated the words for all these languages. Actually, he did the translation into Japanese, I still have. I wanted to go to Guayaquil for the teacher to help me read them correctly. Japanese version in the end was not because the teacher never been before, though I intended. I love foreign languages, and if I translate so easily and cheaply - I could not resist. Even with these boards have not finished. They are excellent, and one day I will give them solid. Unfortunately, the entire project Immediate Eternity has never been sufficiently promoted, but this will change thanks to the cooperation of my record of MoonJune Nevermore Records and its brilliant chief, Leonardo PAVKOVIC.
Your newly released DVD documenting the tour Copernicus Central and Eastern Europe in 1989. Did you feel that you are witnessing a historical turning point?
We were invited to perform in places where until recently it was impossible to obtain a tourist visa - we knew that something is in the air. I was in Berlin in 1961, when he began to climb the wall and played there in 1989, shortly before its collapse. I could tell horror stories about enerdowskich guards, who nearly put me to jail because I was stuck in East Berlin after midnight. The concert took place in Prague on the first major rock festival in years. Instantly puts people in jail for playing music. I remember how I met the leader of Plastic People (This is probably the band Plastic People Of The Universe - editor. PT). He told me that when I played in Prague - he was sitting.
Everything on this tour have historical importance. Amazing that our first concert took place in Hanover, Germany. I once wrote a book about the city that never came, because when I do something then do not really care about the financial side. In Hanover, I read this novel documenting the realities of war - in 1961, worked there as a construction worker. Rebuilding a bombed-out school. Would get one hundred marks a week - after the then price of $ 25.
Wandered in the course of this route to Hanover, to Berlin, to Prague, at the University. Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, in Sopot, Vilnius, and finally to Moscow. You would need a book to describe everything that happened then. But this book probably never happen, because nothing exists and there is no past.
How was the concert in Sopot?
It was fantastic! Do not forget that some time later in Sopot played one more concert, club. But the first took place at the impressive scene, four times greater than that in Prague. The whole building was situated in the middle of the forest. I've never had so much space on stage, I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the camera operator which brought with us from New York, got drunk and recorded the only piece of the show, and during the concert he told me he was leaving. He was a black man with Spanish roots, he persecuted the local skinheads. Some time was the only black in the whole Sopot. For me, too skinheads shouting through my long hair. I hope that you have no skinheads in Poland? (They are good, and some evolved into kiboli - editor. PT) occurred on another Polish festival, plant in. Solo before an audience of many thousands, for the first time in Poland. I have in my archives a great video of this concert. And if anyone reading this has a recording of my performance in Sopot - I'm interested. Well then we played, it's possible it's best for the whole journey. Thanks for all the interesting questions that reveal how much you know about the fortunes of the second Copernicus. I hope that soon I will return to the Polish for the show, I'm currently touring mode. Thanks again and goodbye. I love Poland and I miss her.
Interview: Paul Tryba; cooperation: Jacek Chudzik
by Jefferson A. Nunes
Brazil - Progshine
A nossa parceira Moonjune Records aproveitou o relançamento do disco Nothing Exists (1985) do músico/poeta
Copernicus e enviou o disco junto do entăo mais recente lançamento do artista (ele recém lançou o disco
Cipher And Decipher) Disappearance (2009). O nosso colaborador mor Jefferson A. Nunes esmiuçou os dois
discos e o resultado vocęs podem conferir nas duas resenhas:
Enne meiega kontakteerumist palume vaadata alljärgnevat
küsimuste ja vastuste temaatikat. Kui Teie siiski ei leia sealt
vastuseid oma küsimustele , siis palume meiega kontakteeruda.
Brazil - Progshine Talvez a forma mais adequada de descrever Copernicus é como um poeta performático.
Mesmo que ele (originalmente chamado Joseph Smalkowski) toque teclado,
Copernicus se recusa a ser classificado como um músico.
Sea Of Tranquility
Copernicus is one of the few artists to play behind the Iron Curtain back in 1989. This is a live concert DVD from his
show at Praha Slavia Stadium on June 17th, 1989. This concert drew on tracks from the first three Copernicus'
albums: "Nothing Exists," "Victim of the Sky," and "Deeper."
The band Copernicus is made up of Copernicus, on lead vocals, and providing all lyrics; Larry Kirwan, on keyboard,
guitar, and vocals; Mike Fazio, on guitar; Tom Hamlin, on drums; and Dave Conrad, on bass.
69 Faces of Rock
How was it possible a New York artist played a concert in communist Czechoslovakia? I suppose, in 1989 a lot more was
possible than let's say in 1979. Having visited the country under the communist regime, it was safe to say no
intersection was left without one of the regime's flags.
Copernicus is rather a challenging artist, but here filmed in a stadium setting, he comes alive, and gets his message
across. Opening with tracks like "The Authorities!" took a lot of balls, especially behind the Iron Curtain.
Filmed here in dual screen, the DVD is very interesting document of a very special performance.
Music Street Journal
This is an intriguing beast. Of course, one could say that Copernicus is an intriguing person. His philosophical
stance is the stuff that Sheldon Cooper is probably better equipped to understand and debate than the average
person would be able to handle. The thing is, you really don’t have to be able to grasp all the nuances or
otherwise “get it” to appreciate the art. I know Copernicus got lumped in with all the punk rock people, but
his art transcends punk. It really fits about as well into progressive rock as anywhere. He’s one part poet,
one part performance artist and one part musician. Among those in his band is Larry Kirwan of Black 47 fame.
The band basically serves to paint musical backdrops for Copernicus’ poetry.
PROG/JAZZNET
The other day I received a package from the always interesting label Moonjune Records. In this package there was
included a new dvd release from the artist Copernicus, on his own Nevermore, Inc. which is distributed by MoonJune.
Recorded back in 1989 in Prague in front of 9000 fans, this is really a special treat for the Copernicus fans
or/and the one interested in different and special music experiences. I have written about Copernicus before,
and there is certainly something interesting and dragging about him and his music, but I also have to admit
that this music is not for everyone. To watch and hear Copernicus scream, sing and growl his way through different
tracks is an extreme experience, which really demands something from the listener/viewer. I can guarantee you
that there is not much out there similar to Copernicus and his releases, maybe not anything. If you are looking
for that special Christmas present for the seeking and adventurous music fan, well then you do not have to look
any further - here it is. I recommend it 100 % and challenge you to go into the world of Copernicus - I dare you.
England - Leicester Bangs
This concert footage documents the entire experience at Prague's Slavia Stadium. For the nine thousand fans,
it was a rewarding experience. COPERNICUS and the audience interacted in an extraordinary manner. The effects
of COPERNICUS' songs such as "The Authorities" and "White from Black" and others were visibly a big blow to the
audience eager to absorb more of COPERNICUS' lyrics and the gripping original music performed by those musicians --
which included Larry Kirwan of Black 47 on keyboards, guitar and vocals, Mike Fazio on guitar, Thomas Hamlin on drums,
and Dave Conrad on bass. The use of split screen technology with footage from separate sources heightens the experience
that one almost feels that he is right there at the mixing board watching every move from the stage and from the
audience's point of view. This video certainly is a document from the time when bands would go out and venture
into these far away places. It is worth its price in gold.
FAME Review
No one does what Copernicus does. He's not a man who is an artist but an artist who is a man, and all his beyond-the-pale perceptions and
declamations aren't exercises in Socratic disquisition, they're what he actually is. The damburst pours forth in torrents—sometimes whispering,
often fulminating—while the band paints galaxies and starfields, playgrounds for an unrestrained mentality stalking through neural nets and synapses.
Though the recitals are unsettling to the status quo and even to rebels ("Kill the gringos! Shoot them to death!" and "At one time, all humans were black!"),
the audience takes them all in and demands more.
Copernicus, self-styled prophet, ranter, anarchic street philosoph and sometime rocker was on a roll in 1989. He was getting attention.
So much so that he was able to tour Eastern Europe, filling large venues in the major cities and putting on a dynamic stage show with
rant, gyrations and psychedelic-new wave band backing. As you can see from the recently released DVD Live! In Prague (Nevermore NDVD01),
an arena show from June 17, 1989, live Copernicus was an experience!
Germany - Musik an sich
Live! In Prague! ist ein grandioses historisches Dokument eines Künstlers, der mit seiner Musik aneckt und dabei
unglaublich viel zu sagen hat – im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes. Daumen hoch für Copernicus!
Germany - Musikzirkus Magazin
Copernicus scheint sich gleich schon im ersten Stück „The Authorities!“ in Ekstase zu singen.
So Energie geladen wie in diesem ersten Track verhält er sich auch während des ganzen Auftrittes. So schräg,
wie dieses erste Stück, so geht es auch auf der kompletten DVD zu.
Die Musik von Copernicus ist schon recht speziell und nicht leicht zu konsumieren. Diese DVD ist nur etwas für Freunde des
Außergewöhnlichen. Vor dem Kauf sollte man die Musik kennen bzw. unbedingt vorher antesten.
Germany - Musikreviews
COPERNICUS selbst zeigt sich hier in Höchstform und speit seine Messages, auf die meine beiden Kollegen Schiffmann und
Ganser in ihren Reviews zu „Disappearance“ und „Cipher And Decipher“ bereits treffend eingegangen
sind, schreiend, theatralisch jaulend und brüllend („Elvis........ Elvis....... Elviiiiiiis...... Elviiiiiiiis.....
Eeeeeeeelviiiiiiiiis!“), manisch predigend, eindringlich, teilweise extrem repetitiv und thematisch passend in
verschiedene Outfits gewandet in das Publikum, wobei er perfekt einen durchgeknallten Professor auf LSD abgibt, der
fluchend, leidend, besessen mit dem Publikum interagiert und sich nicht entscheiden kann, welches Karnevalskostüm er
nun auf dem Rosenmontagsumzug anziehen möchte.
Holland - OJE Music
Copernicus live in Praag. Op twee manieren was dit toch wel een verrassing. Ik had eigenlijk nooit gedacht dat hij ooit
voor een concert de oceaan over was gestoken. Logisch was het overigens wel. Volgens het boekje omdat zijn album 'Deeper'
in Europa 'tremendous radio airplay' kreeg. Daarnaast kon ik me nauwelijks een voorstelling maken van de grootte van het
publiek. Naar mijn verwachting zou dat een man of tweehonderd zijn, een aantal dat ruim maar dan ook heel ruim overtroffen
werd. Zo stonden er in Praag maar liefst negenduizend enthousiaste Tsjechoslowaken die de hoofdpersoon uit dit verhaal als
een ware held onthaalden. Bij het kijken van de dvd heb ik me meerdere malen af zitten vragen wat ze zo achter het
toenmalige ijzeren gordijn mee kregen van de teksten, maar de aanwezigen zijn in ieder geval in hun nopjes.
Russia - cultradio
ДВД нью-йоркского поэта
польского происхождения
(отсюда и псевдоним
«Коперникус»), который
уже много лет поет, или
точнее – мелодекламирует
свои протестно-дадаистские
«вирши»» (иногда - на
нескольких языках)
в сопровождении джазовых и
рок-музыкантов –
скорее, документ
эпохи, чем просто
заснятое на кинопленку
выступление Коперникуса
на 10-тысячном стадионе
«Славия» в Праге.
Во-первых, потому что -
это 17 июня 1989 года, время
перемен в странах
Восточной Европы,
где проходило турне
Коперникуса, но,
во-вторых – блестящий
документ: концерт снимали
две команды операторов
(американской и чешской)
независимо друг от друга
и уже потом их съемки были
смонтированы на одном
экране.
Poland - ProgRock
Batman ma Jokera. James Bond - tego faceta głaszczącego kota. Człowiek-Pająk naparza się w kółko z Zielonym Goblinem.
Nie jestem gorszy. Też mam swoje nemezis. Złośliwy los nieustannie krzyżuje ścieżki moje i Josepha Smalkowskiego,
alias Copernicus. W ciągu ostatnich trzech lat miałem okazję zrecenzować trzy płyty tego jegomościa (dwie nowe i
reedycję debiutu - tak gwoli ścisłości), choć nijak nie mogę się nazwać jego fanem. A teraz przyszła kolej na koncertowe DVD.
No cóż, wspomniany Bond wszystko co robi - robi dla Anglii. Ja też mogę wsadzić raz na jakiś czas osobiste preferencje do
kieszeni i ku chwale naszego serwisu opisać jeszcze jedno wydawnictwo szalonego nowojorczyka.
Progression The Quarterly Journal of Progressive Music
If your sanity survives the final cut, 15-minute free-jazzer "The Cauldron," you just might find yourself among the heady elite who actually get this guy.
Italy - Touching Extremes
Consequently, the futile concepts on which men all over the world clash and fight are going to mean less than zero.
The accent is sinister, like that of a devilish street preacher approaching people at the bus stop to announce their impending death.
Or, if thus preferred in this particular instance, a hoarse hybrid of Saturday Night Live’s Don Pardo and Vincent Price circa Thriller.
Yet he’s often persuasive: take a look at what’s said in “Where No One Can Win” – a not-so-indirect attack against the
inconsiderate wars constantly sought by the American administration – then tell me that the guy’s not right.
progmistress
This is the archetypal underground production, a marriage of music and poetry...
Cipher and Decipher exerts a weird sort of attraction... the musical accompaniment to
Copernicus’ proclamations is a wildly eclectic mix of influences ranging from experimental
free-jazz to early Pink Floyd-style psychedelia... its somewhat sneaky allure may well win over
those who are not afraid to get acquainted with less predictable approaches to progressive music.
Copernicus starts where Jim Morrison's "The End" leaves off. Instead of "Mother, I want to. . . aaaargh,"
Copernicus gives out with his vision of a universe forever changed for humans with the discovery of subatomic
particles. All bets are off. We don't exist. None of our handiwork, for better or worse, exists. The message
is brought to you with a great deal of hubris, such that Copernicus sounds a bit like a madman.
Sea of Tranquility
Cipher and Decipher is definitely the weirdest album I have listened to yet in 2011, and will probably stay at the top throughout the year.
Combining jazz-funk, Latin, and even some Middle Eastern influences this is definitely a cool album, yet one that still is a question mark in my mind.
I think you have to be in the mood for this kind of thing, unless you really like avant-garde stuff, but if you're in the right mood it's a pretty good album.
For his odd, yet kind of enjoyable release Copernicus gets 3 stars.
United Mutations Copernicus rants that matter is energy, that the force of gravity can be felt throughout the universe, and that matter can become mind.
I’ve said it before, and I am happy to repeat it:This is art.
England - Zeitgeist Portal If you're looking for a hook to hang your hat, you're in trouble, as the album leaps about from avante-jazz to psych,
to sheer noise terror, all overlaid by the slightly hysterical poetry of the main man himself. Here's the man himself talking about his music.
"The conceptual concerns of the New York performer-poet Copernicus address the Universe itself. He is not distracted by everday matters. He is not
penning couplets about the changing fortunes of human existence, other than on the grandest (or lowliest) scale. He speaks of subatomic matter, and
refuses to bear any glad tidings." "Copernicus sees his job as philosophically interpreting the modern discoveries of professional physicists to the
human situation." So, now you know!
FAME Review
Joining up with the MoonJune label was one of his best moves; though qualitative differences
between one C release and the next are impossible to discern, there's nonetheless a renewal of élan in this partnership that's
noticeable—and, so's ya knows, there is no such thing as 'best' with Copernicus, it's all the best.
Germany - Musik an sich - Interview
Ich habe eine sehr spezielle Verbindung zu Deutschland, die bis ins Jahr 1961 zurückreicht, als ich an einer Schule in
Hannover beim Bau mitgearbeitet habe. Ich habe damals mein erstes Buch, „The Moments We Are Alive“,
geschrieben, das von Hannover handelte aber nie veröffentlicht wurde. Ich habe daraus aber in eine Club in Hannover
gelesen. Die Geschichte handelt von der Mentalität und Orten der Stadt im Jahr 1961, Orte, die man heut wahrscheinlich
nicht mehr in Hannover finden kann. Ich habe außerdem am Bau eines Stellwerkes auf der Rückseite des Münchner Hauptbahnhofes
mitgearbeitet.
Hello Copernicus, even if you are a recording artist for many years, you are hardly known in Germany.
Could you tell our readers a little about you and your career?
Copernicus: I can show you a press kit of major German press showing you that I have performed all over
Germany as a solo artist and also with musicians. Unfortunately, time goes by very quickly and people forget.
I have performed in Hamburg, Hannover, Koln, East Berlin when it was East Berlin, West Berlin about 10 times,
9 concerts in East Germany from Cottbus to Leipzig to Potsdam to Dresden. I have not been back to Germany in
15 years so people forget you. I am an artist and I do not have a career. I just do and go where my heart
tells me to go, but there was a time when I was well known in Germany and highly appreciated. I have performed
in Popkomm and Bid. Soon, we will be releasing an album completely in the German language.
I have a very special relationship with Germany that goes back to1961 when I was doing bauwerk on a school
in Hannover and I wrote my first book, “The Moments We Are Alive” which was never published about Hannover.
I actually did a reading from the book in a club in Hannover. Someday this novel written in 1961 which deals
with the mentality and locations of 1961, places that probably you cannot find any longer in Hannover.
I also did bauwerk on the train control station at the rear of the HauptBanhof of Munchen.
I have sold many thousands of records in Germany, but I must admit time goes by quickly and I have not
been back to Germany for too long.
How would you describe yourself? Poet, philosopher, musician or entertainer?
Copernicus: I am a philosopher who uses poetical lyrics and music to share my ideas with the people.
Did you study philosophy or anything similar in an academic sense? Which are your lyrical/philosophical influences?
Copernicus: My major in the University was history. The philosophy comes in when I lost my Roman Catholic
religion and lived 15 years with no explanation of anything until I read in a book about 50 years ago
that all matter was made of spinning atoms including my body. That new found awareness and the conclusions
that are drawn from that physical fact have set me on a philosophical road of making philosophical
conclusions that eventually lead to the main theme of my ideas which is that nothing exists.
I am not someone who is influenced that much by humans though I have been impressed by Copernicus,
Darwin, Einstein, Galileo, Jesus, Buddha, Dylan Thomas, Ghandi, Mandela, Martin Luther King,
Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, Renoir, Rembrandt, Alexander the Great, Ramses II,
Plato, Aristotle, Archimides, and a couple others that I cannot think of right now.
Your lyrics/philosophy changed during your career from simply being angry at the society to an inner
isolation and hopelessness and a call for Revolution. Could you tell us more about this process and
your philosophical background (e.g. your philosophy of the phenomenon of atoms)?
Copernicus: I was angry at God for not giving me Absolute Truth when I was born. That should be part of the deal.
You make me and you give me Absolute Truth so I do not have to run around like an ignoramus trying to figure
everything out.
I was angry at my society for telling me a bunch of bull about this guy Jesus who was born of a virgin,
walked on water, committed suicide by Jewish priest, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and
had me believe in this stuff for the first 19 years of my life.
I do not think that I have ever been hopeless. In fact, hope for a new day is something that I have
never lost and I hope that I never lose hope for a better day. Finding the spinning atom changed my life.
If I had been hopeless, I would have never been looking for the atom and I would have never found the
spinning atom. I just would have gotten drunk and stayed drunk and hopeless a very unmanly position a
very weakling position.
The spinning atom leads to nothing exists because if everything is made of spinning atoms with eternal
energy then, there can never be anything that the human senses can perceive or what the human senses
perceive, is only illusion. Reality is in the subatomic. If I call myself Copernicus and a moment
later call myself Copernicus again, I am either ignorant of subatomic motion or I am lying. Nothing
can stay the same from one moment to the next. In fact, nothing can ever be anything simply because
it is changing so quickly. The quantum world is functioning and just because you direct your human
senses to something and think you perceive something does not mean that you perceive reality.
You perceive the illusion that is brought to your feeble senses. Your bare human senses cannot
perceive reality though humanity has endured for millions of years as if all that its senses perceived
was reality. And unfortunately, even today with so much knowledge known regarding the atom, most of
humanity are living according to the perceptions of the bare senses and calling what these senses
perceive as reality. This is my main function. It is to help humanity and myself break away from the
hypnosis of the perceptions of the bare senses and move into the subatomic and live by the dictates
of the subatomic. I am now working on a book that attempts to apply the knowledge of the subatomic
to daily human living. I am dealing with a theme that will apply the laws of the subatomic to
a global government.
You were once Roman Catholic. Today, it seems, there is nothing left of this period in your life.
What was the reason to change your point of view?
Copernicus: I was never a Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism was a myth that had been forced on me by my
family, my teachers, and the little circle of tailless chimps that comprised my little world.
When I was intellectually able to defend myself and think for myself and learn about the negative
historical horrendous role that the Catholic Church has played in the history of the entire planet
for the last two thousand years, I became very angry. It is time for this organization to pay taxes
on everything that they own. They took a myth that they did not even believe in themselves and imposed
it by violence on illiterate people and then charged the people fees so that they could live the good
life throughout the ages. They have overplayed their hand and our now falling apart in a more literate
world though they still have a great deal of illiterate people around on which to play their fraudulent game.
Are you simply against the Catholic Church or against any kind of religion?
Copernicus: I have never said that my ideas are Absolute Truth which means that everything that I say may
be wrong. Everybody has the right to think whatever they wish to think in whatever organization
they wish to participate, as long as they pay taxes. All religions should pay taxes and not be
treated specially in any society. I do not know if churches pay taxes in Germany, but I think not.
Churches are businesses selling a special interpretation of the Truth and if they cannot prove in a
court of law that their product is true as they present it, they should be punished civilly and
criminally as any society would punish any fraud. They should not be given special treatment.
I am not against Churches. I just want them to pay taxes. Everybody has a right to believe in
whatever they want to believe.
Since your first record ‘Nothing Exists’ (back in 1985) you work with such brilliant
musicians like Larry Kirwan, Pierce Turner, Mike Fazio or Thomas Hamlin. How do you compose the music?
Is there the music first or the lyrics? Could you tell us more about the creative process?
Copernicus: The music and lyrics are created together spontaneously at the very same moment.
If in Nothing Exists you find a piece that is five minutes long, that means that the entire piece,
its music and lyrics, were created in five minutes, no more and no less. Of course there is post
production choosing and mixing which takes a lot more time.
You have your own record company – Nevermore, Inc. Is it important for you to be an independent
artist? What is your experience with the music industry?
Copernicus: When I analyzed the history of past artists, I found that they could all be found in two
categories. 1. These were the artists who had a patron. Some rich guy paid them to do his bidding
like Michaelangelo and the Medici family. 2. This was the artist who suffered in poverty for his art.
The principle example is Van Gogh who finally committed suicide.
In deciding to become an artist, someone who had a vision and who wanted to share that vision with the
human world, I rejected the first road of the patron as ridiculous and I rejected the second road of
the poor starving artist as unnecessary. How could you create properly if you were not living in a
healthy way? Buddha found that out because in his time it was fashionable to starve yourself in order
to be closer to God. He rejected suffering. However, I found a third road which was the road of
creating your own wealth and using that wealth to create your own art. On this road, there was no one
telling you what to do and instead of suffering for your art, your art became a treasure of discovery
and sharing with the rest of humanity. Of course, there was always the danger that acquired wealth
could cause you to lose your way cause you to sell out to materialism. I have been very conscious of
selling out to materialism and I would consider it treason to myself and to humanity if I put money
before Truth.
Consequently, I made some money and established my own record company and created my own art.
My art has never had the burden of having to produce money. My art had only the burden to tell
the Truth as I see it and share it with the world.
The music industry is there to make money from music. I have reached out to them over the years because
they had the power of distribution and material support, but thankfully they never accepted my hand or
my music. I had my own money and did not need them. I can only produce what I do. If the public does
not like it, I do not care. I do not create art for an audience or a public. I just allow the public
to witness the creation, but there is nothing in my work that tries to make the public feel good.
I am not Dr. Feelgood. In fact, Pierce Turner has said that Copernicus is an attack on the audience.
Since a few years you have a co-operation with Moonjune Records.
How did you get in contact with Leonardo Pavkovic?
Copernicus: I know Leonardo for maybe twenty years. He used to work in the company owned by
Fernando Natalici who did graphic work for me and also photography and video. Fernando designed
many of my album covers. However, there came a time when I began to go to Ecuador and Fernando
closed his business and I lost touch with Fernando and Leonardo. Then one day I received an email
from Leonardo saying hello. We met and I discovered that he had opened his own record company and
showed an interest in the work of Copernicus. He inspired me to go with 15 musicians to Water Music
in Hoboken, NJ in 2009 and we incredibly recorded two albums of music and lyrics in four nonstop hours,
“disappearance” and “Cipher and Decipher.” Since then he has inspired me to
continue on with all of the international contacts that he has made over the years and guided me
through the internet and we have decided to release my earlier albums that were only available on
LP like Nothing Exists. Soon we will be releasing Victim of the Sky and on April 17, we will be
going back into the studio for another mammoth recording session with all new material.
Leonardo Pavkovic has breathed life into the second part of the Copernicus phenomenon and every
work that we release is always dedicated to his energy and inspiration and spiritual support.
Nevermore, Inc. though still pays the bills, as it should be.
What do you think about the possibilities of the internet?
Copernicus: For someone who has struggled in the old world as head of an independent record company where
after creating an album, an LP, we had to send the albums to various distributors who never paid us or
actually robbed us and robbed the records where our only airplay was the college stations where the
major companies went in and corrupted those college stations and our records could no longer be played
in colleges where the only pay for doing art was the privilege of doing.
It seems that the internet may be opening things up internationally and it is giving independent
artists more hope for a better day, but nobody is buying music since a large portion of the public
is stealing the music for free. It’s like the farmer who eats his seeds. I wonder what this
horrendous greedy public will do when they have no more artists. They can listen to Frank Sinatra
and Madonna for free for the rest of their lives. They will have eaten all of their seeds and will
deserve what they have created, a society with no unique artists. A great society is supposed to
treasure its artists and not try to kill them and exploit them and take the bread from their mouths.
It’s exactly what the Catholic Church did to the first Copernicus. He would have published
his book thirty years beforehand, but he was afraid that the Church would kill him. So they had
to live an extra thirty years believing that the Earth was the center of the entire Universe.
Artists are a society’s brains at work. You must feed them and clothe them not rob them
and kill them even though they tell you things that you do not want to hear. Telling you things
that you do not want to hear is their job!
There were some re-releases of your older records. Will all of your older records be available soon?
Copernicus: Yes. Everything will be released on cd and in a more professional way. After Null, when the
college stations stopped playing independent music, my records were made with love and care and
devotion, but not released in the best way. I was a little depressed and thought that I should
find my expression in writing which is one of the reasons why there is the book,
“Immediate Eternity.”
One of your records – “Immediate Eternity II” – was released in different
languages (e.g. German). Was it easy to transfer your lyrics in other languages and do you think
this was a successful effort?
Copernicus: Immediate Eternity was originally recorded in Guayaquil, Ecuador in English. The musicians
wanted it to be done in Spanish. So we did it also in Spanish. I do not remember if the Spanish
vocal was an overdub or if we recorded again. Then we did 25 concerts in Ecuador. We came back to
a newly opened digital recording studio in Guayaquil and recorded the entire album again. My helper
in Guayaquil got people to translate the lyrics into German and French. The second recording session
was done in Spanish because all of my concerts in Ecuador had been in Spanish. (To this day I cannot
do the concert in English.) I put the German and French vocals on top of the second recording session
and voila, German and French albums. All of Immediate Eternity was never released properly. These are
great albums and they will be released properly. The effort was successful artistically, because I
think Immediate Eternity is one of my best albums, but since it was not released with any vigor, it
was not successful in a sales way. I love to create art and hate to sell art though I would like to
sell more records. (We actually had the lyrics translated to Japanese and preparations were being made
to teach me to do the lyrics in Japanese, but in the end that did not happen.)
The new ‘old’ DVD “Live! In Prague!“ is a fantastic historic document
of your live shows and energy back in 1989. Is there any other film material of your concerts
which could be released?
Copernicus: Of course. I have videotaped every concert that I have ever done. Larry Kirwan in the first
days said to me, if you do not videotape it, it means that you did not do it. The video of Copernicus
in the Quasimodo club in Berlin is great, in Manta, Ecuador is great, in Los Angeles is great in Sopot,
Poland is great in Loja, Ecuador is great and all of the early concerts in Max’s Kansas City
and CBGB and the Mudd Club and the World and the gig in Columbus, Ohio and Cottbus, East Germany
on and on. There are 325 videos in the Nevermore collection that should be released. I need someone
to come here and get them ready for release. They are turning into dust. If it was not for
Fernando Natalici, the Prague video would be dust right now. What saved that project was not
the original but a very good copy that had not decayed. The atoms of the films were escaping into
the Universe and turning the illusion of Copernicus into a really nothing exists phenomenon.
Are there any plans to record a DVD with actual material as your music, your words and poems and
your philosophy evolved quiet a lot within all these years?
Copernicus: I do not understand the question. If you go to the Copernicus website at www.copernicusonline.net
there are 62 videos of all of the recording of “disappearance” and
“Cipher and Decipher.” In the library, I actually have every recording session videotaped.
You get the actual moment of creation. We are already doing what you have asked. I am glad that you
are aware of the evolution of Copernicus and the importance in listening to the albums in the order
that they were created and witness the gradual evolution of Copernicus’ thinking. Remember the
1990’s was a serious decade of subatomic discovery- the quark, black holes, the string theory.
Each subatomic discovery dragged Copernicus as if they were hands coming out of the subatomic and
dragging him into the quantum to devour his mind and consume his brain. There was nothing else but
the subatomic.
Will you be on tour to promote “Live! In Prague!“ and your last
record “Cipher and Decipher“?
Copernicus: I will be doing a festival in Victoriaville, Canada on May 19, 2012 and some local concerts.
I will be upgrading the concerts, but they will be solo concerts. Traveling with musicians is not what
I like to do.
Any last words to our readers?
Copernicus: I appreciate your interesting questions and I am very disappointed in the youth of today both in America and Europe.
It seems that they are very sold out to materialism.
„Cipher And Decipher“ ist eine ungewöhnliche Scheibe mit einem ungewöhnlichen Konzept, das aber aufgeht. Die Stimme von Copernicus ist der Kernpunkt,
um den sich die Musik dreht. Mal wirkt sie wie von dieser Welt entrückt, dann wieder recht bedrohlich. Aber genau das bildet den Spannungsbogen, den
diese CD ausmacht. Man muss sich schon dieser Musik hingeben, damit man das Teil nicht gleich in die Versenkung schiebt. Dann aber hat man eine
außergewöhnliche Erfahrung der musikalischen Art vor sich. Eine Scheibe abseits der üblichen Hörgewohnheiten. Nie traf dieser Spruch den Nagel so auf den Kopf wie bei dieser CD.
Moonjune Records,
das ‘etwas andere Label’ aus New York, hat nun auch das weitere
Meisterwerk des Künstlers, ‘Cipher and Decipher’ auf den Markt
gebracht bzw. auf die Menschheit losgelassen. Auch dieses Mal
erfreut uns der Künstler mit vielen schrägen Texten, die zumindest
thematisch an den Vorgänger anknüpfen. Unterstützt wird Copernicus
von insgesamt 13 Musikern, u.a. auch von Mitgliedern der Celtic
Rock-Band Black 47. Die musikalische Leitung hat Pierce Turner, der
auch ein paar Instrumental-Parts beifügen darf. Über allem steht
aber der Sprechgesang von Copernicus, der eher einer Lesung ähnelt
als einem Gesang. Im Vergleich zu ‘Disappearance’ passt jetzt aber
die Hintergrundmusik irgendwie besser zu den poetischen Ergüssen.
Dabei geht Copernicus ziemlich abwechslungsreich zur Sache. Von
äußerst crazy (um es mal positiv auszudrücken) bis sehr ergreifend
ist alles vertreten. Eine gewisse Verrücktheit muss man aber schon
mitbringen, um mit der Scheibe warm zu werden. Ist auf jeden Fall
nichts für alle Tage und nach dieser CD braucht man äußerst leichte
Kost, um das gehörte wieder aus dem Hirn zu bekommen. Diesen
Silberling möchte ich deswegen mal als Geheimtipp für
aufgeschlossene Musikhörer bezeichnen.
Germany - Musik Reviews
Die Award-bedachten Proggies COPERNICUS stellen hiermit
den zweiten Teil ihrer "Disappearance"-Session von 2009 zur
Diskussion, ein definitiv außergewöhnliches Hörerlebnis, wenn man
mit üblichen Genreerwartungen an die Chose herantritt.
Germany - Ragazzi
Abgesehen vom Sound braucht der hungrige Freak schon seine eigene
Verrücktheit, den Sound voll innigen Vergnügens freiwillig hören zu
wollen. Da ist kaum von Eingängigkeit zu reden, wenn die Songideen
auch nicht extrem ausfallen, so ist doch nichts lieblich, besonders
melodisch oder von großer Harmonik. Alles ist Schräglage, durchsetzt
von dauerhaften Disharmonien und kratzigen Sounds, über denen wie
ein bedrohlicher Gott Copernicus steht, riesig, stets im Vordergrund
- und er schaut direkt in die Hölle der Seele.
Für, doch, zum Angstkriegen. Der Avantgarde Besonderheit!
Canada - Monsieur Délire
Translator, music reviewer, radio host (CFLX), and blogger (Monsieur Délire) posts his top 30 hits of 2011 called
“Delire Actuel’s 2011 Demanding Music Top 30”. The artists from this list were featured on Delire Actuel on 1/17/2012.
The radio shows Delire Musical and Delire Actuel are broadcasted one after another, every Tuesday night starting at
7 pm (1 hour for DM, 2 for DA), on CFLX 95.5 FM in Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada). Delire Musical is a radio show devoted
to music discovery through eclecticism, tearing down the walls between styles and genres. Its playlist is improvised
on the spot from pre-selected stacks of albums. It’s a seriously mad show. On the other hand, Delire Actuel is a madly
serious show devoted to all kinds of avant-garde music, studied and explained through new topics every week.
Delire Actuel is produced and hosted by François Couture. Delire Musical is produced and hosted by François Couture
and Daniel Ouellette.
France - TRAVERSES magazine (pg.36)
Nanti d'une pochette dont le dessin tendance art
brut semble avoir été griffonné sur le coin d'une
serviette en papier entre deux stations de métro,
Cipher and Decipher paraît cependant plus coulant,
voire plus accessible (relativité einsteinienne
de rigueur) que son prédécesseur, bien qu'étant
tout aussi plein et consistent en calories
quantiques. Sans doute une plus grande familiarité
avec le sujet (ou en l'occurrence le non-sujet) y
est-elle pour quelque chose... Et qui sait ? Cet album,
lui-męme prolongement du précédent, n'est
peut-ętre qu'une introduction ŕ une nouvelle čre
de créativité pour COPERNICUS.
Czech Republic - napalmed
Album je experimentální, ač z podstaty operuje výtečnou muzikou. Aby ne, kdy ve studiu řádila
horda borců. To už jsem ale psal minule. Jak plyne proud hudby, spíše se zamýšlím, co vede
tak výtečné instrumentalisty, k měsíčnímu pobývání ve studiu a nahrávání něčeho, co
nemusí mít jasný, a už vůbec ne dobrý výsledek? Třeba právě zkušenost a jistota, že
tohle špatně dopadnout nemůže. Copernicus-e - "mozek projektu" nepochybně znají, šéf
studiové kapely, hudební vedoucí Pierce Turner má nepochybně více než jasno, tak čeho se bát?
Nechá šéfíka seriózně přednášet, bez obav klidně řvát, ba i klávesy pomačkat.
Spain - tomajazz
En cuando a solistas Copernicus vuelve con el disco Cipher And Decipher . El teclista, poeta y vocalista nos presenta un
nuevo ejercicio de experimentación sonora y yo diría que esotérica. Obra conceptual y cósmico-existencialista que se bańa
en la espontaneidad y en el lamento de la voz del propio Copernicus. La intensidad y la tensión están siempre presentes
desde el prisma de la música progresiva y, aunque parezca sorprendente, la voz rasgada y doliente recuerda a Jim Morrison,
también cantante y poeta del grupo mítico The Doors; e incluso yendo un poco más allá a Tom Waits.
Italy - Mentelocale
“Non credo. Non credo nel tempo. Non credo nel nascere. Non c’č vita, Non c’č morte. Illusioni nel cielo.
Illusioni nella mente.” Ecco l’ultimo urlo di Copernicus, artista newyorkese da prendere al volo durante i suoi
happening tra New York e il New Jersey. Cosě č capitato anche per il recente Cipher and Decipher, registrato allo Water Studio
di Hoboken (NJ) il 2 novembre del 2008 ma pubblicato da Nevermore e distribuito dalla Moonjune solo all’inizio di quest’anno.
Improvvisazione musicale pura di 13 musicisti (diretti dal solito Pierce Turner) preposti a colorare simbioticamente le declamazioni estemporanee del poeta.
France - Highlands Magazine No. 53
Un Univers dejante, plus bordelique qu'une chambre d'ado, pour un resultat inenarrable! Mais apprivoisable. Seul regret la longueur de
l'album, 70 minutes c'est trop long pour cette oeuvre difficile a s'approprier.
Italy - MovimentiPROG
"Not even Einstein would admit he did not exist". Con questo provocatorio incipit Joseph Smalkovski, meglio noto come Copernicus,
inaugura il nuovo album - l'ottavo di una carriera orgoliosamente ancorata a ritmi e ambienti underground - "Cipher and decipher".
Immaginate un Gil Scott-Heron visionario e surreale, un Van Morrison acido e irriverente, un Peter Hammill tagliente e grottesco:
la poesia di Copernicus va oltre il perbenismo e il conformismo senza il taglio bukowskiano ma con un'aggressivitŕ sonora mediata
da riflessioni sulla materia, sull'energia, sulle reazioni umane di adattamento alla scomparsa delle "grandi narrazioni".
Mexico - Manticornio · Rock Progresivo
Se supone que toda la música fue creada espontáneamente, y la verdad es que la mayor parte del tiempo se oye muy bien. Hay toda clase de
instrumentos, una amplia variedad de guitarras, violín, saxofón y ˇhasta tuba! Con este respaldo instrumental, COPERNICUS hace lo suyo,
es decir, recitar versos de su propia inspiración, pesimistas, oscuros e inquietantes. El resultado es al mismo tiempo interesante y
perturbador, y si no has escuchado antes a éste artista, vale la pena arriesgarse.
France - Harmonie Magazine n°72 (Juin 2011)
Articles: Phideaux, Reverie, Thierry Payssan (Interview), The Snobs And Steve Delachinsky, Apocalypse, Jon Anderson (Interview),
Shades Of Dawn, Wobbler, Blackfield, Madelgaire, Lazuli, Galleon, Neal Morse, Sean Filkins, The Watch (+ Interview Simone Rossetti),
Pendragon, Nockford
Italy - Late For The Sky
Un nuovo disco di Copernicus, un performer e un poeta soprattutto, prima che un
musicista. Questo artista newyorchese, sulla scena fin dagli anni ‘80, dopo aver provveduto tramite la
sua etichetta a rendere disponibili i suoi vecchi lavori e a distribuire quelli pi ů recenti in pi ů lingue, č
tornato recentemente con un nuovo disco, un lavoro attraversato dal lirismo e dalla nervosit ŕ: Cipher
And Decipeher č la nuova testimonianza dello smalto che pervade la poetica di questo cantore della
grande mela, e del cosmo intero con tutti i suoi mali.
Italy - drive magazine
A ben guardare, perň, ogni definizione o
catalogazione sta stretta a questo “Cypher and Decypher”, ottimo
esempio di creativitŕ musicale il cui ascolto sorprende e sconcerta.
Nel libretto ci sono tutti tutti i testi. La copertina č disegnata da
Copernicus in persona: ok, non č un grande illustratore ma il suo
stile grafico bislacco e ingenuo č da apprezzare – se non altro – per
la sinceritŕ.
Italy - All About Jazz
Immaginate di essere spettatori di quello che succede nel giorno dell'apocalisse.
Gli elementi naturali stanno scatenando le loro forze ancestrali per lo scontro
finale. Pioggia, vento, tempesta, nevischio ghiacciato, tuoni, fulmini, bagliore di fuochi.
Tutto quello che puň succedere sta succedendo. E in mezzo a tutto ciň si alza la voce di un
profeta che declama le sue invettive, le sue tirate nichiliste, le sue sintesi geniali di
filosofia stralunata applicata all'esistenza quotidiana.
Holland - ProgLog
Copernicus heeft mij toch weer verbaasd. Als er een promo
binnenkomt van hem dan denk ik "heb ik daar wel zin in de komende
tijd?" Maar ProgLog AFTERglow geeft elk album een eerlijke kans en
na verloop van tijd concludeerde ik dan ook dat vier JoJo's dik
verdiend zijn. De prachtige hoes, met artwork van Moonjune's
Leonardo Pavkovic en tekeningen van Copernicus zelf, verdient een
eervolle vermelding. En die tekeningen bestaan toch echt! Ja toch?
Niet dan? Harry 'JoJo' de Vries (04-2011)
Italy - Arlequins
Non č forse nessuna delle due cose, ma alla fine
mi convince e non riesco a non rimanere affascinato dalle sue
elucubrazioni quantistiche un po’ naif. Malgrado tutti i suoi
eccessi, ha il grosso pregio di essere un personaggio credibile… un
personaggio, che possa piacere o no, č vivo e carismatico, cosa
oggigiorno abbastanza rara. Certamente č un disco non per tutti,
forse solo per menti un po’ deviate, ma somministrato in piccole
dose, č piacevole lasciarsi sprofondare nell’universo copernicano.
Spain - distritojazz
Copernicus como siempre se ocupa de las letras y teclados dejando la dirección musical de la banda a Pierce Turner que es el que se encarga de coordinar
sobre el escenario a los trece musicos inmersos en el proyecto. Gente del grupo Black 74 como Larry Kirivan, Hamlin Thomas o Fred Parcells, entre otros,
crean la música espontáneamente acompańando la voz del poeta en una especie de orden caótico improvisado y psicodélico.
Brazil - Alquimia Rock Club
Năo é um trabalho que ŕ primeira audiçăo, se vocę năo está
acostumado ŕ vanguarda musical dentro de qualquer estilo que seja,
vá compreender. É um disco para se ouvir mais e mais vezes, a cada
audiçăo novas coisas aparecem e, acompanhando as letras ao som,
realmente faz com que reflitamos em certos assuntos...
The Moonjune label is engaged in a reissue
program of Copernicus’ albums, but Cipher and Decipher is
a brand new creation. And honestly, I’m impressed. The rambling
poet’s lyrics are very strong (nuclear physics and
existentialism) and his musicians provide him with scorching
free-rock vamps. With age, Copernicus’ voice is starting to
sound like Lewis Black’s - minus the vulgarities. The man is
menacing when exorting us to turn subatomic. There’s magic
happening here, at a higher level than on his previous effort
Disappearance, which was overlong.
Poland - ProgRock
Jestem bardzo zaskoczony tym, co sam zaraz napiszę. Otóż nowa płyta
zespołu Copernicus jest znośna! Miałem już kilkakrotnie styczność z
tym przedziwnym tworem i ogólnego zdania nie zmienię - to grupa
zdolnych muzyków potrafiących niezgorzej improwizować, którzy z
jakichś niezrozumiałych dla mnie przyczyn od ponad 30 lat
(oczywiście ze sporymi roszadami personalnymi; trzon bandu
niezmiennie stanowią panowie Pierce Turner i Larry Kirwan)
przygrywają facetowi, który ubrdał sobie, że jest poetą i wokalistą,
podczas gdy w rzeczywistości sporo mu brakuje do jednego i drugiego
Italy - Metallus
Restando, perň, dell’idea che questa (ennesima) fatica
discografica del poeta non risulti del tutto campata in aria, si
riesce, tirando, un po’, le somme, anche a darle un significato ed
un perché: si potrebbe utilizzare come sottofondo per una
meditazione guidata parecchio movimentata, oppure sarebbe perfetta
per un Acid Test (e chi non sa cosa sia, vada a documentarsi).
L’unico problema rimane che sia gli anni ’50 che i ’60 sono ormai
passati. Da un pezzo.
Netherlands - Moors Magazine
Copernicus is een zanger en componist die eigenlijk nergens mee
te vergelijken is, al komen er onwillekeurig allemaal namen van
vergelijkbare muzikale en andere buitenstaanders boven. Denk
bijvoorbeeld aan de performances van de zichzelf opzwepende Johnny
de Selfkicker, of aan Captain Beefheart. Of aan de Beat poets. Maar
als orkestleider heeft hij ook wel wat weg van de licht chaotische,
onnavolgbare, maar wellicht daarom ook zo fascinerende Sun Ra.
Hungry - Hifi City Az előadó arról híres, hogy alkotásai sohasem tartoztak a könnyen
emészthető produkciók közé. Ebből fakadóan a közönséget is
mindig erősen megosztja egy-egy új kiadvány. Vélhetően a
közelmúltban megjelent Cipher and Decipher című albummal sem
lesz ez másként… Már az is sokat sejtető, hogy a lemezkísérőn a
következő szöveget olvashatjuk: „All music created spontanesously
by all musicians”.
France - Music Waves
Alors au moment de conclure
cette chronique et de passer ŕ l'épreuve ô combien difficile de la
notation, une fois n'est pas coutume, celle-ci sera fortement
teintée de subjectivité, la musique étant malheureusement affaire de
sensations et d'émotions. De mon point de vue, Copernicus est ŕ la
musique ce que l'art contemporain peut parfois ętre ŕ la peinture
des maîtres flamands : certains se gaussent d'apprécier la
performance en criant au génie, d'autres crient ŕ l'escroquerie.
Pour ma part, je me range dans la deuxičme catégorie.
Nothing Exists, the new (yet old) LP from Copernicus is easily one of the coolest albums I have ever heard.
Originally released in 1985, Nothing Exists was Copernicus’s first album, paving the way for the eleven albums that would follow. After releasing a new album in 2009, Copernicus went back to the beginning, digitally re-mastering and re-releasing Nothing Exists.
The album is an extremely interesting fusion of spoken word (Copernicus the vocalist started out as a spoken word artist) and progressive rock, which is simultaneously very chill and incredibly intense.
Sea of Tranquility
This is a rerelease of poet/performing artist, Copernicus' debut outing from 1984. Born Joseph Smalkowski, his first love is
of poetry, free narration and observation, especially on science and the quantum world. In 1984 he collaborated with
saxophonist, Melody Peach and later took inspiration from fellow New York avant garde circuit multi-instrumentalists,
Larry Kirwan and Pierce Turner. The album features both (Kirwan plays lead guitar and keys on this album while Turner
is musical director) along with Andy Leahy on violin, Jeffrey Lad and Fionnghuala on flute, Thomas Hamlin on drums,
Chris Katris and Jimmy Zhivago (second guitars), Peter Collins and Fred Chalenor (bass) Steve Menasche (marimba, percussion),
Fred Parcells (trombone) and Paddy Higgins (bhodran, toms).
Jazz Station
It was 1984, and Copernicus was making the transition from being
a performance poet to declaiming in front of a full-scale band of
musicians. He'd started to play with the saxophonist Melody Peach,
in poetry circles, and around the New York City rock club scene.
Then, Copernicus witnessed Larry Kirwan and Pierce Turner (both of
them multi-instrumentalists) in an East Village joint. He suggested
an immediate collaborative piece, and from this point the threesome
went on to make up a performing nucleus. Copernicus would mostly
appear below 14th Street, the Downtown home of all crucial art in
NYC. He'd be found at Max's Kansas City, CBGB, Speakeasy, Mudd Club
and Kenny's Castaways, making his intense pronouncements in front of
a fluctuating cabal of improvisers. There was talk of recording an
album, but Pierce Turner had a clear view of rejecting some run-down
semi-professional operation. So, they went into the slick midtown
RCA studios with fifteen musicians, spontaneously laying down the
tracks that were to shape Nothing Exists.
A variety of influences can be heard on this 1984 recording, ranging from punk to avant-garde jazz to avant-garde classical. The music, however, isn't very abrasive -- edgy, certainly, but not abrasive. It's music that works well for Copernicus, who brings a lot of passion to his abstract spoken word performances.
Belgium - "Nothing Exists" was Copernicus' first album. It combines complex music with Copernicus' extraordinary view on the quantum world. The band started in 1978 in New York City with Copernicus, Larry Kirwan and Pierce Turner.
Kirwan (on electric guitar, keyboards and vocals) and Turner (keyboards and vocals) are the musical masterminds, adding to the vocals that are spontaneously created by Copernicus.
JOHN O'BOYLE
Holland - Dutch Progressive Rock Page
“To experience Copernicus is
to witness a personal struggle. The struggle of an artist in search
of the most effective means to communicate his vision: that the
world around us which we perceive as reality, is in fact an
illusion, and the truth is that nothing exists.”
New jazz cd reviews by Brad Walseth, Brad Mehldau Highway Rider, Jeremy Pelt Men of Honor, VW Brothers Muziek, Ben Goldberg Charlie Hunter Scott Amedola Ron Miles Go Home, Bill Carrothers Joy Spring, Joe Chambers Horace to Max, Paul Austerlitz Journey, Trichotomy Variations, Joe DeRose and Amici Sounds for the Soul, Damian Erskine So To Speak, Solitaire Miles Born to be Blue, Copernicus Nothing Exists
All Music
More than once, Copernicus' passionate rants have been likened to the work of a Shakespearean actor —
and that Shakespearean element is alive and well on stream-of-consciousness tracks like "Nagasaki,"
"Atomic Nevermore," "Blood," and "Quasimodo," all of which helped set the stage for an interesting
recording career.
Copernicus roamed the same downtown streets as Jim Carroll but was the anti-Carroll taking a Doors-type minimalism, mixing it into trance and giving out lines that land somewhere between Steven Wright and Poe
Neben Copernicus, der die Texte geschrieben hatte, sie sang - performte, vortrug, in seinem eigenen unglaublich dynamischen bis aggressiven Stil präsentierte - gehörten Pierce Turner (key, voc), der als musikalischer Direktor die Bandarrangements schrieb und die Band leitete, Larry Kirwan (g, key, voc), Thomas Hamlin (dr), Chris Katris (g), Jeffrey Ladd (fl, key, effects), Peter Collins (b), Steve Menasche (mar, perc) und weitere partiell aktive Musiker zur Band.
Brazil - Progshine
1. I Wont Hurt You
Mais um “Poeta Jazz Malucăo” do quilate de Frank Zappa. As semelhanças realmente săo grandes,
embora o som do Copernicus seja mais suave e menos desconexo, com uma ordem mais presente.
A música inicial começa suave e cadenciada, com uma voz grave que mais fala do que canta, acompanhada
por um vocal calmo e levemente gritado que fica se repetindo numa melodia inebriante.
France - Monsieur Délire
Broadcast of June 21, 2011
Poets & Singers: Poets working with electronicians, improvised jazz bands, and avant-rock guitarists;
composers integrating poems to their works. All recent releases.
Italy - PaperBlog:
Del bizzarro performer americano scrissi giŕ ampiamente qualche mese
fa su
Mentelocale. Il buon Leonardo Pavkovic di
Moonjune, perň, ha pensato bene di muoversi a ritroso e di
curare la distribuzione del primo album di
Copernicus,
Nothing Exists, uscito nel lontano 1984 e ora ristampato
sempre per la Nevermore, Inc.. La stampa dell’epoca
rimase positivamente spiazzata da questa testimonianza registrata
negli studi della RCA di New York. D’altra parte Copernicus era
abbastanza noto nel circuito “underground” della cittŕ, tra East
Village e il Downtown, sparso a declamare in svariati locali
(citiamo lo Speakeasy, il Mudd Club e il Kenny’s Castaways). E negli
studios della RCA entrň, con i suoi 15 musicisti, come usualmente
era solito salire sui palchetti alternative newyorkesi. Ai tecnici
non rimase altro da fare che azionare il tasto “REC” e il resto
venne da sé.
The 3 Timelords from Greece Present: Timemazine (the Psychedelic Fanzine about the 60s and Beyond ‘em) Autumn 2010 Issue #5
"The band COPERNICUS began with Copernicus, Larry Kirwan and Pierce Turner in 1978 at the Five Spot, St. Marks Place (New York City).
Kirwan and Turner are the musical nother and father, but every musician who partakes designs his or her own part with vacals
spontaneously created and performed by Copernicus." If you are into something different and want to experiment, try it, it helps sometimes.
Italy - Lo Scrittore Progressivo
Il disco – (ri)ascoltato oggi – non ha subito affatto l’usura del
tempo, ma, anzi, come era “avanti” nell’84, non č detto che possa
essere “giŕ” attuale. Č ancora un passo piů in lŕ, forse perché non
siamo piů abituati a simili prodotti ed ad una partecipazione per
cui parole e musica diventano simbiotiche.
Italy - drive magazine Il bizzarro sistema di Copernicus...
Leonardo Pavkovic, fondatore e animatore
dell’etichetta newyorkese Moon June, riporta
alla luce sette brani registrati nel 1984 dal poeta
Copernicus e dalla sua
band. La carriera di Copernicus inizia
nella seconda metŕ degli anni Settanta, declamando versi nei
circoli di poesia dei quartieri per artisti di New York City. Lo
accompagna il sassofonista Melody Peach. La
contiguitŕ con i rock club della cittŕ porta Copernicus
a contatto con Pierce Turner (tastierista) e
Larry Kirwan (chitarrista e tastierista).
France - Music Waves
Malgré quelques séquences
musicales intéressantes, Nothing Exists ne présentera qu’un
intéręt limité pour le commun des mortels. Cet album répond
certainement ŕ des problématiques musicologiques et philosophiques
captivantes, mais son auteur semble avoir oublié que le rôle de
l’avant-garde est, au-delŕ de l’expérimentation pure, de transmettre
des questionnements qui restent accessibles en dehors d'une poignée
d’initiés. Ces derniers apprécieront sans doute un album qui ne
manquera pas d'interpeller les autres, quand bien męme la clé de
décryptage resterait-elle introuvable. A cet égard, l’écoute de
Nothing Exists est ŕ coup sűr une expérience ; mais il n’est pas
certain qu’elle vaille le coup d’ętre faite.
Italy - Nel 2009, in concomitanza con l’uscita di “Disappearance”, preannunciammo l’intenzione
della MoonJune di procedere alla ristampa dell’intera discografia di questo artista newyorkese, su supporto digitale.
Questo č il primo lavoro, risale al 1984 ed č quello che ha dato il via alla sua avventura.
ProgRock - Poland
Pochwalić należy stronę graficzną. Tekturka z dodaną grubą
książeczką, z której naprawdę sporo można się dowiedzieć o
początkach działalności Kopernika i jego kompanów. Do tego
oczywiście słowa utworów, wydrukowane na tle mogących przerazić,
psychodelicznie zniekształconych zdjęć Smalkowskiego na scenie.
Denerwują mnie natomiast drobiazgowe komentarze do każdego
kawałka. Czy ja naprawdę wyglądam na tępaka, któremu Copernicus
musi objaśniać swoją wizję? Napisał, nagrał - starczy.
Interpretacja to już działka słuchacza. Ale generalnie muszę
przyznać, że Nothing Exists słucha się całkiem dobrze. Ba!
Byłoby wręcz kapitalne, gdyby tylko wymienić wokalistę, bo
Smalkowski, choć kapela nazwę wzięła od jego pseudo, to niestety
jej najsłabsze ogniwo. Bardzo ostrożnie daję 3,5/5.
Napisał Paweł Tryba, dzień 06/06/2010 o godz. 20:00
Holland ... je vindt de
muziek van Copernicus geweldig of je krijgt er uitslag van. Ik behoor tot de eerste categorie, zoals mijn
lovende woorden over het vorig jaar verschenen 'Disappearance' aantoonden.
France - Pages 26-27
review of Copernicus Nothing Exists and 'disappearance'
Outre le noyau dur TURNER/KIRWAN, de nombreux autres musiciens-électrons ont été conviés ŕ apposer
leurs touches, élargissant ainsi le paysage sonore, qui passe insensiblement de la pop indie au space rock, du
classique au contemporain, de l'ambient au free jazz, du psychédélisme au post-punk (le malsain Nagasaki).
TRAVERSES No 28 Musiques Nouvelles et Autrement Progressives
Un programma di Pino Saulo con Nicola Catalano, Ghighi Di Paola e Antonia Tessitore
Hungary -
Talán kortárs zenének lehetne nevezni, de ez is csak egy halvány
megközelítése a valóságnak. Ugyanis a Copernicus-féle világ
mondhatni egy külön zenei kasztot képvisel.
Home of François Couture's music journalism and activism: Following the release of "disappearance" in 2009, it seems that Moonjune is embarking on a Copernicus reissue program. Nothing Exists is an album from 1984, and it shows, especially on the hurtful “I Won’t Hurt You” (it sounds WAY too 1984, if you know what I mean). Otherwise, it’s a fine record, powerful at times (“Let Me Rest,” “Nagasaki”). The end of the world, destruction by the H bomb - no light topics here, but the band’s music, largely improvised, is a perfect fit to Copernicus’ spoken words.
amarokProg.com
A l’heure des comptes, il faudra faire le bilan de toute la
théâtralité forcenée livrée par Copernicus, auto proclamé artiste
iconoclaste, et qui devrait sans aucun doute provoquer la fuite de
tout arpenteur de musique calibrée, simple et harmonieuse.
England - Silhobbit
This is music that you will either love or hate - there is no middle ground. It is Beefheart taken to the nth degree,
music that is at the very limits of that definition, but somehow I find it hard to turn it off once it has started playing.
If Carl Sagan, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd had collaborated together with some helps from earthy New Orleans groups and N.Y. based avant-rock/jazz
professional musicians, it would have sounded closer to 'Disapearance' cd.
This disc is not only no different in its virtues but marks a swift return of Copernicus' most leonine persona. The last one, Immediate Eternity II,
though as magnificent as any in his catalogue, was a tad restrained, so I wrote and inquired if it mightn't mark a mellowing of the incandescent
Copernican core. "No such thing", replied he, "just wait and see", and so I've been awaiting Disappearance for four long years…now worth every
second of anticipation. Pierce Turner, a gent formerly produced by Philip Glass and a singer who's come in for quite a few accolades (from Christy
Moore, Pat Kenny, etc.), is a long-time associate of C, though Wikipedia, in its perennal Libertarian ignorance and prejudices completely ignores
this. Turner appears prominently on the disc, playing keyboards, directing, and singing.
Belgium - 'disappearance' is a work of art. This is great stuff. And the most impressive thing is that as Copernicus tells his story, the music is improvised by the band behind him.
Exposé
If Van Halen's David Lee Roth decided to drop it all and become an obtuse beat poet,
that may create a small avenue of interest into the ramblings of Copernicus.
Sea of Tranquility
If you've been following Copernicus's well traveled journey through the psyche over the past thirty odd years then
'disappearance' could very well be considered his masterpiece.
Since the creation of an alter ego in the form of Copernicus, performer-poet Joseph Smalkowsk has gained a cult following which allowed him to tour Europe, America, and Russia.
Perhaps the most fitting way to describe Copernicus is as a performance poet. Even though he
(originally named Joseph Smalkowski) plays keyboards, Copernicus refuses to be categorized
as a musician. Despite often having inhabited the alternative New York rock'n'roll scene, his
music also exudes strong elements of jazz, classical and the avant garde.
Signal to Noise The Quarterly Journal of Improvised, Expermental & Unusual Music: fall 2009 issue
A 'Word Music' review of recent spoken word recordings
Holland - DPRP
Hear this and be amazed, shocked, disturbed or just plain bored - all are completely valid responses.
But be very careful if you are considering buying this as you really need to be aware of what you’re
getting yourself into. That said, I’m glad I had the chance to hear it. File under ‘W’ for ‘Weeeiiirrrddd!’ Mu-Hahahahaha!
IMPROVIJAZZATION Nation Issue # 93 REVIEWS
My favorite piece (from both a musical and spoken-word perspective), though, is "Humanity Created the Illusion of Itself", which sounds like
"WOO Revelator" on steroids, especially with Copernicus (aka Joseph Smalkowski) supreme vocal ranting! If you're a hardcore jazzoid with no
tolerance for anything "different", you'll shut this down after the first few bars, but if you prefer true adventure in your musical
experiences, this is the ticket. I give it a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, & tell you that if you're IN to spoken word - you've GOT to have this one!
All Music
An imposing storyteller capable of convincing you that life is hollow and human beings need to look deeper within themselves even down to a molecular level,
Copernicus conjures these brow beatings and serious wake-up calls through a pronounced style of prose, poetry, and spoken word accented by various styles of
music that are improvised, but refers through strains of electronica, jazz, blues, and space themes.
P
sychedelic nihilism, save for the lonely quark gluon plasma, the original intermediary matter between nothingness and somethingness.
Copernicus is a prophet/poet, a quasi-musical anti-mentalist who reduces everything to atomic theory. Since that may not conjur much
of a mental image, think of Jim (Christopher Lloyd) from “Taxi” fronting the Velvet Underground after some really bad acid.
Actually, don’t think of anything at all, since you don’t really exist (according to Copernicus) and therefore probably have
better things to (not) do. The foundation for this music is Beat poetry, Captain Beefheart and the bizarre psychedelic spelunkering
from the 60s (VU, The Red Krayola, etc.). I won’t kid you: this is jarring, bracing stuff that may just detach you from your
current reality, so be sure to wear your theological gravity boots before disappearance swallows you into its black hole of
alternate cosmology. The seven improvisational performances are inspired by a single vision; having made his life a work of
art, art flows freely from the mind of Copernicus. The backing music leavens the intensity of the dense metaphysical matters
that occupy his mind, alternating between free jazz (“Humanity created the illusion of itself.”) and VU’s gothic experimentalism
(“12 subatomic particles”). When free jazz and gothic sounds are the light matter, you know you’re going into a dark place.
As an antidote to dull reality, disappearance is fascinating. Just don’t look too deeply into it for life’s answers.
The concern for temporal things like punctuation exposes Copernicus to be more poet than prophet. This is a carnival ride
of the mind; don’t fear the dark shadows, just abandon yourself to their terrifying potentialities for 70 minutes, and
you’ll get your money’s worth.
After treating us to his wonderfully challenging music for over 20 years, it's fascinating to see that Copernicus is still as daring as ever.
Make no mistake, "Disappearance" proves that Copernicus can still rattle cages like no one else.
Gapplegate Music Blog: So the message? With the discovery of sub-atomic particles, we should come to understand that we don’t really exist. OK.
Accept it or not, this is a rather off-the-center sort of thing that could mesmerize you, amuse you, or any spectrum of other possible reactions.
Sonic Curiosity: Wordplay is the keynote here, as Copernicus weaves wisdom for the modern man, comparing society's decay to particle physics.
His wordage flows with an appealing cohesion, delivering jarring concepts in liquid vocabulary. His voice, rich with a gravely timbre, demands attention.
Downtown Music Gallery
Copernicus sounds like a brilliant madman who has been turned loose on the lower east side with a dozen fine musicians who
play music to illustrate his philosophical texts. Nothing is simple for Copernicus, as he is often discusses quarks, neutrinos, gluon plasma and
such things that take time to comprehend. What I dig about this is the fine music by Pierce Turner (and Larry Kirwan) that enhances most of these
pieces no matter how far Copernicus' words go out there.
It is the brilliant new Copernicus Album. I only knew his 'Null' before which is one of my favourites for a long time now and 'disappearance' seems far better
Ziemlich witzig und beeindruckend ist das hier Gebotene trotzdem. Zumindest ein oder zwei Alben lang. "disappearance" ist von den mir bekannten Alben des Amerikaners das abwechslungsreichste, druckvollste und am besten produzierte (nur "Deeper" ist ähnlich gelungen). Wer sich für rockmusikalische Seltsamkeiten interessiert, der sollte zumindest ein Album von Copernicus kennen. "disappearance" währe in dieser Hinsicht sicher keine schlechte Wahl!
Czech Republic - napalmed
S prošedivělým vlasáčem jsem se zprostředkovaně setkal díky hudebním burzám a CD "Null" už
kdysi v devadesátých letech. Desku jsem tehdy vyslechnul, neoslovila mě, tak šla do světa. Nevím kolik
Copernicus-ovi je, ale starý mi připadal už tehdy, před zhruba dvaceti lety. Muzika je divná i dnes,
ale už ji jsem schopen o něco lépe vstřebat, věnovat se jí a snad i trochu popsat.
Brazil - Progshine
5. Atomic New Orleans
Começa com linhas bem interessantes de guitarra, que, com o acompanhamento eventual de um sax e da voz de
Copernicus, văo se transformando aos poucos em um Blues fantástico. Conta com o sempre denso instrumental,
mas com um tom mais tradicional e claro, que vai evoluindo de forma bem interessante, tendo, a partir de
3:48 um solo fantástico de guitarra de muita pegada, que serve de “base” para os vocais pergunta-resposta
de Copernicus com outro membro da banda. Interessante notar que a voz de Copernicus se adapta muito bem a
esse tipo de som, algo que eu considero surpreendente, levando em conta o tom experimental da sua voz…
Pra mim a melhor do disco.
Programming of JUNE in "El Retorno del Gigante - Radio Show" from Argentina
* A new special of
the prestigious label Moonjune Records
featuring: Best of canterbury music: "Soft
Machine Legacy" a CD debut of members of the legendary
band founder of the movement Canterbury;
Delta Saxophone Quartet with
"Dedicated to You ... but You weren ' Listening (The Music of
Soft Machine)" Soft Machine's music reinterpreted by a
chamber group made up saxophone; The eclectic prog project
"Barry Cleveland "Hologramatron" -
In addition experimentation and R. I. O music to:
Copernicus, and
Boris Savoldelli, and more ...
Copernicus klinkt als een kruising tussen Johnny de Selfkicker en Captain Beefheart, waarbij je aan dezelfde soort van stugge complexiteit moet denken.
PianetaRock
"Ninety-six percent of all matter in the Universe cannot be perceived by humanity / Il 96% della materia presente nell'Universo non puň essere
percepita dall'umanitŕ".
On sam ne smatra se glazbenikom unatoč činjenici da objavljuje albume. Joseph Smalkowski je Copernicus, pjesnik, filozof, sveprisutni i pomalo nestvarni glas profesora za kojega vam se čini da je pobrkao puno lončića kada ljudsku prolaznost i propast objašnjava u stihovima ili prozi koristeći pritom terminologiju fizike i srodnih joj grana dok u pozadini sviraju The Doorsi.
Greese - ΔΙΣΚΟΡΥΧΕΙΟΝ / VINYLMINE
Ο αστρονόμος Nicolaus Copernicus ήταν γεννημένος σε πόλη της
σημερινής Πολωνίας. Ο νεοϋορκέζος καλλιτέχνης
Copernicus, αν κρίνουμε από το πραγματικό του όνομα
(Joseph Smalkowski) θα μπορούσε να έχει πολωνική καταγωγή και, γιατί
όχι, κάποιο ενδιαφέρον για ό,τι διαδραματίζεται πέραν του ανθρωπίνως
αισθητού. Στη σκηνή από τα μέσα των eighties, ο Copernicus φαίνεται
να έχει αναπτύξει έναν προσωπικό τρόπο παρέμβασης στην
καθημερινότητα, μέσω αυθορμήτων παραστάσεων δρόμου, συνδυάζοντας
ποιητικό λόγο, μουσική βεβαίως και, κυρίως, διάθεση, πολιτικώ τω
τρόπω, προφητική. Μέχρι στιγμής έχει ηχογραφήσει 12 άλμπουμ, με το
13ο, το “Disappearance”
[MoonJune/ Nevermore NCD 2091, 2009], να είναι σε κύκλο μέσω της
MoonJune Records.
Discogs Copernicus is the free voice of scientific contemplation in rock music. On this CD he works with a great lineup of session
musicians capable of flexing from rock improvisation to New Orleans styles. Mike Fazio is on electric guitar.
ProgAwards represent the competitive side while ProgHiFi continue to play the role of discoverer, analyze and evaluate the reality of the progressive music world scene today.
Greese - αστρονόμος Nicolaus Copernicus ήταν γεννημένος σε πόλη της σημερινής
Πολωνίας. Ο νεοϋορκέζος καλλιτέχνης Copernicus, αν κρίνουμε από το
πραγματικό του όνομα (Joseph Smalkowski) θα μπορούσε να έχει πολωνι-
κή καταγωγή και, γιατί όχι, κάποιο ενδιαφέρον για ό,τι διαδραματίζεται
πέραν του ανθρωπίνως αισθητού.
Italy - AllAboutJazz.com
Article by Maurizio Comandini: Copernicus č uno dei poeti visionari di New York. Prima regola: non chiamatelo Joseph Smalkowski,
altrimenti si incazza e vi scomunica all'istante dichiarando la vostra non-esistenza. E del resto chi č Joseph Smalkowski?
Mazz Musikas formerly Roots Town Music: Van Moonjune zijn we wel een en ander gewoon maar dit is toch wel een 'specialleke'.
In de eerste plaats gaat het om een nauwe
samenwerking met Nevermore Inc. Records. Maar dit is in nog veel meer opzichten een buitenbeentje. Centraal personage is ene
Copernicus (Joseph Smalkowski), een New Yorkse performer, poëet en filosoof.
alexfranquelli In poche parole...
In quest’album di buono c’č il pessimismo reale. Di cattivo c ’č la reale coscienza di un buon pessimismo auto distruttivo
e brani egregiamente nichilisti e orgogliosamente sconclusionati.
ondarock
La filosofia di "disappearance" č un rivolo di disillusione in una montagna di certezze che si sgretolano allo
scivolare di una poesia improvvisata, eclatante nei modi e intimamente distruttiva nei contenuti, che seguono
i ritmi di un suono riconducile grosso modo al progressive, al folk, ai postulati storici di un blues originario,
scarno, quasi irriconoscibile.
The band marches down to New Orleans, Copernicus angry, desperate, defiant, triumphant and forlorn, rising out of a free jazz maelstrom as he booms, “The revolution is here!...The revolution that does not exist!”
In het nare The Blind Zombies huilt Copernicus: "96% van alle materie in het universum kan niet door de mensheid waargenomen worden."
Is het daarom niet des te verschrikkelijker dat in die 4% die we wel waarnemen zo'n misbaksel als dit moet bestaan?
Vi har faktisk enda ikke fĺtt med oss om Copernicus med ”Disappearance” varsler dommedag eller redning? Likevel er dette ei skive du mĺ ha om du kun skal ha en skive i ĺr, da dette er ei skive som sannsynligvis er ĺrets ypperste utfordring.
Here's the latest bit of radioplay info -- one epic piece from Copernicus's Disappearance CD, "The Blind Zombies", went on the air in the two-hour music show,
Fantaasia, that I did on Estonian Radio's Klassikaraadio channel last night (5 August).
Italy - Arlequins
L’ascolto di Copernicus lascia interdetti, il suo linguaggio č anomalo e se un valore c’č,
sinceramente, č ben custodito ed č alla portata solo di chi saprŕ tiralo fuori. E questo il
fascino del lavoro? Io me lo chiedo ancora.
AmarokProg
Ce free jazz ŕ la fois violent et désespéré ravira les amateurs du bonhomme et du genre mais les novices en matičre de climax tordus devront se méfier des
chemins arpentés livrés sur ce Disappearance ŕ prendre avec des pincettes.
NYPress This Copernicus is the big guy with the deep voice and the leonine hair who self-produced albums like Nothing Exists and
Victim of the Sky, on which large gaggles of musicians would improvise while he roared and ranted his on-the-spot poetics
and philosophy about how nothing we think is real is real. When the song ended, it was history; no song was ever repeated.
Twisted Perceptions My friend Steve found this one day when we were browsing around at a local used CD store.
Based mainly on the weird cover, he thought it was worth a gamble for $1. We listened to it immediately afterwards
and thoroughly enjoyed this weird album. Seems to me this music fits right in on this blog. Definately worth a listen
if you have never heard this.
