Leonard, Cheryl E. – “Chattermarks” – [Great Hoary Marmot Records]

abacus   12/9/2012   A Library, CD

Field recordings from Cheryl’s January 2009 trip to Palmer Station, Antarctica. A lot of these recordings have been incorporated into her compositions, but here they are featured raw and undeveloped to display their beautiful and natural musical qualities. We have sounds of penguins playing by the beach and of chicks with their parents. Ice breaking off melting glaciers recorded both above and underwater, and at various depths and locations. The snaps, crackles and pops of bits of ice disintegrating and releasing air pockets. Elephant seals sleeping and sparring alike, with some nighttime partying by the swimming hole thrown in as well. The album closes with a storm closing in, disturbing the unstable, vulnerable landscape. PGM: the sounds here are particularly quiet/sparse, ESPECIALLY 1,4,7-10 (but the elephant seals do make some very strange sounds!) For use in mixing, mic beds, or playing alone. Transport yourself to Antarctica in the summertime!