Sun Ra - A Fireside Chat With Lucifer (Vinyl)
The key track on this rare 1980s recording sees Sun Ra warning the inhabitants of planet Earth about the threat of nuclear war and its ultimately apocalyptic effect. ‘Nuclear War’ is based on a call and response gospel chorus with Ra in the role as an interstellar preacher, raging against the nuclear war machine with a repetitive chanted expletive (think MC5!) that decades later still sounds shocking.
Later released as a 12” on UK label Y, ‘Nuclear War’ has since passed into Sun Ra legend, only to rise again on this re- mastered reissue of one of Ra's rarest and strangest Saturn releases. While that dominates the album, the remaining pieces are prime examples of where Ra and his Arkestra were taking their music at the time – with the dreamily hallucinogenic ‘Retrospect’ and the more upbeat (but off-kilter) nightclub jazz groove of ‘Makeup’ being the intermission before the title track hits.
‘A Fireside Chat With Lucifer’ is ushered in with heraldic horns and muted percussion before slowly unravelling into a complex composition that involves the entire group. Flickering with fine contributions from main Arkestra players Allen, Gilmore and Thompson, the piece really catches fire with Ra's smouldering keyboard interventions effectively communicating what remains his wildest musical message ever.
Lime Green Vinyl Edition.
Tracklist:
Nuclear War
Retrospect
Makeup
A Fireside Chat With Lucifer
The key track on this rare 1980s recording sees Sun Ra warning the inhabitants of planet Earth about the threat of nuclear war and its ultimately apocalyptic effect. ‘Nuclear War’ is based on a call and response gospel chorus with Ra in the role as an interstellar preacher, raging against the nuclear war machine with a repetitive chanted expletive (think MC5!) that decades later still sounds shocking.
Later released as a 12” on UK label Y, ‘Nuclear War’ has since passed into Sun Ra legend, only to rise again on this re- mastered reissue of one of Ra's rarest and strangest Saturn releases. While that dominates the album, the remaining pieces are prime examples of where Ra and his Arkestra were taking their music at the time – with the dreamily hallucinogenic ‘Retrospect’ and the more upbeat (but off-kilter) nightclub jazz groove of ‘Makeup’ being the intermission before the title track hits.
‘A Fireside Chat With Lucifer’ is ushered in with heraldic horns and muted percussion before slowly unravelling into a complex composition that involves the entire group. Flickering with fine contributions from main Arkestra players Allen, Gilmore and Thompson, the piece really catches fire with Ra's smouldering keyboard interventions effectively communicating what remains his wildest musical message ever.
Lime Green Vinyl Edition.
Tracklist:
Nuclear War
Retrospect
Makeup
A Fireside Chat With Lucifer
Info columns
PRE-ORDERS
Flying Nun only debits your account for a pre-order when it has actually landed in our store. We believe this is fair because supply can often be unreliable - availability and release dates frequently change without notice. Pre-order with Flying Nun and you can cancel any time prior to the product arriving at our store.
OUT OF STOCK ITEMS
Flying Nun only make products available to purchase on our website when they are actually physically held at the store (except pre-orders). Vinyl availability from all local and international suppliers changes on a daily/hourly basis. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee an online order for many items not currently held in stock.
SHIPPING
Flying Nun offers free shipping in Aotearoa New Zealand on orders over $80. We have record stores in both Auckland and Wellington and will ship your record from whichever store is nearest. We aim to pack send your order next business day. Pick ups are also available from both stores.