Richard Carr - August Light (2024)

Recorded at Dreamland, a historic church converted into a studio just a few miles from Woodstock, NY, August Light captures the organic and spiritual essence of its unique setting. Owned by acclaimed drummer Jerry Marrota, Dreamland’s sensational acoustics and vibrant wood surfaces provided the perfect backdrop for Richard Carr’s collaborative explorations.

Joining him on this musical outing are cellist Clarice Jensen and violist Caleb Burhans, both shining lights of the new music scene. Together, they engage in interactive improvisation, creating a lyrical musical conversation that transcends known boundaries, along with sly nods to Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Charles Ives.

From the ethereal Standing Stone to the atmospheric title track, August Light, Carr and his collaborators showcase their mastery of instrumentation and improvisation. Each piece takes listeners on a sonic journey, blending elements of jazz, minimalism, and experimental music – sometimes ambient, sometimes aggressive – to create a truly immersive experience.

August Light also features special guest appearances, including Carr’s son Ben Carr, known as Carrtoons, whose electric bass adds depth and energy to select tracks.

Following in the footsteps of Over the Ridge (Neuma 146, 2021), and Landscapes and Lamentations (Neuma 161, 2022), August Light continues the (wholly- and) semi-structured musings of Carr and his fellow travelers.

Richard Carr has been some kind of musician for last forty-some-odd years. This included work with big orchestras, and small ensembles. He played classical with the Boston Philharmonic, jazz with everyone from Milt Hinton, to Bucky Pizzarelli, to Karl Berger, and Fred Frith. He has recorded dozens of albums starting way back in the golden age of vinyl. He studied composition with Donald Martino, Jonathan Kramer and many others.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Standing Stone (3:58)
1.02 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - August Light (3:30)
1.03 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Fission (4:00)
1.04 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Vik (4:56)
1.05 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - At a Crossroads (4:48)
1.06 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Atmospheric River (2:55)
1.07 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Work the Space (5:04)
1.08 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Play with Fire (3:34)
1.09 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Circle of Mist (6:28)
1.10 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Hold That Thought (4:08)
1.11 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Standing Stone Reprise (5:34)
1.12 - Caleb Burhans, Clarice Jensen, Ben Carr, Richard Carr - Desolation Is a Railway Station (4:38)