Damon Albarn performed and showcased his new opera Dr Dee at Onefest on April 14th 2012. The full length album of the opera, inspired by mathematician John Dee, will be available in stores on the 7th May 2012. For fans who didn't go, one can view some well-shot pictures of the festival HERE.
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| Credits to Derren Nugent, Safeconcerts |
The album's sounds are different to any other Albarn projects in the past. Critics have described it as a folk-ish album with mixtures of The Good, The Bad and The Queen (Damon's previous take on more traditional English music) and the piano-ballad styles of Blur's new track Under The Westway.
Damon also gave an
exclusive track by track commentary of his new release. He talks about each song and it follows with a little snippet of the individual track. You can listen to it on
DIY's website (click here).
And finally, Damon Albarn will appear on the Stuart Maconie show TONIGHT (April 22nd 2012) at 8:00pm UK time, to speak about his eclectic musical contributions, Blur, and present an exclusive live on-air performance of his Dr Dee opera.
As quoted from the BBC4
page: First premiered at last year's Manchester International Festival, Dr Dee
tells the story of John Dee; mathematician, astronomer, occultist and advisor
to Elizabeth I. Recorded last year in Salford with the BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra, the opera sets Dee's story to a sonic backdrop of early English
period instrumentation, African beats, and Renaissance flourishes, described by
Albarn as "strange, pastoral folk".
Tonight, Stuart will
talk in depth to Damon about the opera, his recent production work with Bobby
Womack, his collaboration with Tony Allen and Flea from The Red Hot Chilli
Peppers - Rocket Juice & The Moon - and most importantly, the
future of Blur.
Read Damon's full Guardian interview deeming the end of Blur HERE
Read all about Blur being BASHED AT THE BRITS (Adele!) HERE
Read all about Blur talking about their bleak future HERE
New "tear jerker" song HERE and check out their newest track Under the Westway HERE and read our REVIEW HERE.
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For all who's interested in Damon Albarn's side-projects including his latest Dr. Dee, here's a little recent piece of action. Damon Albarn was featured on the BBC music documentary 'London Calling' a few days ago and he had a few things to say about his music.