Thomas Newman (1955-) & Rick Cox (1952-)
35 Whirlpools Below Sound (2014)
A Well Staring at the Sky
Exit 3
Slate
Rouge
Smith's Arcade
Eyes of Blue
Goldmine Nectarine
Telegraph Vine
Ashland Schine
Pluton Creek
Mort
Negative Rhythm
Venice Mule
Paper Thin
Grind the Bone and Bury It
Carapace
Then Deeper Stair
Dulciana-stop

35 Whirlpools Below Sound presents a fantastical soundworld of 19 short, richly detailed, multilayered electro-acoustic soundscapes jointly composed and performed by Newman and Cox, whose musical friendship and ongoing working relationship date back to 1985. These enigmatic works, built of often mysterious juxtapositions of sounds, have been gestating and changing shape for many years, always with an eye toward their eventual completion and release, which this CD marks. The album’s title was taken from a line in Hervey M. Cleckley’s classic psychology study, The Mask of Sanity, in which the author quotes the following sentence from one of his patient’s letters: “Until you gentlemen decide further what my occupation is, you may as well announce me as comforting 35 whirlpools below sound.” [CD and folder in jewel case]