Cooper Moore - Cedar Box Recordings - rare set of five 7" vinyl records in ultra-cool wooden box  -- from limited edition of 300 on 50 Miles of Elbow Room Records.  #92/300.  with detailed booklet of information and photos.  hard-to-find and collectible.  own this artifact!

Cooper-Moore – The Cedar Box Recordings

Tracklist:

Credits?

• Artwork – Fitz Gitler, Maria De Simone
• Performer [Diddley-bo, Horizontal Hoe-handle Harp, Ashimba, Bamboo Fife, Twanger, Mouth-bow], Piano, Banjo [Three-stringed Fretless], Percussion, Synthesizer, Voice, Music By – Cooper-Moore
• Photography By – Clare O'Dea

Includes 16 page 7" x 7" booklet containing an interview with Cooper-Moore and housed in a cedar box. Hand numbered edition of 300.

Insert included - "Errata: Perhaps inspired by Saturn and ESP-Disk, the pressing plant mislabeled two of the records contained herein. The labels for sides 1 & 2 are reverse of where they should be, ditto for sides 3 & 4. In an attempt to compensate, included is a full additional set of labels with which you may correct the situation, if desired." 

3 Customer Reviews:

1) "When I read about this in a DMG newsletter, I knew it was for me. This is a set of 7", 33rpm disks of Cooper-Moore playing, mostly, his invented instruments. It comes in a wooden box with a cover that slides off. Actually, the packaging is identical to the "Goodbye Babylon" box of vintage gospel that was released earlier this year, sans the raw cotton boils.

Beautiful! Very musical, very listenable. This is great stuff. He plays didlybow, hoe-handled harp, Astimba (a mallet instrument) and bamboo fife. This is not off-the-wall "outsider music". It's well played, well presented and gentle. "

2)  "I have to chime in and add my appreciation and additional recommendation of this box set. I've always considered Cooper-Moore an artist of tremendous depth. Having this box set, at least for me, is like having a small snapshot, framed up, of Cooper-Moore's vision. There is SO much more to his scope, but this box at least acts as a small sampling of his work. For those less familiar with his music other than only his piano music, this box set is evidence of the fact that Cooper-Moore's music isn't hinged on "style"...rather, it exemplifies the deeper *personality* that is Cooper-Moore...(at least in my opinion) ...the Storyteller.

While his instruments are certainly sacred to him...I've always been massively drawn to his story/stories, regardless of which instrument (voice, Ashimba, drums, piano, diddly-bo, flute, etc) he chooses to use. It is that foundation that makes his music so strong and so unique.  He is clear on all instruments and shares a TON of soul...from what feels ancient and yet, new.

Highly recommended. Thanks to Adam Lore for releasing this music and to Cooper-Moore for making it." -chad

3) "In 2004, the multi-instrumentalist Cooper-Moore and 50 Miles of Elbow Room released a handmade cedar box filled with 5 vinyl 7" records, each with the artist playing a different handmade instrument. These collectible art pieces were soon sold out.

The booklet included explains the artist's history and story behind the self-made instruments. Like his ashimba, an Ashton marimba made from found objects. Its percussive xylophone sound on "Emancipation" is both low-key and low-tech. Born in the hills of Virginia, he is a natural musician able to make music from everyday objects. He might be best known for his piano playing with the likes of William Parker's Little Huey Orchestra and (smaller) band In Order To Survive as well as his own trio Triptych Myth with bassist Tom Abbs and drummer Chad Taylor, but he is also a stellar solo musician adept at, among other instruments, the diddley-bo, horizontal hoe-handle harp, ashimba, bamboo fife, twanger, mouth-bow, three-stringed fretless banjo, percussion, synthesizer and voice. These tracks include both songs and story telling.

You might call his style country folk, but only if you'd be willing to call John Coltrane's music country too. From the free playing on the piano piece (not homemade) "Solo From Bordeaux" to the effects-laden 3-string banjo (handmade) "Crow Shijt On A Window," his music is simultaneously emanating from down home and outer space. As much Buck Owens as there is Thurston Moore.

These recordings are a surprising treat made by an outsider artist with a jazz artist's ear for amour fou."

Thanks for your consideration.