Ancient Leaves by Michael Stearns

In 1975, Michael moved from Tucson to Los Angeles to study with Emilie Conrad at the Continuum Studio. Emilie had ‘live’ music for her ‘movement meditation’ classes, and Michael began performing with Fred Stofflet, Gary David, and Don Preston. Ancient Leaves (25:43) was Michael’s first album, recorded in 1976/77 with a Mini Moog synthesizer and a Finish lap harp (Kantele) onto 4 track tape. To the other instruments, Michael added Emilie chanting, an ascending choir with Susan Harper and Linda Olsen vocalists, Gregorian Chants and a night ambience recorded in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona, his hometown. It was initially released on LP and cassette.
The ‘B’ side, Elysian E (23:13) was performed with an Arp String Ensemble played through an MXR digital delay, one of the first, then slowed to half speed. To this he added Moog and EML synthesizers, The Beam and his voice.

Tracklist

1.	Ancient Leaves	25:28

2.	Elysian E	23:13

Credits

released May 1, 2015

Cover Art: Leilani Bost
Original recordings compiled and mixed on 8 track at Track Record, Los Angeles
Many thanks to: Emilie Conrad, Susan Harper, Linda Olsen, Craig Hundley, Katja Biesanz, Kevin Braheny, Gary David, Ron Peterson and George Landry
All music BMI, Earth Turtle Music and Continuum Montage
© 1977 Michael Stearns

License