Donnette Thayer
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Alternative/ethereal
Status:
Most recent release, Chaos and Wonder (1997)
See also:
The Ectophiles' Guide entry on Hex and Game Theory, Donnette Thayer's previous groups.
Comparisons:
Her work with Hex, or other ethereal groups like Area, early The Moon Seven Times, etc.
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Donnette's voice is one of the prettiest I've ever heard. She's one of the few, similarly to Happy Rhodes, and say, Kate Bush, who uses her voice as an instrument as much as any other in a song. (alundra@netos.com)
Recommended first album:
Chaos and Wonder
Recordings:
Chaos and Wonder (1997)
Chaos and Wonder
Release info:
1997—Escapist Music, PO Box 1354, Hollywood, CA 90028, U.S.A.—0124960004
Availability:
Mail order
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended for fans of ethereal alternative rock
Group members:
Donnette Thayer—Fender-Martin Formulae, primordial oohs, voices issuing subliminal commands
Guest artists:
David Foerstner—spirit organs, cosmic strings, Gabriel's trumpet
Bruce Zelesnik—space-time descriptors, renormalization of infinities, big bang/big crunch, babbla obscura salta
Rick Novak—theraminalayic guitar, harmonic conversions
Bryce Goggin—dimensional shifts, backwards masking chandrasekhar limiting
Patty Hood—harp matrix, vocal celestial mechanics
Mike Linsey—bass matrix A, E bows virus, Yankee mandolin
Jonnie Hargis—bass matrix AA
Jim McGrath—percussion matrix
Donnette Thayer, David Foerstner, Bruce Zelesnik, Rick Novak, Bryce Goggin, Patti Hood, Mike Lindsey, Jonnie Hargis, Jim McGarth—sonospatial arrangements
Produced by:
Rick Novak, Bryce Goggin, Donnette Thayer, David Foerstner, Bruce Zelesnik
Comments:
I'd recommend this to any fan of lovely creative 'fantastyc' music that you can take a trip on. I feel like I've heard "Bali Hai" somewhere before, but not this sensually. Other standouts for me include "Earthly Powers," "Make it Now," "My Room," "Lemon Tree Home Away." The song "Gabriel," to me, has the feel of a classic. Don't buy this album on my recommendation; it just wouldn't be fair. :). Some of the most creative, dreamlike "escapist music" out there. (alundra@netos.com)The production is quite lush and magnificent for a self-released effort, though, and the packaging looks great too. If you liked Donnette's work in Hex, this new album is a must! (trow@interbridge.com)
Ethereal stuff with bite. Lovely cover of "Bali Hai". (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
